Heartwood

by L. G. Pace III

  “He’s a giant kid.” I snorted as Joe trotted off into the crowd.

  “Speaking of giants, look how big you are!” Robin gasped as she held Eva out in front of her. “I could just eat you alive.”

  “Tell Aunt Robin to stop being creepy.” I said to Logan, who grinned at me as if we were sharing a private joke. “Tell me we have a quiet booth somewhere.”

  “Keep dreaming, Molly-girl.” She replied. “But we do have several tables reserved. Come on over. Granny’s holding down the fort.”

  “Oh, the twins are here!” Granny cried, waving her flabby arms in the air. “Give me that boy this instant!”

  “Hello to you, too, Granny Hildebrandt.” I handed her Logan who kicked his legs enthusiastically.

  “Oh, Molly. Don’t be so dramatic.” Mom said, standing up to give me a hug. “I got all the mason jars for the centerpieces.”

  “You did?” I asked, picking up a slice of pizza I was sure to regret eating.

  “Yep. We found quite a deal.” She replied.

  “Thanks, mom.” Between Joe’s parents insisting on paying for the reception and mom and granny tracking down all the decor, they’d saved us more than enough money to afford whatever honeymoon Joe had booked for us.

  “Where’s that handsome man of yours?” Granny asked, propping Logan on the table in front of her.

  “Off playing with the boys.” I replied.

  “So are we still taking all the kids overnight next Saturday?” Granny asked. Mom turned to see my response to Granny’s inquiry.

  “Absolutely!” Robin interrupted, lighting up like a storefront on Christmas Eve. “We have the mother of all bachelorette parties to attend!”

  “Yep.” I blew out a breath and nodded. With Dan and Robin conspiring, it was hard telling what I was in for.

  “That was a good call you made, telling the boys their party had to be two weeks before the wedding.” Granny startled me with her uncommon compliment. “If anyone loses a tooth, they have time to get it replaced before the pictures.”

  I turned to Robin and just blinked at her.

  “Can’t fault that logic.” Robin decreed, and my nieces started begging her to take them on bumper cars.

  “Go on, we’ve got the pumpkins.” Mom said to me, and Robin and I took the girls off to wait in line for a turn on the cars. While we waited, we got front row seats to Joe, Mac, and Mason attempting some sort of obstacle course with my nephews. Mac did a pretty good job, as did my youngest nephew. Mason was a complete disaster and what Malcolm Junior lacked in athletic prowess he made up for in showmanship.

  It was Joe’s turn next, and the nieces, Robin, and I began to chant his name. He flexed his arms showily and we all snickered. Joe skated easily through the agility portion and his bulging arms were fun to watch as he used the rings to propel himself forward. But when he got to the climbing, his bow-leggedness seemed to work against him like an Achilles heel. Still, the whole American Gladiator bit was quite a turn on, and I wanted to see him do it again.

  “Try again, baby! You can do it!” I called up to him.

  He smirked and shook his head. “We’re going to get in line for laser tag. Come find me when you’re done!”

  We eventually rode on the bumper cars, which took a quarter of the time it took us to get through the line. My nieces’ cars collided and the younger of the two bit her tongue. She screamed and cried for the rest of the ride, and by the time the cars came to a stop, Robin was ready to punch the ride operator in the face.

  This is the kind of shit I have to look forward to?

  While Robin was complaining to management, I took the opportunity to go find Joe. I wandered into the laser tag waiting area and saw that their session was already under way.

  “I want to play.” I told the attendant.

  “No can do. Once it’s started I can’t let another player in.” The gangly college boy replied, blushing cherry red.

  “Ah, come on now.” I sweet-talked him. I raised my eyebrows at him and leaned on the counter enough to give him a cleavage shot. “You look like a rule breaker to me.”

  He smiled at me like he’d never kissed a girl in his life and looked around as if to be sure no one was watching. “I suppose I can make an exception. Here. Here’s your breast plate and your gun.”

  “Those won’t be necessary. I’m just looking for my man.” I replied, as he unlocked the door for me.

  I wandered into the large, dark room and began to fumble my way through the maze. Two little boys rushed past me, shot at me twice, and then ran onward. I tried to follow them, and after a minute, I realized I was turned around in a circle.

  “Well, that was pointless.” I snickered to myself. I decided to keep my right hand on the wall and start over again. The thumping bass of the music was as loud as a night club. I encountered several more kids along the way and I could hear Mac’s laughter somewhere far away. I pressed on in that general direction, when I felt a big hand grip my wrist and pull me backwards into a dark alcove.

  It was pitch black and I struggled to adjust my eyes in what I could only assume was an employee exit. He had me pinned me against the wall, his body pressing against mine from behind.

  “Been waiting for me, big boy?” The semi-public nature of the situation aroused me, and recalling how sexy he looked on the obstacle course, I sighed. I felt his hands travel down my thighs and lift my skirt all the way up to my hips. The wall was carpeted, and it scratched my cheek as I felt his hot breath on the back my neck.

  “Are you trying to frisk me?” I joked. He eased his weight off me slightly. His fingers trailed along the elastic of my panties and snapped it against my ass cheek. My breath hitched.

  “Joe.” I gasped, and a nervous giggle escaped me. “There are kids crawling all over the place.”

  I felt the pressure of his body leave mine and that frustrated me. He had me too hot and bothered to let him just walk away scot-free. Running a finger across his chest, I slunk away playfully.

  “If you want me, come and get me.” I challenged him, and hurriedly crept further away from him through the dark, weaving around several corners before finding the black lit maze again. I looked over my shoulder to see if he was behind me and saw nothing but blackness. I turned and stepped forward, smacking into what felt like a brick wall.

  “Hey there, beautiful.” Joe drawled, and I turned and stared directly into his bold neon chest plate.

  I franticly looked behind me again as reality crashed into me like an avalanche.

  Whoever that had been, it hadn’t been Joe.

  Everyone sang an off-key rendition of Happy Birthday, but I just mouthed the words. I still felt like I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs. I ran a trembling hand through my damp bangs. Joe offered me a bowl of cake and ice-cream, but I shook my head. I was too humiliated to have an appetite. I’d been holding the same cup of Hawaiian punch in my hand for long enough for it to go warm, but had yet to take a drink. My stomach churned, and I was sure I’d throw up sooner or later.

  “You alright?” He asked, pinning me with his sultry green gaze.

  “Yeah. Just embarrassed.” I admitted.

  A crease appeared between his stunning eyes. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, babe. Some fucking pervert basically assaulted you.”

  I thought about how some random guy had practically had his hand in my panties and I buried my face in my palm and let out a mortified groan.

  “Well, I wasn’t exactly fighting him off.” I muttered, and he continued to study me. I heaved a weary sigh, and didn’t need a mirror to know I was blushing profusely. “I thought it was you.”

  “I should talk to the manager. Get him to pull the security tapes.” Joe’s growl reflected his poorly concealed desire to violently defend my honor.

  “No.” I blurted, more heat rushing to my cheeks. Though I’d immediately told Joe about the incident, I wanted nothing to do with watching the encounter on camera. Joe was already scanning the
crowd like a lion looking for his next meal. The last thing I needed was for him to go into full on overprotective mode. We had plenty going on without him having a setback, or worse getting arrested for beating up some creep, just before the wedding. And for all I knew, the stranger might have thought I was someone else too. Feeling humiliated, I covered my eyes with my hand. “Let’s just go watch the little peanut open presents.”

  Joe frowned and I pleaded with my eyes. After a minute he sighed, nodded and sat down beside me. Enfolding me with his arms he pulled me into his chest.

  “Are you sure, baby?” He mumbled into my hair. “Just say the word and we can go.”

  “I’m sure. No need to cause drama. It’s no big deal.” I leaned my head on Joe’s shoulder.

  “If you say so.” Joe’s acrid tone was impossible to ignore. As if to soften the sting of his words, he turned and kissed my forehead. His familiar scent and his stubble were a prickly reminder of the stranger with his hands up my skirt, and how I should have known he wasn’t Joe.

  I pulled myself to standing on very shaky limbs. “Let’s get back to the party.”

  We didn’t share what had happened with anyone. I was far too embarrassed, and neither of us saw a point in spoiling the fun. We tried our best to shrug off the incident, but Joe was glued to me for the rest of our time at the facility. I didn’t mind. It was comforting, and if anything I was clingy in return.

  When we got home, I headed for the nursery and for the first time in a long time, I rocked both the babies together. They’d been cranky all the way home, probably due to being overstimulated and exhausted. As they drifted off, my heart nearly burst with the overwhelming love I felt for them.

  “They asleep?” Joe whispered, and I looked up from them to see him leaning against the door frame.

  I nodded, and he came and took Eva from me, vanishing down the hall toward her room.

  “Shhh...” Logan stirred as I stood and carried him to his crib. I gently placed him on his back and rubbed his belly in a circular motion. He settled back down immediately, and I stood watching him sleep. Joe’s arms came around me, and I startled and bumped my head back into his jaw.

  “Ow.” He murmured, rubbing his chin. “Not my smoothest move...”

  “Sorry.” I frowned, reaching out for his face. “I’m just jumpy.” I peppered him with kisses.

  He took my face in his hands, his eyes awash with unasked questions. He maintained his usual stoicism, but a storm was definitely brewing behind Joe’s deep green eyes.

  “You look like you have something you want to say.” My hushed tone helped cover the fact that I had a lump growing in my throat.

  He blew out a breath. “He wasn’t wearing the gear to play laser tag?”

  “Nope. If he was, I would have been able to see it wasn’t you.”

  “That seems...very strange.” His frown deepened, and he seemed to contemplate this detail. “Do you think he worked there?”

  “I don’t know what to think.” I couldn’t take the look of trepidation on his face. “Joe, I’m sorry. I would have clawed his eyes out if I’d known he wasn’t you.”

  He pulled me against his chest and when he spoke, the reverberations of his deep voice rumbled against my cheek. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry about, baby. Let’s get you to bed.”

  “We’re going, baby girl.” Joe called, as he and Mac appeared in the kitchen door. Mac was carrying lifejackets and fishing poles. Joe had a tackle box under one arm. In his snug Cowboys t-shirt and worn jeans, he looked good enough to eat.

  “Don’t forget the sunscreen.” I said, looking up from the centerpieces Dan and I were working on for the reception. “If y’all are fixin’ to be out on Lake Travis all afternoon, you’re gonna look like a lobster. I don’t want you peeling at the wedding.”

  “Where is it?” He asked, and I pointed to the microwave. He sauntered over and snatched the sunscreen up, tossing it to Mac. Then he popped open the microwave and laughed.

  “Molly.” He snorted.

  “What?” I asked, looking up from the tabletop full of mason jars.

  Joe pulled my coffee mug out of the microwave and I rolled my eyes.

  “Shit.” I said.

  “You still have that old cup I bought you in San Francisco?” Dan smiled, pulling the twine tight around the blue jar in front of him.

  “Of course I do. It’s my favorite.” I replied.

  “This coffee is stone cold.” Joe remarked, pulling his pinky out of the liquid. “Now, if I heat this back up, will you remember it’s in here?”

  “No promises.” I admitted, and I tilted my head back for him to kiss me.

  “See ya, darlin’.”Joe smiled.

  “Aren’t you gonna set some ground rules for him? Give us some ultimatums? We are going to his stag party.” Mac scoffed.

  I narrowed my eyes and looked at the ceiling as if for inspiration. “Don’t get arrested and don’t bring me home crabs.”

  Mac’s eyes widened, but Joe and Dan just laughed.

  “No drinking tequila, little girl.” Joe pointed at me when he said it.

  “Ahhhh...” Dan whined and tossed a string of twine at Joe. “Why can’t she drink tequila?”

  “Ever heard that song ‘Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off?’ I’m pretty sure it was written about Molly.” Joe replied, and his eyes swept me and his lips twitched as if remembering the last time we’d had a few too many margaritas.

  “Again, no promises.” I retorted, but a smile hovered on my lips.

  Mac heaved an exaggerated groan. “Don’t have too much fun. We’re gonna be too drunk to come bail y’all out of jail. And don’t let Kelly re-injure her leg.”

  “I hadn’t thought about that. Bar hopping on crutches is probably a really bad idea.” I frowned.

  “And the party bus isn’t exactly handicapped accessible.” Dan clicked his tongue and looked at me for a solution to this new dilemma.

  “Nah, it’s all good. She’s just got the walking boot now. The doc says she can take it off in a couple of days.” Mac replied, a lopsided grin appearing on his bearded face. “It’s all good. She’ll be able to do ‘The Macarena’ at your wedding.”

  “If they play that fucking song at my wedding, so help me God...” I sassed, and Mac cackled.

  “Oh, I’m so requesting it now. Right after ‘The Chicken Dance’ and ‘The Electric Slide’.” He held his stomach as if the laughter was working muscles he hadn’t used in years.

  “Apparently we’ve been transported back to the 1990s,” Dan quipped, his dry Louisiana drawl as thick as honey.

  Joe’s phone chimed, and he pulled it out of his pocket. “It’s Mason. They’re waiting for us at the marina.”

  “Be careful.” I called, as they headed out the door.

  Since Granny and mom came to get the twins bright and early, Dan and I finished the centerpiece prepping for the reception. We stood and admired our handiwork. Half the jars would have crème colored candles floating in them, the other half were ready for nosegays of fresh flowers when the time came. I showed him all the old pictures of our parents’ weddings that Robin and I had placed in wood and silver frames for the guest book table, and he gushed about what a charming idea it was. For such a non-conventional man, Dan sure had a sentimental streak.

  We spent the rest of the day watching bad reality TV, eating junk, and catching up on gossip. He told me that business was good at Madeline’s, and that his half-brother, David, was very pleased with how his Wrapgamic franchise was performing. The place had certainly been swamped when Joe and I had taken the twins down for the official grand opening. It seemed there was room for another kitchy restaurant in Galveston after all. As silly as it was to have people ask me to autograph t-shirts with my picture on them, I smiled every time I looked at the balance in Eva and Logan’s college fund.

  “I’m still jealous of your view.” I said, handing him a glass of sweet tea.

  “Y’all come down anytime. We’ll t
ake the babies to the beach now that they’re older.”

  “I think we’ll wait a little longer for that.” I laughed, imagining Logan eating fistfuls of sand.

  He shrugged but he laughed along with me.

  “You seem happy, Dan.” I narrowed my eyes, perusing his tanned features. “Are you seeing anybody?”

  “I’m seeing all sorts of somebodies.” He joked, but seconds later the smile was gone. He pursed lips and pulled them up to the side. “But nobody special.”

  “I’m sorry.” I replied, plopping down next to him on the couch.

  “I’m alright.” He heaved a casual sigh. “It’ll happen when it happens. I’m holding out for quality. Not all of us are lucky enough to marry our childhood crush.”

  I smiled brightly. “I am lucky. I never thought this type of thing existed.”

  ‘What type of thing?” He asked.

  “I really thought I’d be alone after Draven. I figured all the good guys in my age bracket were taken...that I’d just focus on taking care of me. Sometimes, I look at my life now and what I consider to be ‘problems’ and I just shake my head. I’m so fortunate. The twins...Joe...the success of the trucks...things couldn’t be better. We have this lovely house now—”

  “That you do...” Dan interjected. We both took large swallows of our tea and I passed him the Cool Ranch Doritos we both knew we shouldn’t be eating.

  “And yet I still find things to bitch about. I just need to get something going work-wise. I’m bored as hell, Dan. If you aren’t growing...your just aging, ya know? Stacy keeps saying we need to build up the dessert side of things. We had so much success with the holiday treats we sold last year, she thinks a store front for carry-out sweets is the next big thing. She even developed a business plan for one in one of her online classes.”

  “But...” Dan offered, seeming to know that was the direction I was headed.

  “But I’m not a pastry chef.” I chomped into a Dorito.

  He huffed. “That doesn’t seem to matter. They were your recipes that sold so well.”