by Amy O'Neill
Mitch scowled at both of them. “Really? We can’t go just once more. Maybe that first time wasn’t the greatest, but come on guys give it another chance.”
Trent shook his head. “No way, dude. It was the most boring five hours of my life and that even includes the day we spent in detention for toilet papering Principal Moffitt’s place.”
Damien smiled nostalgically, “Yeah, but at least that time we got dates out of it with his daughter and her two friends. When we went golfing all I got was a touch of poison ivy and a pulled back muscle.”
Mitch rolled his eyes, “I tried telling you not to jerk on your swing, but you didn’t wanna listen.”
Damien nodded. “You’re right, and I’m not gonna listen now. This wave is mine boys. See you on shore.”
Trent and Mitch watched as Damien paddled ahead and rode the wave in. They both looked back over their shoulders to see there were no waves on the horizon.
“I think we may be out here awhile.”
Trent nodded, “I think you may be right, Mitch. That lucky bastard there always gets the good stuff, the nice house, the great wife, the last wave of the day. Makes me wanna punch him.”
Mitch laughed. “Yeah I know. But after the last few years he’s had, it’s kinda nice to see things working out for him. Besides, things seem to be working out alright for you.”
Trent braced his arms and leaned forward on his board. He couldn’t help the cheesy smile from coming out. “Yeah, life is pretty good. I mean, if you overlook the whole thing with Noelle’s ex, that part sucks. But it’ll pan out.”
Mitch nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure it will. Just let me know if you need any help in the legal department with it, you know I’m more than happy to help.”
Trent squinted over at Mitch. “You really think it’s gonna go that far?”
Mitch looked at him as if he were bat-shit crazy. “You don’t? From what you’ve said, she leaves this controlling man and you think he’s just gonna go away nicely? Come on, Trent. You gotta be real about this.”
Trent swore and smacked his hand across the water, sending up a spray that was immediately blown in his face by a small burst of wind.
Mitch nearly fell off his surfboard laughing. “That’ll teach ya.”
Trent gave him the evil eye, but it only made Mitch laugh harder. “I’ll remember that, asshole. I’m gonna punch you later, you just wait.”
Mitch gained control over his girly-giggle fit and held up his hands. “Now, now, no need to be violent.”
Trent waved him off. “No, sorry, my bad. Just you saying that about Noelle’s ex has me tense now. I mean look at all the drama Damien just went through. If something like that happened to Noelle, I don’t know what I’d do.”
They both fell silent for a moment remembering the night, only a few months ago, when Damien was nearly killed by a stalker. He’d amazingly survived with only minor injuries, but the damage caused to his home by the S.W.A.T. team had taken weeks to repair. It could have been so much worse had Trent and the other officers not arrived in time.
Mitch finally broke the silence. “That really sucked. I mean really. Between that stalker and hearing what you’ve said about Noelle’s ex, it’s no wonder I’m in no rush to be with someone. People are crazy, man.”
Trent shrugged. “I can’t say I agree with you. I mean, yeah, you’re right on the people being crazy. But the other part, about not letting someone in because of it – that’s BS. Even if I gotta deal with Lenny, Noelle is more than worth it to me.”
Mitch looked over his shoulder at the still flat horizon and shook his head. He finally let out a chuckle. “Man, I really never thought the day would come when you would be into only one woman. That’s really cool.”
Trent nodded and smiled. “It’s better than cool. So do me a favor and don’t totally rule out finding someone. You never know when it’s gonna happen.”
“We’ll see. Until then, I’m good with me and Heathcliff.”
Trent shrugged. “I don’t know. I saw you giving Molly the eye back at my place when Noelle thought you two were a couple. Is there something going on there?”
Mitch laughed and shook his head. “Nope, and don’t start thinking there is. She’s Avery’s friend, that’s it.”
Trent looked at Mitch and tried to needle him into admitting he liked Molly. “Come on, you’d totally fall over yourself for a date with her.”
Mitch gave him the one finger salute and began paddling into shore. Trent looked over his shoulder, but there were no waves in sight. He threw his hands up in the air and called toward Mitch, “Where the hell are you going?”
Mitch stopped, turned, and called back, “I’d rather paddle my big ass into shore than sit and listen to you try to play matchmaker.”
Trent laughed and paddled in too. When he caught up to Mitch, he slapped him. “You don’t gotta get all into your feelings, dude. I was just looking out for you. Molly seems like a great girl.”
Mitch splashed him back and Trent could see a flash of anger in his eyes, “How the hell would you know? All you know about her is that she’s hot and she turned you down. Until Noelle you never gave a second thought to how a woman really was unless in was in the bedroom.”
Trent held up his hands. “Whoa, dude. Chill out. Look, I get I was an asshole toward women before. And I’ll admit it -you’re right, until Noelle the only thing I cared about was getting a woman into bed.”
Mitch looked like he was waiting for Trent to continue, but there was nothing else to say.
Trent shrugged, “I remember you and me sitting a few weeks ago talking about finding someone, if you think Molly is someone you’d like to go out with, go for it.”
Mitch waved him off and exhaled noisily. “Can we please stop talking about my love life? And I’m sorry, too, for coming off like I was yelling at you for being a slut puppy.”
Trent laughed, not being the least bit offended. “It’s cool. No harm, no foul.”
And that was the end of the conversation. They turned in unison and finished paddling into shore.
Damien sat on the beach on his towel, with his arms braced behind him. He called out to them when they we within distance, “What the hell were you two yelling about? I could hear you squawking from here.”
Trent looked at Mitch then back at Damien and shook his head. “Nothing. Mitch was just telling me what a dink I was before Noelle.”
Damien rubbed his chin like he was in deep thought, “Yeah, about that … I remember sitting on this same beach a few months ago and you were busting my chops about me falling so fast for Avery. I believe at that time I told you that your time would come too.”
Trent motioned toward Damien, “Come on, bring it. I know - you told me so.”
Damien laughed. “Well damn. Thanks for taking the fun out of it for me. But yeah, I did tell you so.”
Trent threw his hands in the air. “Are we done with ‘Pick on Trent Day’ now?”
Damien and Mitch exchanged a look. Mitch shrugged and heaved a big sigh, “I think we better before he starts crying.”
Trent’s mouth fell open, “Me? Who was the one out there getting all up in arms over Molly?”
Mitch’s eyes got wide and he looked like he wanted to choke Trent.
Damien stood and stretched out his arms between them. “Hold up. What about Molly?”
Mitch acted like he didn’t hear the question by bending down to unhook the lease from around his ankle and wrapping it around his surfboard. Finally he looked up; his tone was impartial, “Nothing. Trent just brought her name up in conversation, but there was nothing to it.”
Damien turned to look at Trent and he just shrugged. “I might have, I dunno. You know me, you really think I’m gonna remember some heart-to-heart from five minutes ago?”
Damien bent down and grabbed his towel. “Whatever, Mitch, but I think you and Molly would be a good match. She’s really funny, maybe she could help you smile more.”
Mitch put up
both of his middle fingers and directed them at Trent and Damien. “Both of you can shut it. End of discussion, no more Molly talk.”
Trent peeled off the top of his wetsuit and dried himself off before putting on his t-shirt. He grabbed his board and walked toward Damien as Mitch finished getting ready.
Trent motioned back with his head as he spoke to Damien, “Ol’ Mitchy is a might bit touchy today. I think he might really like Molly.”
Mitch’s shoulders hunched, the same way they did when they were kids and he tried impersonating The Hulk. To anyone other than Trent and Damien, his gravelly bellow might have been scary. “I said SHUT UP!”
Damien and Trent laughed, making Mitch look like he was ready to murder them.
Damien slapped Trent on the back as they left Mitch on the beach. “Did you see how red that bald head just turned?”
Trent smiled. “Yeah, I think we really pissed him off.”
Damien shook his hand. “Man, if he does get together with Molly, I really hope she’ll work on making him be nicer to us.
Trent nodded, “Yeah, and for her sake I hope she likes golf.”
Noelle stood along the railing with Avery and Molly and watched the guys cross the street to Avery and Damien’s house.
Avery sighed. “Look at them guys. It’s like they just all came right out of one of those surfer movies, all rippling muscles and wet skin. I don’t remember seeing men like this back where I grew up.”
Noelle and Molly both shook they heads and said simultaneously, “Me neither.”
Noelle watched Trent, his wet hair curling slightly on the ends. His arm muscles flexed where they adjusted to the weight of the surfboard under his arm. She found herself tightening her grip on the railing, imagining it was the smooth contours of his biceps. She pursed her lips tightly so she didn’t let out a groan and embarrass herself in front of the other ladies.
Molly seemed to be staring at them with sadness. Noelle nudged her arm, “What’s that look for?”
Molly looked at her, and then at Avery, and shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean you guys are with some great guys. Don’t get me wrong, the Trent I first met totally deserved the slap in the face, but this Trent is totally different. Both of the men are so different now that they have both of you.”
Avery nodded. “Yeah, I know Damien is. I didn’t like him much the first time I saw him either.”
Noelle laughed, “Yeah I wasn’t too impressed with Trent the first time we met.”
Avery took a drink of her tea, “Molly, what did you think of Mitch when you first met him?”
Molly choked on the drink she was taking. “What? Why would you ask that?”
Avery smiled and shrugged. “Oh, I dunno. I mean, it would make sense, three girls and three guys. It’s not like he’s bad to look at or that he isn’t nice. You didn’t think he was easy on the eyes when you met?”
Molly squinted at her and shook her head. “I don’t remember what I thought. I met him here when we were moving you in. I was more concerned with helping you unpack than checking him out.”
Noelle looked at Mitch, he was built like a lot of the farm boys back home – big, strong arms, broad shoulders, and legs the size of tree trunks. Next to someone like Mitch, Trent didn’t look so big, but Noelle knew Trent’s arms were strong and made her feel safe. She also knew he’d face someone twice his size to protect her. And he’d have to if Lenny tried to come after her again.
She shook the bad thoughts out of her head. Trent looked up at her and Noelle smiled. He waved back.
Avery patted her shoulder. “You really like him don’t you?”
Noelle nodded. “I love him. And I think he loves me.”
Molly looked back and forth between Noelle and Trent. “He looks like he can’t get over here fast enough. With him, that’s gotta be love.”
Noelle looked at Molly and Avery. “Do either of you know Spanish?”
Molly nodded. “I know some.”
Noelle bit her lip. “Trent said something to me in Spanish and I think it has something to do with love. I mean I hope it does, I said it back to him.”
Avery smiled. “I love Spanish, it’s such a beautiful sounding language. What did he say?”
“He said ‘te amo’.”
Molly nodded. “Yep, that’s what it is. That’s actually really sweet of him to say it that way, sounds very romantic and so not like how he would normally be. What did you do?”
Noelle shrugged. “Well I was pretending to be asleep. He came in to check on me and whispered it.”
Avery slapped the railing. “Get outta here! He said it without you saying it first? I mean, for him to say it without any kind of prompting or anything, wow.”
They stopped their conversation as the men finally reached them. Trent leaned down and kissed Noelle. “What were you ladies talking about? It got very quiet all of a sudden.”
Avery shrugged and wrapped her arms around Damien’s waist and rested her head on his shoulder. “Oh, nothing. How were the waves?”
Trent shrugged. “Not the greatest.”
Molly leaned against the railing and motioned toward the drive. “What does Mitch look all moody for?”
Trent and Damien exchanged looks and pursed their lips.
Avery smacked Damien’s chest. “Were you two morons picking on him? You know he’s more sensitive than he looks!”
Noelle looked at Trent and arched his brow. “Aren’t you worried he’d kick yur ass?”
Trent laughed. “Naw, it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve come to blows. We weren’t really picking on him, we were just inquiring into his love life and he got all bent.”
Molly nodded and gave a pointed look to Avery and Noelle, “Yeah, I know what that’s like when friends mean well, but you can tell they want to set you up.”
Damien and Trent exchanged looks with Avery and Noelle and then started laughing. Noelle couldn’t help but smile and said to Avery, “I think they were asking the same questions you were.”
Avery took a drink of her tea, trying to look innocent. Damien kissed her head, “That’s my girl.”
To Molly he said, “You know she means well. And he is a good guy; he needs a good woman like you.”
Molly shook her head, “I don’t need anyone right now. I’m good with my career and my friends.”
Noelle smiled. “Yeah, good luck with that. I had the same thought of not wanting anyone a few weeks ago and now look, I got suckered in by this guy.”
Trent tried to look like his feelings were hurt, but that lasted all of two seconds before he hugged Noelle and kissed her soundly. “And you’re so happy you did, too, don’t lie.”
Noelle shrugged and rolled her eyes playfully. “I suppose.”
Mitch hollered from the drive, “I’m headed home. I gotta let Heathcliff out.”
Molly picked up her empty glass and nodded. “I think I’m gonna head out too.”
Avery touched her arm as she walked into the house, “Please don’t be mad, I just think it would be a good match with you and Mitch.”
Molly hugged her and smiled. “I’m not mad, I know you mean well. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
Noelle waved goodbye, “It was nice to meet you Molly, I hope we can do a girl’s lunch again.”
Molly nodded. “Most definitely.” She pointed at Trent and gave him a stern look, “You better be nice to her, she’s a sweetheart.”
Trent bowed, “Yes, ma’am.”
They all watched as Molly and Mitch drove off in separate directions. Avery was the first to speak, “They really would make a good couple. I mean besides they would look adorable together, they are both successful in their careers, and I’ve seen her eyeing him. It’s just a matter of time.”
Damien kissed the top of her head again. “My wife the matchmaker.”
Trent stretched and let out a yawn. “I think we should get ready to head out too. I need a nap!”
Noelle looked at him and didn’t miss the glin
t in his eye. She nearly laughed out loud. He didn’t want a nap, but it most definitely involved snuggling in bed.
Damien rolled his eyes. “Ya know, Trent, usually I think you’re ideas are dumb. But I think you may be on to something. You two have a nice night. I’m gonna go take a ‘nap’ with my wife too.”
Noelle and Avery waved to each other before taking the hands of their significant others and heading to their own love nests. A few hours later, Noelle snuggled against Trent’s side and decided she could definitely become a fan of naptime.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Trent looked at the time on the alarm clock and stretched. It was still early, just after seven. He nudged Noelle and whispered. “Are you awake?”
She nodded and let out a yawn. “Yeah, just enjoying the moment.”
Trent kissed the top of her head where it rested on his shoulder. “As enjoyable as this is, we should eat. How does a home-cooked meal sound?”
Noelle propped her head up and looked at him. “You are gonna cook?”
Trent laughed, “I could, but I was thinking more of my abuelita’s home cooking. On Sunday nights she likes to make tamales for the week. She always has more than enough for her helpers.”
Noelle gnawed on her bottom lip. “So what you’re sayin’ is, you want me to meet you grandma and maybe some of your family?”
Trent nodded. “Yeah. I get that it may seem too soon, but I know my family and if they hear we are together and they don’t meet you they will show up here.”
“Have you told them about me?”
“Yeah, I mean I mentioned to my grandmother that I liked someone. She’s probably already wondering what is going on since I didn’t show up to dinner last night. I figure at least this way there won’t be as many people there tonight.”
Noelle thought about it for a moment and finally nodded. “Alright. I suppose we should take some fast showers and get going then.”
Trent arched his brows. “Did you say showers, like with an ‘s’ on the end? Wouldn’t showering together be quicker?”
Noelle batted at his stomach and got out of bed. “Yeah it was plural and no, I don’t see how being wet and naked in a small space with you is gonna be quick.”