Restaurant work was all either of us had ever done. It was weird to think that we were both on the brink of starting different careers, wearing business attire and pumps to work instead of sneakers and low cut tops to help get better tips. I would have been lying to myself if I said I wasn’t going to miss the fast-paced lifestyle and easy money, but it was time to grow up and move on.
The guys’ game ended right as a twostep came on and Mitch grabbed my hand. “Cali, would you do me the honor?” He grinned down at me.
“Why, of course.” I followed him, Mags, and Randy out onto the floor.
When it came to twostepping, I was lucky if I had two left feet. Mitch laughed at me as I stumbled and fumbled around the dance floor, trying to follow his lead and not step on his boots too many times.
“You know it’s not that hard right?” Walker’s drawl slid into my ear as he chuckled and passed by twirling a long-legged prospect with bouncing blonde curls.
Four
My eyes fluttered open as cotton mouth and a pounding headache started to overwhelm my senses. I rolled over to find that I was in my bed, naked, with damp hair from a shower I didn’t remember taking. There was a note on the pillow in Mitch’s handwriting.
I’m on your couch. I have your phone and purse. Don’t freak. Take the Advil on your nightstand and drink the water. If it is before 9 AM go back to bed. You were up until five.
I glanced over at my nightstand to see the two pills next to a water bottle by my alarm clock, which read 8:49.
Close enough.
I threw back the medicine, chugged the water, and cinched my robe tightly around my waist. Peeking out my bedroom door, I saw Mitch lying with one leg hanging off my couch, mouth open, snoring like a freight train.
My hangover was slamming into my temples. After starting the coffee maker and scrambling up some eggs as quietly as humanly possible, Mitch finally stopped snoring. I peered across the room to see him stretching.
“Morning!” My scratchy throat tried to project but I could barely hear myself.
Mitch glanced up at me, squinting from the light. “Hey. How are you feeling?”
I poured both of us coffee and made our plates of eggs. “I’ve had better mornings. What happened last night?”
Mitch ran a hand over his jaw as a devilish grin grew wide. “What’s the last thing you remember?”
I slurped some of my coffee, trying to bring back something, anything out of the blackness. “Dancing with you, and then, very vaguely, I remember taking a second shot of something. Was it tequila?”
Even the thought of that clear liquid made my skin crawl, and suddenly my eggs were the most unappetizing thing in the world to even look at.
Mitch chewed his bite, still smirking. “You went a little wild last night. Nothing bad. Yes it was tequila, per your request. And then lemon drops, buttery nipples, and some blue bomb shot that made you puke up blue foam in the back seat of the cab.”
“What the hell? How did I get so trashed?”
Mitch shrugged. “You were celebrating. It happens. Now take a shower and get dressed. You have to take me to my truck and get to that dress fitting before Mags kicks your ass.”
With a groan, I stomped my feet a little. “I want to get back in bed!”
Mitch grabbed my hand and started pulling me into my room. “Shower, put makeup on, and do your hair.” I felt like a six-year-old being scolded for not wanting to go to kindergarten.
“Fine.” I shuffled my feet behind him and made my way into the bathroom.
I made quick work of my normal morning routine while getting bombarded with texts from Mags.
Mags: You’re not going to be late right?
Cali: No, promise. Curling my hair now.
Mags: I am so flipping nervous!
Cali: Why? It’s going to be so fun. We’ll drink champagne and get our measurements perfect!
Mags: What if I hate the dress.
Cali: Shut your mouth. It’s stunning. Ok. I have get Mitch back to his truck at The Saloon and then I will be on my way to pick you up.
Mags: See you soon.
Pulling up to the front of Mags’ building, I shot off a quick text to let her know I was waiting downstairs.
Within a couple minutes she was sliding into my passenger’s seat. “Right on time!” Her wide grin was infectious as she bounced in her seat a little.
“I cannot believe we are going to pick up your fricking wedding dress!” I hit play for our normal car music and let the sweet, rugged timbre of Rodney’s voice flow from my speakers.
“The next time The Hysterics are in town or even close, promise we will go?” Mags started singing along to Gone In A Flash.
“Promise.” I held out my pinky for her to take right as I pulled into a parking spot in front of Minerva’s Bridal Shop. “Ready?”
Mags bounced again in her seat. “Ahhhh! This is happening.”
We walked in and were greeted by a gorgeous middle-aged woman that radiated class and grace. “Are you Mags?”
Mags nodded. “We have a dress fitting and pick up for my wedding dress and her bridesmaid dress.”
The lady glanced down at their appointment book. “Perfect. We already have your dresses in fitting rooms. Right this way.”
We weaved through the racks of ball gowns, mermaid silhouettes, and rainbows of bridesmaid dresses before finally hit the fitting rooms. There was a young bride tearing up as her grandmother hugged her after they had found that one special dress. It was a breathtaking, tight-fitting beaded bodice with a flowing handkerchief skirt.
“Here we are, ladies. Let me know if you need help zipping up or putting anything on. Mags, your corset and belt are in there with your dress. Champagne to celebrate? It is after noon after all.” The attendant glanced down at her watch with a soft giggle.
“Sure. That sounds great.” I ducked into Mags’ fitting room to help her get the corset and dress on and before I had the last of the zipper up her back, I was tearing up. The lace dress hugged her body beautifully and the jeweled belt set off the look perfectly. She was glowing and strikingly stunning.
Mags turned to me. “How does it look?” There weren’t mirrors in the fitting rooms, so she had no idea how incredible she looked. In that moment, a flash of what Randy’s face would look like when he first saw her in the dress came to mind, and my heart melted a little.
“It’s perfect.” I was barely was able to choke out those two words before extreme waterworks took over.
“I don’t want to look before you’re in your dress too!” The excitement on my best friend’s face could have lit up all of Orlando during a blackout in the middle of the night.
I rushed into my fitting room, pulled on my deep plum dress, and was able to zip it on the first try. “Ready?” I called from behind the velvet curtain.
“On the count of three. One. Twoooooo. THREE!” Mags’ voice shouted and we both threw back the curtains. Mags shrieked as I wiped the tears away from my cheeks.
“They’re incredible!” Mags threw her arm around my waist and pulled me to her side as the fitting attendant smiled at us, handing over the champagne flutes.
“Ladies, you’re stunning!”
The plunging sweetheart neckline with the off-the-shoulder sleeve of my long flowing dress was more flattering than I had remembered from the first time I had tried on the purple number.
She glanced up and down at our dresses. “I can call the seamstress over if you want, but I don’t think there is a need to touch these dresses. They fit you like gloves.”
I wrapped Mags up in a hug as she started to tear up a little. “I am so excited to see Randy’s face when you walk toward him in this gorgeous dress.”
Five
A few weeks passed in a haze of stress and excitement. My new job was amazing and the people were incredibly nice, but it was a different type of demanding that nothing could have prepared me for. On top of all that, Mags’ wedding was only a couple short months away.
Almost everything was taken care of. Since Randy’s parents were so close to all of us, their home seemed like the perfect place for them to tie the knot. Randy had grown up a stone’s throw away from where we went to college, and Liz and Jim McManus had become second parents to any college kid looking for a hot meal, especially our group of friends.
I looked down at my phone as it buzzed across my desk right before I was about to leave the office for the day; Liz’s name and smiling face lit up my screen.
“Hey, Liz. How is the arch coming?”
Mags’ soon-to-be mother-in-law’s voice was light and bubbling with excitement. “It’s almost done and I have to say, it is stunning. Mags is going to be so surprised!”
I grabbed my laptop case and purse and started to trot down the stairs. “Where are y’all going to hide it?” Randy, Walker, and Jim had been secretly working on a wooden archway for the couple to get married under. I hated keeping secrets from Mags, but this one was going to be incredibly special.
“We have a neighbor down the block that is going to let us keep it in her garage until the wedding day.”
“Perfect.” I got into my car, heading straight for the nail salon to meet Mags.
Liz called over to her husband, “Jim, honey, smooth out that flower on the top right a little more.” Then she directed her attention back to the phone call. “When are the two of you ladies heading over to Clearwater for the bachelorette festivities?”
“Right after we get our nails done. I’m running a little behind for our appointment. My boss has been out of the country all week securing a new perfume line, so I have been swamped. They didn’t want me to take tomorrow off but they’re going to have to deal with it.”
“Well, you ladies have an amazing time sunbathing and partying! See you for Sunday family dinner around seven?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Liz. Talk to you later.”
I rushed into the nail salon and hopped into the pedicure chair next to where Mags was soaking her feet and reading a magazine. “Hey, lover!” I poked her shoulder to break her attention from the celebrity gossip she was engrossed in.
Her eyes snapped over to me. “Cali! Finally! I’ve been waiting for almost thirty minutes!”
Our nail ladies sat down on the stools in front of us. “I know. Work has been crazy! But for this weekend, I am all yours!”
We relaxed back into our seats and let the massage chairs work their magic.
I glanced over at Mags as her toenails got painted a rosy coral color. “Are you ready for an epic weekend?”
Her face lit up. “Heck yes I am!”
* * *
“Holy shit, Cali! This place is incredible!”
Mags and I stood by the water, checking out the private beach of our Clearwater resort while sipping on mojitos. The sweet salty air tingled across my skin as the gentle rumble of thunder faded off into the distance. Florida afternoon showers always brought cool breezes and gorgeous water that was simply breathtaking.
“I’m just so glad to be here with my best friend to celebrate one of the most amazing times in your life!” Our glasses clinked together and we slid onto the outdoor couches.
After munching on appetizers and enjoying some live music, Mags and I planned out our relaxing spa day.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t want to go party in Vegas with a bunch of our sisters or do a pub crawl in downtown Tampa this weekend.”
Mags grinned over at me from across the bar table after throwing her napkin onto the plate in front of her. “I just want to relax and spend quality time with you. With the move coming up, starting a new job, and planning a wedding right after graduation, I really just need some downtime.”
With our day of facials, mud baths, and stone massages all booked and ready to go, we decided to hit the dance floor in front of the live band. I ran over to the side of the stage and slipped a twenty to the lead singer along with a list of a few of Mags’ favorite songs.
“Well, folks, it looks like we have a bachelorette in the house tonight!” The tall, skinny lead singer winked at me before pointing Mags out to the crowd and telling them all to buy her drinks all night.
We danced the night away while slowly sipping on beers that random patrons were buying for us, making sure to pace ourselves with water; there was no way we were going to be late or hungover for our day full of pampering.
The next morning, after a room service breakfast in bed, we went about our day as planned and let all the built up stress and anxiety of our lives melt away into the stones and mud. It was the first time for both of us at a full day spa and the experience was mind blowing.
I hopped out of the shower and walked into our hotel room expecting to find Mags still napping, but instead I walked into a panic attack. She was on the bed shaking, crying, and staring at her phone.
“What the hell happened?” I rushed to the bed and sat down next to her
Mags just sat there staring at her phone, silent tears streaming down her red face. I grabbed her phone and scrolled through the last text messages from Randy.
Randy: Babe, I need to talk to you.
Mags: Everything ok?
Randy: I got my orders today.
Mags: And?
Randy: You’re not going to like this.
That’s where the messages ended and Mags had called Randy. “So, when are they leaving?” By the terrified look on Mags’ face, I knew it was way sooner than she had anticipated.
Her voice was barely over a whisper as she hugged her knees into her chest. “They are leaving right after we get back from Bimini.”
“Oh honey!” I pulled her into me. “Do you want to head home?”
She nodded against my shoulder. “I’m sorry we have to cut this trip short, Cal.”
“Hush your face. You need to be with Randy right now. We’ll have plenty of girl time together while he is gone.”
And just like that our relaxation and destressing went out the window as we frantically packed and begged for part of our money back from the front desk. Luckily the manager on duty was an Army brat, so she took pity on Mags’ situation and gave us a partial refund.
Anything is better than nothing.
I drove like a madwoman for the two-hour drive from Clearwater to Mags’ and Randy’s brand new home that they had barely had time to unpack any boxes in.
Right when we walked through the threshold, Randy was scooping Mags into his arms and pulling me in so the three of us could hug out the sadness that was thick in the room. We had all known it was coming, but knowing it was in the future and having a specific date were way different.
Muffled I love yous made tears sting the back of my eyes.
“I think I should let you guys have some time.” I pulled away from my best friends and started to make my way to the door. “Mags, call me later if you want to.”
Randy wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs as she pulled away from him. “Thanks for everything this weekend, Cali. I really did have a great time.”
I pursed my lips as I dug my keys out from the bottom of my purse. “Me too.”
Six
I slowly pushed the carrots and peas around my plate, trying to avoid awkward eye contact. The silence was deafening and the tension could have been cut with a knife as we all sat around the table for Sunday night dinner at the McManus home like we had every week for the last few years. Walker was sitting next to me hammering down whiskey and water like it was going out of style while Liz and Mags sniffled. Jim, Mitch, and Randy threw back a few beers, their stoic faces saying more than words ever could.
Jim cleared his throat at the end of the table, raising his glass high in the air as he stood. “To my son and Walker. May the two of you find adventure and come home safe and sound. We love you and are so proud of you.”
We all raised our glasses and slowly took sips.
“That is enough.” Randy’s voice boomed. “We all knew this day was going to come sooner ra
ther than later. I’ll be damned if I am going to spend my last few months with my family before we leave with everyone moping around. It’s our job. It’s what Walker and I signed up for. I am proud to say that I will be going to defend my country and keep it safe for my family. Now let’s move the fuck on with dinner. Cali, how are you liking your new job?”
It took a second for me to shake off Randy’s words, and my throat was drying out from being put on the spot right after that rant. “Oh good, I guess.” I shrugged, chugging my water. “It’s different working at a desk from nine to five instead of grinding away behind a bar, but I am adapting.”
Liz wiped her eyes with her napkin. “I am so glad you’re learning and growing with this company, Cali. I’m sure it is going to be a wonderful experience for you.” Her sweet face contorted into a fake smile as she refilled her glass of wine.
Mitch chimed in, clearing his throat. “So Randy and Mags, how is it living so close to your parents?”
Randy chuckled. “I’m just glad that Mags will be so close to family while I’m gone.”
Mags squeezed Randy’s hand before shoving away from the table. “Anyone ready for dessert? Who wants coffee?”
“I’ll help you.” I made my way into the kitchen and started slicing the homemade cherry pie that had been cooling in the oven.
Mags’ hands shook as she started the coffee maker and put the kettle on to make Liz a cup of tea. I pulled her into me and tried to help still her trembling.
“I am trying so hard to not be like this. I knew this day was going to come, but my heart is broken.”
I was at a loss for words. There was no way I could even begin to understand how much Mags was going to miss Randy, or how scared she must have been that he might never really get to start the life they were planning together.
“Everything is going to be ok, honey.” We both sniffled as she buried her face in my shoulder.
The Crashing Series Page 39