Wilde Times

by Savannah Young

  “We’re never going to be together. Jake doesn’t want any-thing serious. At least not with me anyway. So I’m moving on.”

  “Fair enough.”

  When Max grabs my hand I can feel my stomach clench, and not in a good way. It feels wrong having someone other than Jake touch me.

  But I don’t want to ruin the only date I’ve had since high school so I don’t say anything.

  It doesn’t take long to get to the Old Town Theater. It’s on the opposite end of town from Haymakers, but still less than ten minutes from my house.

  “It’s not too crowded,” Max comments when we pull into the parking lot.

  “They only show one movie and it’s not even a new one. Most people have probably already gone into the city to see it when it first came out. The theater stays open because some of the older folks in town don’t like to drive into the city, so they see the movies here, and the high school kids come here on Friday and Saturday nights to make out.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “Is that a proposition?”

  “But it’s not Friday or Saturday night,” I tease.

  Max purchases the tickets and then offers to get me any snacks my heart desires.

  “I’ve always loved the chocolate covered raisins,” I admit.

  He touches his chest. “A woman after my own heart. I love them too.”

  He buys two large boxes of the chocolate raisins, enough candy to feed a small army, and two large sodas, also enough for an army.

  “I guess I didn’t realize large would be quite so big.” He laughs.

  “It’s an Old Town thing. They like to give people their money’s worth. Everything here that’s large is very large.”

  “Good to know. I’ll store that away for future reference.”

  I’m always working so I don’t get to the theater very often. It’s not like I have anyone to go with anyway. I have to laugh when I see that the movie stars Katie Lawrence.

  “I don’t think this is supposed to be a comedy,” Max whispers.

  “I know Katie Lawrence,” I whisper back.

  He gives me a narrow-eyed glance like he doesn’t believe me. I probably wouldn’t believe me either.

  “She’s dating Jake’s brother,” I elaborate.

  “Seriously?”

  “Seriously.”

  When the only other person in the theater, Old Man Russell, who is like 100-years-old, turns around and gives us the stink-eye, Max and I both look at each other like little kids who have just been scolded by the teacher. Then we laugh and settle into our seats.

  I don’t pay much attention to the movie. I’m too busy thinking about what’s going to happen after the movie when I have a feeling Max is going to try to kiss me. No one but Jake has kissed me since I graduated high school.

  Max already has my hand in his. He’s been playing with my fingers and lightly massaging my hand with his fingertips. Not that it doesn’t feel good, maybe a little too good, but that’s also the problem. I’m not sure I want it to feel good.

  Once the lights come on Old Man Russell makes a point of glaring at us before he waddles out of the theater.

  “So what did you think?” Max asks as he grabs my hand and laces our fingers together.

  “Of the movie or the company?” I tease.

  “Both.”

  “The movie was a little too dramatic for my taste. I prefer action or comedy. I liked the company much better.”

  “Good to know,” he replies.

  “And what did you think?” I throw the question back at him.

  “I liked the movie. But I have a thing for drama. One of my majors in college was literature. And the movie was actually based on a short story by W.W. Jacobs.”

  “Interesting. And what about the company?”

  He gives me a big grin. “I liked that even better.”

  As we step outside the night couldn’t be more perfect. The sky is a blanket of sparkling stars and the moon is radiant and full.

  “Is there someplace we could get coffee?” Max asks as he glances down the small main street where everything has been closed for hours.

  “Not in Old Town.”

  I can see the disappointment cross his face.

  “I’d invite you back to my place for a drink, if I actually had a place, but I’m still crashing with my sister for the moment. She’s a very light sleeper.”

  “I don’t think my parents would appreciate you coming over this late either.”

  “I had a really great time.” When Max looks into my eyes I can feel it coming. The kiss. The air between us has a little bit of extra electricity as he leans over and touches his lips to mine.

  Just as he’s about to deepen the kiss a car horn blast fills the air. We both jump back as the horn continues to blare.

  “What’s going on?” Max looks around confused.

  I’m not as confused. I immediately spot Jake’s truck parked across the street. He’s obviously been watching us since we got out of the movie theater and he laid on his horn as soon as Max tried to kiss me.

  “I can’t believe this,” I practically yell as I stomp across the street to Jake’s pickup.

  I pound on the driver’s side window until he opens in for me.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” I scream.

  “I’m watching you,” he yells back.

  “You have no right to do that!”

  “Last time I checked this was a free country.” He glares at me. “And you don’t own Main Street.”

  “You can’t just follow me on my date.” I’m so angry I’m practically spitting. “It’s an invasion of privacy.”

  I can feel Max come up behind me and place his hand on the small of my back. “Is everything okay?” He asks the question loud enough for Jake to hear it.

  “I just want to make sure you’re okay,” Jake makes a point of looking at Max. “You don’t really know this guy.”

  “Harley’s dad didn’t have an issue with me taking his daughter on a date,” Max says.

  Jake’s eyes narrow to angry slits. “He met your dad?”

  I nod. “And my dad likes him. Which is more than I can say for you.”

  “Her mom made me cookies,” Max rubs it in.

  I bite back a grin. I know if I laugh it will really piss Jake off.

  “How do you know he’s not some psycho-killer? Everyone loved Ted Bundy too before he killed them.”

  “Do I look like a psycho-killer?” Max actually sounds a little hurt by the accusation.

  “You’re being completely ridiculous, Jake. He’s not a psycho-killer. You have nothing to worry about. His sister works at Tawnee Mountain. His uncle owns the resort.”

  Jake stammers, “He what?” at the exact same moment Max says, “How did you know?”

  I give Max a quick smile then turn my attention back to Jake. “You need to go back to Haymakers. It’s not even close to closing time. How could you leave Tucker and Gracie alone?”

  Jake frowns. “It’s a slow night.”

  “I don’t care if it’s slow. Gracie is pregnant, remember?”

  “I had to make sure you were okay.” Jake looks crestfallen. Like a puppy that’s just been beaten by its owner.

  “I’m fine. Now leave.”

  He points a finger in Max’s direction. “If I find out you’ve done anything to hurt her I’ll beat that big smile right off your face.”

  “I’m not smiling,” Max says.

  “When you do smile it’s really big,” Jake clarifies.

  “I’m not sure if that’s an insult or a compliment,” Max says.

  Jake shakes his head. “Just don’t hurt her.”

  “I would never do anything to hurt anyone and I certainly would never hurt Harley.”

  Jake starts his engine and pulls away without another word. But he does take one quick look back at me before he disappears into the night.

  The drive to my house it unbearably quiet. I’m completely mortified and not sure what to s
ay. Maybe Max doesn’t know what to say either. He’s probably never been stalked by his date’s ex before.

  Not that Jake is even my ex. Don’t you have to be someone’s boyfriend before you can be her ex?

  Max parks in my parent’s driveway and turns off his engine. I take that as a good sign. If he left the engine running that would mean he probably didn’t want to see me again.

  When he turns to face me he isn’t smiling. I take that as a not-so-good sign. But then he takes my hand in his and I feel a little hopeful again.

  “So how did you know about my uncle?”

  I laugh. “This is Old Town. Everyone knows everything about everybody. If you’re going to live here you’d better get used to it. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  He shrugs. “I don’t want everyone to know I’m a trust fund baby. I don’t actually have access to my family’s vast fortune now anyway. My mom and my uncle want me and my sister to work for a living and not have everything handed to us on a silver platter.”

  “Stuff like that doesn’t matter to me anyway,” I tell him.

  “Why’d you agree to go out with me?” he asks.

  “Because you asked,” I admit.

  “That’s all it takes? Here I thought it was my good looks and charm.”

  “Those certainly help.” I heave a sigh. “Most guys in town don’t want to mess with the Wilde brothers. For obvious reasons. And they know Jake and I were together for a while.”

  He raises an eyebrow, “A while?”

  “A long while.”

  “And you’re sure you’re not still together.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Is Jake sure?”

  I shake my head. “I’m not so sure.”

  “I’d really like to see you again,” Max says.

  “But?”

  He laughs. “You’re perceptive.”

  “One of my many talents. Would you like to see me juggle?”

  “I think I already saw that at Haymakers when you carried over my meal, several condiments and my beer all at the same time.”

  “It’s a feat I perform every night.”

  “I really think you need to get things sorted out with Jake first. The guy seems to be going a little nuts.”

  “After everything he’s put me through he deserves it.”

  Max’s expression turns serious again. “Are you sure you’re over Jake?”

  I nod even though I’m not sure at all.

  But I want to be over him. I need to be over him. I need to get on with my life. So I lean over to kiss Max.

  I’m surprised when he doesn’t hesitate to kiss me back. I want the kiss to be magical and fireworks-inducing, but the only thing that I see is the look on Jake’s face as he drove away tonight.

  Like someone had just stolen his best friend.

  ***

  It’s almost impossible for me to get to sleep. I toss and turn, but I can’t get the image of Jake out of my mind. I’m still angry, but I’m also hurt. And I also feel bad that Jake seems to be hurting too.

  What are we doing to each other?

  For the first time ever I actually dread going into work tomorrow. Ever since I started working at Haymakers I couldn’t wait to get into work. I normally can’t wait to see Jake and the rest of the Wilde boys and their girls.

  Now it’s making my stomach knot thinking about seeing him. Maybe my parents are right. Maybe it’s best if they sell their house and I leave Old Town for good.

  But I never imagined myself anywhere but in Old Town. And I never imagined myself with anyone but Jake Wilde.

  Truth be told, even with everything that’s happened, I still can’t imagine myself ever being with anyone else.

  Does that make me pathetic, or a real fool for love? Probably both.

  I get out of bed and make my way over to my large bedroom window. It faces the Wilde’s house and I can see Jake’s bedroom window from mine. For years I used to stare out my window and watch Jake’s bedroom. It’s too far away to make out any details, but I could see whether his bedroom light was off or on. I’d always try to imagine what he was doing. I used to imagine him lying in his bed thinking about me. I know now that was probably wishful thinking. Even when he was with other girls I hoped he was still thinking about me.

  Like I said, pathetic.

  I notice his bedroom light is on. For the first time ever I don’t have that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that he has another girl with him. I know he’s alone.

  I just wonder what it means…

  Ten

  Jake

  I know I look like shit, but Tucker will kill me if I call in sick to work again. I didn’t get more than a few minutes sleep the entire night. I kept seeing that beach boy with his hand on Harley’s sexy back. Him kissing her luscious pink lips. Him holding her delicate hand in his. It’s like an endless loop that just keeps playing over and over in my mind.

  I never thought it would feel like this. I feel like I’ve been completely gutted and there’s nothing left but a hallow shell of a man.

  The image staring back at me in the mirror scares the shit out of me. He looks more like one of those movie zombies than an actual human being. The only thing that’s missing is some foaming of the mouth, but I’m sure I’ll have that covered before the dinner shift.

  I take one more look out my bedroom window. I’m not sure what I’m hoping to see. I can just about see Harley’s bedroom from mine. I never told her that I used to always watch out the window to make sure she got home okay. Even nights when I had another girl over I’d find some kind of excuse to look out the window when I knew she was on her way back. Maybe I should have told her.

  Maybe I should have done a lot of things. Like take her out on a real date. She looked so happy with that beach boy. She was smiling and laughing. Taking her to a movie would have been such a simple thing to do, but I never bothered.

  Maybe because I didn’t want things between us to be real. If we went on a date I would have had to admit that we had a relationship. I would have had to admit that I love her. That I’ve always loved her and always will love her.

  I wanted to let her go. I wanted her to have someone better than me. I wanted her to have a better life than I could ever give her.

  But I can’t seem to live without her. It’s literally killing me.

  The problem is that I did too good a job of pushing her away and I’m afraid now that I’ll never be able to get her back.

  When I enter the kitchen both Gracie and Tucker look up from their breakfast plates and stare at me. Gracie looks worried and Tucker looks pissed.

  Maybe it will be a typical day after all.

  I pour a cup of black coffee and sit at the table.

  “You look like shit,” Tucker greets me.

  “Do you want something to eat?” Gracie asks.

  “Thanks.” I glare at Tucker. “I’m not hungry,” I reply to Gracie.

  “You should try to eat something.” Gracie’s voice is so soft it’s hard to hear her sometimes.

  “I can’t eat.” My stomach is one gigantic knot just thinking about what Harley is going to say when she sees me. In my worst nightmares she tells me that she’s quitting Haymakers, leaving Old Town and never coming back.

  Of course that’s what I always thought I wanted to happen. I didn’t realize it would destroy me when it did.

  “Is Harley working tonight?” Tucker asks.

  I shrug. “I hope so.”

  His eyes narrow. “What do you mean you hope so? You’re her boss, remember. You need to know whether she’s working or not.”

  “I did something really stupid last night.”

  “Shocking,” Tucker retorts.

  “I followed her on her date.”

  “You did what?” His voice seems to have raised an octave. I just hope he doesn’t hit me. I’m not sure I could even fight back in my current state.

  “I followed her. I had to make sure she was okay. She doesn’t really k
now that guy. I thought he might be some psycho.”

  Tucker rises from the chair and crosses his thick arms over his massive chest. “Seriously, Dude. You need help. And that says a lot coming from me.”

  Gracie hurries to grab their plates from the table. “He’s not a psycho. His uncle owns the Tawnee Mountain Resort.”

  I shake my head. “How is it possible that everyone knows that but me?”

  Tucker points a finger at me. “Gracie and I are having a baby. Don’t do anything to screw up Haymakers, got it? We need that income.”

  I nod. “I got it.”

  “Good. Now pull yourself together and get to work.”

  ***

  As usual Harley is waiting for me outside Haymakers. She looks as beautiful as ever. I just wish I could make her smile the way I used to. I wish I could make her eyes light up again when she sees me, but they don’t.

  “I’m sorry,” I mumble, and I’m actually surprised by the words that have come out of my mouth.

  “What?” She seems just as surprised as I am.

  “I’m sorry I followed you. But I did want to make sure you were okay.”

  She nods, but doesn’t say anything else. I unlock the front door and we both head inside.

  Haymakers is eerily quiet as we both ready the place for the first customers, our lunch regulars.

  Tucker and Gracie make their way inside a few minutes after we do, but neither of them are in a talkative mood either.

  There’s a tremendous amount of tension in the air between all of us. Luckily the regulars don’t seem to notice as they stream in for their lunches.

  I watch as Harley waits on her tables, and jokes around with the patrons who have been coming in for years. She looks happy. I guess I never realized how much she seems to enjoy her job. And she’s a natural at it. I always assumed she’d want more, and that she deserved a lot more, instead of thinking about how much she already has right in front of her. I never really listened when she told me that working at Haymakers and being with me were the two things that made her happiest.

  It takes every ounce of restraint I have not to grab her by the hand and pull her into the back room with me. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted her in my life. I have an overwhelming desire to be with her, to be inside her, and to make her mine again.