Going the Distance

by Christa Cervone

  Salem’s head burrows into my shoulder in embarrassment. “Just ignore her, she’s bustin’ our balls,” I laugh. “You know damn well she was watchin’ us from the window, and she probably got her rocks off.”

  “Gabriel!” Salem’s head shoots up. “That’s not even funny.”

  “I think it is. But she’s probably right about it being time to get out,” raising my hands out of the water, I continue, “I’m all pruney.”

  Salem carefully makes her way out of the hot tub and puts on her cover-up. She then hands me my trunks. “Here, put these on. I’m sure Jocelyn would love to get a look at your naked body.”

  “You know I would!” Jocelyn shouts.

  “I’m not giving you that satisfaction!” Salem yells back playfully, pulling out of her funk.

  “I thought best friends share everything. Isn’t that right, Gabriel?” Jocelyn appears at the sliding glass door with a huge grin on her face.

  “There are some things I don’t share,” Salem looks over her shoulder at me.

  “Hey, don’t get me involved in this,” I say directly to Jocelyn, as I wrap my arms around Salem and pull her close.

  “I’m going to go get ready for bed.” Salem pulls away and bypasses Jocelyn without saying another word to her.

  I follow quickly behind her to her room, confused by her actions. “Hey, what’s the matter?” Grabbing her by the wrist, I draw her back to me.

  “Is that something you would want?”

  “Something I would want? I’m not following you.”

  “Would you want to be with me and Jocelyn? Isn’t that every man’s dream, to be with two women?”

  “Salem, are you kidding?”

  “No. If that’s what you want, I can make it happen; if not with Jocelyn, then with someone else.”

  “Where’s this comin’ from?” I run my hand over my face. “Did I ever say I wanted a three-way?”

  “Gabriel, I want to give you whatever you want.”

  “You are what I want and so much more. Salem, I’m not…” I stop myself. I vowed to never speak his name again.

  She lets out a long, staggered sigh. “I know, and I’m sorry. It’s just…”

  “Listen to me,” I gently raise her chin with my fingertips. As I look into her eyes, I can see the tears beginning to build up. “I know he lied and hurt you. But you have to remember, I’m not him. You have to put the past behind you and focus on the here and now. I love you, and I promise I will never hurt you like he did.”

  “I love you, too,” she says sheepishly, breaking eye contact. “I’m going to go put my pajamas on.”

  “Okay,” I kiss her lips softly. “I’ll be waiting in bed for you.”

  As she slips into the bathroom, I turn and look at her bed. I begin to wonder how the hell I’m gonna sleep in there. It looks like the cover of a Pottery Barn catalog; between the half a dozen decorative pillows and multiple layers of blankets, I’m not sure where to start.

  “Whatcha doin’?” Jocelyn questions from the doorway.

  “Um, I’m trying to figure out how to sleep in her bed.”

  “Eh, just throw it all on the floor. She’ll get over it.”

  Lowering my voice to a whisper, I ask, “Jocelyn, can I ask you a favor?”

  “Sure, but why are we whispering?”

  My eyes glance over to the bathroom, indicating that I don’t want Salem to hear. “Can you not tease Salem about us?”

  Jocelyn gives me a funny look. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, when you teased her about best friends sharing, it really upset her.”

  “Oh geez,” she rolls her eyes. “She needs to lighten up. I was just joking around.”

  “I know you were, but she’s having some major trust issues. She even went as far as telling me that the three of us could have a three-way if I wanted it.”

  “She did what?!” Jocelyn’s voices rises.

  “Shhh, keep your voice down.”

  Jocelyn scowls. “I fucking hate him.”

  “I know, Joce, I agree, but I’m gonna do everything in my power to prove to her how much I love her, and that I’ll never betray her like that. So, if you could lay off the jokes, I would really appreciate it.”

  Jocelyn smiles a satisfied smile and nods her head. “She sure lucked out when she found you. You got any friends?”

  We’re both laughing when Salem reenters her room. “What’s so funny?”

  “Jocelyn wants me to hook her up with one of my friends.”

  Putting up her fists, she dances around the room throwing air punches. “That’s right. I think I need me a fighter boy, too.”

  “Well, you can’t have mine,” Salem wraps herself in my arms and looks up at me adoringly.

  “Goodnight, love birds,” Jocelyn sings as she walks toward the door. Turning on her heel, she adds, “And you better not keep me up all night with your moaning and groaning.”

  “I can’t make you any promises,” I laugh.

  “Goodnight, Jocey.”

  I wake the next morning to my phone repeatedly going off. “Who the fuck is callin’ me this early?” Groaning, I roll over and reach for my phone on the nightstand. “Hello?” I’m still half asleep.

  “Hey, Gabriel, I’m sorry to wake you. Have you seen Jase?”

  “Who is this?”

  “I’m sorry. It’s Chris.”

  I shoot up, nearly jumping out of the bed. “What do you mean, have I seen Jase?”

  “He was supposed to be here over an hour ago and he’s still not here. I’ve called and texted him, but it keeps going directly to voicemail.”

  “I haven’t seen him since yesterday morning. When I got home last night he wasn’t there, and I stayed over at Salem’s place. I’m goin’ home right now.”

  “Have you noticed him acting strange at all?”

  “No, he’s been the same old Jase at home. Has he been okay at work?” I hold my breath waiting for Chris’ answer.

  “Yeah, he’s been a little on the quiet side, but I haven’t noticed any major changes.”

  I let out a huge sigh of relief. “I’ll call you as soon as I get home. Let’s just hope he overslept and he didn’t hear his cell.”

  “Great, I’ll wait for your call. Sorry to wake you.”

  “No need to be sorry.”

  “Salem,” I shake her lightly, “wake up. I need to go to back to my apartment. Jase didn’t show up at work this morning.”

  “Huh? What?” she answers sleepily.

  “Can I borrow your car?”

  “Yeah, the keys are in my purse,” she pulls the blanket over her head and rolls over.

  “Thanks, I’ll be back soon.”

  My mind begins to race as I drive to my apartment. Of course, I begin to think the worst. What if whoever broke into our apartment came back? What if Jase caught them in the act and they did something to him? Christ, I should’ve stayed home last night and waited for him. My foot immediately pushes down on the gas pedal to get there faster. I reach my apartment building in record time and race up the stairs. I try the handle and the door opens. I could’ve sworn I locked the door when I left last night. “Jase! Jase?!” I yell, running to his room.

  I push the door open to find him sleeping in his bed. Oh, thank God. I take a seat on the corner of his mattress. A huge weight has been lifted. Immediately, I call Chris to let him know Jase is here and safe.

  “Hey, Chris, it’s Gabriel. I just wanted to let you know that Jase is here, sleeping.”

  “Well, that’s good to hear,” there’s relief in his voice.

  “Yeah, I know. But I’m still gonna wake his ass up and find out why he’s not at work.”

  Chris laughs. “Can you have him give me a call later?”

  “Will do. Thanks again for letting me know.”

  “No problem, and sorry if I worried you for nothin’.”

  “It certainly wasn’t nothin’.”

  I hang the phone up and shake Jase’s leg
. “Jase. Jase,” I say loudly. He doesn’t reply. I stand up and take a few steps closer to the head of the bed. “Jase!” my voice is getting increasingly louder, but still nothing. He always was a sound sleeper. Mami used to say he slept like the dead.

  “Jason!” Grabbing ahold of both of his shoulders, I begin to shake him.

  “What?” he groans, pushing my hands off of him.

  “You were supposed to be at work over an hour ago, that’s what,” I respond, agitated.

  Covering his eyes with his forearm to block the sunlight, he explains, “I’m sick. I’m not goin’ in.”

  “Well, don’t you think you should let your boss know when you’re not goin’ in? He called my ass and woke me up to find out where you are. Where the hell is your phone?”

  “I couldn’t call him.”

  “Why not?”

  “My phone’s dead.”

  “What’s the matter with you, anyways?”

  “I think I have the stomach bug or somethin’. I’ve been pukin’ all night.”

  “Did you get my text?”

  “No. I told you, my phone is dead.” He drifts back to sleep.

  “Jase? Jase?!” I try to wake his ass up again.

  “What?” he answers begrudgingly.

  “Look at me,” I demand. I’m not in the mood for his bullshit this morning. This could’ve been taken care of if he was responsible and called his boss to tell him that he wasn’t going in to work this morning. I can think of a few things I could be doing right now, and dealing with his grumpy ass is definitely not one of them.

  His weary eyes slowly open, and the dark circles under them are a clear indication that he didn’t sleep much last night. “There. You happy now?” he snaps. “What do you want now? Can’t you just let me sleep?”

  My shoulders deflate and my irritation fades when I see how pathetic he looks. “Do you want me to make you some toast?”

  “Could you?” his fatigued eyes look up at me. “I’m starving.”

  A smile grows across my face. “Of course.” I can’t just turn my back on him, even if I am pissed.

  “With a little bit of butter?”

  “Really?” I raise my eyebrows at him.

  “You can’t expect me to eat dry toast.”

  “Fine, with butter,” I exhale.

  “Thanks, bro,” he mumbles, and with that, he curls back under the covers.

  As I’m preparing Jase’s toast, my phone rings. “Hey, baby,” I answer with a smile in my voice.

  “Where did you go? Is everything alright?”

  “It was Jase, but you don’t have to worry, everything’s fine. Don’t worry. I’ll be back within the hour.”

  “Okay…” the hesitation in her tone is apparent.

  I give her a gentle reminder, “Remember what we talked about last night?”

  “Yes.”

  “Keep that bed warm for me. I’ll be back soon, and I’ll explain everything to you when I get there. Do you want anything before I come back?”

  “No, just you,” she responds softly.

  “You already have me, Salem. I love you.” Jesus, does she have me.

  “Will you stop pacing? You’re gonna leave marks on the carpet,” Jocelyn scolds her friend, who’s been walking the same line in their living room for the past forty-five minutes.

  “He said he’d be here in an hour and that was over an hour and a half ago.”

  “So?”

  “So? So?!” Salem’s eyes grow wide and her voice hitches.

  “Why don’t you come sit down and finish your breakfast?” Jocelyn suggests, trying to ease Salem’s mind.

  Salem throws her hands up in the air. “Eat? How can I possibly eat?”

  Jocelyn stands from her seat and walks over to Salem, planting her hands firmly on Salem’s shoulders and looking her dead in the eyes. “Say, he’s not Blaine. You need to chill the fuck out. He said he’d be here; he’ll be here.”

  “You’re right,” she exhales. “I just can’t…”

  “Well, you’re going to have to. He’s head over heels in love with you, Say. You can’t keep doubting him; it’s not good for you or for him. You have to trust him unless and until he does something to break that trust. It’s not fair to punish him for Blaine being a douchebag.”

  “I know,” Salem sighs, running her hands through her hair, “it’s just…”

  “It’s just, what?” Gabriel interrupts Salem. He’s standing at the top of the stairs staring at the two friends with a puzzled look on his face.

  “See, I told you,” Jocelyn whispers in Salem’s ear.

  “Told her what?” Gabriel gives them both a look.

  “Nothing, don’t worry about it,” Salem gives him a reluctant smile and reaches for his hand. “Is everything okay with Jase?”

  “Yeah, everything’s just fine. I’m more interested in what the two of you are talkin’ about.”

  “It’s nothing, really.” Salem looks to her friend, her eyes pleading for her to go along with it.

  “Yeah, it’s nothing,” Jocelyn looks to Gabriel and smiles. Then she adds, “I was just easing Salem’s mind about a few things and giving her a few pointers. You can thank me for those later.” She winks at him and pats his face lightly before leaving the room.

  Barnburner – A barnburner is a very good fight. One that is very intense and exciting, a real nail-biter. A fight that is so close, it’s hard to predict who will come out the winner until seconds before it ends.

  “You’re really not gonna tell me where we’re going?” Salem smiles under the bandana covering her eyes.

  I squeeze her thigh gently. “No, it’s a surprise.”

  “How much longer until we get there?”

  “I’d say another ten to fifteen minutes. What’s got you so nervous?”

  “I don’t like surprises.”

  I look over at her and see that she’s clearly on edge; her feet are tapping, and she’s fiddling with the strap of her bag. “Well, ain’t that some shit. But I think you’re gonna love this one.” I had to get the exact directions to our destination from Jimmy. This isn’t a place you can find using a GPS, but I also didn’t want the GPS giving away where we’re going. “Okay, you better hold on tight ‘cause it’s gonna get a little bumpy.”

  “Bumpy?” Salem shrieks as I take her car over the rough terrain.

  Dust begins to fly up as the car drives over the dirt. “Close your mouth or it’s gonna get filled with dirt.”

  “Dirt? I just washed my car.”

  Laughing, I assure her, “We’ll get Cherry another wash after we’re done.”

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” Salem scoffs.

  “I’m gonna be enjoying myself even more in about five minutes.” My hand slowly runs up her thigh and snakes its way between her legs.

  “Gabriel,” she quickly turns her head in my direction and reaches for my hand.

  “Yes, Salem?”

  Releasing her grip on my hand, she surprises me by spreading her legs wider. “Don’t stop.”

  “We’re gonna be there in like two minutes. I’m gonna take care of you; don’t worry.” I begin to slow the car down.

  As soon as we come to a stop, she anxiously sits up in her seat and reaches for the bandana. “Can I take this thing off now?”

  Leaning over, I torment her some more, “Nope, leave it on.”

  “Gabriel,” she complains.

  “Sit tight. I gotta get a few things from the trunk.”

  “What are you up to?”

  “You’ll see soon enough.”

  Quickly, I make my way to the back of the car. I pop open the trunk, pulling out the blanket and picnic basket Jocelyn packed for me earlier this morning. I peek into the basket, making sure everything she packed is still intact. She thought of everything: Champagne, fruit, crackers and cheese, and even some small red velvet cupcakes, which apparently are Salem’s favorite.

  Even though Salem and I have spent every waki
ng moment together, I still feel like I want to know more about her. So, today, I plan to do just that. I wanna know what her favorite movie is. Did she have a childhood pet? Did she always want to be a lawyer?

  I look around the field for the perfect spot. I need something that’s flat and secluded, but still overlooking Fowler’s Bridge, which is the entire reason why I’ve brought her here. With the padlock in my pocket, I go to her door and open it for her. “Are you ready?” I take her hand in mine and lead her from the car.

  “Do you think I can take this silly blindfold off now?”

  “No, you need to keep it on for a little while longer,” I whisper into her ear. Carefully, I lead her over to the bridge, making sure she doesn’t trip or fall on the rocks leading up to it. “Okay, I’m gonna take it off now.” I stand behind her and begin to untie the bandana.

  “Finally.”

  After removing the blindfold, I take my place next to her. I watch as she takes in the incredible sight before us. A rusted old bridge with what looks to be thousands of padlocks hanging on the fencing around it. Salem takes a few steps forward to get a better look, then she turns to me, breaking her silence, “What is this place?”

  My heart begins to race. God, I hope she likes it. “It’s called Fowler’s Bridge.”

  “What are all the locks for?”

  “It’s a place people come to declare their love for one another.” I pull the one I purchased earlier today from my back pocket.

  Her face and eyes light up. “You got one for us?”

  One side of my mouth lifts into a smile as I confirm, “I did.”

  “How have I never heard of this place?” She looks around curiously, gently touching several of the locks hanging in front of her.

  “Do you like it?”

  “I love it!” Turning to me, her eyes are gleaming with excitement as she throws her arms around my neck and kisses me. “When can we hang ours?” She’s nearly bouncing up and down with excitement.

  “We can hang it right now if you want.”

  She holds her hand out eagerly, “Can I do it?”

  “If you want, but we have one thing to do first.”

  “What’s that?”