He stretched his legs out and rested his elbows on the blanket. "A picnic dinner with a beautiful girl - sure, easy. Not screwing it up? Not as simple."
Her chewing slowed, and she took her time swallowing. "Oh. Well, I'm glad it's not just me, and thank you."
Mark rolled over to his side. "For what?"
"For what you said." He smiled at her, well aware of what she was referring to.
"And what's that?" he nagged her as he interlaced his fingers.
God, this guy! She thought. She couldn't stand his cuteness. He laid staring at her, his eyes tiny and dark with the bright sky reflecting in them. "Anyway," she said too embarrassed to repeat his words.
"Anyway," he stated. "Such an interesting transition. You don't agree with me, or you're annoyed by me?"
"No. You don't annoy me. I like you." Did she admit her crush out loud?
"Good. I like you." He shrugged. "So what's the problem?"
"This is the first date I have been on since...." Harvey wasn't on her agenda of topics.
He sat up and straightened his body. "Oh. Since that guy."
"His name is Harvey."
"Sorry. Since Harvey." He looked past her this time. "Do you want to be here?"
She put her hand on his knee. "Yes, I do. This is just new." And scary, and exhilarating, and like a dream.
"I can be a spectacular listener. Want to share with me what happened?"
She shook her head. "Let's not talk about what's in the past." Unable to look at him, her focus became the blanket.
He dipped his head to meet her eyes. "Is it behind you?"
Good question. She didn't plan on seeing him again. He didn't know where she lived now, and didn't think Lucy would tell him. Her father certainly wouldn't. She wanted to move on. "Yes."
He clapped his hands together. "Good, because moving on is always a healthy thing. Let's move on to better conversation."
Mark made up the entire package - funny, sweet and loving. When he told her about himself, it reinstated that. His parents were still married, both accountants, and he had an older brother, Dan, a pilot. Many choices for college presented themselves after graduating high school as an honor student, but he chose to stay close to home to be near his family. His grandmother had been very sick last year, and he wanted to be able to help when needed. And he did, up until her passing a few months ago.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Mark."
"Her time had come. No one wanted to watch her suffer any more. I'm glad I stayed close and got to spend her last days with her. She was a wonderful woman."
Her turn to speak. "You probably will think I'm a horrible person, but I came here to run away."
"How so?" he asked.
"I mean, I was coming anyway, but not for another month. I called Heather after everything happened with Harvey and asked if it would be okay if I came now. My mom just went through something and broke her arm, and I'm probably the worst daughter in the world for leaving, but I had to."
"I don't think you're horrible. If your mom is anything like you, she'll be okay."
The biggest compliment she could receive was being compared to her mom. Before the mugging when she hid her school career from the family, Beth never thought her mom would keep such a huge secret. Her parents married young, never giving her mom the opportunity to go out into the "real world," like Beth did now. "Thanks, Mark. She's a strong woman."
Mark's compassionate eyes warmed her. He slowly leaned in, his face inches from hers. He moved slightly forward until his lips met hers, a hint of Caesar dressing hitting her taste buds as he glided his tongue into her mouth. His right hand found its way to her neck, slithering up and resting behind her ear. Every inch of her body tingled as he tugged her upper lip. If he hadn't pulled away, she may have forgotten they were in a public place. She opened her eyes to him staring at her. "I'm pretty sure you are, too."
Chapter Thirty One
The vibration of Beth's phone woke her from a deep sleep. In her dream, Mark sat in the audience at her college graduation, jumping up and whistling and cheering as she crossed the stage. Next to him sat her parents, her mom's arm looped through Mark's, her dad beaming with pride. She finished her walk across stage and peered out into the crowd. Buried deep past the rows of people, leaning on the auditorium doors, one leg on the ground and the other scooped against the door, Harvey stood. Frozen, a cigarette in his hand, staring at her with cold and empty eyes, he puffed the cigarette, blew out the smoke and mouthed something. I love you. No, that wasn't it. I loathe you. Maybe. Flicking the butt to the floor, he turned, opening the doors, bright sun pouring into the room. Once he disappeared, the vibration of her phone started shaking it off the night stand.
The screen lit up, and she squinted at the illumination. Lucy? A yawn and stretch later, she answered. "Lucy, it's early. What time is it?"
"Six. Your mom and I have been calling you for the past three hours. Are you okay?"
The words traveled through the phone quickly, and Beth found them hard to decipher this early in the morning. "I'm fine. I had a date last night and got in late. I'm tired." She rubbed her eyes. "Why have you been trying to call me? What's so important you couldn't wait?"
"Your dad." Beth sat stick straight. "He's in the hospital. Heart attack."
"Oh my gosh," she panicked. She jumped out of bed, randomly grabbing clothes. "Oh my gosh. When?" She tossed her sheets back and forth, frantically searching for something, anything. A shirt, shorts, clothes. She had to get dressed fast and get on the road. "I can be there soon. Two hours."
"Beth, he's okay. He's under observation right now. It was very mild, thankfully. When your mom couldn't get a hold of you, she had me start trying."
"I'm still coming." Her phone started beeping low battery again. She needed to remember to keep it charged or her cell would never work. The battery flashed twelve percent. She'd charge it in the car. "I'll hop in the shower and be on my way."
Ten minutes later with dripping wet hair, she grabbed a pair of shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. Her hair could air dry. She still hadn't unpacked, so shuffled to the bottom of her suitcase for socks. "Shoes ... shoes ... where the hell are my shoes?" she yelled. They peeked out from under the bed, and she snatched them up and shoved them on her feet. She sprinted out of the living room, stopping in her tracks.
"Hi, Beth." Harvey sat on the couch, hands in his lap, bloodshot eyes and his hair a complete mess.
Her run slowed to crawl to the other side of the room. "What are you doing here?" She glared at Heather. "What's he doing here?" She remained standing by her bedroom door.
"Don't look at me." Heather shook her head. "I didn't invite him over."
"I'm her boyfriend," Harvey answered.
"Was." Beth stabbed. "I'm not even sure about that."
He stood up, and she backed up closer to the door. "Why won't you talk to me? I tried calling you yesterday and you didn't pick up. I called a few times."
She took her phone out of her pocket and scrolled through the history. Intermingled with calls from Lucy and her mom, were the missed calls and outrageous texts from Harvey. "I got them. Stalk much?" She stuck her cell back in her pocket. "I had a date last night. I wasn't about to answer your pitiful attempts at making things better."
"A date? With who?"
With another step closer, she put her hand up. "Stop." Until right now, at this moment, he never made her nervous. "It doesn't matter, Harvey. We're over." She took her keys in her hand. "I really have to get going."
Heather excused herself but only into the kitchen. Beth didn't mind. She could eavesdrop all she wanted.
"I told you I was sorry. I know what I did was wrong. Again, I'm sorry."
"I can accept your apology, but don't expect anything else. I don't want to be involved with you." Right now she didn't even care. The immediate goal stood between her and Harvey - the door to get to her dad.
"What do I have to do, Beth?"
"Nothing. You stol
e from my family, and made me regretful of the things I did with you." She wrapped the keys into her fist, pressing them against her heart. "I thought I loved you and you felt the same. If you loved me, you wouldn't have done what you did, and at the very least, you would've said the words."
He moved in toward her again. This time she didn't move and he took her hand in his. Beth wasn't sure which one of them was shaking more. "I know. It's not simple. The things I've been through, my past, is something too painful to share. I wish you'd see that."
She pulled her hand away. "All I see is a man who cares only for himself. Excuse me, but I need to go visit my dad." She called into the kitchen. "Heather, please let Harvey out."
"Beth, I ... I ... please, call your aunt."
She shut the door behind her, unimpressed with the less than grand gesture.
"What the hell just happened?" Harvey sank down into the couch, dropping his head in his hands. What else could he do? With a tug of his hair he let out a grunt.
Heather walked into the kitchen yelling behind her, "I'm not sure, but it looks to me like you got dumped. Again."
"I see you're as pleasant as the first time I met you." Harvey couldn't believe this girl. Only meeting once didn't give her the right to talk to him like that, sarcastic or not. He had no clue how someone as sweet as Beth acquainted herself with such a bitch.
Heather clanked some dishes together and cabinets closed and shut. As the water turned on, she asked, "Would you like a cup of coffee?
"You're offering me something to drink?" His hands left his head.
"I figure it took you at least an hour and a half to get here. You probably shouldn't drive home until you've had some caffeine. I thought I'd be nice, but if you want to be a jerk, you can just leave." She appeared back in the living room, hands on her hips.
He really wanted a beer or a mixed drink. Anything with alcohol would have sufficed. He'd drink himself into oblivion until Beth was no longer the name of someone he cared for, but only a bunch of letters squished together to form a word. Her touch gone, her voice faded away into space. That was what he wanted. "No, no. Thank you. I appreciate it." He waited for Heather to press the button to start the coffee brewing. She sat down in the recliner across from him. "I assume Beth told you what happened - why we broke up."
"No, she didn't, actually. She didn't want to talk about you, and it's not my style to pry for information."
"So what's your style?" He put air quotes around the word style.
"She'll tell me when and if she wants to."
"I thought best friends told each other everything." Women never spared a detail, at least he thought.
He hadn't noticed Heather's long legs until she crossed them. "Friends share a lot, but sometimes, we leave certain things out." She leaned forward, resting her elbow on her knee and made a fist where she rested her chin. "Let me explain something about Beth. She's different. She's sweet, extremely book smart, and anxious. She wanted to experience a little bit of life before heading off to college, but I think she got more than she bargained for with you." Harvey tried to interrupt but she lifted her finger up. "You're not what she needs in her life."
"The preppy little boy she's dating is?" Beth hadn't been at school a week and already had a boyfriend. The asshole probably pounced on her the first chance he got. If he ever were face to face with this fucker, he'd punch his lights out for coming between him and Beth.
She swung her hair off her shoulder. "I think you're a scumbag. I knew you were trouble the minute I laid eyes on you."
The energy surging through his body fought hard to escape. He managed to hold back, but if he were a superhero, he'd be big and green in seconds. Harvey wanted to smash something. Anything. The table, the wall, the face of the douche bag Beth was dating. "You don't even know me." His eyes burned through hers. "How dare you judge me." This little bitch met him for five seconds two months ago and almost as short of time now, and she thought she had him pegged.
The coffee beeped. "I'm not judging you. I'm calling it like I see it." She hopped off the recliner. "Coffee's done. Would you like milk or do you drink it black?"
Chapter Thirty Two
Driving home in a panic to her dad wasn't enough. Harvey had to show up, completely unannounced, making the drive that much more difficult. She and Mark had such a spectacular evening the night before. The picnic, the kiss, even on the way home when they belted out songs on the radio, put Harvey out of her mind. Now he had to show up and screw everything up. Life with Heather and being on her own started out fantastic and her past creeping up to haunt her ruined the adventure. How did Harvey even find her?
Harvey pleaded she call her Aunt Sue as she ran out the door. What would calling her do? For good reason, Beth was sure her aunt didn't want anything to do with him either. Whatever possessed someone to steal from another person, Beth had no idea. She wasn't wired that way. Everyone in school had labels - geeks, jocks, preps. She accepted her classification of goody two-shoes. Their stunt of baring all under their gowns on graduation day provided plenty of risk. A silly thing to do, but something she needed to prove her capability of doing anything out of her comfort zone. She thought she needed to lose her virginity, too. These days no one went to college a virgin. Hell, she'd be hard pressed to find one in high school. She desired to know what she was missing out on. It didn't present the end result she wanted, though. "Ugh!" She slammed her hands on the steering wheel. She didn't think anything could piss her off as much as Harvey stealing from her family, but showing up on her doorstep angered her more than she imagined.
She plugged her headphones into her phone. She knew her limits, and holding a phone while driving was one of them. She pressed her Favorites button and tapped "Aunt Sue." Two rings followed before she picked up.
"I'm on my way to the hospital now," Sue began before Beth even said hello.
"Me, too. Lucy said he'll be okay though." The sun was almost completely over the horizon, and not a cloud painted the sky. She pulled her sunglasses out of the console and put them on.
"Yes, luckily. Is everything else okay, Beth?"
Beth's voice raised a few decibels. "Harvey came by to the apartment. I have no idea how he found me." Silence filled the other end of the line. "Aunt Sue! You told him? Why? I'm not seeing him anymore."
"There's a lot you don't know about him, Beth."
Her hands left the steering wheel for a second as she threw them in the air. "Exactly! That's half the problem." When her hands met the leather again, she tightened her grip. "How can you even defend him after what he did?"
"It's a long story, Beth. I'll tell you when you get here."
The road stretched into the distance. "I've got about an hour of highway driving ahead of me."
A sigh escaped on the other side. "I'm pulling into the lot. Your mom is expecting me."
As mad as Beth was, her mom needed someone beside her. She wasn't going to delay that. "Short version."
"The Cliff-notes is Harvey's mother used to be my best friend, except I knew him as Eddie back then."
"Eddie? So his name isn't even real?" He really screwed her over. How could she be so gullible? A gorgeous man comes swooping into town, sweeps her off her feet, takes the biggest piece of her, and he didn't even give her his real name. A quick peek in the rear view mirror confirmed the word "Loser" wasn't written on her forehead like she thought.
Sue continued. "Harvey is his middle name. The last time I saw him was when he was five, when his mom died."
Died? As in gone? Never around? He never told her his mom passed away so young. Surely he would have mentioned such an important detail. "I had no idea."
"You couldn't. He didn't either until I told him. He has a picture of me with your mom, and I'm holding him."
"What am I supposed to do with this, Aunt Sue? It doesn't change the fact he stole from your clients and jeopardized your business. He still was a jerk to me, either way you look at it. I never met his dad, but from what I
hear, I don't want to. He doesn't seem like a kind man. I don't want to associate myself with someone like him. I don't."
"You're a smart girl, Beth. You always have been. I'm not saying you should date Harvey. He's got some issues - issues too big for you to handle at such a young age. He's too young to be handling them! I'm suggesting you try and be more sensitive. Hear him out. By no means go running into his arms and marry the guy, but be his friend. He needs one, now more than ever."
She couldn't argue with Sue's logic. She'd go to the hospital and check in with her dad. Before heading back to the apartment, she'd stop off at Harvey's to talk. There wasn't any harm in talking.
An hour later, Beth pulled into the all too familiar hospital parking lot. Two visits in the matter of a week? She parked her car and descended upon the double doors. Even knowing her father was going to be fine brought no comfort. Things like this didn't happen to her parents. Her dad was young, healthy, a hard worker, and her dad. She shamed anyone higher up responsible for this moment, immediately taking back the anger realizing this may be some sort of a warning sign for him to slow down.
He never stopped working. Work. Work. Work. His mantra was "Either work hard, or don't work at all." An in-between didn't exist. Failure wasn't an option in his eyes, and possibly letting him down contributed to her success in school. He gave everything two hundred percent because only one hundred percent wasn't getting the job done right. Even when he worked overtime, or half his weekend working from home, he still made the time to do yard work and remodel the house. He was the poster man for workaholics.
An elevator ride and three hallways later, Beth found the nurse's station and got her dad's room assignment. She approached with caution, her imagination working overtime on what to expect. The door stood open when she arrived, but she lingered outside, composing herself before walking in. The tears stopped halfway to the hospital, her eyes no longer red and puffy. Worrying her parents while her dad laid in a hospital bed wasn't something she wanted to do.
Pieces of it All Page 19
