Heartburn

by M. C. Cerny

  Hunter clutched his chest making a mockery of Damien laughing as he stuffed his face with food.

  “Hunter, be nice.” Taylor chastised hugging him. Hunter nuzzled her neck whispering something private that made her duck and smile. Pretty sure whatever he said wasn’t nice at all.

  “Oh come on, what’s the deal.” I poked Whit wanting to know why picking on Damien was a thing between all of them. I didn’t want to feel like I was coming into the movie at the best part halfway through without a frame of reference.

  “Because those two hate each other and Kristen is in the middle of it. Its old news, or it should have been ten years ago.” Hunter shared as he wiped chili grease from his mouth pecking Taylor with an unexpected kiss.

  “Ugh, Hunter. No. Chili breath gross.” Her face scrunched as she chugged her hot chocolate probably to get rid of the chili dog taste.

  “Woman.” Hunter growled even though she kissed him back clamping her mouth closed. I didn’t blame her, second hand chili dogs were not my thing either.

  I had no idea who Evan was or why he needed to see Damien scrambling on the ice with his girlfriend. “Do we like this Evan person?”

  “We do.” Whit waved his hand around including everyone present. “Damien, not so much.” Whit didn’t elaborate and I didn’t think I’d get the answer right then. It made me curious how everyone present had this history together that I was barely a part of. I might not have fit in with Ryder’s crowd, but at least these guys didn’t make me feel like I’d walked into Outlander shifting in time without the cliff notes to get by. I moved to the edge of the rink to watch them skate.

  Taylor joined me watching her friends skate and explained. “Evan is on the police department.”

  Damien almost toppled a second, maybe third time nearly taking a smiling Kristen down. She held him up by some miracle and we clapped our hands approvingly. Despite his goofy demeanor and her shrew attitude that rivaled any Shakespearean heroine they really were an adorable couple.

  “And they don’t like each other because…” I queried still confused, and they said my generation was hopeless.

  Taylor picked up on the prompt right away filling in the basic gaps, “Evan got together with Kristen briefly during a break from Damien, except none of us knew they were dating at the time. When everything came out it blew up in their faces and they still haven’t fully disclosed to all of us what the heck went down back then.”

  “But, you’re her best friend, shouldn’t you know?” I mused.

  “You would think. We’ve been close, nearly sisters since I moved in next door, but there’s some things that Kristen keeps mum on. Not even her brother Chase knows the full story and he was willing to kick Damien’s ass. Since he hasn’t in all these years…I have a feeling he knows that at least some of this is her fault too.” Taylor sipped her hot chocolate.

  “Sounds very high schoolish.” I murmured and felt mortified I was judging them. Taylor shook her head and put her hand on my arm reassuringly.

  “Oh it was, still is to some degree. Evan would totally let it go. He’s a good guy, but Damien can’t wrap his head around the fact that Kristen is her own person and makes equally bad decisions as he does.” Taylor said.

  Hunter handed me a hot chocolate that had a mini mountain of whip cream on top adding to our conversation. “Nope, that boy is as hard headed as the day is long.”

  “Aren’t they all?” Taylor giggled and they went in for more PDA that made me uncomfortable enough to turn away and escape the love fest. Warmth filled my cheeks while the hot cup felt good on my hands despite the thin gloves I wore. The sip I took scorched the entire way down my throat burning my tongue. The pain felt good radiating warmth into my chest. Whit caught me and wagged his brows promising our own private PDA later.

  I started to feel like nothing bad could happen.

  16

  Whit

  My phone buzzed inside my pocket and between juggling my gear and getting into the jeep, I was having a hell of a time getting to it. A glance at the phone advised me that Jeff wanted me to pick up some dinner before our shift change letting me know he called it in.

  The Burrito Barn was clear across town and out of my way. It didn’t matter if I could have lived off tacos for the rest of my natural life. I was annoyed that he couldn’t have picked the diner where I was already headed to see my girl. My stomach growled ready to dismiss the idea and pretend I never saw the message. I was already here and now my time with Lia would be cut short. It wasn’t the way I wanted to start my evening, no bueno.

  We planned to meet before her next class and the start of my night shift appeasing my appetite to see her. She had exams to study for and a paper to write for a philosophy class she said she hates. I know she secretly loves it and that’s what kept her busy this week reading all night and chatting with me via text. It’s bad enough that I’m running late because of an accident on the way into town, I cursed Evan out driving by while he directed traffic, and now I have to pick up dinner somewhere else.

  So who do I see sniffing around my girl’s deuce table with her books and papers spread out covering every inch available of the Formica surface, but the esteemed dickwad Ryder West. My temper raged and I reminded myself I’m not like Damien, I’m not going to pound a kid who has no clue what the real world has in store for his privileged pro-sport playing ass. He leaned over her table and my hackles rose imagining whatever pervy thing he’s saying to her. Lia isn’t smiling, but she isn’t frowning, or chasing him away. I’m not sure how I feel about that. In a perfect world she’d be screeching something fierce and I’d have no doubt this was nothing for me to worry about.

  Irrational jealously clouded my mind. I’d like to throw the punk out on his ass, but he’s got a good fifty pounds on me from playing football. I work out, but I’m not built like a brick house in my early twenties anymore. As a forest ranger for the park service, I can’t exactly go around beating the shit out of college students because I felt like it. That whole upstanding citizen bullshit I’ve got to maintain. I definitely felt like punching him, laying him out cold and stepping over his inert body while tossing Lia over my shoulder. Sometimes I hated being a responsible adult when tapping into my inner Damien seemed like a much more fulfilling option.

  Observing them made me simmer so I went for surprise instead clearing my throat, “Hi there.” I lingered at the side of the table with my arms crossed over my chest puffing myself up and waited for Ryder to stand up and back away from her table.

  “Whit!” Lia looked up from her seat smiling at me. Yeah, that’s right. I got her smiles and douche-canoe got nothing. Ryder stood taller eyeing me up and down. I didn’t remember the guy being such a shit head last time I saw him, but he squared his chest like he had something clever to say. He was lucky I wasn’t about to hit a kid despite my feelings about him. Someone had to be the adult and I clenched my fist ignoring the itch that wanted me to strike out first and ask questions later.

  “Ryder.” I addressed him in a patronizing tone squaring off as much as he was. If he wanted to play I’d entertain this only so far.

  “Yogi Bear.” Ryder nodded and the cocky little shit got on my last nerve. Lia jumped up from her seat and intervened placing her hand on my chest pushing me toward a seat. I didn’t like it and my hand covered hers pulling her in for a lingering kiss. I kept my eyes trained on the cocky kid letting him know Lia was off limits to him. She tasted like mint and chocolate and I let my tongue slip into her mouth swirling around to savor her better. A glance down at her was pure side eye and pissed female. I may as well have been marking my territory.

  My pretty pixie would have to get used to it because I was this close to either laying out this joker or tossing her over my shoulder like a caveman and never letting her see daylight again. I knew it was dramatic, but that’s what she did to me. Lia made me forget I was pushing thirty and the vestiges of bachelorhood quickly dissipated with a desire to settle down into something perm
anent. Something with her. It should have been scaring the shit out of me, but instead I liked it. I liked the idea of playing house and coming home to her.

  “I have to finish this assignment so I’ll see you around campus, Ryder.” Lia dismissed him. He paused a moment before striding off with his bitter and arrogant swagger. It might be a blessing for him to get drafted into the NFL because the big kids would not take his shit.

  I slid into the seat pulling her down with me. “What was that about?”

  “Huh? What? Nothing.” Lia mumbled taking a sip of her mint milkshake avoiding eye contact.

  I tipped her chin up to scan her violet gaze. I tried to not sound accusatory, “I’m not saying it was anything specific, but what did that asshole want?”

  She exhaled a sigh shrugging.

  “He said he needs help with his paper and wanted to know if I’d help him with research in the library next week.”

  “And?” I wanted to yell, fuck no, but held back.

  “And…I told him I didn’t have a lot of time. I’m interested in taking this new photography seminar with Professor Judy Rothschild who did a shoot for National Geographic last year. Gorgeous outdoor shots and light exposure I haven’t figured out yet on my camera.” Her fingertip traced a line in the table before picking up her pen to draw a flower on the corner of her paper.

  I picked up her other pen and drew vines and leaves connected to her flower. I loved the way her face lit up when she talked about discovering photography. A light came on from inside her and made her glow unlike any of her other classes she shared with me. There was a privilege in watching someone discover their passion for the first time.

  “You should go then. It will be good to meet her and talk photo-shop.” I tucked her in close to my chest and kissed the top of her head.

  “I plan on it. I don’t know why Ryder thought he could convince me otherwise. I’m not doing him any favors. He already talked Dinah into helping him write his paper. I’m done with that.”

  I shifted us in the small booth so she sat next to me now. The tone of our conversation was about to change. “Yeah, for my peace of mind, do you think you could maybe not hang out with him?” I winced when I heard the words come out of my mouth. Way to go being the secure older man in her life.

  “I didn’t plan on it. He’s really not my type you know.” She kissed under my jaw and leaned against me.

  “What is your type?” I played with her hair while we continued to draw our messy jungle over her study guide.

  “Oh you know… big burly woodsy guys.”

  “Uh huh.” I said.

  “Yup.” She smiled.

  I felt better but the weight was still heavy on my chest. I wished this guy would disappear or find some other girl to latch onto that wasn’t mine. “You know, I’m not asking you to not hang out with him because I don’t trust you, right? It’s him I have a problem with.”

  “I know. Besides that whole group draws trouble like a wildfire.” She made black inky flames over the rows of flowers she drew. I took the pen and scribbled a monkey jumping over it before handing it back to her.

  “Okay. I didn’t want to come off sounding like an asshole boyfriend.”

  She poked me in the ribs. “No, maybe a little heavy handed.”

  I could live with heavy handed.

  My jaw clenched and I said, “I don’t like that guy.”

  “Join the club.” Lia mumbled.

  I turned her paper over and started a new drawing asking her a question to turn this around. I felt better with solid plans on the table.

  “What do you want to do this weekend?” I kissed the top of her head.

  “Not write a philosophy paper.” She slid her hands down between us grazing my hard dick with her naughty little palm cupping me.

  “Jesus.” I grabbed her hand to try and keep things PG in the family owned diner.

  Lia bit her lip and whispered in my ear, “If you’re feeling up to it, I’d like to try out a few moral dilemmas in the bedroom.”

  I placed her hand back on my junk and stole a sip from her milkshake feeling pleased. “I’ll pick you up after class.” And that was that.

  17

  Lia

  “I can’t believe I let you talk me into hiking out here again. I thought we were going to spend the weekend under the covers.” These were not the sexual escapades I intended when I offered to try things out back at the diner. The bright sun peeked through trees blinding me and causing me to trip over the lush vegetation that cooled the path we walked on. Leave it to Whit to take my suggestion as an opening to try the woods out again.

  “Give it a chance, Amelia. The reward might outweigh the risk.” He cajoled, a smirking smile on his lips teasing me. I huffed hoping that reward came with a shower, a mint chocolate shake, and a massage not limited to my feet. My whole body ached from walking around. While the scenery was scenic for lack of a better descriptor, and the air was fresh, I didn’t enjoy the pace chasing after Whit like he was determined to prove something.

  “After the last time, I swore I was done.” I mumbled following Whit letting my mind wander toward my assignment for Plato. Varied shades of green leaves and grey rocks blended together and sweat itched between my breasts. I definitely wanted that shower.

  My legs burned with each step hiking over small boulders and branches. I assumed we were somewhere into our tenth mile. I gasped out of breath grasping his arm to slow down a bit. Whit informed me with a fair amount of snark that we were only on mile number two. That had to be a lie. Apparently there was a short cut back to the jeep, but I wasn’t inclined to believe him after he dragged me out here.

  “You were caught in a rainstorm, freezing cold, and ill equipped for the elements. I doubt even seasoned hikers would have found fun in that.” He held his out to me and I took it.

  “I have so much homework I could be doing right now.” I grumbled stepping over a boulder with Whit’s assistance. His hands lingered making their way over my butt and down my calves squeezing gently.

  “Come on, this is better than writing a philosophy paper, admit it.” He puffed out his chest, and a magnificent one at that breathing in the mountain air mocking me from behind his sunglasses. He could have been the handsome hunter, Endymion tempting the goddess Diana stand like that on the rock blinding me with his good looks and charm.

  I chortled. “I will admit no such thing.”

  I did, however, want to chuck a pinecone at the back of his head for this level of torture. I got lost out here the last time. I didn’t care if he hiked these trails on a near daily basis harassing hikers with park rules and regulations. This activity was not in my wheelhouse. Perhaps our meeting place was a neutral ground and I forced myself to humor him. It meant we spent time together that wasn’t in my apartment around Dinah or at his house where I felt out of place.

  “You’re so not getting laid later.” I muttered snidely watching his lips quirk upward at my bold face lie. It was more for me than him because I doubted I’d have the energy for sex later. I planned to lay there and let him have his way if we got out of these woods before dark. My legs ached and my balance was off from being so tired trying to keep up with him. He might have been older, but his stamina put me to shame. I would sleep like a baby tonight, maybe even drool on his pillow if he’s lucky.

  “It’s not so bad is it?” Whit turned and I got to look at his chiseled face boyishly grinning. The way his body filled out his hiking gear and boots was sinful. My legs wobbled and I had to pay extra attention to what I was doing so I didn’t trip and fall on the rocks and branches. It was insanely unfair how attracted I was to him leaving my mouth parched. He stalked ahead on the trail pausing for me to catch up.

  Whit kissed me with a quick peck. I wanted more, but he put his fingers over my pursed lips denying me while he beamed.

  “Ugh, it’s torture. Is this my life now? Are you taking me to the top of this mountain where I’ll lay down and die? You’re going to murd
er me and leave my body for mountain lions to snack on?” My arms flew out with a dramatic flourish. Whit kept on walking whistling as he went.

  The only answer I got was filled with cocky swagger. “Shut those pretty lips before I give you something to fill them with drama llama.” His eyes heated and molten attraction pooled in my belly incinerating me even though it wasn’t a particularly hot day. Beads of sweat rolled down between my breasts as I half listened to him speak. “We’ve only been out here maybe a half hour. Besides, I thought you were the young one?”

  That comment drew me up short.

  “Oh sure, throw out the age card buddy. I’m not one for working out. The best I do is lift the spoon of ice cream to my mouth and take the free yoga classes on campus.” Something cool sounded amazing right now and I didn’t care what it was as long as it made its way into my body killing the heat flash Whit’s words gave me.

  He waited for me to catch up standing in my path on the trail. He chucked me gently on the chin, “I guess if I get my baby girl a sundae later she’ll do her best to keep up?” He winked. I was a goner. The smirk on his face blindsided me into tripping on a log.

  “Smart ass.” I stopped mid-stride on the trail to scold him.

  He glanced back in my direction. “Yeah, but I’m your smart ass. Now be careful.” He pointed toward the uneven terrain.

  I shook my head rationalizing when I might have the golden opportunity to pop off and smack him. He was the worst and best sort of distraction for a dreamer like me. I spent the next ten minutes fantasizing about the ways I’d get even with him.

  “Whit!” I screamed out his name inelegantly tripping over my stupid feet.

  “Whoopsie Daisy!” He turned back for me quickly, just not quick enough to catch my fall as I landed much harder on the ground starting with my knee and then bruising the side of my butt in the process.