by J. Saman
“Bye, darlings,” Jessica calls out from the doorway of the kitchen, with what I assume is a Bloody Mary in hand.
“Bye, Mrs. Grant,” I smile at her and she holds her drink up to me in salute.
“Later, Mom. I’ll call.” I get the feeling he doesn’t mean it. He said it like it was a blanket statement instead of a promise. “Bye, Dad.” No response, so I don’t say anything because I was never introduced. “At least you got dark gray instead of some bitch color like powder blue or red.” He’s referring to my car, so I ignore him.
“We should probably discuss a flight plan.”
“Nope,” he shakes his head. “Not my style, Katie.” He tosses his suitcase in the trunk next to mine and slams the hatch closed. “Though I will recommend going to D.C. tonight, because it’s close and I have a friend there who will spend a lot of money and take us out.”
He settles into the passenger seat, sliding it back as far as it can go so his ridiculously long legs stretch as best they can.
“I’m good with D.C. I haven’t been since I was a child.” My hands grip the wheel. “What’s your time table like for this trip?”
He shrugs, buckling his seatbelt and checking his phone. “Like I said, I’ve got to be there in a little under four weeks.”
“Okay,” I nod, but I still haven’t started the car yet. I feel like I need to come clean with the guy a little. “My plan with this whole thing was to drive around the country and find a place that I eventually want to live.” He looks over at me with interest. “I’m…done with Boston, and don’t really know where I want to go yet.” He’s staring at me and I feel like a strange specimen on display, but I hold his eyes as I continue. “I’ll get you to Seattle, but I may want to spend more or less time in a particular place. Are you cool with that?”
His eyes bore into mine for a minute, but then the severity in them lightens as he shrugs. “Katie, I’m down for whatever you have planned. I promise. I’ve always wanted to travel the country, and unless you turn into a psycho crazy girl, or super clingy in love, then I think we’ll have some fun together.”
“Well, I’m a little psycho crazy,” I admit with some degree of honesty. “But it will never be directed at you specifically, and you do not need to worry about me ever being super clingy in love with you.”
“We’re cool, chica.”
I smile so wide I can’t help it.
I’m finally getting the excited butterflies because I feel like for the first time in two years I’m taking my life back into my hands. I’m practically vibrating with it.
“Then I guess we’re off, Ryan. Driver picks the music, and as a rule, since it’s my car,” I turn to look at him intently, “no classic rock.”
He stares at me for a minute, but doesn’t ask why. I’m sure he can guess. It’s not a hard one to make.
“You got it.”
I nod, and start the car. It’s already set up for my phone to come through the Bluetooth so when Silversun Pickups blares out, Ryan nods his head approvingly.
“We’ll get along just fine Katie. Just fine.”
Chapter 3
Kate
“Why do you call me Katie?” I ask after half an hour of silence. Ryan had been tapping away on his phone and I didn’t want to interrupt, but I’ve been curious about this, especially since he hasn’t stopped, despite my protests.
He doesn’t pull his eyes away from the passing landscape out the window. “Because that’s how I remember you. That was your name when we were introduced,” he says this like it’s really just that simple.
“Ryan, you were only ten when we met. That was a long time ago. I doubt you even remember much about me from that one visit.”
He shakes his head, finally turning to look at me.
“You’re wrong, Katie,” he emphasizes my name. “I have an amazing memory and I remember everything about that visit.”
I scrunch my nose. “Really?”
He nods once. “Yup,” he says, popping the p sound.
“All right. Lay it on me then, and maybe it will spark something, because I don’t remember anything about that visit.”
His face breaks out into a crooked smile that’s a little unnerving. “Well, within the first five minutes of coming to my house, you stripped down to your days-of-the-week panties and ran through my sprinklers.” My eyes widen and he nods. “It was awesome,” he chuckles. “Your mother started freaking out, but your father pulled her back, telling her you were just being a kid.”
I smile at that. “My dad was super cool like that.”
“He seemed like a good guy,” Ryan agrees. “So after you were done with your wet strip-show you ate everything in our house, lost three games of checkers to me, refused to learn chess, did some other stuff and then passed out in my bed.”
“Seriously?” Wow.
“Yes, your mom said that you were a bit of a wild child. I think everyone agreed with her assessment.” He’s still smiling, the memory amusing him.
“I was,” I laugh. “I never listened, always did my own thing, or annoyed everyone until I got what I wanted. Maggie was just like that.” I shake my head, but then my smile drops when I think about what I just said, and the lump forms in my throat that I have to swallow past. “Where did you sleep that night if I commandeered your bed?” I ask, needing to change the subject quickly.
“I slept in Kyle’s room. He had a bunk bed, which incidentally worked out in your favor otherwise I would have shoved your ass to the floor.”
I chuckle lightly, but it still feels forced. “Who’s Kyle?”
Ryan looks over at me like I’m a moron. “My brother.”
I shrug sheepishly. “I didn’t realize you had a brother. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. He’s younger than me. He was only three when you came to visit that time. He lives in New York now, finishing up law school.”
“That’s pretty cool.” Ryan gives a strong nod like he agrees whole-heartedly, and I can tell just by that small gesture, that they’re close. “So how come you guys never returned the favor and came to visit us?”
Ryan runs a hand through his hair and stays silent for a moment, his eyes going back to the window as I-95 south breezes past. “Kyle was diagnosed with leukemia when he was five, so we didn’t travel and didn’t have people over either. My mom was really paranoid about him being exposed to germs.”
“I can see that.” Ryan doesn’t turn, just stays focused out the window. “But he’s doing well now?”
He nods. “Yes. He underwent chemo on and off for years, but eventually I donated marrow and platelets, and everything else I could give, and he got better.”
“Wow,” I say in awe, because I know that what he did for his brother had to have been hard and very painful. “That’s incredible that you did that for him.”
He shrugs one shoulder like it’s not.
“He’s my brother.”
And I get that. Not exactly the brother part, but definitely the doing whatever it takes to save your loved one part.
We both fall silent, sliding into our own introspection. But it’s not awkward or uncomfortable. It’s companionable and easy, and for the first time since this whole thing with Ryan started three days ago, I’m happy he’s along with me.
After navigating our way through D.C. traffic, we finally make it into the city limits. “Where should we go?” I ask, looking around for a hotel. “Should we try and find a hotel or something?”
“Nope. My friend made reservations for us at the JW. I know where we’re going, just continue down Pennsylvania Ave.”
“Who is this friend of yours and why would he make us hotel reservations?”
“I went to college with him and have done some work with him since.” He looks over to me. “And he owes me, so this whole night or however long we stay is on him.”
My eyes widen. “For real? I can’t accept that.”
“You can. Trust me.
He could pay for everything and it still wouldn’t cover the debt.” Ryan points for me to take a right turn, so I do and then I see the hotel’s valet area coming up.
“Do I even want to know?”
“It’s nothing crazy or scandalous. I just saved his stupid ass from getting hacked, and made it so he got to market with his app sooner than he would have. Instead of payment for my endeavors, I asked to be repaid in favors. This is one such favor,” he says this like it’s just that simple.
We get out of the car and I grab my suitcase with my spring/summer stuff in it, because even though it’s the end of September, it’s hot here. At least in the eighties.
The valet takes my car with the rest of my stuff in it. Ryan and I walk into the large, open, elegant lobby appointed with marble floors and crystal chandeliers and head towards check-in.
“Why did you ask to be paid in favors?” I question as we’re waiting in line.
“Because favors are worth more to me than money.”
Okay, sort of cryptic, but whatever. “And this favor was worth a lot I take it?” Gesturing around the expensive looking hotel.
Ryan turns his gaze down to me just as we’re being called up. “Because of me his app didn’t get hacked and it came out ahead of any competition. That app made him well over a hundred million dollars.”
My eyes widen and my mouth pops open, but Ryan doesn’t say anything further as he steps up to the counter.
“Good afternoon and welcome to the JW. Do you have reservations with us?”
“We do,” Ryan speaks for us because I’m still in a bit of shock over what he just told me. I have no idea what Ryan does for work. All I know is that it has something to do with computers, but guessing by what he just told me, I’d say he’s very good at whatever it is. “One is under Katie Taylor and the other is under Ryan Grant.”
I’m relieved we’re not sharing a room. I didn’t want to ask since this is free and all, but still.
“Excellent.” The guy types away for a moment. “Ah yes, I have you in our large concierge level king rooms, both with excellent views of Pennsylvania Avenue.” The guy continues with his whole speech about the benefits of the concierge room and what our suites—yes, I said suites—have for amenities, and that anything we should require has already been taken care of, and blah, blah, blah. I’m overwhelmed. It’s a nice way to start the trip, don’t get me wrong, but it all feels like too much.
The guy directs us towards the elevators and we ride up in silence. Our rooms are next to each other, but Ryan walks me into mine since he’s rolling my suitcase for me, despite my protests.
“Wow,” I exclaim as we enter. The room is large and very nice with white linens and gray floors, but the best part is the large wraparound windows that show Pennsylvania Avenue all the way up to the Capitol. “This place is awesome. Thanks so much to your friend.” I spin around to look at him. “Or should I say you?”
“I’m going next door to settle in,” he ignores my comment. “We’re meeting him out for dinner and drinks around eight. That work for you?”
“Sounds great. Thanks, Ryan.” I smile huge and it feels a little foreign on my face, but I go with it.
He nods once. His eyes remain focused on me for a moment, and then he turns and heads for the door. “Oh, Katie?” he calls out of over his shoulder. “You should smile like that more. It looks really good on you.” And then the door clicks behind him, leaving me alone with his words lingering in the air.
Of course my smile slips, leaving me with the inevitable feelings of guilt and pain that sweep through me. I take a deep breath and do my best to push them aside before walking over to my purse that I had set down on the desk. I text my mother to let her know that I’m in D.C. with Ryan, and that everything is going well thus far. She doesn’t respond and I’m glad about that because I’m not in the mood to chat with her.
Opening up my suitcase, I set out what I want to wear that night for when we go out, use the massive bathroom and then walk over to the window. It’s only a little after one in the afternoon, and I haven’t had anything to eat, so I’m hungry. Plus, I have the whole day and I don’t want to waste it sitting in a hotel room.
I debate texting Ryan to see if he wants to go on an adventure around the city with me. He didn’t indicate that he wanted to hang out anymore until tonight, but I feel sort of weird about going off and not letting him know. I stand here, holding my phone two minutes longer than I should before I shoot him off a quick text that says I’m going in search of lunch and sites and if he wants to join me, that would be cool.
I quickly change into a pair of shorts and a loose pink tee before grabbing my purse and room key and heading towards the door. The heavy door swings open and I nearly jump two feet in the air when I see Ryan standing on the other side with his hand raised about to knock.
“Shit,” I pant out, grabbing my chest. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“Sorry. I just figured I’d come by instead of texting back.”
“It’s fine,” I laugh lightly, trying to calm my heart rate. “You want to come with?”
“Sure. What did you have in mind?”
We step into the waiting elevator. “I’m hungry so I’d like to eat something, but after that are you opposed to taking in some of the sites?”
“That’s fine. Are you thinking a museum, or walking, or one of those bus things?”
I laugh, nudging his arm with my shoulder. Damn giant. “Hadn’t given it that much though yet, Ryan. I thought you weren’t a planner?” I tease.
He smiles crookedly down at me. “Fine. You got me. Lead on then, little Katie. I’m at your disposal today.”
We end up finding a place to eat, where we can sit outside, and after scarfing down an entire salad filled with yummy things, we start to walk towards the White House, which is only a few blocks down.
“It’s such a pretty city,” I say, holding my arms out wide. “I mean, I always knew it was designed and built like this with purpose, but you just don’t expect this sort of cleanliness and charm in such a large city, ya know?”
“Yeah,” he agrees. “I come down here with some frequency for work, but I rarely walk around or take in the architecture.”
“Do you think you’ll miss the East Coast?” I ask, genuinely curious for my own reasons as much as his. I’ve lived in the Boston area my entire life. I even went to college there, so the idea of leaving is hard, since it’s all I’ve known.
But I’m looking forward to the change just as much.
“Maybe some parts of it,” he says, giving my question some genuine thought.
That’s actually a nice thing I’ve noticed about Ryan. He listens to you when you speak. Not only that, he makes it seem like everything you’re saying or asking is important. That’s such a rare thing. I feel like people are always talking over each other, interjecting their thoughts and opinions without really taking in what the other person is saying.
“Not enough to stay, though.”
“Must be a good job for you to move so far away from your family. Especially when you don’t fly.” We’re walking towards the Capitol Building now, away from The White House. The wide birth of Pennsylvania Avenue flanked by the eighteenth century white wash buildings provides the perfect amount of eye candy to keep me enthralled.
“The flying thing is relatively new, not that I enjoyed it so much before. My family will come visit me if they want. Kyle has already promised to come skiing in December.”
I smile. “It’s nice that you’re so close. Where did you go to school?”
“MIT.”
I look up at him in surprise. “Really? How did I never meet you again if you were in Boston when I was?”
He shrugs, looking down at me quickly before turning his eyes back up to the buildings.
“You weren’t available.”
“Huh?” I have no idea what that means.
“I’m four years
older than you, Katie, so when I was in college, you were still in high school.”
“Oh. Right.”
That makes sense I guess. I mean, what college kid wants to meet a high school kid? Can you say jailbait? Not that anything would have ever happened between us. I was with Eric, and like Ryan said, he’s four years older than me.
I was fourteen when he was eighteen. Gross.
It’s funny how age can go from meaning so much to so little. Four years doesn’t seem like much of a difference anymore now that I’m in my late-twenties. I have friends who married men five and six years older than them.
None of that crap matters now, but it means everything when you’re younger.
We fall into silence after that, just walking around the beautiful city, and even though I really like D.C., I know this is not where I’m meant to end up living. So I enjoy my limited time here, wondering if I’ll ever come back again.
Chapter 4
Ryan
We spent all afternoon walking around the city, and by the time we make it back to the hotel, we are both exhausted.
“I’m going to take a nap, I think,” Katie says as she leans her tiny body against the back wall of the elevator. “You said we’re not going out until eight, right?”
“Yes.” I check my watch. “It’s almost five now. Is that okay?”
“Perfect,” she says through a yawn. “Sorry.” She covers her mouth. “All the driving and walking wore me out, plus I didn’t sleep well last night.” She looks up at me with a smirk. “I was a little nervous about meeting you this morning.”
I laugh lightly. “Me too,” I lie and she knows it, because she snorts out a laugh.
“Don’t tease me.” She nudges me as we step off the elevator and walk towards our rooms at the end of the hall. The plastic key card swipes along the outside of her door and the mechanical lock disengages, allowing her to open it up. “I’ll see you at eight. Thanks for today. I had fun.” She gives me a sleepy smile before shutting the door behind her.