“Oh, I think you do.” Chelsea walks over and takes the bowl from my hands. She looks through the clear Saran Wrap and both of her eyebrows rise. “Pasta salad?”
“Yeah. I wasn’t sure what you guys like, and Brayden said it wouldn’t matter what I bring. That he could never be friends with people who are picky.” I roll my eyes as I remember the conversation from earlier.
I was trying to think of something to make for the barbecue, and when I mentioned pasta salad, Brayden said it wouldn’t matter because all of his friends liked barbecue food. It would be a sin to be friends with someone who didn’t appreciate the fine art of sides that pair with grilled meat.
“That sounds like something he’d say.” Chelsea puts the dish in the fridge.
“Wanna go show these boys how to drink some beer?”
“I’d be delighted to.”
We both smile at each other and link arms as we make our way into the manicured backyard. The deck right off the porch is large enough for a patio set, the grill, and a hot tub. But we find when we step outside, the guys each have a beer in hand and are engrossed in a game of horseshoes.
“See what I mean?” She nudges my shoulder with hers and she nods at the guys in the yard.
“Babe, the grill?” Chelsea shouts.
He keeps his eye on the game as he answers. “The coals are still too hot.”
Chelsea rolls her eyes at his vague response.
“So what kind of beer do you want?” She asks, unlinking her arm from mine and walks over to a blue cooler next to the patio set. “We have Land Shark, Miller Lite, and Bud Light.”
“Land Shark sounds good.”
She pulls the bottle out of the cooler and takes a can opener and pops the top. I meet her by the cooler and take the beer from her as she fishes one out for herself.
“Sit. Sit,” Chelsea says and waves to one of the cushioned chairs.
“So what have you been up to?” she asks.
“Not much really. I’m either at work or home. What about you?”
“About the same.”
“What do you guys do? I mean for work?”
“I’m a paralegal and Drew owns a shop with his dad.” Chelsea takes a sip of her beer.
“A shop?” My brows furrow in confusion.
“Yeah, they’re both mechanics.”
“Ah-uh. That’s cool. You must be really proud of him.”
“I am.” She nods.
For a second Chelsea stares at me before she smiles and reclines back in her chair. “Okay, so I’m going to get to the point. Have you and Brayden been getting it on?” she drawls, waggling her eyebrows and I can’t help but laugh.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” she says and leans forward to clink her beer bottle with mine.
“You seem pleased that we’re ‘getting it on.'”
“I’m just happy for you and him is all.” She shrugs. “In college he was the more hit it and quit it kind. He never brought girls around especially when Drew and I started dating. It was normally just the three of us.”
“He didn’t date in college?” I ask confused.
Her lips pucker, and she shakes her head. “Nope. There was this one girl that I saw him with a couple of times and I thought maybe, but that didn’t last. Thank God for that. I had her in my psychology class one year. She was a total bitch.”
I laugh at her response and she joins in with me.
“Actually, I’m glad it’s you he’s with.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. You’re nice, and he seems to like you. Plus, I can tell you see Brayden for more than the football legend he is, and despite all his hang-ups you seem to genuinely like him.”
I think about what she’s said. She doesn’t know the past I share with Brayden and her husband. I figured that much out when we went hiking. I’m not surprised. It’s not for me to tell her, it’s Drew’s choice. I’m not going to wreck the vision she has for her husband.
“Well, I did know Brayden before he became a star.”
Before Chelsea can say anything else, the guys bound up the stairs of the deck. Drew runs over and places a quick kiss on her cheek before he asks, “What are you two up to?”
Chelsea smiles up at him sweetly. “Nothing, we were just talking, getting to know each other a little better.”
Drew looks past his wife to me, his eyes tense, and I can read his question loud and clear. ‘Did you say anything?’
I give a gentle shake of my head and I can see him visibly relax. I give them a moment to themselves and walk over to where Brayden digs through the cooler full of beer.
“Did you have fun?”
He peers up at me and nods. “Yep. Wanna play the loser?”
I throw my head back and grab at my stomach as I laugh. “You? The Great Brayden Stephens? Lost?” I over exaggerate his name, cover my mouth with my hand and gasp in mock shock.
“You think I’m great?” he asks.
I shake my head at him. “I’m not going to stroke your ego.”
Brayden steps up to me, his arms going around my waist as he pulls me in close. “It’s not my ego that needs stroking,” he says so low that only I can hear.
I can feel the heat of a blush creep up my neck and spread through my cheeks. I bury my face in his chest in hopes that Drew and Chelsea won’t notice.
“Hey Karmen,” Drew shouts from across the porch and I groan. I pray that the blush is gone, if anything I’ll blame it on the heat that late June brings.
“Yeah?” I turn my head and look at him.
“You wanna play a game?” He nods towards the horseshoes out in the yard.
“Don’t you have to put some food on the grill?” Chelsea asks.
He looks at her then Brayden, and Brayden nods with a smile.
“I’ll take care of it,” my sweet boyfriend says.
He slaps me on the ass, and I yelp from the sting as he says, “Have fun.”
Drew’s already bounding down the stairs as I follow him. As I take a stand behind my post, he brings me my horseshoes but doesn’t hand them to me. His head hangs down and he reaches up and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’ve owed you an apology for many years now.”
As soon as the words leave his mouth my eyes go wide from shock.
“I have no excuse or reasons behind what I did to you in high school. But I want you to know that I am genuinely sorry. One day I hope you can forgive me like you have Brayden.”
“Why now?” I ask, seriously confused. “Why now are you apologizing?”
“I don’t know. All I can say is that Chels and I have been talking about having a baby here recently and it got me thinking. If some punk ass kid ever treated my child the way I did you, I’d beat his ass. There would be no force here on Earth that could stop me from protecting my child from being hurt.”
“Is this because you have a guilty conscience then?”
He chuckles, but it’s humorless. His eyes find mine, and I can see he’s genuinely sorry.
“I’ve had a guilty conscience for years.”
“How come you never told Chelsea about what you did?”
“Honestly.” His shoulders lift in a shrug. “I never thought we’d hang out like this, or that you and Brayden would be dating. She loves me, Karmen. She loves the man that isn’t like the punk kid I was in high school. I just never thought that…” he sighs. “A situation like us all hanging out together would occur. But if you want me to tell her, I will. I owe you that much at least.”
I let Drew’s words sink in. Even if he’s only apologizing because he can’t bear to think of his own child being bullied, then I can understand that. I’d never want my child to go through what I went through. When I think of his relationship, his marriage, I don’t want to be the cause of a rift. And he’s right. There was a time that I never would have thought all of us being together and having fun would have been possible. I don’t want to ruin our camaraderie. The only thing I can do is let it all go and forgive him as well.
<
br /> “I believe you and thank you. You don’t need to worry about saying anything to Chelsea. Let’s just let go of the past and start anew?”
An easy smile highlights his cheeks as he looks at me. “I can see why Brayden is with you.”
“And why’s that?” I smirk.
Drew puts his hand on my shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze. “You really are pretty great.” He winks. “Now, are you ready for me to kick your ass, too?” He jokes.
I shake my head and laugh as he jogs away from me to stand behind his post.
“I don’t suck like Brayden.”
“Hey! I heard that,” Brayden shouts from the porch.
“Kick Drew’s ass, Karmen. Someone needs to knock him down a peg or two.” Chelsea cheers me on from beside Brayden.
Drew shouts back in defense, “Not cool, babe. You’re supposed to be on my side.”
I look around me. Brayden and Chelsea make fun of Drew and he pretends that his feelings are hurt. I may have went through Hell to get here, to this sense of content where I’m at in my life now, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It was well worth the journey.
“This wasn’t at all what I was expecting.”
I look around and can’t help but feel a little giddy. Blues, reds, yellows, and greens mix into a colorful array of colors as they spin and blend together on the shiny floor. Padded walls about waist high surround the floor with cutouts in different places allowing easy access on and off the floor. Old 80’s music blasts from speakers and the sounds of kids’ laughter and squeals fill the vast space.
“I know I’ve taken you on dates before, but I thought this would be something new and fun.” Brayden squeezes my hand tighter.
“Welcome to Skate World,” the attendant says from behind the counter. “What sizes can I get you guys?”
I tell her that I’ll take a seven and Brayden answers with an eleven. Ever since the barbecue at Drew and Chelsea’s, I’ve been having the time of my life with Brayden by my side. Sometimes I feel like I’m waiting for the old Brayden to show back up, but every day that passes I become more and more enamored by him, by the man he’s become.
“You look like you have something on your mind,” Brayden says from beside me, pulling me back to the present.
“I was just thinking how this date is amazingly romantic and cute.” I smile at him and he takes my hand in his.
“You don’t think it’s cheesy?” The tips of his ears burn in a sheepish expression as he looks out over the skating rink.
“No. This is something I’ve never done before.”
Brayden whips his head in my direction, his eyes wide with shock. “Seriously?”
“I could hardly afford clothes that fit me growing up. There was no way I was able to go skating.” I shrug.
My fingers pick at the hair tie around my wrist, snapping the elastic band against the tender skin. Normally, I’m not embarrassed about my less than privileged state growing up. I’m financially set now that I’m older and on my own, but talking about it with Brayden brings back memories I’d rather not think about.
I feel Brayden’s eyes on me. He either wants to say something reassuring, or he has no clue what to say at all. Either way he doesn’t get the chance to say anything when the attendant says, “Here you go. Sorry, it took me a minute to find the size you needed ma’am.” I grin at her, grateful for the interruption.
We take our skates after Brayden pays and gives her our thanks. I follow him over to a set of lockers where we both kick off our shoes and lock up our belongings. Side by side, we sit on a bench and slip on the roller skates. The wheels are slick against the carpet but have a little traction to them. A sliver of fear creeps its way in when I think about skating on the hard floor that makes up the rink.
“You okay?”
I look over to Brayden and attempt to give him the bravest smile I can muster and nod. He laughs at my reaction.
“What?”
“You look terrified.”
“I’ve never been a fan of falling on my ass, so…”
“Do you think I’d let you fall?” he asks, his laces already tied and his tone serious. I already know the answer without thinking about it. No. Not in the physical sense at least.
“No.”
“Then trust me.” He reaches his hand out for me to take. I slip my fingers through his, and he pulls me to my feet. I slide forward and my body locks in place as my face collides with Brayden’s chest.
“Woah,” I screech and my sweet and funny boyfriend laughs.
“Just relax.” This deepness of his timbre in my ear washes over me and I feel myself following his command. His strong fingers knead the tense muscles in my back. I exhale a deep breath as I unwind under his ministrations. “Are you ready?”
“Mmmhmm.”
Brayden rolls back a few steps away from me, grabs both of my hands in his and pulls me forward. Fascinated, I watch as he glides onto the rink floor. His movements are graceful, smooth, and fluid. While I look like a newborn colt trying to stand on shaky legs. I lift my left foot over the threshold and before I know it, I’m pulled onto the polished, slick floor. My locked knees cause me to bend forward at the waist and I laugh out loud at how ridiculous I must look. Here I am twenty-seven years old and can’t even roller skate. I try to let the infectious beat of the 69 Boyz classic, Tootsee Roll, wash away my nerves. But even as the song bleeds into the next, I’m still nervous.
With a tug on my arms, Brayden pulls, and I sail forward only stopping inches from crashing into him. I peer up at him through my eyelashes, and he mouths the word relax. I take a deep breath in, breathe out slowly and force myself to stand up straight. Not allowing myself to think about falling, I take in all the kids laughing with their friends. Captivated, I watch children no more than eleven years old, race around the rink like roller derby professionals. My eyes scan over the little kids between the ages of four and five. They push a contraption that’s angled with wheels. I can see it helps them keep their balance. They don’t look near as frightened of falling as I am. Smiles highlight their rosy cheeks as they smile toothless smiles at their parents and other passersby.
“Are you having fun?” Brayden asks.
I turn my attention back to him and nod. “I am.” And it’s the truth. “You’re really good at this. I mean you can skate backward and forwards, that takes some real talent.”
“I can turn too.” His tone his filled with mischief. When one of his eyebrows arches I know he’s about to do something.
Before I know what’s happening, my hair flies back away from my face. The cool air from the speed we’ve picked up hits my skin. My eyes slam shut in preparation for the fall that will inevitably come. I tip forward, and I’m falling. My heart slams in my chest against the restraint of my ribcage. Adrenaline surges through my veins as I brace for the impact. Arms wrap around my waist and pull me backward. Beneath me, I land on a hard body. The momentum of the fall causes us both to breathe out an oomph. We roll to the side. My breaths come in heavy and hard. Slowly, I peel each eye open and take in my surroundings. In the middle of the rink, we’re alive, other skaters zip past and around us like I didn’t almost have a near death experience.
“Are you okay?” Brayden asks frantically. He leans over me, his eyes scanning every part of my body for injuries. “Say something.” Concern is evident in his tone while I’m at a loss for words.
“I thought you said you wouldn’t let me fall?”
“I didn’t know you were you going to close your eyes.” He gets to his knees and helps me sit up. I rub my sore hip. “Plus, you said you trusted me.”
I latch onto Brayden’s hand when he offers it to me. He pulls me off the floor. When I begin to slip, he scoops me up into his arms and skates towards the wall. On the bench, he sets me down as soon as we make it onto the carpet.
“I’m really sorry that I’ve ruined our date,” I mumble.
I was brought on this amazing date and I can’t let g
o enough to allow myself to have fun and better yet, I’m holding Brayden back from having fun.
He reaches out and sweeps the hair out of my eyes. “You didn’t ruin anything.”
“I can’t do it.” My voice is quiet while my words are filled with pity. What most kids learn at an early age, I can’t seem to grasp the concept of.
“Yes, you can. You just have to get out there and try again.” His encouragement is endearing.
I look back out at the floor and debate for all of five seconds whether I can do this or not. My mind made up, I take Brayden’s hand in mine. “Okay, let’s do it.”
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