I’d been to plenty of parties, but this brother-sister birthday collaboration was damn fun. I expected to enjoy myself because of my girl, but it ended up being a blast for several reasons including the embarrassing games. I thought Penny’s family genuinely liked me. The women of the family congregated around Maggie toward the end of the evening to talk about the wedding. I’d screwed up asking to get our first kiss over with. I devised a brand new plot to do my best to drive my girl wild, but not risk the kiss just yet. I’d let her sweat it out until the very last day of the deadline. Keats would kiss his bride in front of 189 people, but I planned to put that to shame with a grand romantic gesture for the maid of honor.
Frank invited Keats and I to join him and his buddies for golf bright and early the following morning. We had plans with our ladies, but I accepted before Keats had time to answer. I figured some time with the dad was pretty important and I wasn’t ashamed to admit, I was scared as hell to tell Frank Kopernik no.
Penny would be a little hungover by morning judging from her wine guzzling which was two glasses and a few sips of a third. Her tolerance was low; I figured she’d sleep in the next morning. We’d have the whole rest of the day to hang out at Shar’s cottage. Keats gave adequate advice. He was ahead in the Kopernik game by a good fourteen months. He coached me as best as he could. He said I seemed way more at ease with Frank than he did in the beginning. He avoided him at all cost until he and Maggie were already engaged.
Hunter and Mason practically dislocated my elbows to tell me goodbye for the night. They were bummed they had a commitment at church the next day.
“Mom makes us sing. The choir’s doing a musical.”
I assured them singing was ultra-cool and that I did it whenever I could.
“Really, you sing, Chet? Where? In a band? Do you have an album?”
Penny showed up behind me. She patted their heads and mused their thick heads of hair which must run in the family. Hair for days. “Are you kidding me? Chet sings far better than he acts. You really should hear him.”
I tickled her in the ribs for always ripping on my acting. She suggested that next visit I’d bring my guitar. Mason was already taking lessons, so he was super impressed. Hunter played piano. I enjoyed the fact Penny acted like us visiting again was definite. She kissed her aunt goodbye and wished her a happy birthday again.
Penny and I scooted away from the dwindling crowd to talk. “You have a way with kids. How’s that?”
“Maybe, this fact isn’t true for you since you were probably born ancient, but I was a kid not so long ago. I talk to them like they matter and they respond well. It’s not hard.”
“You’re really special, you know that?”
“In general or to the public or?”
“To me, dummy. You know where I was headed with my compliment.”
We were almost back to Penny’s. Our ride home was more relaxed than the tense journey up there. The weekend had been a success overall. We were closer than ever. Penny frustrated the hell out of me, but I annoyed her in return. We were a good matchup. I got to know the family a lot better, including some of the extended family. We garnered a few strange reactions. Most people that knew Penny appeared shocked she was dating me.
The biggest breakthrough was the walk Sunday afternoon. I finally got Penny to take me to her favorite spot along the beach. She seemed hesitant at first, but after I did a little digging, I figured out why. She’d spent her teen years with Jordan and they both lived in Monterey together. She was afraid to merge her past and present. I let her know either way, she wasn’t going to hurt my feelings.
Eventually, she took me to her favorite places, all the best spots and most scenic overlooks. She’d been to those places with her first love, but that was part of her story and in the end I was confident, we weren’t reminiscing in the past, but making new memories.
I sat down with Penny toward the end of our hike and put my arm around her.
“You’re brave.”
“Hardly, I’m a wimp. Why do you think I’ve built this wall up in the first place?”
I knew why, but that didn’t change my opinion, she was stronger than she’d ever admit. No one wanted to get hurt. I wished I could promise, nothing would ever hurt her again if she’d put all her trust in me. I’d never lie to her, and fortunately, I wasn’t in control of the universe. That would be a disaster; I’d probably oversleep through an earthquake or a war. All my promises would be sincere, not a bunch of fluff to try to impress her. The super human crap was in my movies, but this was real life. I told her I’d always do my best and she agreed, that’s all she could ever ask for.
We sat there a long while after our honest conversation. Penny rested her head on my shoulder. I held her at her waist and she casually draped her hand over my thigh. The ocean was in front of us. The sound of the waves breaking one on top of the other roared in the background. We were perched high above the sea and the warm sun heated the windy day. Penny’s hair whipped in every direction and she kept pushing it out of her face. Monterey was a beautiful place, but nature’s surroundings hardly impressed me at the moment. The most beautiful soul ever to grace my presence trusted me a little more each day. We were on our way to something great and for the first time since meeting her I knew, we were both ready.
The rest of the drive was uneventful. Penny and Maggie napped. I think Keats and I were both thankful for small favors. He and I didn’t even need to say much while they were out. Those two found it necessary to talk all the damn time when they were in enclosed spaces. Penny woke up when I made the first exit, followed by stops and turns as we approached her neighborhood.
She apologized for sleeping and I didn’t tell her I enjoyed the quiet for a change. I told her it was fine instead. Keats woke Maggie up as well.
“Thank God. I’m sick of the car.” It really wasn’t that far of a drive. I think Maggie got irritated a little too easily. I liked her, but I was happy I had the other sister. After hearing about Keats’s upbringing and his wacko parents, I assumed he was more equipped to handle drama than I was. I could handle it for work, but I drew the line in real life.
“Oh, wait, don’t forget to stop off for Pepper.” Penny reminded me. She had Pepper boarded with a lady in her neighborhood that ran a pet-sitting business.
“Really? No way. I want out of this car. Go home first, Chet. You and Penny can go back later for her brat.”
Penny’s dog was a brat, but I was pretty fond of her now. Pepper was Penny’s baby and Maggie was a bitchy grump. I turned at the stop sign that led to the sitter’s. Penny’s smile was worth hearing more complaints from Maggie. Penny found my hand and squeezed my fingers.
“Thanks, I texted her right before I dozed off. She’s going to have her ready. I won’t even be five extra minutes.” Penny turned to the back when she said that last part.
Before, she got out of the car, I slipped some money in her hand. She rolled her eyes, but mouthed thanks. Pepper jumped and ran wild in the front yard when Penny brought her out. As soon as I opened the car door, the dog climbed in the front with her. Not sure how Penny managed to fit that big dog in her lap, but she did. We barely had a mile more to drive through the neighborhood. Pepper leaned in toward me. I patted her head. She seemed just as happy to see me also and I had no idea why that was such a satisfying feeling.
Everyone had work in the morning, even I had a meeting bright and early, but Penny insisted we all order some food. She called our favorite Thai place. I needed to swap spots with her since I’d parked my car close to the house all weekend. Keats offered to pull mine out so I could park the Escape. That ended up with me allowing him to take a spin around the neighborhood while we waited for the food to arrive.
“Fucking hell, I need a car like this! How much did you pay for it?”
I told him the truth.
“Well shit, a guy can dream. I guess, I’ll live with the Audi.”
“Bro, that’s still a nice ride.”
“Yes, even though we got off to a rocky start.”
He apologized again. Keats felt responsible for some of that. We admitted each of us made mistakes once that argument started, but my breakthrough with Penny made that all seem irrelevant. He and I made our first girlfriend-free plans. He would soon marry Maggie and I had no plans on leaving Penny’s life anytime soon or never. It was good we were developing a brotherhood. We got back just as the delivery guy pulled away from the curb.
The first thing I noticed when we stepped in the kitchen was Pepper circling the aroma of Thai food on the counter. The total absence of both Penny and Maggie looked unusual.
Keats yelled out, but neither answered. He approached Penny’s room and I followed. We heard voices behind the closed door. Jesus, did those two start up something else in the short time we were out driving around? I pictured Maggie insulting the dog or something and Penny blowing up about it. Keats hovered his fist over the door, but looked to me for confirmation. I nodded. Penny might need rescuing. He knocked. We waited.
Finally, Maggie opened up, but I couldn’t see Penny.
I went on the offensive, “What the hell did you do now?”
She and Keats both frowned at me, but I wouldn’t back down.
“I think you both should go eat. Poppy has lost her appetite. We need a minute.”
Penny suggested the food in the first place. That was bullshit. I pushed the door a little harder. Maggie stepped out of the way. Penny was on her bed with her laptop open and she was visibly upset. She looked up at me with teary eyes and I felt that twist in my gut because I couldn’t stand to see her cry.
“What happened, honey?” She was fine when we left. We’d been elated, since the day before, including the entire way home. Maggie gave off a vibe she was equally concerned. I didn’t think it was another sister spat like I originally assumed.
Penny sucked in a few muffled sobs. I looked at Maggie again with questioning eyes. Everyone gaped at each other, but no one answered my damn question. What the hell happened to Penny?
“She’s been outed.”
“Huh?”
I’m a guy, sometimes, I was slow to catch on. Okay, more than sometimes when it came to chicks. Penny wiped her face with the back of her hand as I made my approach.
I looked down at the screen. She was on a gossip site, but she confirmed what I saw with my own eyes. “They know my name, Chet. It’s only been ten days and they’ve already figured it out.”
I released the breath I’d been holding. That wasn’t so bad. I already knew her name would get out, maybe not in ten days. I had no idea why she was bawling in the bedroom over it while our food was in the kitchen getting cold. I bit my tongue and thought first before I spoke. It wasn’t a big deal; certainly not worthy of tears. I was proud to call her my girlfriend. If I got upset about stuff that came out on the Internet about me, I would constantly be pissed off. Who cares what people that don’t actually know us say or think?
Keats suggested he and Maggie give us some privacy. Someone needed to get back there to guard the food. I’d seen that damn dog get things off the counter before. I still wanted to eat.
“I’m not leaving Poppy. It’s my fault.”
“What? What do you mean . . . your fault?”
Maggie said Lydia texted right after we drove off on our joyride. She saw the story pop up in her Twitter feed. The pictures were already out there. Penny and I briefly talked about it when there was a story titled, “Chet Parker and . . . a mystery girl.” She wasn’t too alarmed about that first moment in the spotlight or so it seemed.
“Someone was rude, more like some jealous twit that obsesses over you bashed my sister on that stupid pop culture site. I replied to her comment and I forgot I was logged in. They found my YouTube channel. Poppy does a few tutorials with me. Eventually, the link was made. I’m so sorry, babe.”
“Quit apologizing, Mags. It’s not your fault. Apparently, my hair is now trending. Someone said it must be a wig, a really awful one too.”
She had to be exaggerating. Penny pointed out several of the comments about her hair. I would forever love her hair and she knew it. I didn’t care what anyone said about it. Maggie was right; it was only jealousy. They’d done their research and saved parts of Penny on Maggie’s tutorials.
“Plain. They all say I’m too plain for you and some have made dreadful nicknames for my hair or me in general. Those are a few of the kinder insults.” I tried not to laugh. She was so upset. Who the hell nicknames hair? I didn’t ask what they were, she’d probably tell me later. I quickly scanned more comments. Penny only picked out the derogatory statements, “See, right there. ‘Looks like a wig.’ A wig? Is that person smoking crack? Why would anyone buy this shit-crazy hair? Can you imagine how hot that would be?”
She talked crap about her hair half the time, but I knew she was attached to it as much as I was. I thought there was more to the story about her hair and she’d tell me when she was ready. When she moved her hands, I saw several other commenters admit their jealousy because Penny was gorgeous. Many others were totally supportive.
She’s too pretty.
I ship them so hard.
Beautiful.
Lucky girl . . . lucky Chet.
TeamPenelope.
I eased her laptop closed and asked Maggie and Keats if we could have a minute alone. I made Penny look at me. Her eyes were watery and bloodshot.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re beautiful, nothing plain about you. My opinion should mean more than any of those trolls. Did you see all the praise or did you just focus on the mean shit?”
She sniffled again. “I saw a few nice things.”
“A few? I think there were way more than a few.”
“Do you have any idea what it’s like to be picked apart bit by bit for no damn reason? That’s humiliating. I wasn’t even prepared for half those photographs. Then they watched our makeup tutorial. One of them is me allowing Maggie to conceal my period-induced breakouts. I feel so exposed.”
“Welcome to my world.”
She looked a little shell-shocked I was so blunt, but that was the truth. I brushed all that wild hair I loved away from her wet cheeks. I kept Penny’s face in my hands. “Let me explain before you get pissed at me for being insensitive.”
“Is that what you think? That I’m constantly pitching a fit when you express an opinion? Have I been that overbearing?”
“No, not at all, but sometimes I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around you.”
“I’m sorry. You aren’t. You’re in my good graces except when you make a stupid remark. I’m being a wimp right now, I suppose. I know this is the life you’re used to, but I’m not. What if you had to come to my job for a day and start acting like you knew what to do?”
I shook my head and laughed. I pulled her head against my chest. Penny always liked it when I held her like that. “They’d call the state in for a full investigation. I’d never attempt it. It seems like we’re on the same page right now for a change. I’m sorry, some people are cruel, baby. The best thing we can do is ignore them.”
“You agreed to put up with my issues, so I owe you the same consideration. You’re famous. I knew this from the beginning.”
“And?”
“And, I obviously didn’t think about the outcome. I like being simple, but it’s too late now.”
“Too late?”
“Yes, too late. You’re stuck with me and all my hangups and I’m stuck with you and your million and one admirers, even if a good portion of them are certifiably insane.” She lifted her head and got off the bed. I let her pull me up with her. We were on the way to the door. My stomach was happy we were about to eat. The rest of me was just as pleased since Penny’s words meant she wasn’t giving up no matter how far she had to venture out of he
r comfort zone to be with me.
I stopped her before she opened her door, “Penny, wait.”
Those big blue eyes stared into mine and there it was. I saw how deep her feelings ran. Somehow, the emotions matched with mine in a silent exchange. We hadn’t been dating too long, but then again, we’d made good use of the time we spent together.
I leaned in and pressed my lips against her forehead without letting go too soon. We weren’t leaving the room until we both said it. “I love you. This is real and being stuck with you is probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Three seconds passed because I counted. “I love you too, Chet,” and then she kissed that spot on my neck she liked. I couldn’t even begin to express how much I liked it when she felt brave enough to do that sweet gesture which was way hotter than she realized. I shook off any impending reactions because we were about to sit down for dinner with Keats and Maggie. I was content the world knew who she was. We loved each other. I knew even before we said it. I smiled when she took my hand to pull me out of her room. I’m sure she knew I was tempted to get carried away. I’d never said I loved anyone that wasn’t family unless it was written in a script. We were almost exactly where I wanted to be. One day soon Penny wouldn’t think twice about being in my arms or being kissed by me and I could barely stand the wait.
The schedule made life incredibly hectic the closer we got to Maggie’s wedding. That left little time to worry about the next step with Chet. Between my work, everyday life and maid of honor obligations, I hardly had time to breathe. I still found time for Chet because he was one of my necessities. We alternated evenings at my place, his condo, going out and time with family and friends. I gave up looking for information on myself on the various websites if we were ever spotted out and about. It was kinda funny, since I was in the throes of planning this wedding with my sister, there had already been a story that Chet and I were possibly engaged when I was caught on camera coming out of the bridal shop the day all our dresses were ready. It was more than strange to be recognized, but it happened often.
The Price of Penny Page 23