by Liz Lovelock
“We need a round of drinks, you know the usual and whatever the special is. Chloe here has had one hell of a rough day.”
He walks around the bar, coming towards me. His arm falls over my shoulders, then he leans down, giving me a kiss on the cheek. Talk about unexpected. At least it makes me smile “Alright, I’ll be right back with ya drinks.” A friendly smile from Trent meets my eyes. I swear, I’ve become a puddle of mush.
I lean into Janie. “Honestly, why can’t I find someone like Trent? Nice, charming, a hot Irish accent, and he has the looks to go with those attributes.”
She giggles, as do I. It’s amazing to share a happy moment.
“Because a man like that would be too hot to handle, especially with your track record.”
I roll my eyes at her response. “Oh, gee thanks,” I reply, sarcasm rolling off my tongue. Her words are a stab to the heart. Deep down I know she’s joking, but I guess she’s right … in a way. My relationships always happen to end badly. I’m terrible at picking men … obviously.
“You know I’m playin’ with ya.” She shoves me mischievously.
“Yeah, yeah.”
As we wait, I tell her about my parental issues. “I’m so sorry, Chloe, I hope you can find some closure.” She wraps me in her arms once again.
I look around and take in the bar; it’s rustic woodsy style is homey and welcoming. My thoughts wander to my dad. Is he my dad? Am I going to have to search for my real father? What am I going to do now? There are so many unanswered questions.
The walls around me are filled with pictures from Trent’s travels. I swear he’s been everywhere. There doesn’t seem to be a blank spot on his walls.
“Would you ever leave here?” The question randomly pops into my head seconds before I verbalise it.
She looks up to the pictures I’m gazing at. “I think sometimes a holiday is good. You thinking of leaving?”
Shrugging my shoulders, I respond, “It’s just a thought. I’d love to be able to leave, but I’ve got my family here.” Family … Where do I stand with my family? Am I angry? Yes. Am I hurting? Yes. Can I forgive Mum? Who knows? At this moment in time, no … it’s too much for me to deal with.
“Have you spoken to your mum or dad since you left?”
I shake my head. “Nah, I haven’t wanted to talk to anyone. Crystal has been calling, as well as Ryan.”
“Those two have some balls contacting you. Their apologies are nothing.”
“I don’t plan on talking to either of them any time soon.”
“Two shots and two beers on the house for my lovely ladies,” Trent announces, placing our drinks as well as two large burgers on the table.
“Thanks, Trent,” Janie and I say in unison.
Janie takes her shot, and raising it in front of her, she says, “To new beginnings.”
I raise my glass to hers and we down our shots. I then suck in a quick breath to take away the burn. It feels good.
A comfortable silence falls between us. I’m lost in my own little world, a world now housing many cracks. As I glance around, people-watching, something catches my eye.
It’s a picture on a wall. Something about this image captures me, like a lasso. It draws me in. I hop out of my seat and walk towards the framed photo.
“Where are you going?” Janie questions.
“To look at one of these pictures,” I reply.
She quickly hops up and follows. The picture is of a beach lookout. There’s an old wooden bench, and the photographer has taken the picture from behind the seat, looking out at the ocean. It’s a beautiful aqua blue colour.
It’s stunning. For some strange reason, the image sends a peacefulness through me. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Out of nowhere, a small voice calls my name. Chloe, a new beginning awaits.
“Did you say something?” I ask, turning to Janie who’s watching me closely, she shakes her head.
“Are you okay, ladies?”
I jump at the sound of Trent’s voice so close, not expecting him to be standing right beside me looking at what’s captured my eye.
With my hand clutching at my pounding chest, I reply, “Yeah, can you tell me about this photo?”
A smile spreads across his face while he ponders on the image. “This picture is one I won’t forget … This place was amazing. It holds a special place in my heart.” His hand rests over his own heart.
“Where is it?” I ask, hopeful. This place could be my chance for something different. Before he answers, I already know, no matter where it is, it’s where I’m going.
“It called Canyon Bay.”
I stayed at Janie’s last night. After lots of arguing, I finally gave in. My mind is set on leaving this morning. I don’t need anything. My bag is packed, and I have my money. I’m ready to go. Nothing’s holding me back.
“Are you sure about this?” Janie’s worried voice echoes though her apartment. She’s in the kitchen cooking us a fatty bacon and egg breakfast. The smell is divine and mouth-watering.
“Couldn’t be surer. I need a break; hopefully someday I’ll learn to trust again and be willing to love someone again. And from what Trent said last night, Canyon Bay sounds like the perfect place to begin.”
“It does sound perfect. Maybe a little too perfect, perhaps?” Here she goes again, trying to find a flaw in what could be the greatest place. Simply looking at the picture gave me a new tranquillity. And who knows, she could be right? I could arrive there and it may be another mistake, but I’m willing to give it a try.
“I’ll be alright,” I assure her, while I finish packing my toiletries and return to the living room. I’m leaving after breakfast.
“Make sure you let me know when you arrive and keep me updated. Are you going to tell your parents?”
Boom, there it is. The million-dollar question.
“I’ll message Dad, since I have no reason to be mad at him.” Well, not intentionally, anyway. He knew about the affair, but didn’t know about me until yesterday.
“Okay. Sounds like you have it all sorted. Breakfast is served.” She walks out with two steaming plates of food. My stomach grumbles in response.
I’m on the highway, heading north. With my window down, a cool breeze whisks through the car. A fresh sense of freedom washes over me.
A new beginning awaits, and I couldn’t be more excited. Dread still lurks in the back of my mind, but that picture spoke to me, so I believe everything will work out. I’ve always believed that events in someone’s life happen for a reason, and the mess which played out yesterday told me there are much better things waiting for me. Trent gave me a name and contact number for someone who can help me find a place to stay.
My phone dings alerting me to yet another message.
Dad: Thank you for contacting me. Please let us know you’re safe. If you need anything, just call.
Before I left, I sent a quick message to Dad telling him I was going away for a while. He knew not to push for details because I’d only shut him out if he did. Mum would just nag. It’s what she does.
Belting out songs from Adele, Ed Sheeran, and a few others, I release my frustration in the words. It feels amazing.
BANG!
“What the hell was that?” I scream, my chest racing.
My car swerves slightly to the left. Braking hard, I swing the steering wheel toward the side of the road. I stop as quickly as I can, landing myself in knee length grass.
Stepping out of the car, I walk around it, only to come face to face with something I’ve never dealt with before … a flat tyre. And that’s it. I lose my crap, big time.
“Are you kidding me?” I bend over screaming profanities at my stupid car. Heat floods my face. I’m sure it’s the colour of sunburnt skin.
My head tilts upwards and I’m staring directly at a crystal blue sky. Its bright colour and shining sun, taunting me. “After everything I’ve gone through, you’ve still got it in for me, huh?” I question the sky. “Why
me?” I sob. Tears fall, and they fall hard. My legs give way beneath me. I collapse to the ground, a blubbering mess. With my head in my hands, I allow the waterworks to pour freely. A much-needed emotional release.
“Are you alright, miss?” a warm, inviting deep voice enquires from the rear of the car. I didn’t even hear another vehicle pull up. Perfect!
“Yeah, just peachy. Can’t you tell?” I sigh, frustrated. Clearly, I’m not all right.
“I can help if you want.”
Looking up, my eyes fall on the most gorgeous face, short brown hair, and deep steel blue eyes. One could only imagine what I look like. Quickly, I swipe away the tears sitting on my cheeks.
“Sorry, it’s been one of those weeks. Are you gonna be my Captain America and save the damsel in distress?” I respond sarcastically. No matter how good-looking he is, I’m over men, or so I keep reminding myself. Thank you, Ryan and Chad. It is a challenge with this specimen standing before me, though.
He chuckles, and I catch a glimpse of a dimple in his cheek. Gosh, he’s delicious. My strength already waivers, those dimples … perfection. “I’ll be your Captain America … if you want? It’ll get you off the side of the road and hopefully stop you screaming at the world.”
My skin prickles with embarrassment. Oh goodness, I think I might crawl away and die of humiliation. “You saw my tiny outburst?”
“Yeah,” he responds, grinning. He looks down at me in my post-blubbery state. “I was behind you a way back and thought I could help.”
I sigh with relief. “Thanks. That would be great.”
He extends his hand to me, and I take it. Our fingers connect and the heat of his touch spreads through my veins, warming my soul. That was weird. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. A silence falls between us. Did he feel what I felt pass through our connection?
Needing to break the silence, I find my voice. “I’ve never changed a tyre before.” Once I say this I feel foolish. What person these days doesn’t know how to do this simple task? His lips curl up and the delicious dimple shows again. The beating of my heart is crazed as it pounds hard in my chest.
“Well, let Captain America here help you out with that.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Yeah, sorry about the name.”
“No, I like it. Makes me feel like a superhero.”
We both release a chuckle. We get the spare and jack from the boot.
“So, do you know anything about changing one of these?” He gestures towards the flat wheel on the passenger side of the car.
“Umm, that would be a no. I’ve never had one before—crazy, I know.”
“Alright, we need to loosen the nuts before we jack it up.” He hands me the tyre iron. I look at it as if it’s a foreign object. Well, technically it is to me.
Holding it out in front of me, I ask, “What am I meant to do with this?” I feel so stupid asking that. He grins. Oh, what a smile. I need a fan to cool the heat rising within me.
“Here.” Taking it from me, he then places it on one of the nuts on the wheel. I watch quietly, quite possibly drooling as his arms flex and loosen the nut. “Do you want to have a go?”
“Ha! No, I’ll watch my Captain America at work.” I playfully chew my nail. Another laugh from my helper.
“I’ve never seen you around these parts. What are you doing up this way?” he queries while he continues to work away.
“How do you know I’m not from here?” I question.
“Because I’ve lived around these parts for a while, and I’ve never have seen your pretty face before. I’d remember you.” My cheeks heat. He watches me, as if he’s waiting for me to say something.
“Ah … thanks.” I smile.
After a moment, he speaks. “So, you didn’t answer my question about why you’re up this way.”
What do I tell him? “Escaping life,” I sigh.
“Anywhere in particular?”
“A friend told me about a place near here, Canyon Bay.”
He stops what he’s doing, standing upright. Those blue eyes roam over my face, observing me, as though he’s waiting for me to say something else. “I know the place. Nice town. I go there sometimes, for work.” His face remains neutral, giving nothing away, but he’s holding back information. He turns his back to me and carries on with the job at hand.
After I help him wheel the spare tyre over, he manoeuvres it into place, puts the nuts back on, then releases the jack, lowering the car. He hands the tyre iron to me.
“Are you done?” I ask.
“Nope, you’re going to tighten the nuts.”
Well, seems easy enough to do. He moves aside, allowing me access. I step in, ready to take on the task. I take in the view of Captain America sweating, his shirt clinging to him. My stomach twists in multiple knots. Wow.
Shaking my head in an attempt to make my dirty thoughts disappear, I remember my job, and panic slightly. What if I do it wrong? “Are you going to double check this after I’m done?”
“Of course.” He nods.
Turning around, I bend over and place the tool over the bolt and begin tightening. I take a quick glance over my shoulder only to spy his eyes glued on me, taking in his own kind of view—my ass. “Are you right there?” I eye him with raised eyebrows.
“Yeah, just a little payment.” A playful smirk develops upon those possibly delicious lips.
Time passes, and I tighten the last bolt. Standing upright, I find he’s disappeared, his car still sits parked behind mine, but where is he? “Oi, where are you? You’re supposed to check this.” Panic rises within me. I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m not sure I entirely trust my own work and, what if my wheel falls off because I didn’t tighten them enough?
“Yeah, I’m here. Just putting your flat in the boot.”
“Oh, thank goodness. You had me worried.”
After thoroughly checking my work, there’s a semi-awkward silence.
“Thank you so much for your help. I’d probably still be sitting here, losing my mind at the universe all night, if you hadn’t turned up.” I giggle.
“Having a flat tyre doesn’t mean you should lose your mind at the universe … it’s just a tyre.” He shrugs.
“There’s been more than a flat tyre lately to cause me to go mad.”
Folding his arms across his chest, his gaze pierces mine. I place my hands firmly on my hips, waiting for his response.
“So, tell me why?” he pushes. Stepping back, I lean against my car, pondering his question. He comes and stands near me, his elbow resting on the roof of my car, his body facing me.
He seems like a nice guy, but I’m not sure how I feel about filling him in on my issues. Yeah, I have issues and I’m not afraid to admit it. “I’m not about to tell a stranger my life’s story.”
“Okay, well you better get that fixed when you get to Canyon Bay. Might see you around.” He gifts me one of his dimple smiles.
I swear I’ll die a happy girl if I could kiss those lips. Don’t even go there, Chloe. No more men, I repeat a thousand times. “Thanks, and yeah, I might see you there. I appreciate your help today.”
“Anything for a damsel in distress.” He gives me a sexy wink before turning towards his car.
I will not fall for this man. I will not fall for this man. This chant continually plays through my mind. It would only result in another heartbreak, and I don’t think I could handle it again.
He drives off in his Ford ute, giving me a wave as he goes. I expel a large breath from my lungs. This situation could have been so much worse, if it wasn’t for him.
“Damn, I didn’t get his name,” I mutter, frustrated with myself. Climbing back into the car, the tunes blasting, I’m back on the road again.
Taylor Swift is my girl; her breakup songs speak to me. Belting out “Wildest Dreams” has me dreaming of a man like Scott Eastwood. Oh, yes please …
I’m brought back to the present when I pass the ‘Welcome to Canyon Bay’ sign. It�
�s three in the afternoon. The salty sea air blowing through my open window, fills my lungs. I wish it could cleanse my broken soul. Yes, it’s broken. How does one repair a broken soul? Hopefully, Trent’s highly recommended holiday destination lives up to its reputation. I hope someday I’ll be happy again.
Driving over a small hill, my eyes fall on the most beautiful scenery. The dark blue ocean glistens. The water is littered with people enjoying themselves, as is the shoreline. It’s so divine and peaceful. Seagulls squawking loudly, it makes me think they are probably squabbling over some discarded food by the noise floating through the car … it reminds me of the movie ‘Finding Nemo’ and those birds calling, mine! This place is something out of a movie. I can see the bustling tourists in the main street across from the beach front. It’s a stunning welcome to this quaint little town.
Unsure of where I’ve got to go, I make a quick stop at the next petrol station I find. Frantically, I dig through my bag searching for the piece of paper Trent gave me. The name ‘Sherri’ is scrawled in Trent’s handwriting on the note along with her number. Pulling out my phone, I dial. For some strange reason, I’m always nervous about calling someone I don’t know, but Trent assured me he would contact her before my arrival to let her know to expect my call.
As soon as it rings, she answers.
“Hello?” a sweet, elderly voice comes through the line.
“Hey Sherri, I’m Chloe. My friend Trent gave me your number to contact you about renting a place.”
“Ah, yes dear. He called this morning to let me know you were coming. I do have a cottage available for rental at the moment.”
Sagging with relief at knowing there’s something available, I continue, “Sounds perfect. Thank you.”
She gives me the address, then I type it into my phone’s navigation app. In minutes, I’m back on the road again, following the robotic voice.
After another half hour of driving, I pull up outside a beautiful pale yellow and white wooden cottage. If it looks this quaint on the outside, I can only image what inside will look like. I scan the rest of the area; it’s situated on its own, and right on the beachfront. It completely steals my breath. Sherri’s place appears to be the perfect spot to rejuvenate.
