Worth the Risk

by Shannon Davis

  “Hi, Andrew. How are you?” she asked.

  “Great, thanks. I’d ask how you’re doing, but I can see you’re absolutely fine.”

  Katie blushed, and I laughed out loud.

  “Here, Casanova, have a seat. Join us.” I pulled out the vacant chair beside me and watched the color drain from Katie’s face.

  “Sorry, ladies. I’ll have to take a raincheck. I just came by to check on your meal.” Andrew put his hands on his hips. “Phil told me you were very impressed with the salads.”

  “Wait, you work here?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “Some may argue that.” Andrew chuckled. “But yeah, I’m the owner.”

  “You mean as in the restaurant? It’s yours?”

  “For a little over five years now.” He grinned and cut his eyes over to Katie.

  “That’s awesome, Andrew,” I said.

  He nodded. “Keeping it in the family.”

  “So you’re related to the McMillans?” I asked.

  “My mother’s side,” he replied, still smiling. Then he pointed to Katie’s barely touched salad. “Not your favorite, I guess.”

  Katie quickly responded, “Oh, no! It was delicious.”

  “Just more than we can eat,” I added and lifted my napkin. “I’m taking these babies home for later. They’re amazing! What’d you put on ‘em, cocaine?”

  Andrew chuckled and winked at me. “Secret family recipe.”

  “Well, keep using it.”

  He tipped his head in gratitude. “So, are you girls in town for the reunion?”

  I didn’t respond because I felt the question was directed toward Katie since his laser eyes were glued to her.

  Finally, she answered, but not before glancing at his bare ring finger. “Yes. Are you going?”

  Andrew raised his eyebrows. “I am now.”

  The two of them stared at each other for several seconds, their smiles growing wider and wider.

  Andrew slid his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat. “Are you going with anyone?”

  Katie looked at me with a panicked expression. She blinked, and her mouth opened, but she didn’t say anything.

  “I’d be honored if you’d be my date.” He pushed his hands farther down in his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels. His gestures were amusing, if not downright cute.

  Katie still hadn’t said anything, so I kicked her under the table and gave her a you-better-not-screw-this-up look. She grimaced and reached down to rub her leg.

  “I’d love to go with you, Andrew,” she said.

  “Great.” His eyes lit up. “Uh, can I get your number?”

  “Sure.” Katie’s eyes flew to mine. I gave a slight nod toward her purse. “Oh! Yes. Let me…” She fumbled around in her pocketbook and pulled out a business card. She glanced at me, then handed it to Andrew.

  I had to chew my bottom lip to keep from laughing at the whole situation.

  He read the card out loud. “Turner, Blevins, Jacobson & Lovelady Law Firm LLC. Kate Hillman, Attorney at Law.” His curious gaze moved to Katie. “Kate?”

  “That’s my professional name,” she muttered through a fragile smile.

  “You’re a lawyer?”

  She chuckled nervously. “Still want me to be your date?”

  “Oh, absolutely!”

  “Great.” Katie breathed a sigh of relief. “Call me later?”

  “Definitely.” Andrew was grinning from ear to ear as he slipped her card in his pocket. “Hey!” His face lit up. “Maybe we can make it a double date. With Rebecca and Jackson.” His eyes darted to mine. “He brings me fish every weekend, so I’m sure I’ll see him tomorrow. What do you say, Rebecca? Want me to set it up?”

  I almost choked on all the air I sucked in when I gasped. From the look on Andrew’s face, he didn’t know whether to apologize or give me CPR.

  Katie spoke up and saved me. “Ya know what, Andrew? Let’s just keep it the two of us, shall we? Rebecca and Jackson can meet at the reunion. That way, there’s no extra pressure on anyone.”

  “You’re probably right.” He smiled, his soft eyes studying my face. “All right then. I should get back to work, ladies. It was great seeing you both. I’m really looking forward to the reunion.”

  “Me too.” Katie grinned.

  “Me too,” Andrew repeated.

  Katie and I both chuckled at how adorably dorky he was.

  “Okay, then. I’m going for real this time. You ladies enjoy the rest of your day.”

  “Thanks, Andrew. You too,” Katie said, and we both waved. She kept her eyes glued to Andrew’s backside until he was out of sight. Then she bent toward me and whispered, “I can’t go with him.”

  “What?” My brows rose. “You can, and you will.”

  Katie’s expression was a combination of doubt, concern, and guilt. “What about you?”

  “Well, according to you, I’m gonna meet up with Jackson at the reunion, so there’s no added pressure. Remember?”

  “I had to say something, sis. You were about to pass out.”

  “Thanks for the save. But honestly, I’m glad you’re going with Andrew.” I grinned. “Now, I don’t have to go.”

  “That’s what you think. Didn’t you hear him? Jackson’s gonna be there.”

  “I doubt it. And that’s not what he said, by the way.”

  “I bet he comes when he finds out you’re going. Besides, that was the plan, so y’all could talk.”

  “But now you have a date with Andrew, just like you always wanted.” I reached over and patted her hand. “It’s fate, Katie. That’s what this is.” I gave her hand a quick squeeze and wiggled my eyebrows. “Maybe you’ll finally get the chance to jump his bones.”

  “Rebecca!” she shrieked.

  I laughed. “You’re the one who said it.”

  “Ten years ago.” She blushed.

  “Which means it would totally be worth it now. He’s not a little boy anymore, you know.”

  Katie gasped. “I can’t believe you. What’d you do with my sweet, innocent friend?”

  “What can I say?” I shrugged. “I’m older and bolder. Besides, since when have you been such a prude?” We both laughed and noticed Phil approaching our table.

  “I’m gonna clock out and hang with you two the rest of the day. Y’all ah having way too much fun for a Thuhsday.”

  “We’re just reminiscing.” I smiled innocently. “You know, girl talk.”

  “Uh-huh. You kittens been talkin’ about boys, haven’t you?” Phil flashed a sensational smile.

  Katie and I looked at each other and giggled.

  “We went to high school with Andrew.” I hooked my thumb toward Katie. “And this little kitten’s had the hots for him big time.”

  “Mee—oww!” Phil snapped his fingers.

  “Rebecca!” Katie’s face grew bright red, and she gave me a look that begged for discretion.

  “No need to be embarrassed, shugah.” Phil said. “That man’s a whole snack!”

  I grinned. “They’ve got their first date Saturday night.”

  Phil grunted. “Wish I was in your heels, sunshine. I’ve been trying to get my claws into Andy-poo since I started working here. But he’s straight as an arrow.” Phil sucked his teeth. “That don’t stop me from flirting with his fine self, though.” He handed me a small plastic container and a paper bag. “Here’s something for your shrimp, shugah. Andy-poo took care of the bill too.”

  “Seriously? How sweet.” Katie beamed.

  “You know it!” He winked at her as he grabbed our dishes. “You girls enjoy the rest of your day. Ya better come back to see me.”

  “Sure will, Phil. Here, this is for you.” I slid a twenty into his front pocket. “You’ve been great.”

  “Thanks, kitten.” He smiled and blew me a kiss with those million-dollar lips. As he sauntered off, he said, “Lemme know how it goes with Little Miss Sunshine and Prince Charming.”

  A large grin spread across my f
ace. I cut my eyes over to Katie and watched her mouth drop open. “What’d I say, Katie?” I raised my glass in the air. “When you least expect it.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jackson

  Thursday, June 1, 2000 ~ She’s Back

  I glanced at my watch. No wonder I was hungry. I hadn’t eaten since lunch, and it was almost seven. I was getting things ready for my fishing trip and watching a little TV between commercials. Some would call my shop a garage or a man cave, but I think of it as my sanctuary. It was where I kept my most prized possessions, my boy toys––a Dodge Ram, a Bass Cat, a Boston Whaler, and Goldie, my old Cutlass. It also stored all my tools, my collection of rods and reels, and any kind of bait you can imagine. Fresh-water, saltwater, you name it, I probably had six of every kind.

  I’d rather fish than do anything else, and the fishing conditions promised to be perfect for the next couple of days. The moon was full, which meant stronger tides, and a cold front was moving in. I took Friday off to get a head start before the weekend warriors swarmed the best fishing spots. My boat was loaded and ready to go, and I planned to pull out well before sunrise.

  Destin had the best fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Known as The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village, it was the hot spot for a lot of first-timers, tourists, and vacationers, who were looking to catch their fish-of-a-lifetime or their limit of Red Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, and Mahi. My favorite spot was about twenty miles from the coast, where the water was up to 300 feet deep and there were plenty of rocky outcrops. It was a fish’s paradise. We locals called it “The Edge” because it was literally the edge of the Continental Shelf.

  I switched off the lights and pressed the code to close the garage door, then headed up the walkway toward the house. A second later, my cell phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Andrew Garcia. Wonder what’s up?

  “Andrew! What’s going on, man?”

  “Not much, bud. How ‘bout you?”

  I glanced back at the shop just as the door fully closed. “Just finished getting the boat ready.”

  Andrew let out a long whistle. “Sure would love to join you.”

  “Come on. Boat’s loaded.”

  “Thanks, man, but I’ll be at the restaurant most of the weekend.”

  “You work too much.”

  “Don’t I know it.” Andrew exhaled. “Some other time, though, for sure.”

  “For sure,” I echoed. “I should have a cooler full of fish for you.”

  “You always do.”

  “So, what’s up?

  “Nothing much. Just called to see how you’re doing.”

  “Uh-huh.” I knew there was more to his call, and I was waiting for him to fess up. “I’m fine.”

  “Good to hear, good to hear. Work going well?” he asked.

  I knew Andrew well enough to know there was a reason he called. He was never good at hiding anything. Too much of a boy scout. “We talked three days ago, remember? Work hasn’t changed.”

  Andrew chuckled nervously. “Well come to think of it, I wanted to tell you Rebecca’s in town.”

  “Rebecca?”

  “You know. Your Rebecca.”

  “My Rebecca?”

  “That’s right. Rebecca Sharp. She’s back!”

  “Buddy, that woman doesn’t belong to me. Never did, never will. She took off a long time ago.”

  “Why can’t you put the past behind you?” Andrew’s voice was laced with irritation.

  “I have. It sounds to me like you’re the one who’s trying to bring it back up.”

  “You know what I mean. Wouldn’t you like to see her?”

  “Nope,” I snapped. “Sure wouldn’t.”

  “Jackson, come on. Aren’t you even just a little bit interested?”

  “That ship’s sailed. She made her mind up for both of us when she walked out on me.”

  “What did you expect her to do? Wait around for you to get better? Hell, no one knew when, or even if, you’d come out of that coma. Did you expect her to stay here and bus tables for pennies while you were in all those hospitals and rehab centers? That lasted more than a couple of weeks, if you recall. Good Lord, man, give her a break. It’s probably a good thing she did go away for college because she probably would’ve hated you if she’d stayed.”

  “Hated me?” I felt tension in my jaw. “For what?”

  “You weren’t exactly a peach when you came home.”

  “I had brain damage, asshole. Sorry I wasn’t peachy enough for you.”

  “You know what I mean. You weren’t nice to anyone, not your family, not even your friends. You were one bitter sonofabitch.”

  “Me? A sonofabitch?” I ground my back teeth. “You try lying in bed for months without being able to feed yourself or wipe your own ass. See how nice you are. Imagine looking down at your feet and not being able to move them. Imagine struggling to even put your thoughts into words. You’re damn right, I was bitter. I was mad at the world. So, don’t give me this bullshit about being nice!”

  “And yet you’re mad at Rebecca for not being part of that.”

  “Screw you, Andrew. I’m not mad at Rebecca. That girl was my whole world.”

  “I know she is.”

  My brows pulled together. “I said was. She left.”

  “Well, now she’s back.”

  “Well good for her,” I barked.

  “Aw, man. Don’t do that. You know y’all were perfect together.”

  I grunted. “Things change.”

  “Not a love like that, Jackson. You know that as well as I do. Couldn’t pry you two apart with a crowbar. You remember all those bus rides home from the track meets we spent talking about your feelings and your plans for you and Rebecca, don’t ya?”

  I was too mad to respond.

  “Sure, ya do. You may have gotten your brains knocked around, but no way you’d forget that.”

  He was right, but I’d be damned if I told him so. That made me fume even more.

  “And if you thought she was fine then, wait’ll you see her now. She’s hot, man. Smokin’ hot! Might wanna tape your pecker to your leg before you see her.”

  “Leg? Humph! You mean my ankle.”

  “Whatever, funny boy. Joke it up. Flames like that never go out. They may die down, but they can always be rekindled.”

  “Not in this lifetime,” I grumbled.

  “Don’t kid yourself. If you didn’t still carry that flame, you wouldn’t be this worked up.”

  “I’m not worked up, dammit! You’re just bothering the hell outta me!”

  “Go to the class reunion, Jackson. Talk to her. You need to talk to her. It’d be good for you.”

  “Not gonna happen.”

  “Why not? What’s it gonna hurt? Just go and say hello. See what happens.”

  I clenched my teeth in silence. Unbelievable. He was right. About all of it. And I hated him for it.

  He let out a long sigh. “Please?”

  “Dammit, Andrew! Why the hell would I wanna go to the reunion? Gimme one good reason!”

  “I’ll give you three. One, to see Rebecca, you idiot. Two, you need to get out. You’ve been letting the situation with Savannah consume you, and you need a break. And most importantly, three, because I’m your best friend and I asked you to.”

  “Oh, well, that seals the deal then.” I snorted. “Why are you going?”

  “Katie Hillman.”

  I scrunched my eyebrows.

  “You remember her, don’t you?”

  “Sure. What about her?”

  “She and Rebecca had lunch in the restaurant. I chatted with them, and the reunion came up. I asked Katie to be my date.”

  “And she actually said yes?” I was a little shocked he had the balls to ask her. Andrew’d had the biggest crush on Katie in school, but he never asked her out because he never thought she’d give him the time of day. Quite honestly, neither did I.

  “Hell yeah, she said yes. What’s that supposed to mean?”
r />   “Nothing, man.” I laughed. “Good for you. Hope you have a great time.”

  “Say you’ll go.”

  “Nope. I’m going fishing.”

  “Dammit, Jackson! The reunion’s Saturday night. At the conference center. Eight o’clock. Dress is semi-formal. That means khakis or slacks and a coat and tie. No jeans, no flannels, no swim trunks, and no T-shirts. Got it?”

  “I know what semi-formal means, shithead.”

  “Great! Lemme know if you need to borrow something.”

  “I have clothes.”

  “So, you’ll go?”

  “Nope. I’ll be fishing.”

  “Don’t be a jackass.”

  “You don’t be a jackass.”

  “Go to the reunion, Jackson.”

  “Goodbye, Andrew.”

  I hung up and pinched the bridge of my nose. Then I sighed long and hard. Rebecca Sharp. Why now? I didn’t need this. I looked at the night sky and screamed out loud. “Dammit!”

  My life had been one disaster, one heartbreak after another. I’d been through some real shit, and I still carried a lot of it around with me every day. A lot of fear and worry, mostly because of Savannah. All I wanted was to live, one day at a time, with no interruptions and no surprises. I spent the past couple of years focusing on putting the past behind me, hoping for a somewhat normal future—if there was such a thing. I had stopped looking over my shoulder, expecting to see my dad there, ready to carry out his threats, and I’d stopped dwelling on all the heartaches and disappointments. My dreams had not come true, but I was okay with that. At least they were no longer haunting me. I didn’t know if that meant I was getting stronger or simply growing numb, numb to disappointments, not to death. I’d never grow numb to death. It had affected me more than anyone I knew. And because of Savannah, it haunted me every day.

  I dug into my eye sockets with the heels of my hands as I thought about everything Andrew had said. He was right, damn him. How could I have expected Rebecca to stay with me? It was best she had left. If the roles were reversed, maybe I would’ve done the same thing. Hell, who knows? But to suggest she came back to rekindle the flame was bullshit. Sure, we had a flame, a freaking forest fire, but we’d never had a chance. And ten miserable, long-ass years was enough to make any fire grow cold. So why would she come back? Certainly not for a stupid reunion. Katie must’ve talked her into it. But why would Katie wanna come back?