by Anna Vaughn
Emma turned around when she heard the door slide open.
“Hey,” Laura said as she stepped outside. “Dinner’s ready.”
Emma wiped away a tear before it could trickle down her cheek.
“Who was that?”
“Damien.”
“Things aren’t as good as you thought?”
“No… He’s a complete mess. It’s only…” Emma looked down at her watch. “It’s only seven and he’s locked. I never thought he could have a problem with alcohol but the last few weeks… It’s like having a drink is the only way he can cope.”
Laura wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a hug, gently running her hand up and down Emma’s back.
“I told him that I’d see him tomorrow,” Emma said as she pulled away. “I’m sorry I keep leaving like this but he has no one. All of his friends are couples and they know Catherine too… I don’t think he’d confide in any of them.”
“I know… It’s okay. I’ll be busy at the pub the next few days anyway.”
Emma nodded and took a deep breath. “Come on,” she said, taking Laura’s hand in her own. “Let’s eat. I don’t want this to ruin our evening.”
Chapter 46
Emma loved the buzz of Dublin. She loved the people there and the way the city changed when the sun fell, the way it came to life and the pubs became the place to be. She always had but right now, she hated the reason that kept bringing her back.
She’d made a decision on the plane to hire someone to take over her position while she was here. She didn’t know if it would be an internal hire or not but Damien desperately needed help and Emma wasn’t willing to split her time.
She knew Damien was dragging his feet on this because he was still hoping that she’d divide her time between Malaga and Dublin but she just couldn’t.
A misty rain fell as she left the airport and got in the back of a taxi. The cool breeze was a stark contrast to the warm weather she’d left behind.
She gave the driver the address of her apartment and watched the city go by, the streets quiet for a Saturday afternoon.
She didn’t know what she was going to say to Damien. Part of her wanted to shake him and tell him that he needed to quit drinking, that it wasn’t helping him deal with the situation but she knew she was walking an extremely thin line.
If she confronted him about his drinking, it could send him over the edge. His downward spiral could continue and it might take him weeks to get out of it.
Twenty minutes later, Emma paid the driver and got out of the cab, wheeling her suitcase behind her, through the doors of her building and into the lift.
When she got upstairs, she turned her key in the door and was met with an unpleasant smell.
The apartment was messy and that was putting it mildly. There were pizza boxes on the counter and an overflowing bin in the corner with empty beer cans piled up alongside it. There was an empty bottle of whiskey on the counter too.
Emma left her suitcase by the door and went down the hall to the master bedroom, gently opening the door that was already slightly ajar.
Damien was passed out on the bed, still in his pajamas. A few more empty beer cans littered the wood floors.
She closed the door, careful not to disturb him although it looked like he was out for the count.
She sat on the couch and took out her phone, searching her contact list for Catherine’s name. She sent her a quick text, asking her if she’d like to meet for coffee sometime today.
Catherine answered a few minutes later saying that she could be there in fifteen minutes. They used to meet up almost every weekend at a little coffee shop in town to catch up when Emma lived here.
Emma text her back and went into the bathroom to freshen up before heading out with an umbrella, knowing it was only a ten-minute walk to get there.
Emma made it to the coffee shop relatively dry and Catherine was already there, sitting at a table beside the window.
Catherine stood up when she saw her and gave her a hug. “Emma… It’s been too long. It’s so good to see you.”
“I know. You too,” Emma said as she pulled away and sat down across from her.
Emma went up to the counter to get a coffee and then they spent the next ten minutes chatting and catching up before Emma brought up Damien.
“So, I have to ask… What happened? My brother’s not exactly telling me much.”
Catherine sighed as she reached for her coffee and took a sip. “Drink.”
Emma’s eyebrows rose. That couldn’t be it. Yes, he was drinking more lately but why hadn’t he tried to give it up?
“He went from just having a few drinks on a Friday night to having a beer or whiskey every single night,” Catherine said as she leaned back in her chair. “And it was never really just one or two drinks. It was half a bottle of whiskey or all the beer that was in the house.”
“I’m starting to see that myself now. He didn’t say that’s why you split up though.”
“Well, that’s the reason. I confronted him and he couldn’t handle it.”
“Jesus,” Emma said, shaking her head slightly.
“He needs help.”
Emma wrapped her hands around her mug, trying to get her head around all this.
My brother’s an alcoholic. When did that happen? How did I miss it?
“Will you consider getting back together if he stops drinking?” Emma asked.
Catherine thought about it for a second. “Yes… Only if he has it properly under control though. I can’t deal with that stress again.”
“I’ll see if I can talk him into getting help.”
“So, your parents don’t know about this?”
“No… They don’t even know that you’ve split up. He doesn’t want me to tell them and I assume he still hasn’t said anything. I would have heard about it. Mum and Dad think the world of you… They’ll be so sad when they do find out.”
“I haven’t totally given up on him. I just wanted him to know that I wasn’t going to tolerate it anymore. I had to give him the impression that it was final,” Catherine said as she took a sip of her coffee.
“I think work was fuel thrown on the fire… He wouldn’t hire someone to replace me when I moved to Spain. He’s still reluctant to but I’m just going to sort it out while I’m here. He took on way too much.”
“If anyone can talk him into getting help, it’s you Emma,” Catherine said with a sad smile.
Emma nodded but wondered if she really could convince him.
Chapter 47
A week after Emma left, she arrived back in Malaga. She was completely exhausted. She’d cried, shouted and nearly got into a physical fight with Damien but she finally convinced him to get help.
The only condition he had was that Emma couldn’t tell Mum and Dad about it. She was reluctant to agree because she thought he would need their support but she caved in and swore that she wouldn’t say anything.
Emma went to see her parents that evening. Laura was still at Murray’s and then they would go home together when she’d finished up for the night.
Emma struggled to keep a poker face and not give away that anything was wrong when they asked how Damien was. She hated lying but she hoped that he would have his life sorted out soon enough.
At nine o’clock, Emma went downstairs to see if Laura was ready to leave. She usually left around nine when the extra staff arrived for the night shift.
The pub was busy and there was a Spanish soccer match on most of the TVs. Emma made her way through the crowd but didn’t see Laura behind the bar as she continued down the pub.
She did see Alicia though. She was lining up a shot, the cue stick meeting the white ball with precision and back spin, lining her up perfectly for the next shot.
“Hey. Welcome back,” Laura said, coming up beside her and wrapping her arms around her. Laura kissed her lightly on the lips. “How’s Damien?”
“Not good… He’s an alcoholic. But he’s getti
ng help.”
“What? Em, I’m so sorry,” Laura said, gently rubbing her back. “Do you think he’ll be okay?”
Emma nodded. “I hope so. That’s the only reason his wife left him. That should be enough encouragement to get his shit together… I see Alicia’s back,” Emma said, glancing over at the pool table again.
“Yeah… She got the job.”
“Right… I’m just going to be next door until you’re ready to head home… I’m exhausted.”
“I shouldn’t be much longer.”
Emma left the bar and went back upstairs to her parent’s apartment.
What if I’m making the same mistakes that Damien did? I don’t have a drinking problem but I know I’m not spending enough time with Laura… We’re both so busy with work right now and me going back and forth to Dublin all the time.
Now Alicia’s back. What if Laura wants to go back to her?
Apparently, they had a great relationship. The only problem was that Alicia left.
She’s obviously still interested… How many other bars could she have gone to? She’s here because she wants Laura back.
I can’t let that happen…
Chapter 48
Laura refilled her glass of wine, leaving the bottle on the little glass table that she’d just gotten last week for the balcony.
It was hard to believe that it was May. The nights were getting warmer, longer too.
She glanced over at Emma who was sitting beside her. She looked tired, drained even.
“Emma… I’m worried about you,” Laura said softly.
Emma turned to meet her gaze. “Why?”
“Because you need to take care of yourself… I know you like to take care of everyone else but who’s going to take care of you?” Laura asked, looking into Emma’s tired blue eyes. “I wish it was me… But I feel like you’re pushing me away.”
Emma took a sip of wine. “I’m not pushing you away… At least not intentionally.”
“I know it must be hard… Seeing Damien like that… But you need to look out for yourself too.”
Emma nodded and took another drink.
“Let me take care of you,” Laura said, reaching for her hand. “Nothing’s going on with Alicia. I know you’re worried about her.”
“I believe you,” Emma said as she interlaced their fingers. “I believe you.”
Chapter 49
Laura slid off her flip flops and carried them in one hand as she trudged through the sand in the darkness. The bright moon and the bonfires that dotted the beach as far as she could see lit up the coast.
June twenty-third was always a special night. The Night of San Juan. Every year there was a beach party like no other with music and the steady beat of drums in the distance.
There were people everywhere, of all ages, drinking and barbequing, dancing and jumping over the fires that lit of the beach.
It was the summer solstice and every year since Laura moved here, she came down to this beach to party until sunrise.
Emma said that she’d meet her down here after she had dinner with her parents. They agreed to meet on the beach in front of Murrays.
Laura searched the crowd but she didn’t see her. She walked along the water’s edge while she waited, letting the tide wash over her feet. She tilted her head upwards, trying to decide if it was a full moon.
“Hey stranger.”
Laura nearly ran into Alicia who was standing in front of her. Her black hair was down, in loose waves, and she was dressed casually in long shorts and a white tank top, her shades resting on the fabric revealing a hint of cleavage.
“Hi.”
“I was hoping I’d bump into you one of these days. I couldn’t get your attention in the pub and I didn’t really want to bother you when you were working.”
“What’s up?”
“Laura… I made a mistake. Leaving…”
“Alicia, look-”
“Are you happy?”
“Yes.”
“Because you don’t look it. You’re tired, stressed out. I can see it in your eyes,” Alicia said with desperation in her voice.
“You know I took on another bar.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“Alicia, we’re done,” Laura said simply.
“Give me a second chance.”
“It’s too late… It took me a long time to get over you. But I am. I’m finally over you. I’m sorry… But I’m happy with Emma now.”
Alicia nodded. “Fine…”
“I don’t want things to be awkward between us… We live in the same city now.”
“They won’t be… Forget this even happened,” Alicia said as she turned to walk away. “Enjoy your night.”
“You too,” Laura called after her and let out the breath that she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
Why did Alicia think that I would want to get back with her? After the way she treated me… It was never going to happen, even if I was single. And definitely not since I met Emma.
Chapter 50
Emma left her parent’s apartment and made her way down the stairs, her flip flops gently slapping against the soles of her feet.
The scene that greeted her when she got outside never failed to give her goosebumps. She always loved this night as a teenager but even now it was a night she looked forward to.
There were bonfires speckled along the beach for as far as she could see in both directions. The rhythmic beating of drums in the distance drew her down to the beach like a hypnotist’s oscillating watch.
Before she knew it, she was surrounded by groups of people, some singing, others dancing around their bonfire, and Emma realized she hadn’t seen Laura yet.
They’d said that they’d meet on the beach in front of Murray’s but Emma knew that she was running late. Maybe Laura had moved by now.
There were so many people on the beach. It was like being at a concert.
Emma had sat on the edge of her bed in her parent’s guest room, staring at the ring that she’d kept there for the last year.
She’d wanted to ask Laura to marry her months ago but then her father had another heart attack and the timing wasn’t right. She’d spent the last few months worrying about Damien and flying back and forth to Dublin. Laura was busier than ever with the two bars now that they were in the middle of the tourist season.
She knew there would never really be a perfect time.
Emma searched the crowd for Laura’s chestnut hair. She’d had it left down when she’d said goodbye to Emma this morning.
Emma bent down to take off her flip flops. She loved the feel of her feet pushing through the sand.
Emma paused after passing a few more people. She was nearly at the water and she hadn’t seen Laura yet.
Just as she was about to turn around she saw Laura in the distance, standing with her feet in the water, a gentle breeze blowing her chestnut hair back, away from her face.
Emma walked barefoot on the wet sand, the tide coming in to gently cover her feet.
“Hey.”
Laura turned when she heard her voice. Emma couldn’t help noticing how tired she looked.
“Hi.”
“You okay? Sorry I’m late.”
“Yeah… I just bumped into Alicia. I told her once and for all that we were done… She somehow thought I’d give her a second chance.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Emma asked.
“Yeah... I hope you don’t think that I had any doubts about us. I just feel bad for her… I got lucky. If she hadn’t left, we wouldn’t be standing here right now. I’m not sure what she got out of it though.”
“She’ll be okay.”
Emma walked alongside Laura as they took in the atmosphere. Emma reached for her hand as they strolled along.
“You’ve been warning me that I need to take care of myself,” Emma said after a few minutes. “That I need to stop trying to keep everyone else happy… I think you might need to listen to your ow
n advice.”
“I know…”
“Don’t worry about Alicia. You deserve to be happy.”
“What about you?” Laura asked as she turned to face her. “Are you happy? Because that’s all I want.”