Mind the Gap (In Too Deep)

by Casey McMillin

  Joel started talking to the baby, acting like he wasn't paying any attention to what we were saying.

  "I talked to her today," Gretchen said.

  "Oh yeah?" I asked, not knowing where she was going with that. "Yeah, and I know you're newly divorced and everything, so I thought I'd warn—"

  "Not newly," I said.

  "Huh?"

  "It's been long enough. I'm over it."

  "Oh, well, you know what I mean. I just wanted to tell you that I think she really likes you. I didn't know if you were aware how much—"

  "You don't have to worry," I said. "I like her too."

  Gretchen gave me an accessing glance like she could figure out just how much I liked her if she looked hard enough.

  "I'm serious. I'm not messing around with Brit, and the ex isn't an issue at all. I can't believe I'm even saying this, but I'm totally fine with the whole Kayla thing now. I know it's too soon to tell, but I think I could have another shot with Brit."

  Gretchen squealed like it was the most wonderful thing she'd ever heard. "Oh my God, I almost feel bad for Rachel that she's not here right now. She would be so excited to hear all this looove talk, especially about Brit."

  "I don’t know about all that, but I do like her," I said.

  "Oh, quit playing," she said. "I can see it written all over your face."

  "What?" I said. My hands went into the air as I shrugged.

  "You loooove her," Gretchen said.

  Joel cooed at the baby, but he was smiling, and I figured I should be embarrassed, but wasn't.

  "Admit it," Gretchen said, shoving at my shoulder.

  "Whatever," I said, shrugging again. "I'm not saying that this soon, but I do like her. I like her a lot. I could definitely see myself loving her."

  That must have been good enough for Gretchen, because she squealed again and added a congratulatory hug.

  "I can't believe how freaking cute you guys are," she said. "I love the match so much."

  I was a little taken aback by how suddenly things between Brit and I were becoming official. Looking back, I realized I could have probably gotten out of that conversation a little easier, but I was glad I didn't deny how I felt.

  Before we left, Joel handed me the key to the cabin. He said it'd be completely done before Christmas, and I was welcome to stay anytime as long as I picked up after myself. I promised him if I ever used it, I'd leave it better than it was when I arrived and thanked him for trusting me with a key to such a nice place.

  Gretchen flagged me down as I was pulling out of the driveway to make sure I remembered about the Lakers game the next night. It was Rachel's birthday, and since they all went to see a Lakers game last year, they were making it a tradition. Last year they had courtside seats, and this year we'd be sitting a few rows back with the general public, but it would be fun regardless. I assured Gretchen that I was looking forward to it, and told them both I'd see them the next day.

  Chapter 21

  Brit

  We were all going to a Lakers game to celebrate Rachel's birthday, and I had absolutely nothing to wear. I also had a mishap with my mascara wand that caused me to have to wash my eye makeup off and start over. It was not my finest effort with getting ready, but I knew that getting all worked up about it would do nothing but make matters worse.

  I took a deep breath as I looked in the mirror. I wanted to dress up for the occasion so I could fit in with the Los Angeles crowd, but after five wardrobe changes, I finally accepted that I'd be most comfortable wearing my old, trusty mind the gap shirt. I layered it on top of a tight-fitting undershirt with brightly colored stripes. I didn't care if the outfit made me look like a freak in comparison to all the SoCal bombshells that would be at the game. I felt comfortable in my own skin, and that was all that mattered.

  Josh was coming over so we could ride with Joel and Gretchen to the game. They had made arrangements for Gretchen's mom to come to the house to watch the baby while we were gone. I sent Josh a text to let him know that I was walking over to Gretchen's to hang out with them, so he should just meet me in the main house.

  "Hey Brit, I love the stripes," Gretchen said as I walked in. "Come on in. My mom's with Luke in the nursery, and I told her I'd bring this," she lifted the baby bottle she was holding, "but make yourself at home. I'll be back in just a sec."

  By the time she and Joel made their way back to the living room, I was all settled into the corner of the couch staring down at my phone.

  "Have you ever been to a basketball game, Brit?" Joel asked.

  "No. I mean, high school, yes, but never anything like this. I can't believe we get to see Emily dance too. That's so crazy."

  "It really is cool seeing her out there," Gretchen said. "It was a year ago exactly that we recognized Emily at a Lakers game. We were there for Rachel's birthday, and she spotted us because Joel had really good tickets. We met her in Vegas, but never expected to see her here."

  "I know," I said. "Emily told me that story when we were talking about me moving into the guesthouse. I didn't realize it was on Rachel's birthday, though. That's cool."

  "Have you heard anything from Josh?" Gretchen asked.

  "He's planning on being here at six," I told her.

  "Did you mention anything about Christmas?" she asked. "Mom was just asking me how many would be there this year, and I wasn't sure about Josh."

  "Oh, no. It's a no for him since his family's so close, but I'd love to come if you guys don't mind."

  "Of course. I just assumed you'd be there since you mentioned not going home. I already told mom you'd probably be coming." Gretchen was walking around the kitchen doing last minute stuff as she talked. "Collin and Rachel will be there too. Collin's parents are going on a cruise again this year, and they just went to Oregon to see Rachel's folks for Thanksgiving."

  "What about Ethan and Emily?" I asked. "I heard they went last year."

  "They're going down to San Diego to spend Christmas with Ethan's family," Gretchen said.

  "How close is Josh's family to Ethan's?" I asked. I knew they were in Lake Elsinore, but I had no clue where that was.

  "Why don't you ask him yourself?" Gretchen said. She looked toward the back door, and my gaze followed hers to see what she saw. Josh hadn't opened the door yet, but you could see him on the other side of it. I felt my stomach do a nervous flip at the sight of him. He gave a little knock, and Joel went to the door to open it for him. They did that guy-hug thing where they slap each other on the shoulder, and Josh took the few steps into the kitchen where he could see Gretchen and me.

  I felt the strong urge to run to him, but I thought that would be a little overzealous. I just looked at him from across the room and smiled. I had to work to regulate my breathing. The sight of this huge guy with a messy mop of curly dark hair made my heart skip a beat. He was wearing dark jeans and a baby blue button up shirt that looked equally dressy and comfortable. Unable to stop myself from doing it, I got up and started walking toward him. He smiled as he held open his arms, and I smiled as I hugged him. I thought Gretchen let out a sound of approval, but the sound of my own nervous heartbeat in my ears was just about the only thing I could hear. I pressed my cheek against his big chest, and he wrapped his arms around me. The clean smell of his cologne was understated and masculine, and I wanted to stay there and breathe him in all night. Couldn't we just forget about the basketball game?

  "Brit was just asking me about Lake Elsinore," Gretchen said. "I know it's between here and San Diego. But is it closer to either one?"

  "It's just about halfway," Josh said. "My parents usually like to use San Diego if they need to go to the city, but it's about equal distance. In fact, they'll probably switch to L.A. now that I'm here.

  "Is it that small?" I asked. "Do they have to come to the city for groceries or something?"

  Josh laughed. "No, but they do drive in when they want to do something big like see a concert or go to Ikea."

  I had broken the hug and was
standing next to him, and he put a protective arm around my shoulders. Gretchen's mom came into the living room to see us off. She was holding the baby in front of her, and he was staring out at all of us with a look of contentment on his face. Gretchen crossed the living room where she hugged and kissed both of them.

  "Mom, have you met Josh and Brit?"

  Gretchen's mom looked at us as if she was trying to place our names and faces. "I met Brit at the Halloween party, remember? She was Cinderella."

  "Oh that's right," Gretchen said. "Mom didn't get to come to the restaurant opening, but she loved your paintings."

  "Oh you better believe I did. You did such a beautiful job on those. I was telling Gretchen she did a great thing by hiring you."

  Josh gave my shoulders a proud squeeze, and I thanked Mrs. McKay for the kind words. She asked if I was getting settled into the guesthouse okay and I told her it was the nicest place I'd ever rented.

  She turned her attention to Josh, who she realized she'd never met before. We tried to describe him as the one who was wearing a hockey mask at the Halloween party, but she had been busy with the baby and didn't remember. She only recalled meeting me because she helped me squeeze into the Cinderella dress. We talked for a few more minutes before telling Gretchen's mom goodbye and leaving for the game.

  We had so much fun at that game. It was packed, all the fans were excited, and Emily was gorgeous out there shaking her stuff. She spotted us in our seats and made eye contact as frequently as she could without looking like she was preoccupied with us. Ethan, who was sitting on my left, was really proud, and the way he watched her was so sweet. (If you call "I'm gonna eat you alive later" sweet, which I do.)

  The guys got some attention as usual. Zack wasn't with us, but Collin and Ethan's presence still elicited whispers and nudges even though the Olympics had come and gone a few months before.

  Gretchen and Bailey caused a bit of a stir also. Bailey had taken over the role of Abby Wentworth on Paradise Island when Gretchen found out she was pregnant and quit. Bailey was recognized more than Gretchen since Gretchen's stint on the show was short-lived, but diehard fans knew exactly who Gretchen was, and always commented about how weird it was to see the old and new Abby in the same place.

  Considering the fact that we had a row full of public figures, we really weren't approached as much as you would think. The Los Angeles fans seemed to be pretty mellow, and besides, there were several A-listers at the game.

  No big deal, though. I was just sitting there enjoying tons of attention with a bunch of celebrities and a gorgeous hunk of a man named Josh Rand. I could have just squealed. How in the world had I ended up there? I smiled the whole dang time. My jaw would probably be sore in the morning. The Lakers game was an experience I wouldn't soon forget, and I was thankful they were making it a tradition on Rachel's birthday.

  I had that thought near the end of the game, and leaned over Ethan to tell Rachel as much. "I hope this becomes a tradition on your birthday, Ray. This is fun."

  "I know, huh?" Rachel said, scrunching her face up in excitement.

  That made her think of other things that needed to become tradition, and she asked if I, or anybody else wanted to shoot a game of pool afterward. Apparently, a few of them had gone last year, and even though it was in the middle of the week, she wanted to play a few games of pool on the way home. Josh and I decided to go with them and Emily and Ethan did as well. Joel and Gretchen said they wanted to be getting back to the baby. Bailey and her boyfriend didn't come either.

  Josh and I each had a beer at the Laker game and one at the pool hall. We were both feeling good, and it seemed like our bodily contact went from accidental and graceless, to natural and flirtatious. Toward the start of the night, we barely touched each other, but by the time we were halfway through our first game of pool, he had his hand on some part of my body—my arm, my leg, my back. He found a way to touch me, and wherever our bodies made contact, my nerve endings sizzled with energy and anticipation.

  During the second game, which neither of us was playing, I went to the ladies room, mainly to check the state of my face after the evening's activities. When I returned, Josh was sitting on a barstool. He grabbed the shirt fabric at the small of my back and used it to pull me into his embrace. I relaxed into his firm chest, facing out toward the game, and he bent to put a kiss on my cheek. I couldn't help but smile at Rachel, who was watching us with her eyes bulging out of her head. I swear she almost started crying from joy at the sight of me all snuggled up with Josh. I was in so deep with Josh that I forgot our friends didn't really know about us yet. I had to look away from her to avoid being overcome with emotion myself. I would have never pictured myself with a guy like Josh, (except for maybe the shaggy hair) but he was nothing shy of perfect for me. I loved how smart he was, and how serious and logical. He was my opposite in all the right ways, and I had the feeling he and I might just make it.

  ****

  Tink, tink, tink, tink… The sound of fork to glass made us all snap to attention. It didn't take long for us all to figure out it was Joel who wanted to speak. It was Christmas Day at lunchtime, and Gretchen's family had been kind enough to welcome me into their home as if I belonged to them. Gretchen's brothers and their wives were there along with her little sister—who apparently missed last year and would never live it down. They all had "G" names, which I thought was really cute.

  Joel stood up and took in the faces of his friends and family who were now all focused on him. Even the kids stopped talking. The room was silent waiting to hear what he was going to say.

  "Okay, as many of you know, Gretchen and I found out we were going to be having Luke a year ago when we were here celebrating Christmas with all of you." Joel looked down at Gretchen narrowing his eyes playfully and added, "Actually Gretchen knew for some time before the rest of us, but for the sake of the story, we'll say we found out at Christmas." He took a deep breath and smiled sincerely as he looked down at her. "I asked you to marry me a year ago, and you said you weren't ready. I've seen you nearly every day since then, and every day, I'm more certain that I don't ever want to be with anyone else. So, Gretchen," he said, pulling a box out of his pocket, "I'm pretty-much not taking no for an answer this time." He opened the box, and she sprang from her chair wrapping her arms around him, making the words, "Will you marry me?" come out all muffled and shaken.

  She said yes about eight times, but you could barely understand because she was jumping up and down in his arms. The ring box literally fell out of his hands, and Collin, who was sitting next to him, snagged it out of the air, and set it safely onto the table. The box had been open during its flight, but thankfully the ring was securely in place. I stared at the thing for several long seconds before I was able to tear my eyes from it. It was a freaking rock. A diamond solitaire you'd expect to see on the Queen of England, (and I would know since I'm British).

  "I thought you'd never freaking ask!" Gretchen said, raring back to slap at his chest. The whole table was already in an uproar, but her funny gesture had us all laughing. She hugged him and rested her head on his chest, but she was looking out at those of us sitting around the table. "Seriously, guys, he hasn't spoken a word about marriage for the past year, even with Luke and everything. I was actually getting a little scared that I'd ruined my chances when I said no last year." She closed her eyes tight to clear them from tears. "My life is so much better for having you in it, Joel Perrin," she said, looking up at her new fiancé. "I can't wait to marry you."

  He smiled and bent his head to kiss her lips. Some of the girls at the table shed a few tears, and the remainder of the dinner was spent having a conversation about whether they should have a wedding in town, or just have it on some tropical island. Joel offered to fly us all to an exotic location so we could make a vacation out of it.

  ****

  By late afternoon, all the wedding talk died down a little bit, and we were just all doing our lazy Christmas thing. Some of the family went t
o see a movie, but I decided to hang back and eat some more of Gretchen's dad's fried turkey. (Yes, I was cheating, but just a little. The bird was already dead, right?)

  There was a football game on the big screen, and I was sitting at the bar talking to Rachel. Collin and Gretchen's brother Grant had been outside tossing the football with some of the kids. They both came inside a little flushed with the exertion.

  "Have you heard from Josh?" Collin asked, looking at me from across the bar.

  As far as I knew, Josh was at his parent's house in Lake Elsinore.

  "No," I said, "and he's in trouble because I texted him twice already to wish him a merry Christmas."

  "Yeah, he lost his phone," Collin said. He looked at me with a serious, almost regretful expression. "His mom just text me and a few of his other friends, just the ones of us whose number she had I guess—anyway Josh got in a fight last night and he got hurt." Collin noticed my horrified expression, and was quick to try to ease my mind. "He's fine, he's fine. He just got cut on his shoulder a little bit."

  "A cut on his shoulder?" I asked, incredulous. "Why isn't he texting me himself if he just got cut on his shoulder?"

  "I think it was a little bit of a stab wound, and like I said, his phone got compromised in the process."

  I gave him a pleading look. "Please tell me what happened, Collin. I feel sick right now."

  "That's all I know," he said, throwing his hands up. "It was just a mass text from his mom saying Josh lost all his phone numbers when his phone got destroyed in a fight. It said he was fine, but had to spend the better part of last night and some of the morning in an emergency room having a stab wound on his shoulder tended to, and was at home sleeping it off."

  Chapter 22

  Josh

  I had plans to spend the night with my parents on Christmas Eve. My mom wanted me at home on Christmas morning, and that was fine with me since I didn't like the idea of being alone. I might have just opted to stay in Los Angeles, but aside from a few guys at work, none of my friends were in town.