Chasing the Sun

by Nikki Mathis Thompson

  Stack, build, repeat. Stack, build, repeat.

  Once that routine had been exhausted he started to draw his own designs. A love for architecture developed before he’d even heard of the word and deepened well after.

  When other guys were playing sports he was at the drafting table, sketching models of florentine buildings or making 3D models of modern homesteads.

  Lucky for him it was the mid-nineties and teenage girls found quiet artistic types intriguing…

  He leaned against his locker—wavy dark hair touching his shoulders, Tripping Daisy concert tee, thin leather strap around his neck…charcoal on his face. Caroline Miller ran her finger across her tongue seductively and rubbed his cheek. The ‘O’ in the word love across her shirt looked more like an ellipse. There was a tug of war between the massive globes no sixteen year old girl should possess.

  That led to thirty minutes of frenetic groping in an empty classroom. Two weeks later he would lose his virginity to her on top of the playground set at Wilburn Elementary School behind his house. Midnight lent the darkness and privacy…You never forget your first. There are no words that can describe the feeling that first time. The strange cold sensation of the condom…the warm, tight wetness of a girl.

  Ahhhh Caroline.

  He’d pictured it in his mind a million times while rubbing himself off—coming into a tube sock, silent shudders wracking his body. When he pushed inside Caroline for the first time he knew nothing would be better than that, that sex was the ultimate of ultimates and he would spend his life wrapped in that soft, moist skin. He’d imagined that must be what a heroin addict thought the first time they used.

  Quiet artistic guys attracted girls, but if you were in a band, the clothes came off after the first chord was played.

  That’s why his second favorite birthday present was the guitar he received on his fourth birthday. He’d wanted an electronic axe. He imagined the Sex Pistols’ riffs screaming from his amp, sweat pouring down his face. But his dad, a former pot enthusiast and Simon and Garfunkel groupie, thought an acoustic guitar would be more appropriate.

  Two summers mowing lawns and every cent of money that came in a Hallmark card later, he’d saved enough money for a Fender Strat—just in time to play lead guitar for Anarchy Malarkey, the band he and his buddies formed.

  Band was a loose term. Most of the time it just meant butchering Led Zepplin songs in Chuck Wallace’s garage. Sure, they had their crew of groupies. It got him a lot of under the shirt action, and with Lucy Barnes a lot more. She was the first girl he’d “loved.” Back then if a girl gave a blow job without being asked, she was the love of your life. But love gave way to college and other plans.

  Lucy…

  When he saw her at his high school reunion it was like walking into a memory or a dreamscape. Lucy was still fair of face, but rounder of figure. The same soft, dark tendrils framing her alabaster cheeks. She was accompanied by her husband of ten years, three kids left at home. For a brief minute he imagined himself on her arm, imagined that those were his kids at home and that her curves were his to touch, but that thought was fleeting…She looked happy.

  He’d seen Caroline at the reunion as well. She looked the same as she had all those years ago. The laugh lines were the only demarcation that time had indeed passed. She was twice divorced. She peppered him with the gory details, attempting to cover her obvious pain with sarcastic quips, all the while getting increasingly drunk as she tried to slip her hotel key card into his pocket…his front pocket. He politely declined and had the feeling he’d dodged a bullet when their tryst came to an end. Lucy, there was still twinge in his chest when he thought of her. The kind you get when you think of your first love. He figured she’d always have that claim to his heart, both of them actually, for different reasons.

  The firsts of his life.

  But with all the up and downs of his romantic life, it could be argued that architecture was his first true love. It continued to be the place he found solace and fulfillment. When he found the one, the real one, he figured that would only enhance his already full life. But he couldn’t help but feel the absence of it, the love only a woman could give.

  That was just how he was.

  Chapter Eight

  “Yes, Mom…Yes, Mom…You do know that I’m a thirty six year old man, right?…Okay, I was just checking. Yes, Mom. Okay…okay…love you too.”

  He hung up the phone with an eye roll and a smile. His mom meant well, but she seemed to be under the impression that he wasn’t capable of feeding himself or working the washer to ensure a steady supply of clean boxers. His sister, Tessa, who was married with a new baby, never got this over-protective treatment. In fact, she had room for improvement in almost every capacity, according to their mom. He didn’t make the rules, but it just seemed to be the way. He was the baby of the family and the only boy, so he was dubbed the cherished prince before he even left the womb.

  The flag she’d been waving lately was ‘when are you going to settle down and have babies?’ She worried about him being alone. All he could do was humor her. His father would just raise his eyebrows as if to say “I feel your pain.”

  He put his phone on the counter then hooked Ruby’s leash onto her collar. He’d been working so hard this week she hadn’t been for a walk. She was panting and yelping with excitement. Yeah, she was ready for a walk.

  “I got ya, girl. We’re going, we’re going.”

  It was his favorite time to walk her, an hour before sunset. As usual there was music playing from several joints on his street. Ruby trotted with contentment and headed right to the Royal. They always gave her a dog biscuit and bowl of water. Trey was crouched in front of the chalk board writing the drink specials for the evening. Ruby shoved her nose under Trey’s arm, causing her to lose her balance. Trey laughed.

  “Hey there, gorgeous girl,” she crooned. After showering Ruby with scratches and snuggles she turned towards Ian, her smile lopsided as she wiped the chalk off of her hands.

  “Fancy seeing you two,” she said. He’d walked Ruby up this street almost every evening since moving to Austin.

  “So, you working tonight?” he asked, knowing full well she worked every Thursday.

  “And you know this…I’m sorry, but we don’t have an outside table for Ruby, but let me grab her a treat.” Ruby’s tail went into hyperdrive.

  “We’re just out for a stroll,” he said. Ian noticed the look on her face. “What? You want me to come hang out with you tonight?”

  “I’m just used to you sitting on the barstool and you haven’t been in all week. You’re my guaranteed eye candy.”

  “I guess I could come back,” he teased.

  “Don’t do me any favors, dick head. Etienne is playing tonight and they are total hotties, so I’m covered.”

  “Hell, no. Those guys are like twenty and total man-whores. Now I’m coming back so I can protect your virtue.”

  “Sweetie, it’s been so long I’m about to start giving my virtue away.” She smiled and threw her towel over her shoulder. “Now, let me get this cutie-pie her treat.” She came back a minute later with a huge dog biscuit.

  “Ruby, sit…stay,” Ian commanded. Ruby obeyed and Trey gently placed the treat between Ruby’s teeth. “Good girl.”

  Ian winked at Trey and said, “I like it when women obey before I give them a treat.”

  She answered him with an eye roll. “You coming back or not, Don Juan?”

  “Well, if you’re giving it away, I would hate to lose my place in line.” They laughed. “I’m going to take her to the dog park for a bit, but I’ll be back later.”

  “Sounds good, handsome. Bye, Ruby.” More scratches and she went back inside.

  Ian smiled to himself as he walked away.

  The bar was packed and the music was loud. Back home he would have felt under dressed in a fitted t-shirt and cargo shorts, but here, he fit right in. Shari-with-a-heart walked by him several times. Sometimes she would smile, ot
hers she would just sway her hips. When she touched his shoulder on one particular walk by, Trey had had enough.

  “Shari, he’s not interested. Fucking bugger off already! Jesus, that girl can’t take a hint. Another pint, handsome?”

  Ian was trying not to laugh because he had a mouth full of beer, but the minute he choked it down, he did. “Damn, Trey…I didn’t know you were the jealous type.”

  “Ha, you wish. I just hate to see a girl throw herself at a guy who has shown zero interest. I mean, it’s an embarrassment to the female sex. Show some fucking respect for yourself…sorry, stepping off the soap box now.”

  “You spend a lot of time on your soap box, mini,” he pointed out.

  It was true. Maybe it was because she was studying to be a lawyer that made her so opinionated, and almost all were strong opinions. If she believed in something she was passionate about it. There was no in between with Trevia Swartz. She wasn’t a feminist per se, but definitely had the girl power vibe going. She’d always been scrappy and independent. She told him that she’d grown up a skinned knee tomboy. He could just picture her freckled nose and unruly curls under a sideways ball cap. Playing short stop in the empty field behind her house with the neighborhood boys. Skateboarding in cut-off jeans. Taking on the school yard bullies that called her Jewwitch. Once she bloodied a few noses, she earned their respect and she’d become Trey. He could see that fierce little creature inside the woman she was today.

  He preferred a strong woman to a damsel in distress. But if his woman was in distress he would sure as fuck rescue her if need be. Not that she was his woman or anything.

  He grabbed the frosty pint that was put in from of him and took a pull.

  “Hey, you remember my friend Lucas?” She nodded.

  “Yeah, he was nice.”

  “Well, I’ve been invited to their house for dinner on Sunday. I know it’s one of your few days off, so I understand if it’s not something you feel like doing.”

  “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

  “You wouldn’t be, and actually you’d be doing me a favor. Viv heard I was single and has about three girls in mind—Lucas warned me last night. So, I thought if she knew I was bringing someone then I wouldn’t have to have an eHarmony type evening.”

  “And since I’m the only girl you know around here I get the honor of being your fake girlfriend?”

  “No…yes…well, not exactly. You know how much I like hanging out with you. And I know you can’t get enough of me, sooo…Plus free food and they have really cute kids…Whadya say?” He made sure to give her his best smile.

  She huffed and said, “How can I resist those blue eyes of yours?”

  “Yes! You won’t be sorry. The last thing I need is to be set up with a bunch of randoms. I owe ya one.”

  Chapter Nine

  When Ian pulled in front of Trey’s Victorian style cottage, he whistled. He was suddenly wondering how a bar tending law student could afford a place in this hip, pricey part of town. His eyes were immediately drawn to the lines and design of the home. He noticed the stained glass panes in the top peaks of the attic. The paved walkway and vintage lanterns flanking a golden yellow wood door. He couldn’t help it. It was like a chef tasting each ingredient in a dish. As an architect, he noticed every little detail.

  She answered the door and invited him in. He liked when she wore her hair down, the dark curls cascading down her back. Her white dress showed off her golden brown shoulders. His approval of her appearance, however, was side tracked once he entered her foyer. The wainscoting, the beamed ceiling, the deep honey colored wood on the floors, all of it was impressive.

  He ran his hand slowly across the banister.

  She laughed. “I see you approve.”

  “Sorry, was I drooling?”

  “A bit.”

  “Wow. Your place is amazing.”

  “Thank you. I love it. I’ve renovated quite a bit, but I wanted to keep the original feel. I did update the kitchen, though.” Update was an understatement. It was modern, but the deco features, white marble counter tops and light cabinets worked with the rest of the house.

  “The wood, it’s the original, right?

  “Yes, the floors, stairs, bannisters, and beams are the original wood. They date back to the early 1900s. It’s my grandmother’s house. She and my grandfather bought it in the 40s when he came back from the war. My grandfather died when I was little, but my Bubby lived here until she died five years ago.” Her eyes moistened and he wanted to hug her, but while he deliberated she seemed to recover.

  “She left the house and what remained of their life insurance policies to me.” She shrugged her shoulder. “Only grandchild…I thought about selling it after she passed, but I just couldn’t do it. I spent most of my summers and holidays here, lots of good memories….Now that I’ve renovated and updated a bit, it feels like my house. I don’t know if I’ll ever leave.”

  “Must have been some insurance policy,” he teased. “Well, you did an outstanding job. I would have to kill you if you sold this place. Or buy it from you.”

  They finished the tour and Trey grabbed a bottle of white wine from the small stainless steel wine fridge. This was in addition to the large built-in floor to ceiling wine rack behind a scrolled iron door.

  “I like my wine, what can I say? Every time I travel I try the local wines. The ones I really like, I order. These are wines from all over. Did I mention I love to travel, too?”

  “You’re my kind of woman,” he said with a grin. “When do you find the time with the job and law school?”

  They were now in the jeep heading out to the suburbs.

  “The great thing about being in school is all of the breaks. I’ve worked at the Royal since I started my undergrad, so Walter lets me do what I want. He kind of sees me as an adopted daughter. And the time off before law school was all spent exploring.”

  Ian had met the owner of the Royal several times and he seemed like a warm and friendly guy. He was glad Trey worked for someone like that.

  They talked about their travels and favorite cities for the rest of the drive. She wasn’t kidding when she said she liked to travel. Ian was amazed at all of the places she’d been. And not just the usual like Europe or New York. She’d been to Morocco, Thailand, New Zealand, Peru…he needed to get out more.

  “As soon as I turned eighteen I got a passport and started going. I knew once I started my career and family I wouldn’t have the opportunity to go and do as much.”

  “I’m surprised you’ve been around so much this summer. What? Your trip to the South Pole fall through?”

  “I’d just returned from Budapest when you showed up that first night.” She gave him a sheepish grin.

  “Damn, must be nice, money bags.”

  She laughed. “No. Well, I’m not a pauper by any means, but my aunt is a travel agent and she gets me the best package deals ever. My folks gave me money to travel as a graduation gift. The house is paid for and Dad helps pay for school, so all my earnings go to living expenses…God, I sound like a spoiled brat, don’t I?”

  “Yes.”

  Trey snorted and pushed him in the shoulder.

  “I’m kidding. If you didn’t work almost every day I would think so, but I can tell you earn your keep.”

  “Well, thank you for that…this is a lovely neighborhood,” she said, looking out her window.

  They pulled in front of Lucas and Viv’s house. It was a maroon bricked two-story, with a wrap around porch painted in white. There was a large willow tree in the front yard large enough to shade their walk to the front door.

  “Okay, so these are your friends from college, Lucas and Vivian.”

  “Right.”

  “And they have two kids…oh crap, I can’t remember their names.”

  Ian rang the doorbell.

  “Trey, don’t be nervous.” He squeezed her hand. “They’re really cool.”

  “I’m not nervous.”

  He smiled
at her. He knew she was, but he let it drop. She needed to seem in control of her emotions and he let her have that.

  The door swung open. An olive skinned little boy with large brown eyes peered up at them.

  “Jacob, answer the door!” a female voice called from another room.

  “I did, Mom!”

  “Well did you let them in?”

  “Oh, sorry!” the boy yelled. “I’m supposed to let you in, but I need to get your names first.”

  They both laughed.

  “Oh, cool. I get it. I’m Ian and this lovely lady is my friend, Trevia.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Trey said. She bent down and grabbed Jacob’s hand, shaking it gently. Jacob grinned just slightly, still wary of the newcomers.

  “I’m Jacob Reynolds, nice to meet you. Okay, I guess you can come in now.”

  Just as they crossed the threshold Viv came rushing up to them.

  “Sorry, stranger danger can sometimes bite you in the ass.” She whispered the ass part. “Come in, come in. Oh my gosh, Ian. You’re gorgeous!” She stood on her tip toes and hugged him tightly. Ian wrapped her arms around her and squeezed back.

  “Hey, Viv. Good to see you.” Vivian beamed and he was touched at how excited she seemed to see him. He’d missed her, too. She looked the same. Petite, dark hair, golden brown skin. She was tiny even after two kids.

  “And you must be, Trevia.” Trey got a hearty hug as well. She looked over at Ian and smiled. He mouthed ‘I told you so.’