Miles for Love Series Box Set, page 89
“Yeah, there’s some in the kitchen.” I answer as we hop into the truck.
“Cool. We’ll grab four steaks, a handful of peppers, sweet onions and asparagus, some Italian dressing, and we’re off to the races.” She says.
“Sounds like you know your way around a kitchen.”
“Sure do. I was teetering on becoming a chef or a teacher for a long time in high school.”
“No kidding. My brother Christopher is a hell of a cook. But he’s also a doctor.”
“Oh yeah? What kind of doctor?” she asks as we pull down the street. It’s literally a five minute drive to the market.
“He’s a GP, just like my other brother, Daniel. They both work at a clinic together, along with both my sister-in-laws.”
“So, I guess you never have to worry about getting sick.” She states.
“Pretty much, no. Heck, one of my sister-in-laws is a psychologist.”
“Wow. I would have saved myself thousands if I were in your shoes.” She says with a light laugh.
“I’ve never had the need myself.” I say. “But I’m sure I will some day.”
“We all do at some point.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
We’re silent for a few minutes, and then we get to the supermarket. “You want to divide and conquer?” I suggest.
“Sure. I’ll go grab the steaks and veggies.” She offers.
“And I’ll get the dressing and drinks. What would you like to drink?” I ask her.
“I’m fine with water. But maybe grab some soda for the other two, unless you and your brother prefer beer.”
“We have some beer at the cottage already. I’ll just pick up some soda.”
“Oh, grab some juice, too. For the morning.”
“I’ll grab some eggs and bread, too then. That way we don’t have to pop out again for breakfast.”
“Good idea.”
Five minutes later, we meet at the checkout. Within thirty minutes, we’re all standing at the barbecue, making basically an assembly line out of food preparation. The backyard has a patio table, and Frankie and I are setting it as the boys bring all the food to the table. “We all set here?” Grant says.
“Sure. Let’s eat.” Frankie says.
Dinner is phenomenal. We eat like we haven’t eaten in days. After cleaning up, Frankie and Grant start a game of cards up, and I rise. “Hey, you feel like going for some after dinner fishing?”
“I’m totally up for that.” She answers, watching both Frankie and Grant start pulling back a beer each. I can’t help but see a look of uneasiness in her eyes.
“We’ll see you guys later.” I say to Frankie and Grant.
As we walk towards the boat, I elbow Ripley. “You want to make a bet on how quickly they’re in the sack?”
She chuckles. “I told Frankie to put the brakes on. I’ll see if she listens.” Then she pauses. “Yeah, I give it an hour.”
“I give it half that.” I wink. “I know my brother.”
She looks back as Grant tosses back more of his beer. “You okay?” I ask as I turn the engine key.
“I suppose.” She says, unconvincingly. “It’s always a little bit of an uneasy feeling for me whenever someone drinks.”
“Really? How come?”
“Just…something I’m still getting over.”
“Ah,” I say, recognizing why. I’d forgotten that her husband was pretty loaded the night he smacked her at that restaurant.
We ride over to the other side of the water, and then upstream. “I’m sure glad that there’s a light on this boat.” She says over the light din of the engine.
“Yeah, not to worry. There’s a cuddy in there, too. Not that we’ll need that.” I say, pointing to the small door ahead of us. Inside is a tiny kitchenette, two-piece washroom with a detachable shower head over the toilet, and a sleeping area for two. As we pull up to an area I know that is great for fishing, I cut the engine and throw the anchor down. “So, how did you take up fishing?” I ask her, handing her a tackle box.
“My brothers and I used to fish with my grandfather all the time when we were little. It was second-nature to us during the summer.”
“Oh yeah? Did your grandpa have a cottage?”
“No, he lived on the water. We visited him a lot.”
“Was your grandma still around?”
“Oh, yes.” She answers with a warm smile, as she chooses a lure. I hand her the two fishing poles next to the cuddy door. She chooses hers and I take mine. “Grandma used to stay at the house and bake cookies and bread and all kinds of stuff while we were out fishing. I swear the woman loved it when we came over, so she could have some peace.”
“Grandpa drove her nuts?”
She grins. “You’d never know it to see them together, no. But I think he was a little clingy after retiring. He didn’t seem to give her a moment to herself. She never complained, but she sure went to town when he was out of her hair for a couple of hours.”
“My grandparents were like that, too.” I volunteer. “Especially after grandpa retired from the military. They hardly saw each other while he was deployed. Once he retired, they were joined at the hip. It was cute.”
“What about your parents?” she asks, casting off. She does it like a pro, impressing me.
“Good job.” I chuckle.
“Thanks. I told you I’ve done this before.” She’s matter-of-fact and sweet.
I continue as I cast off from beside her. We’re sitting on the white tufted leather seats. The twilight is starting to show, giving a grey cast to the silvery water as it softly settles from our ride over. You can hear the soft waves patting the sides of the boat. “My parents do more now that they’re retired and well again.”
She looks at me. Concern is registered on her face. “Oh?”
“My dad had a mild stroke and my mom had a nervous breakdown shortly after.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She says, giving my shoulder a rub.
“They’re fine now, but it was pretty rough for a while.” I admit. “Especially since this all happened while Grant and I were deployed.”
“Oh, no.” she gasps softly. “That must have been awful.”
“Yes, it was.” I nod. “Luckily Daniel stood up to the plate. He took care of both of them. Christopher helped, too, but he was a little punk then. That was before he met Ashley.”
“And they’re okay now?”
“Oh yeah. Dad and mom look after Hunter, Lacey’s little brother, and Lacey, of course, once I drop her off from school.”
“And they’re not overwhelmed? Looking after two little ones?”
I give her a look. “You don’t know my parents. They adore kids. Remember that they had five of us. Mom took it hard when Mallorie moved to Latvia and took three of her grandchildren with her. She used to babysit Henry before the move.” I add. “My mom is glued to Henry, Viktor and Lara when we go to Russia in the summertime.”
She smiles. “I like how you say ‘Lara’.” The name has an accent on the first ‘a’, so it isn’t pronounced like ‘Laura’.
“Oh, believe me, Aleks gave me Russian one-oh-one when we went the first time. I learned more about Latvia and speaking Russian than I’ll ever need outside of visiting my sister.”
“It sounds interesting, I’ll admit. I’ve never been there.”
“Have you been anywhere outside of the states?”
“A couple of places.” I say, trying to recall childhood trips. “But none in the last ten years.”
“I’m as bad.” I say. “Aside from going to Russia every summer, I just come out here. Other than that, I don’t get away much. I’m overdue.”
“Me too.”
“Where would you go if you had the opportunity?” I ask, as her bobber starts to move.
“Anywhere.” She scoffs. “But I’d love to go to England. See Big Ben and the Thames. I love reading stuff about the Royal Family. I’d love to go sightseeing out there.” She says, as her bobber goes right under. Giving it a tug, she watches it go under again. “I think I have a little bite. Probably nothing worth pulling in.”
“Hey, you never know.” I point out. “Once I caught a three pounder with little effort.”
As she pulls it again, the bobber stills. “Ah, lost it.”
“That’s the name of the game.”
“At least I had a bite.” She says, taunting me.
I play along. “Ah, the girl has attitude.”
“You wait.” She nods.
“Hey, I have an attitude, too, girl. Watch out.”
“I could take you.” She winks.
“I bet you could.” I scoff, just as my bobber goes right under, tugging at my line instantly. “Whoa!” I say, rising, reeling in my line in a practiced motion.
The line sways to one side and back. “Looks like a good one.”
“You probably have the same sucker I had a minute ago.”
I look at her and grin. “Jealous much?”
“You wish.” She guffaws. “I bet you can’t even bring that one in.”
“I bet you I can.” I say, reeling it in closer. The bobber is under the water, and the fish is tugging pretty strongly. I can tell it’s not a huge fish, but it’s a fish, nonetheless.
As the line pulls further down, making an inverted ‘c’ shape out of the top of the pole, I laugh. “I wish I’d made a bet with you on this one.”
“Too late.” She sings, just as her bobber goes under, too. It takes off right under the water, pulling her line so fast that the reel locks. “Hoooohoooo!” she gasps happily.
“Looks like we both have a good catch.” I comment, pulling my fish in. It’s just a small, largemouth bass. I pull the hook out of its mouth, watching Ripley tow her fish in. The fish is fighting, just as mine was. “Mine’s just a little guy. Too small to keep.” I say. She glances at it.
“I bet mine’s bigger.” She says playfully.
“Let’s see if you can reel it in for starters.” I taunt good-naturedly.
She reels it in carefully, proving that she’s versed in fishing. When she pulls it up out of the water, it’s a small perch. But it is definitely bigger than my bass. “Ha!” she says, proud of herself.
“Alright, you win.” I grunt, throwing my fish back into the water. “Yours is bigger than mine.”
“Haha.” She sings, pulling the hook out of its mouth happily, as the fish at first tries to thrash, and then gives up. The moment she has the hook out of its mouth, she tosses it back into the water. “Well, I’ve had my fill.”
“Yeah. It’s starting to get dark, too.” I comment. “You figure they’re done…the horny twins back at the cottage?”
“I don’t know.” She chuckles, clearly having forgotten about the lovebirds. “We can head back. If they’re still at it, we’ll go for ice cream or something.”
“Good idea.”
She helps me pull up the anchor. “But if you want, if it makes you feel better, we can tell them that your fish was bigger.” She can’t keep a straight face.
“Shut up or I’ll throw you overboard.” I tease.
“I’ll scream.”
“Who’s going to hear you?” I say, sliding the key into the ignition and starting the engine.
“My fish will.” She lifts a brow.
I have the grace to laugh. She’s as cute as hell, I hate to admit it. I’ve never met a girl who likes fishing, except for Mallorie. But she was a tomboy at birth. “Alright. I’m sure that your fish will come and save you. Mine too.”
She leans her head on my shoulder as she stands next to me. It’s a tender gesture that I’ve never felt before. My hands snakes around her middle and I pull her towards me for a second, almost giving her a half hug. I like this girl. I like her a lot. Problem is, I can’t do a damn thing about it.
Chapter 10
Ripley
Turns out, when we get back to the cottage, Frankie and Grant are just sitting in front of the fire. Both of them are pie-eyed. Her on white wine, him on beer. There is a definite flirtation going on as we interrupt them, but it looks like they’ve both managed to keep their hands to themselves. Unless they did the deed while we were gone.
“Hey.” Tyler says to Grant. “Did you put some brewskies in the fridge?”
“Yeah, just now, though.” Grant says. “This one is warm as piss.”
“Yet you’re still drinking it.” Tyler points out.
“I had a glass of white wine, too.” Grant says.
“Oh, that’ll make for some interesting porcelain talk later.” Tyler comments.
“Catch anything good?” Grant asks. His arm is over Frankie’s shoulder. He removes it.
“Mine was bigger than his.” Ripley says, sticking her tongue out.
“It probably is.” Grant chuckles.
“Shut up, dickwad. She’s talking about the fish she caught.”
“That’s what I was talking about, too.” He teases, which he receives a cuff in the back of the head for.
“You’re all class.” Tyler says. “Has he been a gentleman, or do I need to take him out back for a few rounds?” Tyler asks Frankie.
“He’s a gentleman.” Frankie admits honestly.
“My phone was ringing half the damn time you guys were gone.” Grant complains. “These goddamn guys showing up tomorrow night are already out getting wasted.”
“So they’ll be all hung over for tomorrow then.” Tyler says. “Sounds like fun.”
“This is our friends we’re talking about, Ty.” Grant refutes. “Most of them have cast iron livers.”
“Yeah, well, they better bring some of their own supplies this time. I swear to God I put out over three bills for hooch the last time.”
“Then you’re the stupid idiot for doing that.” Grant scoffs, tipping his head back, drinking his beer.
“Frankie, did you pick what room we’re taking?” I ask.
“Na, I haven’t shown her around yet.” Grant says. “You girls want a tour?”
“Sure.” I say.
We’ve seen the galley-style, eat-in kitchen. It’s newly renovated within the last five years or so, judging by the polished, black and white tiled floor. The cupboards are white and the countertops are black marble. The gooseneck faucets and fixtures are all polished brass. The living room has a large wood fireplace in the center, with a big stovepipe above. Around the fireplace are two sets of conversational furniture clusters; one set brown leather, the other cream cloth. There is a chaise lounger under one of the picture windows on the same side where the kitchen is.
The stairs are carpeted, and the risers are open, so you can see all the way down to the main floor as you climb them. The cathedral ceiling is better viewed this way, with the stairs and the second floor done in open concept. There is a large master bathroom with a soaker tub and double shower stall at the top of the stairs. On either side of the stairs are four bedrooms; one on each side.
“We have a double set of bunkbeds in one of the rooms.” Tyler states. “That’s the room that all our buddies stay in. You can take your pick of the other two rooms. Grant and I can share a room, and some of the guys can sleep on the couches, too.”
Grant chimes in. “We have beds in the basement, too, and a couple of tents in case some want to sleep outside. One year we had a huge shindig here and a bunch of people brought their trailers.”
“Sounds like you guys have a lot of fun here.” Frankie says.
“We do. The same architect who designed Christopher’s house designed this one. He did this one first, and that’s where Christopher got the idea to do his own place.”
“It’s gorgeous.” I say. “It doesn’t matter where we sleep. As long as there’s a bed, I’m not fussy.”
“Yeah, same here.” Frankie says. “I had to share a bed with my mother for the past two weeks. This is heaven in comparison.”
I turn to her. “You didn’t get separate beds?”
“We did, but my mother, the pussy, was afraid to sleep on her own after she saw this huge-ass cricket. I paid the bellboy twenty bucks to shut up about the goddamn snake we saw on the way over to our cabana. My mother would have slept in my friggin lap if she knew about that.”
I smile. “Well, I’m not afraid of any critters, so you’re safe with me.”
“We don’t get any critters out here, ladies.” Tyler says. “The worst you’ll need to be worried about are the drunken idiots that you may pass in the night. We’ll make sure the ladies sleep in the room next to you two. The others can sleep down in the basement or on the couches.”
Feeling uneasy about the foreseeable drunken frat party kind of night we’re headed into tomorrow night, I change the subject. “What kind of games do you guys play?”
“Oh, you wait and see.” Tyler smiles, nodding. “We’ll get you girls to help us set up tomorrow before everyone gets here.”
“You mean you’re not even going to tell us?” I ask, almost whining. I was so excited to set up. I’m a teacher, and I love doing stuff like that.
“Nope.” Tyler says, winking, rubbing my back. It feels nice. His hands are large and warm, and I think that we’ve gained an extraordinary level of trust between us. Tyler is a lot of fun and so sweet it makes my heart ache sometimes. He’s a gentle giant. Part of me has a bit of a man-crush on him, but I’d never tell him that. I know he’s gay and it would probably make him feel awkward. Kind of like if Frankie told me that she had a lady-crush on me. I know that I would feel out of place and uneasy.
“You suck.” I blurt, crossing my arms over my chest like an errant child. “Not even a hint?”
“Sorry sweetheart.” He teases, pinching his lips together. I soooo have a crush on him. Is that even allowed? I mean, I’m married…but he’s gay…does that give me a free pass to crush on him all I want?
What the hell. I snake my arms around his neck. “Awww…you’re the sweetheart, you big brute.” I kiss his cheek.
He gives me a strange look, but ultimately hugs me back. Grant looks at his brother and rakes a hand through his hair, sighing. “Why don’t we let you two girls get settled?” he looks at his watch. “It’s almost nine o’clock. I’m not sure what time you two go to sleep.”
