by Nora Cobb
“I don’t understand the relationship,” Uncle Phil starts. “But it’s not my place to judge. Plus, you’re all adults. But starting a relationship is easy; keeping it going successfully, there’s the trick. I can see that all three of you love my niece. But you’re going to have to come up with a creative way to make this work legally if you want to marry.”
“Well, marriage is nothing but a legal document,” sighs Lucas, “I learned that firsthand.”
“So I’ve heard,” Uncle Phil replies. “Sorry you had to go through that.”
“It’s over for now.” Lucas shrugs. “I moved in with Troy.”
“How’s your mother with that arrangement?” I ask.
“No clue,” Troy replies. “We haven’t talked in a few days. She’s moving out. Dad is filing for divorce.
“Like Lucas said.” Jacob nods. “Marriage is just a contract.”
“And a corporate merger is sometimes more binding than a marriage contract,” adds Troy. “Legally speaking.”
We look at each other as thoughts formed in our heads. Troy starts to laugh. “Nobody would bat an eye if the four of us create our own independent corporate entities.”
I grab the ball and run with it. “So, if a marriage contract is nothing but a legal document, then the easiest way for the four of us to be legally together is if we all form a legal entity …”
“And then merge it into a single overarching corporate structure,” Adds Lucas.
“That sounds super romantic,” Uncle Phil smiles, and we laugh.
“But it will work,” he adds, “I’m impressed. I will help you set everything up.”
My phone blows up with a flurry of texts. And soon the captains’ phones are chiming too. Uncle Phil pulls out his phone.
“It’s a text from Beth,” I read the screen. “She says I need to go online and see the latest royal wedding drama.” My phone chimes again. “Do it now, exclamation point.”
I click the streaming online news, and my mouth drops. On the screen is Arielle, with a man in a uniform. The caption reads “The marriage of heiress Arielle Blackwater to Prince Vladimir.” Apparently he is royalty from some tiny European country whose name is bigger than its spot on the map.
Standing on a balcony, she’s dressed in white satin that’s layered with so much tulle that she looks like a cloud about to float away. The prince is distinguished but obviously much older than her. Arielle’s mother is radiant as she waves to the cheering crowd. The prince kisses Arielle, and scowling, she wipes her mouth on the back of her gloved hand.
“She looks miserable,” I wince. Though I hate her, I feel a little bad, watching her being tugged around by her arm by a demanding man that looks more than twice her age.
Uncle Phil waves a dismissive hand. “Some people learn their lessons too late, and we have more pressing matters at hand. Do you have something to symbolize your corporate identity?
“Do you mean a ring?”
Uncle Phil smiles. “Yes, a ring or maybe four.”
I laugh, holding up my hand.
“Natalie,” he says, “You’ll need a ring to represent your love for Jacob, Lucas, and Troy.”
“I guess I can find something that is meaningful.”
“I have something better.” Uncle Phil pulls a ring off his own finger and places it in my hand. “This was your father’s.”
I gasp, looking at the simple silver band in my hand. “I can’t take this from you.”
“This was always going to be yours. I had every intention of giving it to you on your wedding day. The men that you love should have it.”
“Thank you, Uncle Phil.” I hold him tight as I cry. “Thank you for understanding. Thank you for everything.”
CHAPTER 22
Natalie
It’s the beginning of August, and college looms ahead of us. For a year, I’ll be parted from the captains. Though I’ve been accepted to Columbia, I decided to defer for a year and attend classes in Tampa. I have to be sure that I won’t regret not studying marine biology. My father’s eyes were a turquoise that could rival any warm ocean, and the sea reminds me of my parents. I’m starting to remember the good times, more than the bad. Though I don’t talk about my parents often, I can think about them some days without feeling depressed.
Jacob is preparing to go to football camp at Notre Dame, and Troy is heading to Columbia but without Vicki. Maya Saunders has decided to move to Palm Springs to find herself a wealthy husband that will pamper her. Lucas is heading to Colorado for a certificate program in environmental plastics and will continue his studies at Columbia next fall. For Lucas, tuition almost became an issue, but a combination of trusts and scholarships made it possible.
I stand outside the chain-link fence that surrounds the newly completed Page Center and marvel at how quickly they put up the massive building. I hope that it’s safe. That would be the last thing Uncle Phil and I need; a building tumbling down on the student body at the ribbon-cutting ceremony set for the second week of August.
Beth runs toward me at top speed. “Do you want to go inside for a private tour before the ceremony?” she asks.
“Of course,” I reply, “But how are we going to get in?”
“Natalie.”
I hear a familiar voice call my name.
“Holy shit!” I squeal, “Ms. Petrenko!”
Beth and I hold hands as we take off at top speed toward Ms. Petrenko. She walks toward us from East Hall dressed in a serious suit and killer heels. Gone are the funky wrap dresses and cotton tote bags for her dry-erase markers. We’re impressed by how well she cleans up. I hug her, and Ms. Petrenko presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“You look great!” we squeal in unison.
“What happened?” I ask. “Why are you here? Did you win the case?”
“Mr. Cromwell is gone, and I’ve been hired as the interim principal.”
“Isn’t that fucking fantastic?” laughs Beth.
Ms. Petrenko sighs. “Language, Beth.”
“I’m a graduate, teach. You can’t tell me what to do anymore.”
“Set an example,” she smiles. “I know you can do it.”
We walk back toward the Page Center. Halfway, we meet the captains crossing the campus from the parking deck. Lucas swore he would never return to Montlake, but we talked him into it. I want everyone here for the ribbon cutting.
“Look at those legs,” Jacob hoots. “You sure can rock those four-inch heels, Ms. P!”
“Pipe down, Fleming.” Ms. Petrenko waves her index finger. “And I expect tickets for your first pro game.”
“I’ll get you in a private box with Coach Stanford.”
He hugs Ms. Petrenko, as does Lucas. Troy shrugs his shoulders, a bit left out. He wasn’t her student, but Ms. Petrenko gives him a quick hug, too.
“So.” She smiles. “Who’s coming for a preview of the Page Center?”
Ms. Petrenko and I walk side by side toward the building.
“So, Cromwell is definitely out, and you’re in?” I ask.
She nods. “I almost said no. But the parent committee seemed very sincere in their offer. Plus, a degree in business management helps.”
“Really? From where?” I ask. It seems odd that for how much help she’s offered me, I know so little about her.
She smiles. “Columbia.”
“You are a dark horse.”
“Congrats on the acceptance, by the way.”
“Troy’s dad helped …” My look questions her, but she averts her gaze, and I let it drop.
“I met Greg,” she says. “He’s the one pushing for my new role. Nice man.”
“He is.” I nod.
“And I met your uncle Phil and his boyfriend, Ray, at the parent-teacher meeting.”
“Yeah, they had a hiccup, but now they are exclusive.”
“Nice couple.” Ms. Petrenko grins. “They were adamant that I accept the offer.”
“Are you happy that you’re back?”
I blush at the memory. “Thank you for everything, and for sticking with me when I looked like a mess.”
Ms. Petrenko takes my hand. “Natalie, I’m proud of you. You learned the code, and then, you taught Montlake a few hard lessons.”
Ms. Petrenko unlocks the metal gate, and we step inside the new courtyard that surrounds the Page Center. “Next week is the ribbon-cutting ceremony,” she reminds us. “You’re all invited.”
We walk through the freshly painted halls; everything is new and glowing. On the second floor in a classroom, Beth and I glance out a small window that looks out onto a tiny courtyard.
“They should plant a tree there for us,” she says.
“Hey, I know it’s a big ask, but have you heard from Anthony?”
“Just bits and pieces,” she replies. “He’s been at Rutgers the entire summer and is making a good impression on the computer science department.”
“I’m glad.” I look at the new benches on the walkway where we used to eat our lunch. “I never really hated him. I just couldn’t love him.”
“I get that,” she replies, “I feel the same way.”
“What about Cora?” I ask. “Anything from her?”
Beth laughs, turning away from the window, a sparkle in her eyes. “After Arielle’s downfall, she eloped with Mancuso. They’re in Los Angeles, but we’re not supposed to know that.”
“And when do you leave for NYU?”
“Two weeks, but I’ll be here for the ceremony.” Beth pecks my cheek and winks. “Your ceremony.” We walk back out into the hallway, and she looks over at Lucas, Jacob, and Troy speaking to Ms. Petrenko. “If you ever get tired of Jacob …”
I shake my head. “You are so bad, but I love you anyway.”
“I love you too,” she gives me a side hug. “I’m glad it all worked out for us.”
“Oh no,” says Troy, hurrying toward us, “No tears, ladies. We are celebrating. A lot of things.” He wraps an arm around my shoulders and Beth’s. “Everything is set,” he says, “You’ll be there.”
“Of course,” replies Beth, “I have to be there for my girl before I throw her to you animals.”
The captains and I spent hours planning our own ceremony to join ourselves into one legal entity. We had trouble picking a date until Beth suggested the day of the ribbon-cutting. It’s perfect timing, to mark the occasion with our personal triumph before we part.
Looking at Ms. Petrenko, I debate on inviting her, but ultimately decide that her new role can’t invite controversy. We walk out of the building and part for the time being. Beth heads into the city to meet Lexi at her mother’s boutique to pick out a dress. And I promise to keep in touch with Ms. Petrenko, though I want to leave Montlake in the past. Maybe, one day I’ll think fondly of it. If I hadn’t come here, I would never have met the captains.
“Plans for the evening?” asks Troy, wrapping an arm around Jacob’s shoulders.
He sighs. “What do you have in mind?”
“Doing absolutely nothing.”
I frown. “Don’t you have to pack?”
“I’m not wearing my Montlake khakis to Columbia.” He scoffs, “I’m going to have a bonfire in the yard.”
I grab hold of Troy, and he smiles.
“One word,” I tell him. “Goodwill.”
“Sounds like two.”
“Don’t be difficult.”
“Natalie,” says Lucas. “What do you want to do?”
I blush and bite my lower lip. I don’t know where to look.
Jacob smirks. “You know what that means: Netflix and chill?”
“Don’t embarrass me.” I run toward the parking deck, and he chases me, easily beating me to the door. He puts his arm above my head and holds the door shut.
Jacob smiles. “If you give me a kiss …”
“I’ll have to kiss Lucas and Troy.”
He shakes his head. “Just kiss me, and I’ll kiss them.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Why do you tease me?”
“Because,” he nips my neck, “I’d do anything for you.”
I wrap my arms around Jacob’s neck, and he pulls me into a kiss that makes my feet leave the ground. I love this man. He has done so much for me, and I try to do so much for him. I’m left a little breathless by our kiss as I hold onto his shoulders.
“Do you love me the best?”
I smile, but don’t answer. He knows I can’t choose. I press a kiss to his cheek.
“You’ll always be my first.”
THE END
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