The Next Door Boys

by Jolene B Perry

  “I see.” I knew I smiled like an idiot but I couldn't help myself. The whole thing was just so cool.

  As we drove down the last hill near Vegas, the lights of the city and the strip glowed in the dark desert.

  “So, where are you taking me? To dinner?”

  “We're going to Paris.”

  “Paris?”

  “Eiffel Tower and everything.” He glanced over at me again.

  He wasn't kidding. We pulled up underneath the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel.

  “Ready?” He grinned across the car at me.

  “I think so.” I had no idea if I was ready or not.

  I let Noah lead me out of the car and through the doors of the hotel. I had no idea what happened to the car, where we were headed, or what we would eat for dinner, but I knew I was having fun, and I knew that, no matter what, I would never forget that night.

  “We're not too far from the airport now.” Noah concentrated out the window. “I want to tell you now, this is not how I normally get to travel.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “You'll see.”

  We pulled into the private airport. Noah handed over his ID, and I dug mine out of my purse. He had papers to show as well, some things from a folder on the floor of the car.

  “Are you kidding me?” I stared at him as he pulled through the gate.

  “No. Like I said, I don't travel like this often.”

  “But you travel like this sometimes,” I urged. What kind of family had he grown up in?

  “Sometimes.” He nodded. A faint smile played on the edge of his mouth.

  We stopped the car and climbed out. Noah's dad climbed off the plane.

  “My car. Great. Thanks, Noah. And you must be Leigh.” He shifted his briefcase so he could shake my hand. “I'm Richard.” Noah's father was like Noah, only older and a little more filled out. He had a friendly smile and warm hands.

  “That's me.” I shook his hand. “I'm honestly a little overwhelmed here.” I looked at our surroundings.

  “Yeah, but it's kinda nice, isn't it?” He leaned forward and whispered to me.

  I nodded. It was pretty cool.

  “Well, you two have fun on the flight. Behave yourselves, or I'll hear about it.” He pointed at Noah.

  “No problem, Dad.” Noah shook his head.

  “We'll see you soon, Noah.” He clapped his hand on Noah's back.

  “Thanks.”

  Noah stood at the bottom of the stairway of a small but sleek little jet and waited for me to climb up. I stepped in the door and took in my surroundings. Everything was a beautiful shade of creamy tan leather, the seats were large, and legroom was not a problem. The chairs sat in four large groups of four, tables in the center of each. A rounded sofa took up the back corner.

  “Oh, this is nice,” he said behind me.

  I turned around and almost ran into him. “Nice?” It was way more than nice.

  “Yeah.” He nodded. “Nice.”

  “So, do we just sit wherever we want?” I looked back around.

  “Anywhere you want.” He gestured with his hand.

  “Well, I'm sure I'd prefer not to sit backwards.” It was probably worse than riding backwards in a car.

  A woman, probably about thirty or so with perfectly done-up hair and a simple navy suit walked in from the hallway in the back.

  “We're up next, so you two need to find a seat.” She paused with an overly friendly smile. “Can I get you anything?”

  “I'm good.” I sat in the chair closest to me, not wanting to be the one holding things up.

  “Our flight to St. George will only take a few minutes. Let me know if you need anything. And,” she turned to Noah. “I am under strict instructions from Mr. Watson to report any inappropriate behavior.” She winked and then disappeared as quickly as she showed up.

  I wondered how she'd report anything inappropriate if she wasn't in the same room, but I kept quiet.

  Noah sat next to me and took my hand. My chest fluttered at his touch, and I looked over at him. I was definitely in deep like.

  “Thanks, Leigh.” He squeezed my hand. “I hope you know I'm really not trying to show off here. I think most people would get the wrong impression.”

  “I think you're probably right.” I looked at our surroundings again. “But it's really fun.”

  “I'm glad you think so.”

  When we landed, Noah kept my hand as I walked down the steps. A cab waited to take me home.

  “I guess I'll see you at school.” I turned toward him.

  “I'm not sending you home in a cab by yourself, Leigh.” He shook his head and climbed in with me.

  I didn't have words. We sat in silence, our hands together for the ten-minute drive to my parents’ house. The only thoughts running through my head were, “I can't believe my night. I can't believe this night.”

  “Thank you, Leigh.” He walked me to the door and gave me a hug. He smelled good that close, and I found myself leaning into him as he pulled away. “I'll see you back at school.”

  “Okay.” I stood in front of my parents’ door and watched him as the cab drove down the street. The whole night had been over-whelming. Good, but overwhelming. I was amazed that he went to so much trouble for me. How much had the one evening cost? I probably didn't want to know. I wanted to dance a little happy dance when I came in the front door, but everyone still sat in the living room—except Nathan, of course.

  “How was it?” Mom asked.

  “Unbelievable.” I closed my eyes briefly and breathed in. “He said he talked it over with you?”

  “How was the plane?” Dad smiled.

  “Beautiful. Really, it was crazy.” I tried to relax my smile, but I couldn't.

  “Did he kiss you good night?” Mom asked.

  “Ew, Mom.” Jaron threw a pillow at her.

  “Nope.” I smiled smugly. “Just gave me a hug and said he'd see me back at school.”

  “I thought Leigh wasn't into big gestures,” Brian said. He glanced my direction briefly.

  “I'm not.” I paused. “But that was really awesome!” How long would it take me to recover from excitement like that?

  Mom laughed.

  “I'm off to bed.” I gave everyone one last wave good night before I floated up the stairs to my room.

  twenty-one

  I put the last of my clothes and the pile of things I'd sewn over the break into the two large plastic bins I hoped would fit into Brian's trunk.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out.

  One new message:

  Maybe I'll run into my friend in the next day or two.

  I smiled. Noah had sent me a text every day since our trip to Las Vegas. I felt flattered he'd take the time. To me, Noah seemed like a man who lived perfectly. Perfectly handsome, perfect gentleman, parents with money, fabulous car. I knew it seemed completely shallow to think of him that way, but he was also very sweet. I wasn't excited about just the shallow things, but I had to admit that it swayed me a little.

  I carried the boxes to the entry and wandered into the kitchen for a snack. Mom and Dad sat out on their patio together. They spent most of their days near the pool.

  My phone rang in my pocket.

  I flipped it open. “Hello?”

  “I'm so sorry, Leigh,” Brian said. “Nathan and I waited forever for Amanda to show up. I'm just now leaving Vegas.” He sounded really worried. “I know I said I could drive you home. I had no idea I'd have to wait for her to show up.”

  “Don't worry about it, Bri. We'll just get back a little late.” I rested against the counter and peeled a banana.

  “I just worry about you and your rest…”

  Oh my gosh. My brother had created another person who spent too much time worrying about Leigh. “Brian, I've been lounging around my parents’ house for two weeks. I'm fine.” I took a bite of my banana and sat on one of the kitchen stools, more resigned than irritated that I was watched from
so many directions.

  “I'll be there as soon as I can.” His voice still sounded strained.

  “Well, don't get a ticket in the attempt. It's really no big deal.”

  “Thanks, Leigh.”

  I hung up and wandered out to the patio to eat my banana in the last bits of warmth before the sun went down.

  “What is all this?” He asked as he helped me load my two sewing machines and the two large boxes into his car.

  “It's your fault.” I stopped and looked at him. “I sewed from the patterns you put into my computer.”

  “You did all this in a couple of weeks?” His eyebrows rose in disbelief. Or maybe he was simply impressed.

  “Yep. And the next time you're bored and want to play around online, you can help me set up a little shop.”

  “Okay.” He nodded at me. “Sounds fun.” His face broke out into a smile.

  “Only to someone like you.” I smirked.

  “Thank you, Brian.” Mom stepped out of the house and put her arms around him like she always did with Jaron. “Drive safe. It's getting dark out there.”

  Brian chuckled. “I always drive safe.” He turned to my dad. “Thanks again for all your help.” When Brian stuck out his hand, my dad also pulled him into a hug.

  My parents were such good people. I was glad they liked him. He didn't seem to have any family outside of Nathan, and he needed as many good people as he could get. He had a lot going on.

  Mom took a step toward me. “See you, Leigh. Don't forget to eat. You still look too skinny.” Mom hugged me and kissed my cheek.

  “I'm not that skinny.” I shook my head. There was no deferring my mother from worrying, and being irritated over her worried comments was exhausting. The funny thing was that I knew I'd gained weight at my parents’ house; my jeans were definitely tighter than when I'd arrived.

  “Bye, Dad.” I leaned up and kissed him on the cheek before jumping into Brian's car, eager to be back at school.

  Brian pulled onto the freeway, and I took a deep breath in. The break had been nice, but I wanted my apartment, my routine, and the busyness of school.

  “I haven't talked to you in a couple of weeks. Have you decided what to do with school yet?” Brian asked.

  “Yeah. I'm changing my major. You were right. If something's that easy for me, I should take advantage of it, right?” I slid my shoes off and pulled my legs up onto the seat.

  “Well, you already know that's my plan.”

  “I'm doing mostly gen eds this semester. English, history, a theater class, and I don't remember which religion class I'm doing.” I paused. “Did you have a good time with Nathan?”

  “Yeah.” He smiled wider. The love he had for his son was all over his face. “Man, it's hard being the only person in charge of a kid for that much time, and I had the Rileys’ help for work and stuff. All the extra effort and juggling just to get through my day makes me feel bad for how little I've done for Amanda over the past four years. She hasn't been the easiest person to deal with, but honestly, I'd be mad at me too.”

  “Well, she could've had it a lot worse.” Brian was a great guy.

  “It can always be worse, Leigh.”

  I guessed he was right.

  “Did you have a nice time with your parents?”

  “I convinced Mom to let me walk to and from school, so that's exciting. Even though it should be the simplest thing in the world.”

  “It's good of you to listen to her like that, to let her feel as if she's still helping you.”

  “I guess.” It felt frustrating but I knew Brian was right.

  “We stopping for pizza?” He smiled at me.

  Were we there already? I looked away from Brian out the window, and there was Cedar City. “Why not?” It sounded great. I wasn't hungry yet, but it was almost as good cold as it was fresh out of the oven.

  Megan and I walked to Stuart and Julie's house for FHE.

  “Julie! Look at you!” I smiled at her and her growing belly as I walked through the door.

  “I know.” She smiled back and took her stomach in her hands. “It's the craziest thing, isn't it? We get to find out what we're having in two weeks! I can't wait.”

  “Are you going to let us all know?” I asked.

  She rolled her eyes. “Of course.” She looked at me for a moment. “You look really good, Leigh. Healthier. Is it okay for me to say that?”

  “Yeah, you can say that, but I could barely get my jeans on this morning,” I whispered to her.

  “Good, you're too skinny… especially right now.” She laughed, holding her belly.

  We settled into their living room. Brian and Jaron were already there talking with Stuart.

  “Thanks for letting us all barge in on you like this.” Jaron looked up at Stuart.

  “It makes us older people feel young again, isn't that right, Brian?” He laughed, punching him in the shoulder.

  “Speak for yourself, man.” Brian laughed and slugged him back.

  Stuart leaned over in his chair to open the door.

  “Evan.” Stuart smiled. “Thought I heard footsteps out there. Come on in. We were just about to get started.”

  “Thanks.” He walked in with Kim, her hand in his.

  They were both wearing ridiculous grins.

  “What's going on?” Jaron asked, watching them closely.

  Kim stuck out her hand. “We're getting married!”

  “What?” They had their first date just a few weeks ago. How do you go from that, to engaged?

  “Yeah. I mean, we already knew each other really well, you know? And we took our whole Christmas break to get to know each other in a different way and…”

  “And now I can't imagine my life without her.” Evan looked down at her and kissed her on the cheek. He moved slow and gentle and looked at her like Dad looked at Mom. She beamed at him. I watched him slide his arm around her, sitting as close as they could without her actually being on his lap.

  “I always figured you for a big wedding type.” I smiled.

  “I know! But Evan and I talked, and then we talked with our families. We're all going to Las Vegas together—and before you pass judgment, we're going to get married in the Las Vegas temple.” She laughed and leaned back against Evan.

  “I'm shocked!” The whole thing happened so fast.

  Kim laughed. “So, sorry to give you guys so little notice on roommates. I'll pay my third for another month. Is that okay?”

  “Yeah, whatever's fine,” I said.

  Congratulations were passed around the room, but I pulled my legs up to my chest and rested my chin there. I was distracted with the funny ways relationships worked. How some people knew right away, like Evan and Kim, and other people took a year or more of being together before taking that big step. How did you know? How did you know when that person asked you that it was where you were supposed to be?

  “Well, I think one of the newly in love should give us an opening prayer.” Stuart laughed a little, pulling me away from my train of thought.

  I heard a car pull in the driveway. I leaned back in my seat and opened the curtain enough to see Noah getting out of his car.

  “You know what?” I said, smiling wide. “I think I'm gonna pass tonight!” I jumped up, kissed Julie on the cheek, and leapt out the back door.

  “Noah! Over here!” I waved as he turned from my door.

  “What's going on?” he asked.

  “Family night. They all insist. Wanna join us?”

  He looked hesitant, pausing in his steps. “No, thanks.”

  “Would you come in and meet everyone?” I asked. “You'll save me from grief later, and right now I can promise to get you out of there quick.”

  “Sure, why not?” He headed toward me.

  I stepped into the living room ahead of Noah.

  “This is my friend Noah.” I let him walk through. He smiled his perfect smile at everyone and nodded. They automatically went around the room to introduce themselves,
but I just stood there looking at him. He was meticulously put together, from his hair to his clothes to his shoes. I looked back to my comfortably dressed group of friends. Old jeans, favorite T-shirts, sweats… It showed a divide that I should have been more aware of. I wondered if he noticed it too.

  “We're going to take off. You guys have fun.” I smiled and half pushed Noah back through the house, eager to spend more time with him.

  “I was kind of hoping you'd like to go do something with me?” He asked as we stepped outside.

  “What did you have in mind?” I walked next to him.

  “Do you care?” he asked slowly, looking at me sideways.

  “No, I guess I don't.” I wanted to get to know him better.

  He stopped at his car and opened the door for me. “Well, it being family night and all that, maybe a hot cocoa and a walk through the temple grounds? Or just a drive?” He paused, watching me. “Or both?”

  “Sounds great.” I watched him walk around the front of the car. Our eyes met as he climbed in. I felt my chest tighten in response. I pushed my lips together to hold in my smile, but it didn't work.

  “What have you been up to?” Noah asked as he drove up my street.

  “Lying around my parents’ house, mostly. I did a bit of sewing, and that's really it. What about you?”

  “You got my texts?” He grinned.

  “Yes, but they were all very vague.” As was our conversation over Christmas.

  “I spent most of the break in LA.” He glanced over at me. “I got hooked up with an agent and did a few small modeling jobs.”

  “Wow.” I suddenly felt like I didn't belong in the car with him. I didn't feel like the kind of girl who would be dating a guy headed for what Noah appeared to be headed for. “That's kind of a big deal.” It was a really big deal.

  “It is.” He nodded. “I'm pretty excited. I wanted to make sure I saw you before I head out of town again.” Our eyes locked again, briefly. “I like being around you.”