“You all coming in?” The question was for all of us, but as he spoke, he examined me like I was some kind of merchandise. I managed to act like I was indifferent to his beauty. I hadn’t kissed a guy in years, so getting in a hot tub with a handful of gorgeous men was not a good idea. And all of the perfect, half-naked women I would have to compete with sealed the deal. No way.
“I don’t know how to swim,” I joked idiotically. It was a Jacuzzi.
“I’ll save you. I know CPR,” he said, putting his arm around me.
“There are plenty of half-naked girls in there for you to give mouth-to-mouth to.” I took his arm off my shoulder, even though I secretly had a mild heart attack when he touched me.
“But what if I’d rather give mouth-to-mouth to you? I’ll kick some girls out of the tub if you like.” He focused on me, waiting for a response.
“I’ll take a rain check.”
“On the Jacuzzi or the mouth-to-mouth?”
“Does that line actually work on anyone?”
“You’d be surprised.” He flashed a cocky expression. “Okay,” he continued, “but if you change your mind, I’d be happy to kick some of the girls out of there to make room for you.”
He took his shirt off. Shit, I almost fell. He had muscles I had never seen live on a man before, and Ronald had been a quarterback.
“You really should come in.” He winked and walked out onto the porch. The smell of his aftershave lingered. Dylan had caught my attention at the club a week before. He was hot, but he went home with a different girl pretty much every night.
Brad’s girlfriend, Marisa, was quick to take off her clothes and jump in with them, in her bra and panties. “I’m coming in. Wait for me, Dylan.”
“How quickly we are replaced.” Bradley shook his head. “Dylan seems to have that effect on women. They all do.”
“She isn’t worth it, Bradley. It’s funny how stupid women can be.” I took a sip of beer. “Jessica’s dad, my ex, was a football player, and I was so infatuated by him. I figured his muscles would protect me and keep me safe.” Mumbling under my breath, I admitted, “Instead his muscles ended up in the bed of other women or were used to put me in the hospital.” I breathed in. “It’s funny how women think that kind of man is what they want.” I peeked over at Dylan. I think I was trying to convince myself as well. I took another sip. “What we really need is to fall in love with our best friend. That is true security. If only we could be so lucky.”
“You’re one to talk, Nicole. You still haven’t gotten over that idiot back home,” Emily jumped in. She was upset that I had considered calling Ronald. I don’t know why I did. I guess I was lonely.
“He keeps promising he’ll change, and I keep wanting to believe it’s true.”
“Yeah, how many times have we heard that? How many times do you have to end up in the hospital?” Emily snapped.
“I know. I’m an idiot. I don’t know what is wrong with me.” I was a little embarrassed she was discussing this in front of Bradley, but I think the beer had started to kick in.
“He hit you?” Bradley seemed really upset. “How could a man ever lay a hand on a woman? Especially one as—”
“I don’t really want to talk about it.”
“Yes, the asshole beat her regularly.”
“I don’t get that. How could a man hit someone so tiny?” Bradley interjected.
“I didn’t take him back. I was just thinking about it.”
“Why would you do that? I already want to kill him.” His eyes opened wide, concerned.
“I left Maryland, didn’t I?” I defended myself.
“You left, but have you given anyone else a chance?” Emily blurted out. “It has been years. Guys ask you out all the time, and you always have some lame excuse why you can’t go out with them. You’ve got to move on. No matter what he says, don’t get back with him.”
I needed to change the subject fast. I surveyed the hot tub. Marissa was all over Dylan. Dylan seemed a little annoyed by it, but she didn’t mind.
“So Bradley, we need to find you a nice girl. But you’re not going to meet a quality lady at a bar. You need to go to a library or something.” We all started laughing. As if that was ever going to happen.
Brad was in his twenties, not muscular or anything—I don’t think so anyway. He hid his body under baggie shirts and jeans. Even though he didn’t try to impress anyone, he had such a great personality girls flocked to him. He was that attractive boy-next-door you could confide in. I couldn’t imagine Alaska without him.
I hopped up on his kitchen counter as we solved the world’s problems and laughed with each other. There was a quick knock at the front door, and the door opened before Brad even budged to answer it. A really sharp-looking gentleman walked in. He was a young, clean-cut business man, also in his twenties. Not stuffy at all. I didn’t know much about suits, but I could tell it was expensive by the way it fell on his slender body. Emily did a double take, but quickly camouflaged her attraction by becoming engrossed in our conversation—although the slight curl on her lips she tried to hide didn’t disappear.
“Hey, Brad. I can only stay for a beer or two, but I thought I’d come by and say hi.” He shook Brad’s hand and then his gaze quickly came over to us. “And who are these gorgeous young ladies?”
“Chris, this is Nicole.”
As I went to shake his hand, he brought my hand to his lips. Bending over and looking into my eyes, he gently held my hand, touching my knuckles with a kiss. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Nicole, this is Chris.”
“Hi.” We both nodded.
Chris turned to Emily. “And this lovely lady?” His eyes met hers, and she immediately turned a subtle shade of pink. As he took her hand, she tried to hold back the grin that was about to explode on her face but her dimples appeared.
“This is Emily,” Brad responded.
“Nice to meet you.” He stared into her eyes, obviously pleased at the effect he had on her.
“I am charmed.” He nodded at both of us, but then focused his eyes back on Emily.
There was a little awkward silence that Brad broke up with, “Hey Chris, we are going out on the boat next weekend in Seward. You should join us.”
“If I’m in town, that’d be great.” Just then, Chris’s phone vibrated. He glanced at it and quickly excused himself to answer it.
“You gotta be kidding. Another one?” He seemed concerned. “Hold on. Hold on a minute. Let me go outside.” He lowered his phone and turned to us.
“It was nice meeting the two of you. I hope to see you again soon, maybe on the water. I’m sorry, I have to run.” He turned to Brad. “Tell the guys I said hi. And Brad, you make sure these girls get home safe.”
“Of course, Chris.”
“Seriously, Brad, you take them home. Ladies be careful. Brad’s a great guy, but be careful who else you trust.” He walked out the door. I assumed he was talking about not trusting the band members.
Before long, the crowd came back in the house, and the smell of chlorine and sound of chattering permeated everything. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. Dylan was like a magnet pulling me in, or should I say a cobra luring in his prey. I knew he was terrible, and I knew I could never go out with him, but every so often, I’d peek in his direction just to catch a glimpse.
When he caught me looking at him, I realized I should leave. Just the few seconds of eye contact gave me butterflies. To my horror, I noticed I had to approach the sofa he was sitting on to get my jacket. For a moment, I considered leaving without it. But opening the door and being bit by the night autumn air, I knew I had to go back and claim it.
I was so intimidated by him. I knew he was bad for me. I had been with a cocky womanizer before. I didn’t want to be the catch of the day.
Don’t look at him, I convinced myself. Whatever you do, don’t look at him. I tried to be coy and glance anywhere but his direction. I was doing okay until my feet hit something big
, and I totally lost my balance. Tripping, I began my decent. Screaming like an idiot, I fell ungracefully onto someone’s lap. I peeked up and froze.
“Shit,” I accidently let out. Dylan? I was in his arms. My heart started racing, and I lost my breath, shivering from the tingle that danced up my spine. When he gazed into my eyes, time stood still for a moment and I had no clue what to do. I felt like an imbecile. My mouth went dry, and it took me a moment before I was able to escape his hypnotizing glance. Gently touching my lips with his fingers, he slowly leaned into me, his lips coming closer. He was going to kiss me. I froze.
“Such language,” he whispered, brushing the hair off my face. His smile…oh so sexy. “You okay?”
“I’m so sorry. I am so, so sorry.” I couldn’t believe I fell on him. Just as I started to stand up, he stood, lifting me in his arms like I weighed nothing. Then slowly, he let my body slide down his until my feet hit the floor.
“You be careful now.”
My heartbeat was so annoying. Shit! I hoped he couldn’t hear it. I staggered away.
When we got back to the motel, I kept playing over and over in my head everything that he said to me. Closing my eyes, I could smell the sweet blend of Mediterranean scents in his aftershave. I was being stupid. He is trouble, I reminded myself.
I called Jess. Talking to Jessica on the phone that evening helped cure me a little and regain my focus.
“Miss you more!” the little voice of my sweet princess rang out.
“No sweetie, Mommy misses you more!”
Chapter Four
We walked into the club. Against the outside wall, a huge stone fireplace climbed up the cathedral A-frame to the ceiling. The fire was lit tonight, creating a warm glow on the side of the bar away from the stage. Emily grabbed her apron and headed upstairs. The Lodge had two floors. The top one wrapped around like a balcony overlooking the main floor. The intimate lantern lighting invited couples eager to get away from the crowds, but still provided a great view of the stage.
I always worked on the main floor, downstairs by the stage where the action was. On the main floor, the bar itself resembled a hut and ran along the back wall. Along the ceiling of the bar, the glasses hung, reflecting the lights from the stage when bands entertained the customers.
Tonight they moved the tables in front of the stage to create a sawdust dance floor. I guess there is a good band tonight! The day shift was chill, but in the evening—especially on weekends—the restaurant became a club. With live bands playing and wall-to-wall people, it became a madhouse.
Carl, a sweet elderly man, sold the best selection of stuffed animals and flowers at the club. His face lit up every time he saw us. Like a surrogate grandfather at work, he always seemed concerned with how Emily and I were adjusting. He walked over to me and pulled out the newest picture of his grandkids. I loved to talk to Carl about the drawing Jessica had sent me or how she sang me a song over the phone. He totally got it.
I was carrying out a tray of drinks, when Carl came up to me.
“I saved this one for your daughter.” He pulled out a fluffy bunny with big blue eyes just like my angel’s. Carl tucked the really cute stuffed animals away for me so no one else would buy them.
“Thank you so much. She will love it!”
My first tips of the night went to buying something for Jessica. Carl joked he could retire on all the money I spent, but I hoped when my little girl received the gifts, she would know how often I thought about her. I sent her a care package every few days.
“When are you bringing Jessica to Alaska? I know you miss her.”
“I hope soon. I have to find a place for us to live first. And I have to find a nanny I trust. It’s really hard. If you know of anyone, let me know. Right now, we’re just renting a motel room, so it’s not suitable to bring Jess here yet.” Emily and I were saving for an apartment. For now, however, the motel room with the two double beds and a microwave was our home.
“Carl, let me give them their drinks, and I’ll pick up the stuffed animal in a bit. Thanks again.”
I turned to the customers behind me. “Here you go. Your total is $12.50.”
“Can I open a tab with this?” A man with dirty-blond hair handed me his credit card. His friend’s boisterous laugh stood out even more than his red hair.
“You sure can,” I inspected the name on the card, “Steve.” I took his card and brought it to the bar.
What a busy night. It had rushed by. The band was great, so I didn’t have a minute to sit down. I had waited on Steve and his friend several times before he called me over to pay his tab.
“Excuse me, miss?”
“I’m Nicole. You’re Steve right?” Steve kind of blended in the crowd—an average looking guy in his forties. I recognized him mostly because of the man with the red hair sitting with him.
“Good memory. Yes, I’m Steve. Can I close out my tab please?”
I came back through the crowd with the credit card receipt. “Here you go, Steve. Have a wonderful evening and drive safe.” He signed the receipt and handed it back. I quickly glanced at it and gave him his card. Fifty dollars, I saw out of the corner of my eye.
“Wait, Steve, I think you made a mistake. Your bill was only twenty dollars. Did you mean to give me a five-dollar tip? You accidently wrote a fifty-dollar tip. That is too much.”
“I made a lot of money today and thought I’d pass on some of the profit.”
“Thank you. That is so sweet of you.” I stood in shock. “Are you sure? I really think that it’s way too much.”
“You can buy a stuffed animal for your daughter. I have two kids of my own. You keep it. I gotta get home to my boys, but you have a good evening.”
“You too.” I beamed as he walked out the door. Fifty dollars! Yes! I could have kissed it. I stuck it in my bra so it wouldn’t get mixed in with the ones and fives in my pocket and tried to hold back my smile but found it impossible.
Chapter Five
“This will be the last time I ask you
to put more clothes on. Trust me.”
~Dylan Richardson
That Sunday, Brad convinced us to join him for whale watching in Seward. The truth is I was really excited about it. I had never seen a whale before and loved the water.
Emily and I arrived in the parking lot early that morning only to find we weren’t the only invitees. It seemed Bradley invited all the guys from the band and a handful of attractive girls as well. By the time we got there, Brad’s SUV was full. We stood in the parking lot scrutinizing the two remaining SUV’s.
“I claim the two lovely ladies,” a voice shouted from an expensive car. Emily and I made our way to the voice behind the wheel. We were the only girls left outside of a car, and the other car was filled.
As we got to the SUV, Chris leaned over to open the passenger door.
“Hello, good-looking. Why don’t you sit up here with me?” He revealed the slight dimple in his cheek as he convinced Emily to sit up front. “You can control the radio.”
She jumped up front, quickly ditching me for the hot, green-eyed guy and control of the music. Chris was an average height. Today, jeans and a jacket took the place of the Armani suits he normally wore. He came from money. His posture and mannerisms hinted he was someone really important, but no one really talked about what he did. His skin, gently kissed by the sun, looked really sexy against the white of his jacket and his light brown hair.
As I opened the rear door of the SUV, a few people changed seats. I peeked in the back. There was one seat left. I wanted to kill Emily. I hardly knew anyone, and the seat that was open was next to Dylan.
I sat reluctantly, knowing Dylan was a dog, a womanizer, and extremely cocky. Despite all my attempts to hate him, my heart began to race as I took the seat next to his. He grinned as if he was giving me permission, and a stupid tingle went up my spine. What was wrong with me? There is no way I can survive two-and-a-half hours sitting next to him. His cologne was intoxicatin
g. And his shoulders were so broad that his biceps brushed against my arms. Each time they did, I had to catch my breath.
“I’m Dylan,” he told me. Little did he know, I doodled his name on random pieces of paper when I was bored. I didn’t want to have to try and speak. I could feel myself begin to perspire and was scared I’d choke on my tongue if I tried to make a sound.
“My . . .” I took a deep breath, “my name is Nicole.”
“I’ve seen you at Brad’s place right?” As if he didn’t remember my humiliating fall onto his lap the week before.
“Yeah,” I nodded. “Brad’s a sweetheart.”
Right then, Rita left the other car and started making her way toward the vehicle. Dylan shook his head. “Oh my god, no!”
“What’s wrong?” I turned around to see where his eyes were focused.
“It’s Rita.”
“I thought you slept with her.” I had seen them go home together a few nights before. Not that I was stalking him or anything.
“I was drunk. She can’t take a hint.”
“When aren’t you drunk, Dylan?” a female voice rang out.
“Shut up, Veronica, you knew I wasn’t interested in a relationship.”
Another one of the girls in the SUV van let out she had slept with him too. I realized I needed to leave quickly. He was enticing, and I could see how I could get sucked into one of his lines, but he was a creep. I started to feel nauseous that I was so attracted to him.
I slid open the door. “I’ll let you have fun with your harem. I’d hate to get in the way of anything.” I stepped out of the vehicle. “Rita! Hey, there is one more seat in here next to Dylan if you like,” I shouted.
The Impostor, A Love Story Page 3
