“That sounds like a delightful idea. I don’t know about you but I’m feeling like a dirty girl scout.” I respond with a straight face, not wanting to let him off the hook just yet.
Andrew’s jaw dropped and he stared incredulously at me for a moment. I could practically hear the wheels turning in his head as he attempted to come up with a suitable retort, but he must have determined that discretion was the better part of valour as he acquiesced with a grin and a nod before heading off to fetch our drinks.
I turned back to the rest of the table just as Elyse was just getting up, saying “Excuse me boys, but nature calls. Don’t let my glass be empty when I get back, yeah?” clinking the cubes in her empty glass for emphasis.
Not wanting to miss my opportunity to find out what had gone on with Sam the night before, I immediately departed to join her for a little girl talk.
“Hey stranger, it looks like you’re having a good night so far,” I mentioned, catching up to her as she entered the ladies room.
“With a whole team to choose from, it’s hard to complain. Plus, it’s just what I needed after all that BS last night,” she replied quietly, averting my gaze and raising my suspicions as to what had happened the night before with Sam.
“So what happened last night? I saw the flowers by the door when I came in last night,” I continued, doing my best not to push too hard.
“Well, he texted me yesterday afternoon and asked if he could drop by to talk. I was hoping that he had thought about things and that he would understand that I want things to go back to the way they were and that I’m just not ready for something serious,” she replied, momentarily going silent as she composed herself.
Taking a deep breath, Elyse continued, “But instead, he brought those flowers and he told me that he was okay with me doing whatever I wanted to do, he wouldn’t try to tie me down whatsoever, but he didn’t want to be with anyone else. I was so pissed at him because he was giving me exactly what I asked for really, but hearing him say it made me feel like such a tramp!” she concluded, sighing indignantly, her gaze still avoiding mine.
When she finally looked up at me, I fully expected to see her eyes blazing with anger, but what I saw in her eyes looked more like fear. Blinking back tears, she quickly turned away.
Sam was the only guy that I had ever seen Elyse with that seemed to make her genuinely happy and I couldn’t help wondering to myself whether she was more scared of getting hurt and losing someone that actually mattered to her than she was of being tied down in a relationship with just one person.
“So, how did you guys leave things?” I inquired as gingerly as possible.
“I kinda lost it on him and I told him that he wasn’t getting it. I’m sure he was getting pissed at me and he said he didn’t know what else I wanted from him. Then he said that maybe I should figure it out and get back to him. As he was leaving, I lost it and tossed the flowers at him,” she concluded before looking away and staring off into space.
I weighed the question of whether or not I should respond for a moment before softly saying, “You know, the one thing I really want to find in a guy is the belief that I’m adored just for who I am, no matter what. It’s awfully hard to try to change how someone looks at you or treats you and it doesn’t really work. Sam seems to truly love you just the way you are…” I left my thought hanging, letting my voice trail off.
Elyse turned towards me again, looking a bit more composed as she continued, “Look, I know he was saying all the right things, but I’m not sure what I want to say to him just yet and I definitely know that I don’t want to think about it anymore tonight. So let’s just enjoy go have some fun, okay? Your Aussie looks pretty studly. How’s that shaping up?” she inquired, the look in her eyes begging me to go along with the none-too-subtle change in the subject.
Being a good friend, I took the hint, saying “I just shamed him into going to get us some drinks and he took it like a champ, so I can’t complain so far. I don’t know that I’m really looking in the market right now though anyway. It felt pretty natural spending time with Jonathan last night and I don’t just want a fling with someone passing through,” I replied, feeling a brief pang of irritation that I hadn’t heard a peep from Jonathan all day.
“But it’s not like you two are exclusive yet, right? Elyse responded, trying to bait me into a reply without success.
“Well, I think you’re probably still free to play around if you decide you want to, but I’m glad you had fun last night. What did you two do after dinner? I think I must have passed out before you got home,” Elyse continued as she inspected herself in the mirror.
After shoving her cleavage skyward, she went through an arsenal of poses that were apparently deemed unsatisfactory because, after gazing at herself one last time in the mirror, she sighed and popped another button on her top.
Doing my best not to laugh as I took in the spectacle, I replied, “He took me up to the lookout point on top of Burnaby Mountain. It was a perfect night to go. You could see the whole city and he was pretty good company. Decent kisser too,” I added nonchalantly, feeling a bit tingly from the memory.
“Nice!” Elyse exclaimed giddily, “I’m happy to hear that this guy’s not a total stiff like the last one. Alright, time to get back out there. My guy keeps bragging about how the balls are bigger in his sport and I want to find out if he’s right!”
There is nothing more Australian than spending time in somebody else’s country - anonymous
18. To the shock of no one, by the time we had made our way back to the table both of our companions had drinks ready and waiting for us. Andrew, with a glass looking quite similar to my own, raised his towards me, saying with a straight face, “As it turns out, I’m was in the mood to taste a dirty girl scout as well. Cheers.”
“Isn’t that naughty of you? And here I thought Aussies only drank Fosters? Cheers,” I replied as I took a sip of my drink.
“Crikey Moses no! Only when we’re throwing a couple’a of shrimps on the barbie or chasing off the dingos, dontcha know?” he retorted with a wry smile.
Well, what do you know? Not only does he look like he’s ready for his Baywatch casting call but apparently he can keep up his end of a conversation too.
“Alright, fair enough, I’ll try to keep the stereotypes to a minimum,” I responded with a laugh, appreciating the creative banter.
“So, what do you think of Canada so far?” I asked, curious to hear a bit more from him now I knew he wasn’t just a pretty face (with a decent set of pecs and arms to go along with it).
“Actually, this is our first stop in Canada. We started off in California and then came up the coast. It’s a beautiful city that you’ve got here, even if it does feels like someone forgot to turn on the heat,” he said, keeping his eyes locked on mine.
That’s odd; it was certainly starting to feel a bit warmer in here the way that he was looking at me.
“Don’t tell me that a big fella like yourself finds this chilly? Vancouver has the mildest weather that you’ll get anywhere in the country by far. You might not survive the rest of your trip if you think this is too cold for you,” I retorted, playfully.
“Maybe I just need to do something to get my body temperature up a bit before I venture out into the cold,” he replied, gently covering my hand with his.
Yup, the temperature is definitely starting to rise a bit. Humidity levels as well.
“Well, didn’t I hear that one of your teammates is called the hooker? Wouldn’t those sorts of warm-up activities be a part of his duties?” I inquired saucily as I nodded in the direction of Elyse’s companion.
Andrew followed my gaze towards the other end of the table where Elyse and the other girls had captivated the rest of the team’s attention with a line of body shots.
“See, it looks like he’s doing all he can to keep Elyse warm tonight,” I continued, my voice dripping with sarcasm as we watched him vigorously thrust his face between Elyse’s breasts.
“But, given a choice, I think I might prefer someone that isn’t as hairy as an unshorn sheep or reek of Axe body spray when I’m doing a bit of cuddling. Just a personal preference and all, you understand,” he continued, grinning at me now, laying his accent on thick.
“Funny you mention that. I had heard that you boys were fond of sheep. I don’t have one handy, but our cat is almost the same size and very friendly to boot,” I countered, doing my best to keep a straight face and to prevent myself from showing any signs of interest in his proposition.
Both tasks were becoming exceedingly more difficult the longer we talked.
“Ah, that’s a very sweet offer, truly, but sadly I’m allergic to fur. It’s awful, but all of these limitations really restrict me to women in this sort of situation. If only I could find myself a noble spirit that might be willing to aide me in my hour of need before I go off shivering into the Canadian winter…” he replied, leaving the obvious invitation hanging.
As I was thinking of a witty response, and perhaps giving just the slightest amount of consideration to Andrew’s offer, I felt my phone vibrating in my purse next to me. A bit startled by the unexpected sensation, I inhaled sharply.
Thinking I was about to reply, Andrew interjected, saying, “Hold on to whatever you were going to say for just one minute,” as he stood up.
“That dirty girl scout did a number on me, but I’ll be right back to hear the verdict. Don’t let anyone steal you away while I’m gone, yeah?”
Phew! Damn good thing for that drink because I wasn’t entirely sure what was going to come out of my mouth if he had sat there grinning at me for another few seconds.
However, given a brief reprieve from having to make any sort of decision, I knew exactly whose name I wanted to see when I grabbed my phone out of my purse.
As I glanced down, I was a bit startled by the level of excitement I felt when I saw my wish had been granted.
Jonathan had indeed been the one responsible for sending those good vibrations my way and I found the following text waiting for me:
I know I’m probably breaking all sorts of unwritten rules of etiquette by texting you so late, but you gave me shivers last night and I wanted to see if you’re up for giving me a chance to return the favour (even if it’s less conventional). How do you feel about going skating with me in Robson Square sometime? Potential answers:
you had your shot last night and the only shivers I felt didn’t resemble the type that you’re talking about;
I grew up figure skating and I’ll go but I’m disowning you every time you end up sliding down the ice on your butt; or
The only ice I want to see is in my drink, but I’ll let you buy me one.
Trying not to laugh, I quickly wrote back:
Fair warning, I can’t skate to save my life, so I’m counting on you to hold me up. If we fall, I’m landing on you! I might let you buy me a drink after to warm up afterwards if we’re still both in one piece.
Glancing up, I spotted Andrew striding quickly back to the table so I abruptly chucked my phone back in my purse and I turned my mind back to my present state of affairs.
While I’ve generally been pretty good (although admittedly not perfect) at avoiding any early morning walks of shame in the past, I’ll admit, Andrew’s smile and charm had been having a bit of an effect on me.
I was grateful that Jonathan had texted me when he did as it had certainly made my forthcoming decision a bit easier.
“Did you miss me?” Andrew said, looking hopeful as he slid back into his chair.
Perhaps not as much as you would have liked given the events that had transpired in the last couple of minutes, but you sure are easy on the eyes.
If he wasn’t just passing through, I would have been on the horns of a major dilemma. But seeing as how this show would have to be a very limited time engagement, will-power was going to have to win out tonight.
Steeling myself, I replied, “I’ll be honest, you’re not awful company. However, I gave this some thought while you were gone and, even though I’m tempted to say yes, I think I’m going to have to decline your offer. It’s not that I don’t think it would be fun (and the more I look at you, the more I’m pretty sure it would be), but I’m really looking for more than just a one nighter. I hope you understand?”
“I understand, yeah,” he replied, a bit of hurt showing in his eyes. “It would have been a mad night but I’d probably have woken up wanting to see more of you anyway so I guess it’s for the best that we don’t let things go there,” he replied, keeping his eyes locked on mine.
“Okay, thanks for understanding. I’m sure you won’t have any problems finding someone to warm you up before you go,” I replied, leaning out and giving him a soft kiss on the cheek.
“Fair play, but before I go, could I get your digits? You never know what could happen down the road?”
Truer words were never spoken. I suppose there’s no harm in that, right?
There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it – Oscar Wilde
19. The next morning, I woke up alone, in my own bed, and without a discernable hangover; thus fulfilling all of the aspirations I had had for the previous night.
Regardless of the degree of difficulty one may or may not ascribe to them, I suppose that it’s healthy to have goals in life, right?
Speaking of goals, it was immediately obvious to me as I headed to the kitchen in search of some yogurt that Elyse had accomplished her objective for the night as well, as I spotted a pair of scruffy Timberland boots scattered near the door.
While both of our shoe collections were vast, I was reasonably certain that the Timberland boots were a part of neither of our collections.
Then, out of nowhere, I heard a tiny, hollow voice say, “I think I may have made a big mistake.”
Startled, I spun around in the direction of the living room, yogurt flying in all directions.
When I turned around, I found Elyse tucked into a corner of the couch in the fetal position, starring off into space.
“Elyse, you scared the bejeezus out of me! Are you okay? You look awful,” I replied, as I noted the dark circles under her eyes and tufts of hair sticking out in all directions like one of those ubiquitous troll dolls from the 90’s.
“I couldn’t sleep. I brought that little guy home at the end of the night and everything was going fine but I just couldn’t get into it at all. Then, after, we were lying there and I started missing Sam like crazy. I couldn’t stop thinking about him and I was freaking out that I might have lost him. Buddy passed out right away and I came out here to think. I didn’t sleep at all. It’s not like I want to actually spend time with anyone but him, but what if we start to just see each other and it doesn’t work out for some reason? I don’t know if I could take that. He’s the only guy that’s ever really mattered to me and he’s the only person other than you that’s always been there for me.”
Elyse was shaking like a leaf and tears were streaming down her face as I gave her a hug and brushed the hair out of her face.
Once she had calmed down a bit, I said gently, “You know that there are never going to be any guarantees, and you’re right, you could get hurt, but you already know that Sam only wants to be with you so, if you are going to take a chance on someone, at least you know where he stands, right?”
I tried to keep any hints of jealousy out of my voice as I spoke. Sadly, this was not a dilemma that I had a lot of personal experience with. On the rare occasion that someone had engendered some real interest from me, there had never been more than a few vague conversations and non-committal grunts when it came to discussions of a meaningful future and things were still way too new with Jonathan to get my hopes up just
yet.
Good Vibrations Page 8