Beyond the Cherry Trees: The Cook Brothers Series

by Heather D'Agostino

  TyObject: Me too, and UR welcome.

  It took no time at all for her to respond, and I couldn’t help remembering all the nights we laid in bed doing this very thing. Sometimes I would fall asleep with my phone by my pillow, or wake up to it hitting me in the face.

  TyObject: Do you have plans for the weekend?

  I shifted restlessly in the bed as I waited for her response. I wanted to spend time with her, and I wanted to do it without people around. If we were going to reconnect, we needed time to talk, and I needed her to be open about it. We weren’t the same kids that left Cherryville six years ago. We weren’t the couple that failed at living together in New York City, and we most certainly weren’t the naïve kids that thought nothing could pull us apart. I needed her to see that, and reassure me that she really was open to fixing us.

  BallerinaGirl: No plans, why?

  TyObject: Spend the day with me Saturday. Just you and me. Like old times.

  It felt like I waited forever for her response, and at first I wondered if she was trying to think of a way to tell me no. Was she rethinking the whole ‘try it again’ scenario? Did she fall asleep? Was I getting my hopes up too soon?

  BallerinaGirl: Ok

  Ok? That was it? What did that even mean? I dragged my hands down my face as I released a deep breath. I was overthinking this. I just needed to tell her I’d pick her up, and then leave it at that. I’d plan an unforgettable day, and show her that I was different, and we could work. I’d show her that I still loved her, and make her feel the heat that we once easily possessed. She wouldn’t be able to walk away from me after I made her realize how good we really were, and how great we could be now.

  TyObject: I’ll pick you up at 9am. Dress warm. We’re going to be outside.

  I silenced my phone after that. I wasn’t going to give her any details, and if I was going to get this planned right, I needed a good night’s sleep. I’d need Taylor’s help in the morning, and who knew what he’d make me do to get it. We might be in our twenties now, but he still treated me like he did when I was eight.

  “THANKS, MAN,” I nodded at Taylor as he stepped back and leaned on the shovel he was holding.

  “So are you going to tell me what this is for?” he huffed as he tried to catch his breath. I hadn’t said anything to him when I asked him to come to the back of the orchard with me today.

  “I’ve got an idea, and I needed a spot cleared out. The snow’s deep back here.” I shrugged, hoping he’d accept my vague answer.

  “Right, and what exactly do you need this for?” He tipped his head to the side. He knew I was hiding something, and he was giving me that look that said spill.

  “Fine,” I tossed my arms out to the side before dropping my head back to look up at the sky. “I’m going to bring Mia out here tomorrow. I needed a fire pit. Remember when we were kids, and we’d come out here just to hang out for the day? We’d build a fire and sit and talk?”

  “I have a fireplace in my living room.” He rolled his eyes at me. “You dragged me out here to help you do this so you could get laid?” He pointed his finger at my chest as he narrowed his eyes at me.

  “No,” I shook my head adamantly. “I’m not going to do that. Not yet anyway. She deserves better than that. Why can’t I just want to have some privacy?”

  “You know Morgan and I will leave you guys alone, right? You can sit on the sun porch or even go in the living room. I’ll keep CJ out of your hair.” Tay watched me before his lips twitched. “I really don’t want to hear the sounds you make anyway.” His face contorted in disgust before he erupted into laughter.

  “Fuck you!” I growled as I advanced close enough to shove him.

  “No,” he laughed harder as he pointed at me. “That’s what you’re hoping Mia will do.”

  “You’re such an asshole,” I muttered as I tossed the shovel I was holding up onto my shoulder and began walking toward the house.

  It took me a while to get back. The snow was about knee deep in the orchard and the yard. Winter was not being kind to Upstate NY, and I was already getting tired of the snow. Frigid air gusted around me, causing me to tug my coat higher around my neck and start to second-guess myself. Was I crazy to want to spend the day outdoors tomorrow? Would Morgan and I actually be able to talk? I hoped so.

  WHEN I ENTERED the kitchen, Morgan was humming along to some Christmas music as she danced around the kitchen island. A red apron hung around her neck, and flour dotted her cheeks and nose. “I’ve got cookies in the oven. They’ll be out shortly if you boys want some.” She smiled as I began peeling off my clothes. I hung my coat on the coat rack by the door before stepping out of my boots and peeling off my snow pants. My hat and gloves got tossed on a nearby chair before I made my way over to where a pot of coffee was keeping warm under the coffeemaker.

  “Thanks,” I smiled. “You know, your husband can be a jerk at times.” I shook my head as I peeked in the oven at the sugar cookies that were slowly turning golden brown. They smelled delicious, and the scene before me made me remember all the Christmases I’d spent with my family as a kid. Since my parents moved to Florida several years ago we’ve changed our family traditions. Now, instead of spending Christmas together we usually go down there for New Years. This year, though, I’m hoping to spend the holidays with Mia.

  “CJ’s been pestering me to bake cookies to decorate. I figured I’d have these ready when he gets home from school today. We’re going to do it together if you want to join us.” She smiled at me before releasing a big yawn. “Sorry. This baby is wearing me out. I’m so tired during the day, but when night time rolls around, I can’t seem to fall asleep.”

  “I can get these out if you want to take a nap.” I motioned to the oven door. “I can help CJ get started too. Go lay down. Don’t worry.” I tried to shoo her away. At first, she resisted, but when the back door opened, I saw her smile spread. I knew it had to be Taylor, and I held my breath as I waited for the teasing to begin over my plans for the weekend. He had been relentless when Mia and I first got together. I think it was because I used to tease him about Morgan. The only difference was I didn’t do it anymore, but he didn’t seem able to help himself.

  “Smells awesome, baby. When can I eat some?” He rubbed his belly as he rounded the corner, and when their eyes met, they both went all gooey on each other. It didn’t matter that they were married now, they still acted like teenagers at times.

  “There’s still some time left on them. Ty’s gonna get them out of the oven for me. I was just getting ready to head upstairs for a nap. Wanna join me?” She bit her bottom lip as she waited for his reaction. Taylor snickered before looking over at me.

  “You better not let my cookies burn.” He pointed at me before looking back at his wife. “I am kinda tired,” he snickered again, “but you may need to tire me out just a little bit more before I can fall asleep.”

  “I can do that,” she giggled before heading toward the stairs.

  “Ugh!” I groaned. “I don’t want to know about that,” I cringed and made a gagging motion. “You better not be loud enough that I can hear you!” I shouted after them as their feet thundered up the stairs.

  AFTER TYLER’S LAST text the other night I wasn’t sure what this day was going to hold for us. He’d said we were going to be outside all day, but with my broken foot, I wasn’t sure I what I’d be able to do. It was freezing today, and as I pulled my snow pants up over the leggings I was wearing, I groaned. I hated winter. I was more of an inside person when it came to this time of year. Aside from the tree lighting, I never really ventured out. Now summer was another story. When we were kids, I’d spend all day outside. If I wasn’t laying in the sun, I was swimming in the creek. There was a great swimming hole that all of us used to use, and I wondered if Ty ever went back out there.

  After layering on several shirts and slipping into my coat, I reached for a scarf and my gloves. I couldn’t help but laugh at myself as I looked at my reflection in the mirro
r. I already walked stiff legged because of the boot, but now the rest of me was stiff too. “Damn you, Tyler Cook. What the hell do you have planned?” I grumbled as I made my way out to the living room. I waved at my parents before opening the front door. I figured I better wait outside because I’d be a sweaty mess if I stayed indoors with all these clothes on.

  “Perfect timing,” he laughed and I jumped before turning around to see Tyler climbing off a snowmobile. “You musta sensed I was here,” he grinned as he began moving closer. He had a helmet tucked under one arm and was running his gloved hand over the top of his head. His hair was sticking up in every direction and his cheeks were rosy from the cold. I couldn’t help but smile at him. He looked like a little kid, and the grin on his face took me back in time as I watched him move closer. “Ready?” He reached out when he got to the bottom of the porch steps, causing me to jump back to the present.

  I nodded as I let him take my hand and lead me over to the red piece of machinery. “You really think I should be riding this?” I gaped at him. “I mean I’m already hurt. What if I get hurt again?”

  He grabbed a spare helmet as he set the one he was holding on the seat before moving to stand behind me. “I’ll protect you,” his whispered as he kissed my cheek and slid the helmet on my head. “Put these on.” He handed me a pair of goggles before he slipped his own helmet in place. “You look so fucking hot,” he hissed as his eyes trailed down the front of me. “Come on,” he slipped his own goggles on before reaching for my hand to help me climb on behind him.

  He cranked the snowmobile’s keys, bringing it to life, as I swung my good leg over the seat. It took me a minute to get comfortable with the boot before I was able to settle behind him. “You’re crazy!” I shouted over the roar of the engine, and he laughed.

  “Hang on!” he called over his shoulder as he revved the throttle and put the thing in motion. It slid forward over the soft powder before turning with ease and heading for the open fields across from my house.

  I squealed as I tightened my grip around his middle. The feeling was exhilarating but scary at the same time. Tyler always was a daredevil. Even when we were kids he was trying things that were stupid at the time. I knew this was probably stupid, but as the wind whipped through the hair coming out of the back of my helmet, and blasted my cheeks I couldn’t care less. Tyler made me feel like I could do anything when he was around, and it felt good to feel that again.

  “Where are we going?” I shouted as the snow sprayed up around us.

  “Anywhere you want,” he yelled back as he yanked the handlebars to the right, causing us to spinout slightly. He righted the snowmobile before pressing harder on the gas and raising our speed even more.

  “This is so much fun,” I squealed as I tightened my arms around him.

  “You ain’t seen nothing yet,” he warned as he sped up even more and headed toward the orchard.

  I needed this. I needed to remember what it was like to feel invincible. To remember life before weight restrictions, rehearsal schedules, bloody toes, and late nights with little sleep. I needed to be the me that I was when I was happy here. I’d been so wrapped up in getting better so I could dance again that I’d been wasting my time. Tyler was forcing me to remember what we were like, and that we could be like that again. Only this time, we’d be better. We had to be. This time I didn’t think I could walk away. I was falling, and I was falling fast.

  WHEN WE FINALLY came to a stop, I began to loosen my grip on Tyler’s waist and lifted my head to look around. We’d been riding most of the afternoon, and as the evening approached, bringing with it even colder temperatures, I’d pressed myself against his back for warmth. The sight around us was beautiful. I felt like I was in the middle of a postcard. Snow had been falling slowly in the tiniest flakes, but now the sun was sitting low in the sky. It was just getting ready to kiss the tops of the mountains in the distance. Red, orange, and purples were painted like ribbons on the horizon.

  “Wow, it’s so pretty,” I gasped as I pulled the helmet from my head. I straightened the snow hat that had slipped to the side before standing to climb off. My legs felt numb from sitting so long, and vibrations that the snowmobile had caused between my thighs left me with an odd feeling of loss.

  “This is my favorite time of day,” Tyler mused as he too stood and climbed off. “When I’m at work, most of the office has gone home by this time, and my window looks toward the west side of the city. Sometimes, I’ll sit and stare at it as it slowly darkens with the evening. It’s one thing I truly miss about living here.” He shook his head as if he was trying to forget the thought and push it down. I’ve only seen Tyler slip a few times, but when he does, he gets this odd look on his face. It’s like remembering his present life hurts him. He’s spent the last several days helping me remember the past. We haven’t really talked about the present, and we sure as hell haven’t mentioned the future.

  “So what’s all this?” I pointed to a large circle on the ground as I tried to change the subject. The snow had been shoveled away and built up almost like a crater of some sort. A pile of firewood was in the center, and when I glanced at Ty, he had a shit-eating grin on his face.

  “Thought we’d have dinner here.” He shrugged as a smug smile slipped into place. We were at the back of the orchard where we used to hang out as kids. A few feet away was the creek we always swam in and the cherry trees that would fill with blossoms in the coming spring.

  “It’s cold,” I shivered as I wrapped my arms around myself. I was bundled up, but now that we weren’t riding around, the adrenaline had worn off, and I was really feeling the elements.

  “I’ll keep you warm,” he teased as dug into his coat pocket and produced a box of matches. He knelt down next to the wood and struck a match. When he tossed into the wood pile, it turned into a small blaze.

  “How the heck did you do that?” My eyes bugged out. Tyler had always been the outdoorsy type when we were kids, but I’d never seen even the best Boy Scout get a fire started that fast.

  “Magic,” he chuckled as he held up a bottle of lighter fluid that he had pulled from one of the bags that were attached to the snow mobile. “I soaked it when I came out here his morning. Have a seat.” He motioned to a large log that was lying on its side near the fire. “I wasn’t sure how to get much out here so I figured we’d sit on the ground, but I found this.”

  “This is great,” I smiled as I moved closer to the warm flames and lowered myself onto the log. It took me a minute to get comfortable with the boot, but before I knew it, I was actually starting to warm up. The snow that Tyler had built up around the edge of our circle created a wind barrier so I was able to remove my gloves when he handed me a thermos. He soon came over to sit beside me carrying a small paper bag.

  “You hungry?” He reached in the bag and handed me a sandwich before opening the thermos for me.

  “You thought of everything didn’t you?” I smiled as I took a grateful bite. We didn’t eat lunch, and I hadn’t had any breakfast. I’d been so worried lately about my weight that I’d cut back even more. Without dance, I had no way to work off the calories, and I knew that I was going to be in a heap of trouble if I went back with even one ounce of fat on me.

  “Not everything,” he smirked before leaning closer. His voice dropped as he moved closer to my ear. “I wanted to bring a tent out here so we could camp, but I wasn’t sure how to convince you to do that.” The way his breath blew across my ear caused me to shiver, and I swallowed, thinking about exactly what would have happened if we stayed out all night. Knowing that he’d never take me back to Taylor’s and the fact that I was staying at my parent’s house helped keep the falling walls up, but I knew it wouldn’t be long before he’d be trying to take things further.

  Tyler had always been patient with me when we were dating, but I haven’t been with another man since I walked away from him two years ago. I knew based on what I saw at the charity event that wasn’t the case with him. Just kn
owing that actually worries me. What if I’m not what he remembers? I was inexperienced when we were first together, but so was he. We taught each other. Now I feel like I’m still that inexperienced girl who wasn’t even sure how to kiss a guy, and Tyler’s on a whole different playing field.

  “Awfully sure of yourself, huh?” I mused as I took a bite of the sandwich. I froze when I tasted the peanut butter. “I can’t eat this,” I mumbled as I let the small bite in my mouth go down my throat. “Do you have any water?”

  “I brought hot chocolate again.” He furrowed his brows as he looked at me. “It’s your favorite.” His eyes darted around my face as his morphed into a confused one. “I brought all your favorites.” He pointed at the peanut butter and jelly sandwich in my hand.

  I took a deep a breath and let it out before looking him in the eyes. He put so much thought into our day, and I was about to ruin it. “This is full of fat, and that has tons of sugar. I can’t eat that stuff. I have to stay thin to dance.

  “Mia,” he shook his head. “You’re so tiny I can reach all the way around you with one arm. I can feel your spine when I touch your back. One sandwich is not going to hurt you.”

  “Yes, it will,” I stressed as I wrapped up the sandwich and handed it to him.

  “Please eat,” he begged. “You’re so skinny. It’s not healthy to be that skinny.”

  “It is for a dancer. You don’t get it. When I go back, I have to be ready to work. I can’t be any heavier than I am now. I need to be light. I’ve been sitting on my ass for two weeks. I gained two pounds last week. I can’t exercise to lose that.” I could feel my throat tightening, and I refused to cry. I was not going to think about this. Garett has assured me on more than one occasion that I’ll be fine, but when I look in the mirror, I don’t see it. I see the extra inch in my hips, and I feel the waist of pants getting tighter.

  “Please, don’t cry.” He lifted a finger to swipe away a tear that was slowly making its way down my cheek. “I’ll bring you veggies or fruit next time, but you need to eat.” He handed me back the sandwich. “I’ll help you work some of it off later.” His smirk was back as he shifted closer. “We’re all alone out here.”