by Kaety Porter
“$500.00. Come on Ollie, it won’t be that bad.”
“$500.00! Seriously Charlie!”
Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I see the unmistakable swagger of the one bachelor who’s starred in my dreams, that I recently punched, spilled my guts to and then cussed out; a bachelor that I just “won” for $500.00.
He comes to stand next to me and Charlie. Charlie gasps and says, “Holy Shit! Gallagher, is that you?” His gaze is fixed on me, but then looks to Charlie and says, “Oh, hey Bennett. Good to see you.” Under her breath, I hear her say, “Oh shit” and then quickly rambles something about checking on the DJ and runs away.
Shifting his gaze back to me he raises his eyebrow in questions and says, “So you’re Lucky Lady #79?” and then gestures to the paddle in my hand. Huffing out a breath I say, “Yeah, I am.”
A sinister smile takes over his face and says, “Well this ought to be good. I’ll see you tomorrow at the meeting place, but be there at 10, instead of 11 and make sure you’re gassed up and ready.” And with that he turns and walks away directly out the door of the ballroom.
Chapter 6
Tristan
She pulls in at exactly 10 a.m. and comes to a stop right along the side of me. She cuts the engine and dismounts. She takes off her helmet and once again her beautiful blonde hair tumbles down her back. With my aviator’s hiding my gaze, I take her all in. She hasn’t changed much. She’s still as gorgeous as ever. She’s still muscle and strength together with the poutiest, most kissable lips and the bluest eyes I have ever seen. She tall for a woman, being only a few inches shorter than me, without boots on. She is everything I remember and more.
She settles on the side of her bike and looks around, as if to gather her thoughts and then says, “So I’m here. What now?” I stand and ask, “You know where the old abandoned prison is up north off the interstate?” She nods and I continue, “Ok, then mount up, that’s where we’re headed.” A little taken aback she stammers at first and then asks, “Then what?” Swinging my leg around and mounting my bike, I stand it up and kick the stand back and say, “I guess you’ll see when we get there.” I put my helmet on and start up my bike. She eventually follows suit and we start on our way.
A little more than an hour later, we arrive at the abandoned prison site, which sits midway up the mountain. We park and I remove the contents of my saddle bags and walk onto the grounds, the gates no longer shuttered. The view is amazing, with fall being upon us and the trees becoming Mother Nature’s canvas. No words have been spoken between us since we arrived.
Finally I come to a stop in the middle of the clearing that surrounds the old buildings. I pull a blanket from my pack and spread it on the ground and sit down. Lia still stands, looking down at me and the blanket with reluctance. I look up at her and ask, “Want to join me down here?” She nods and kneels down and sits, with her knees pulled to her chest. We sit in awkward silence for a while. When I can stand it no more I ask, “So, a corrections officer?”
She nods and says, “Yeah. After Royan was finally stable and back stateside, I decided it was the better way to go. Being a cop means willing to leave home for the day and possibly not returning. I’m all Royan has, so I couldn’t do that. Being a CO comes with a certain amount of predictability. I have a somewhat predictable schedule, and when I signed on, I made sure it was very clear that I would only accept certain location assignments and I could never be assigned to anything higher then medium security. They were so happy to have someone with my background . . .” she pauses, looks at me with a little grin, and continues, “you know having nearly perfect scores while at the academy, that they didn’t hesitate to agree to my terms. I went through CO training, which was a walk in the park compared to the Academy, and that was it.”
After taking a moment to digest all she’s said I ask, “Do you like what you do?” I look at her as I finish my sentence and can see her contemplating her answer, and then she says, “Not as much as I would have liked being a cop, I don’t think. I’m a glorified babysitter. The work has already been done by the real cops, I just get to deal with what makes it through the system.”
After a few moments of silence, she clears her throat and asks, “So, tell me about what happened before you transferred, with your girlfriend and your ex-partner.” Taking a deep breath I start, “Not much more to tell then what I said a few weeks ago. Jen and I were together for 3 years. It was good until that day; it wasn’t spectacular, but good. I was comfortable. She’s a 911 dispatcher, so she understands the life of a cop. Tripp and I had been partners since I was hired on at the 12th; he was like a brother. But a brother doesn’t bang your girlfriend against the wall in the men’s locker room. The next day I put in my transfer papers. It was the right decision; you can’t be partners with someone you don’t trust. That was 8 months ago.”
Finishing my story on an exhale, I reach for a bottle of water from the bag I brought. I offer one to Lia and she accepts. Another few moments of silence pass, and I ask another question, one that I’m not sure I want to know the answer to, but I need to know. “Has there been anyone special in your life” pausing, closing my eyes and whispering, “since me?” She glances at me, then down to the blanket. She smiles small reluctant smile and shakes her head and says, “No. I’ve been on a few first dates, but nothing more. There’s been no one.” Now it’s her turn to pause. Taking a deep breath, she lifts her eyes to mine, her gaze cutting through me and says, “There’s been no one since you.”
As the magnitude of the meaning behind her words hits, the emotions that I long since buried, when I finally accepted that she wasn’t coming back, start clawing their way back into the light, taking over. Our gazes haven’t waivered throughout my dawning realization.
Up until this point we were sitting side by side, but with a few feet separating us. Reluctantly, I reach for her hand, taking it in mine; the other slowing lifting to gently cup her cheek. Swallowing hard, in a hushed voice I say, “I waited for you for what seemed like forever. Those last weeks at the Academy without you were the worst; having to go on like nothing had changed, just like we said. When I beat your course record, I should have been celebrating, instead I was heartbroken. After a year or so, I finally realized that I had to move on. But, during all that time since the moment I realized you weren’t coming back, I have never stopped thinking of you. You were always there in the back of mind. I know it’s wrong to admit that, since I was in a long term relationship during some of that time, but I’m admitting it anyway.”
Rubbing my thumb along her cheek, I catch a tear and wipe it away. Taking in another deep breath, I say the words that I only dreamed I’d be able to say one day. “Lia, will you give us a chance? Will you give us the chance that we never got all those years ago? I want to be with you, and not just physically, I want to be with all of you, just as much as I did back then, if not more. Please, tell me you’ll give us that chance.”
She closes her eyes in a slow blink as more tears stream down her face. When she finally speaks, her eyes are still closed. “You know my Mom always used to tell me that boys picked on me because they were jealous of how awesome I was or because they liked me. The whole time at the Academy, up until that day, I believed that you were part of the former. Even after that night at the shooting range, I still found it hard to believe that the reason you were such an asshole to me was because you liked me. Back then you were larger than life and the most handsome man I had ever seen. If I had been at the course that next day, even though I pledged that the night before wouldn’t change us, I had no idea how I was going to do that.”
“I’ve dreamed of the day that I would see you again; the day that you would ask me to try. I want to be with you, but only if you can honestly say it’s because you want the person sitting in front of you, not the girl I was. I also need you to be truthful and tell me that you are over your ex, and that I’m the only one in the picture. That wound still seems a little fresh, and I will not be th
e band-aid.”
The range of emotions that have gone through me during her confession and declaration is vast. Trying to order my thoughts before speaking, I take a moment before I answer. “Lia, I want more than anything to be with you. We need to get to know each other again, so telling you that I want to be with the woman that sitting in front of me and not the girl you were, is one of the easiest questions I’ve ever had to answer. The answer is yes. Yes, I want to be with and get to know the strong, confident, capable, competitive, gorgeous woman sitting before me.”
“And as far as Jen and me, we are beyond over. The day I caught her and Tripp in the locker room I gave her until noon the following day to get all her crap out of my house. When I walked into the house the next afternoon and all of her stuff was gone, I wasn’t upset; I was angry, but not because her stuff was missing, but because I felt like a fool. I may have mourned the idea of her and me, but at the same time, I wasn’t heartbroken. Both her and Tripp called and harassed the crap out of me for a few weeks after the whole thing went down, so I continued to be angry, but only because they thought they could talk their way out of it and get me to change my mind.”
With our hands still joined, I pull her to me, somehow pulling her to straddle me and become wrapped in each other’s arm. She lays her head on my shoulder, which becomes damp from the occasional tears that she is shedding. I lean my head into hers and we stay like that, for so long that only when I lose circulation in my leg from her sitting in my lap do we finally separate.
Later that day, just as the sun sets, we find ourselves back at the meeting place, where we started our day. After our endless embrace, we ate the picnic lunch I packed. We talked about our bikes, about Lia’s work with the disabled veterans, and Royan’s participation in the Wounded Warrior games. We played Frisbee for a bit, before we called a truce before our trash talkin’ competitive selves got too carried away. We decide to start working out together, and when our schedules don’t allow, we plan to text each other our stats, falling back into our old ways from the academy, except this time it’s a friendly competition.
We both dismount our bikes and remove our helmets, and stretch our legs after the ride back. As she leans against her bike, I walk to her, not being able to stop my feet and place my hands on her hips and then lean my forehead against hers. Not having to lean down that far, reminds me how tall she is and how comfortably we fit together. We stay like this for a few minutes before she brings her arms up and wraps them around my neck and looks up at me. A small grin takes over her face when she says, “I’m gonna be the one that starts it this time, just so I know I’m not dreaming,” and with that she touches her lips to mine in a soft, gentle almost reluctant kiss. Pulling her into me I deepen the kiss, confirming for myself that she’s really there and we are really going to be together. The kiss becomes electric and hot. Finding some control I end the kiss and pull away, but punctuate it will a little kiss to her nose. I take a step back and ask, “Convinced?” She smiles and nods. I take another step back and say, “So tomorrow, 2 o’clock, we’re texting our stats for the day. No cheating!”
She laughs, shakes her head and says, “Who needs to cheat? My stats have almost always beaten yours. I should be the one reminding you not to cheat.” Then she winks and says, “Good night Tristan” as she pulls her helmet on and mounts her bike.
I smile, wink and say, “Good Night my Lia” and then she drives away.
Chapter 7
Ophelia
A few weeks later
Tristan: There is no way that you’re not cheating. Just admit it! You’re cheating!
Me: Definitely not cheating. Just admit it, you still can’t keep up with me!
Tristan: Ha! I keep up with you, when you don’t cheat!
Me: Fine. I’ll prove it to you. Download the app Trick or Tracker, my user name is
OllieChick79. It will tell you where I am. Plus I will send you a message when I start and finish, just to prove to you I’m not cheating.
Tristan: Nevermind.
Me: What? Afraid that I’m going to prove that my times are really better then yours?
Tristan: No, I think you’re still cheating. But you won’t cheat if you know I’m tracking you.
Me: What a cry baby you are!
Tristan: Hey now! Take that back!
Me: No.
Tristan: Challenge accepted. See you tomorrow at 7 am. We’ll see if you can keep up.
Me: Whatever! See you in the morning.
Tristan: Whoa, I didn’t mean to upset you. You ok?
Me: Yeah, sorry. Just a really rough day. I need to get some sleep.
Tristan: Ok, talk about it tomorrow?
Me: Yeah, I probably should.
Tristan: Ok, my tough girl. Can’t wait to see that gorgeous ass in those tight shorts of yours. (winky face)
Me: Good Night Tristan.
Tristan: Good Night, my Lia.
My Lia. Ever since that day on the mountain, I’ve been “my Lia”. Tristan never just says “Lia” or “Ollie,” it’s always, “my Lia”. I want to say I don’t like it, but I would be lying. How could I be upset? I’ve wanted to be his, and I’ve wanted him to be mine for the past 4 years.
Most of our conversations go like this whether by text or over the phone. He almost always flirts or says things to try to get my motor running, but I don’t let it go too far. Don’t get me wrong, I would love nothing more than to have a good sexting session with him, but I refuse to because I don’t want to run the risk of him being busted carrying on that way with me, especially while he’s on the clock. Our schedules being as they are, we don’t get to see much of each other, which is depressing, but it can’t be helped. We manage to Skype a few nights a week and we mostly just talk about our day. I do however, make sure that I’m dressed in my skimpiest PJ’s or something that makes his eyes go wide as soon as I appear on his screen. After the 3rd or 4th time I did this, he finally figured out that I was doing it on purpose. The next time, he was shirtless and freshly showered and I nearly drooled all over myself. That time it started to get a little steamy between us and it pained us both to end the call, both of us being a little more than hot and bothered.
It’s bright and early on a Friday morning and wonder of wonders we both have the day off. I arrive in Tristan’s driveway at 6:55 am and then promptly shed my jeans, leather jacket and helmet and greet him in my work out clothes while stretching. His slow perusal of my body, followed by a heated glare and slow grin tells me I chose the right outfit.
We run the route through the park that we decided on weeks ago and by the time we make it back to his place, he looks like he’s gonna die. We pushed each other hard, but I still managed to edge him out a few times, allowing him to get a good look at my ass in my tight shorts, just like he wanted.
Our plan for the day was to go for a run, clean up and shower at his place and then take the bikes out for a ride. Fall is fully upon us and opportunities to get out on the bikes are quickly diminishing. Before heading inside to clean up, while we are doing our cool down, we both notice the smell of rain is in the air and the sky is growing dark. We pull both bikes into his garage, just in case and then head inside.
Once we are both showered and yes, we showered separately, much to Tristan’s dismay, we take a look outside just as the first rumble of thunder fills the air and then the sky opens up and it starts to pour.
Deciding that taking a ride is no longer an option, I ready myself to head home. “Where in the world do you think you’re going in this storm, because I’m pretty sure you’re staying right here even if I have to sit on you” was Tristan’s response when he saw me getting ready to pull my leather jacket back on. He’s right, I’m crazy to think I can ride home in this monsoon. It’s completely unsafe.
Coming up behind me and taking my jacket and tossing it to the side, he places both his hands on my hips, rests his head on my shoulder and says, “It’s the perfect day for movies and popcorn, so sit your beautiful-
self down on the couch, while I pop the corn and you fire up Netflix.” I smile and say, “Ah, I don’t think so, unless we’re really going to watch movies and eat popcorn. You have to keep your hands and fingers to yourself. This will not be a “Netflix and chill” kind of day.” I feel him chuckle and then he replies, “I mean I’m totally down for either, but I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself if that’s what you want. Scouts honor. As long as I get to hold you.”
Now, I’m not a generally a girl that swoons, but “oh swoon and sigh”. I lean my head into his, slowly close my eyes and let out an audible sigh. We stand there for a few minutes, allowing me to revel in his closeness and embrace. Finally, I say, “Popcorn and movies sounds great.” He places a chaste kiss on my cheek and then heads for the kitchen. Without even consulting him, I load up the first Die Hard movie, deciding we’re having a Die Hard marathon. A few minutes later he joins me on the couch with a giant bowl of popcorn and 2 sodas. I lift the remote to start the movie, but he stops me.
“So what happened yesterday? It must have been something if you were still a little edgy hours later.” he asks. Taking a deep breath I explain, “Last month, during visitor’s day a boyfriend of one of the inmates was busted trying to bring in contraband. He chose the wrong day to try to bring in drugs, because the K-9 unit was there for a random sweep. The dog was on the guy as soon as his foot was inside the common room. I was the one that took the dude into custody; everyone in the room saw me, including the inmate that the guy was coming to visit. Turns out, the possession was the guy’s third strike, so he’s gonna be in for a long time.” I clear my throat and start again. “Fast forward to yesterday, the same inmate was being released because she completed her sentence. I was one of the officer’s that was processing her release. When she thought no one else was listening, she leaned in and said, “You’re going to regret the day you cuffed my man, Bitch” and then she turned and walked out to her waiting family. She thought no one else heard the threat, but 2 of the other officer’s heard her loud and clear.”