Veer (Clayton Falls)

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  “No, it’s okay. It’s a fair question. She broke it off when she realized my career was over.”

  Ouch. That was cold. In a knee jerk reaction, I reached across the table and grabbed his hand.

  He looked down at my hand on his like he was surprised. I started to pull mine away, when he wrapped his around mine. He glanced up and smiled. “Tough times tend to bring out people’s true natures.”

  “Yeah, that’s true. But I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how hard it would have been to have all of that happen at once.” I should have kept my mouth shut. He probably didn’t care what I had to say about it.

  “It wasn’t fun. But what about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “I told you about my dating past. What’s your story?”

  My chest tightened. I so wasn’t going there. “There’s nothing much to talk about.”

  “There has to be something. You must have dated. I doubt Ronny and I were the first two men to show an interest in you.”

  “I’ve been on dates, but nothing of consequence. You already know how nonexistent my sex life is—or was.” I took another sip of tea.

  He rubbed his thumb over my hand and just smiled at me for a second. “All right, I’ll buy it, but I still find it hard to believe. If I find some irate ex-boyfriend chasing me down, I’m going to be mad you didn’t warn me.”

  I tried to force a laugh. “No, no irate ex-boyfriends, I promise.”

  “Good.”

  Our food arrived, and Gavin dug in. I wasn’t positive what everything was, but I decided to be adventurous. I understood why Gavin liked the eel rolls: they were some of the best I’d had. My favorite had to be the Dragon Roll. It had enough spice to leave me reaching for my tea after each piece.

  “You do eat a lot.”

  “And you don’t eat enough. I hope you aren’t holding back on my account.”

  “Nope, I’ve had plenty.” I’d eaten more than I usually would. Contrary to how he usually made me feel, at that moment, I was comfortable with him.

  “Okay, good. I’ve figured it out.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “What your flaw is. You seemed too perfect. Beautiful, athletic, into watching sports, smart, funny—there had to be a catch. Now I found it.”

  “And what’s the catch? Aside from my accent of course.”

  He smiled. “You’re a health freak. But don’t worry. You won’t be when I’m done with you.”

  When he was done with me? I knew it was a saying, but it upset me somewhere in the pit of my stomach.

  “Are you okay? I was only joking.”

  I guess my reaction showed. “I’m fine.”

  “Okay, good.” We finished eating, and Gavin insisted on getting the check. I let him. I could tell he liked to do things traditionally. Maybe our hook up really was out of character for him.

  “You ready?” He accepted his credit card back from the server.

  “Sure. Thanks for lunch.”

  “Anytime.” He leaned across the table a little. “And I mean anytime.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled before pushing out my chair.

  We drove back to town chatting about baseball mostly until we were almost back at my house.

  “Are you doing anything fun tonight?” he asked.

  “I’m hanging out with Molly. I kind of owe it to her. I blew her off all week.”

  “You had every reason to. And that’s my fault. I really am sorry.”

  He hesitated with his hand on the gear shift. “Can we hang out next weekend? We can keep it simple. Maybe just coffee?”

  I had to think it over. I wasn’t sure if spending more time with him would be pushing it, but I’d survived lunch and even kind of enjoyed it. Surely I could handle coffee. “Okay.”

  He drove me the rest of the way home. “Have a good week, Becca.” He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

  “Thanks. You too.”

  I was a little surprised when he didn’t try anything else, but I knew it was for the best. “See ya, thanks for lunch.”

  “Oh wait, one question?” he asked as I opened the door.

  “Yeah?”

  “What’s your favorite kind of flower?”

  “Lilies, yellow lilies. Why?”

  “No reason. Bye.”

  “Bye.” I didn’t know what to think as I walked back inside, but I definitely had a smile on my face.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Becca

  My desk was completely covered in yellow lilies Monday morning. I had to move a few vases just to turn on my computer.

  “Do you know who they’re all from? I didn’t find a card.”

  I turned to see Matt in the doorway.

  “Would you have opened the card if you’d found one?”

  “No, of course not,” he said quickly.

  I wasn’t so sure. “I know who they’re from.”

  Matt stood waiting for me to tell him. He was out of luck. “I’m going to finish up that research you had me start last week.”

  “Okay…” he stammered.

  I bit back a smile before sitting down.

  It was impossible to have anything but a great day with so many beautiful flowers surrounding me. My usually bleak office felt cheerful. One should never underestimate the power of flowers—especially several dozen of them.

  I was still thinking about the flowers that night. I needed to thank Gavin, but I didn’t have his number. The irony that I didn’t have a number for the one guy I’d had sex with wasn’t lost on me as I texted Kelly for it—glad I didn’t have to bother Molly. She was at a show with Ben.

  My phone rang immediately. “Oh my god, you want to make up?”

  “Hey, Kelly. We already did, kind of, but I don’t have his number, and I need it.” I decided to leave out the reason.

  “I’ll text it to you when I hang up.” She sounded way too excited.

  I laughed. “Okay, I’m going to get off so I can call him.”

  “Sure, but you have to fill me in on all the details later.”

  “Okay, bye.”

  As promised, she texted me his number. Instead of calling, I went with a text message. Thanks for the flowers. I didn’t bother to tell him it was me. He’d figure it out.

  He wrote back immediately. What flowers?

  I laughed before replying. Fine, make sure to thank whatever guy did send them to me.

  I didn’t get a reply right away and assumed he wasn’t going to respond. I was just about to give up and put down my phone when I got a new text. He says “you’re welcome.”

  I smiled as I got ready for bed.

  ***

  I was still in a great mood Tuesday when Matt stopped by my office around lunch time.

  “Did you order sushi?”

  “What?”

  “This was just dropped off, and it’s got your name on it.”

  I took the plastic bag from him, knowing it would be from the sushi place Gavin had taken me to.

  “Thanks.”

  “Is this from the same person who got you all those flowers?”

  “What do you think?”

  “Whatever.” Matt walked out of the office.

  I sat down to enjoy my lunch. Gavin even remembered the seaweed salad. I decided to text him again. I’d thank you for lunch, but it wasn’t you, was it?

  I don’t know. Was it?

  Have a great day, Gavin.

  You too. Enjoy the sushi.

  I never said it was sushi.

  Lucky guess.

  ***

  Wednesday was a long day at work. I didn’t get home until close to seven, and I was ready to collapse. I was pleasantly surprised to find a gift bag right outside the pool house. I brought it inside, giddy as I sat down at the table to open it. A container of Godiva white chocolate hot cocoa, chocolate chip biscotti, and a DVD waited for me. I looked at the DVD and busted out laughing—it was Bull Durham. Once again, I texted Gavin.

  Nice movie c
hoice.

  Does it maybe remind you of someone?

  Nope. Should it?

  Not at all. By the way, that biscotti is hard to find. I had to go to four different stores.

  So you admit it’s from you?

  If you keep asking, I’m going to accuse you of actually having the angry ex you swore you didn’t have.

  Thanks for the treat and the movie.

  Enjoy!

  ***

  I thought Gavin was all played out until I heard a noise outside my door around eight o’clock Thursday night. By the time I opened the door, no one was there. I did find season four of the Gilmore Girls. It was the only season I didn’t have.

  Gilmore Girls? You were really digging, huh?

  I’ll even watch it with you, but I admit I’d have to watch the first three seasons first.

  I doubt it’s your kind of show.

  But you’re my kind of girl.

  Thanks for the DVDs.

  You can thank me in person on our coffee date tomorrow. Marney’s at 7:30.

  See you then.

  Good night, Becca.

  Good night.

  ***

  Friday night, I tried to push away the nerves that ate away at me. It was just coffee—nothing to get myself bent out of shape over. I parked my car right out front of Marney’s, still loving that I had it back. Molly’s car was a lot nicer than mine, but I preferred the comfort and style of my own.

  I showed up early, and as I’d hoped, Gail was there alone. “Hey, hon, are you finally ready for that talk?”

  “I definitely am.”

  She smiled. “I think this calls for some pie. What’s your favorite kind?”

  “Pecan. Definitely pecan.”

  “Want some coffee with that?”

  “That would be great.”

  I grabbed our coffees, and Gail carried two plates of pie to a table in the corner.

  “So tell me, how’s the summer going for you?

  I loved that she jumped right in. “It’s been interesting.”

  “A good interesting?”

  “Partly.” I took a bite of the pie. It melted in my mouth. “Wow, this is good.”

  “It’s even better with some vanilla ice cream, but I’m out.”

  “Thanks for the tip, but it’s perfect just the way it is.”

  “What’s made the summer interesting?” She took a bite of her peach pie. It looked delicious, but it couldn’t have been better than the pecan.

  “Mostly the people.”

  “Anyone I know?”

  “Don’t you know everyone in town?”

  She laughed. “You got me there.”

  “Well, I only have twenty minutes because I have another date.”

  “With Ronny?”

  “No, Gavin.”

  “Ohh. He’s a better choice for you.” She leaned forward on her elbows.

  “You think?”

  “Definitely. He’s new around here, but he’s the good kind.”

  “New? He’s been here three years.”

  “Honey, that’s new.”

  “What does that make me?”

  “Practically just born. But tell me, is this your first date with him?”

  “No. We’ve, uh, spent some time together in the past, and we had lunch last weekend.”

  “Time together? You can be honest with me, Becca. I’m guessing that means you slept with him.”

  I’m sure I turned deep red. Gail had to be at least seventy-five. “Yes.”

  “Well, it couldn’t have been that bad if you two keep seeing each other.”

  “No, it wasn’t. I’m just scared, you know? I don’t know what’s going on in his head at all.”

  “A little advice: you’ll never know what a man is thinking. That’s the fun part.”

  “The fun part? What’s the bad part?”

  “If he’s the right one for you, there won’t be any bad parts, just some bumps in the road.”

  “Bumps in the road.” That was one way of putting it.

  The jangle of the bell announced the arrival of customers. Gail excused herself, and I finished my pie.

  I brought my plate to the dish bin and had just sat back down when Gavin walked in.

  “Starting without me?”

  “Hey, sorry. I got here early.”

  “It’s fine. I’m going to get something.”

  “You don’t need to do that. Here you go.” Gail arrived with a cup of coffee for Gavin. “Your date’s been waiting long enough.” She winked at me before walking away.

  “See, that’s what I love about this town.” Gavin took a sip of his coffee.

  “Yeah, Gail’s pretty awesome.”

  “I didn’t really keep you waiting, did I? I thought I was early.”

  “You are. I was just even earlier.”

  “Dating another early bird might be pretty nice.”

  “Using that word again?”

  “We’re dating, Becca. Accept it.”

  I laughed. “Okay, I might one day.” I took another sip of coffee and then looked back over at him. “There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”

  “What is it?”

  “I think we should forget what happened—”

  “What? No way. I thought—I mean, you seemed—”

  I decided to put him out of his misery. “Forget what happened that morning. I didn’t mean we had to forget what happened that night.” My whole body got warm thinking about that.

  “Oh. Yeah, I like that idea.”

  “Me too.” I smiled.

  “So tell me, how was your week?”

  “My week? It was good, full of surprises.”

  “Yeah?” He stretched out his legs under the table, and they brushed against mine.

  “Some really good surprises.”

  “Good, you deserve good surprises.”

  I smiled. “You’re sweet.”

  “Sweet? I’ll take that. I’ll also accept thoughtful or amazing.”

  “What’d you have to bribe Molly with to get all the insider information?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Oh, you just happened to know my taste in cocoa or the one Gilmore Girls season I was missing.”

  “Okay, so I might have had some help.” He smiled sheepishly.

  “She’s a good friend.”

  “Yeah, she is. She just wants you happy.”

  “I know. And I love her for it.”

  We spent another hour talking before we decided to head out. I had plans with Molly I didn’t want to break.

  “I know you’re busy later tonight, but want to get together tomorrow?”

  I didn’t answer at first.

  “I’m going to take your lack of response as a yes.”

  “Hey, you can’t do that!” I argued.

  “Yes, I can. If you really had a problem with it, you would have told me. I know you have no trouble telling me what you’re thinking.” He grinned wickedly. “Be ready at nine tomorrow morning.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise, but wear a swim suit—preferably the one you were wearing when we played volleyball the other day.”

  “I didn’t think you’d noticed. You seemed more concerned with winning.”

  “Oh I noticed. I definitely noticed. Everyone noticed, and I wasn’t too happy about it.”

  “Let’s make a deal.”

  “What kind of deal?”

  “I’ll go if Molly and Ben can come too. I really need to spend more time with her.” I could already see where things might be heading with Gavin. Spending time together was one thing, letting anything happen again, at least anytime soon, was another altogether.

  “You’re hanging out with her tonight...”

  “So? That’s tonight.”

  “Fine. I accept your terms.”

  We were in front of my car when I got brave again. I leaned in toward him and whispered. “So were you being serious about the dre
ams, I mean about having them…?”

  “Yeah, I was being serious.” He picked up my hand and laced his fingers with mine. “Were you?”

  “I had one.”

  “So you’re still claiming it was just one?”

  “One really good one.”

  I reached for the door latch, but I felt his hand on my arm. “Before you go, tell me, Becca. Did the real thing live up to your dream?”

  “It surpassed it.” I got in the car before I could see his reaction. He really was bringing out a different side of me.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Becca

  “Hey, Mol, you home?” After knocking a few times, I tried the door and was surprised to find it opened.

  “I’m up here,” she yelled.

  I walked inside with a sinking feeling growing larger by the second. Something was going on—something was wrong.

  Molly sat cross legged on the light pink tiled floor of the master bathroom. She didn’t look up.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  I sat down next to her, finally realizing she held something in her hand.

  “Is that what I think it is?”

  “Yes.” She held out the piece of white plastic so I could see the two pink lines.

  “Wow, congratulations. I didn’t know you guys were trying to get pregnant.”

  “We weren’t.”

  I took a moment to formulate a response. This was one of those situations where you had to say the right thing. “Oh. Well, congratulations anyway.”

  “Ben’s going to freak out. I still can’t figure out how to tell him.”

  “Did you just find out?”

  “No. This is my third test.” She pulled out two more sticks from under the sink.

  “Seriously? You didn’t trust the first two?”

  She shrugged. “I wanted to be sure before I told Ben.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be happy.”

  “What if he’s not?”

  “Why wouldn’t he be? You guys are married, and he has a good job. What’s the problem?”

  “I’m not ready. What if he’s not either?”

  “What do you mean you aren’t ready?”

  “I haven’t even settled on a career yet. It’s too soon.”

  “Then how’d it happen?” I tried to keep the bitterness out of my voice, but this was a really sensitive subject for me.

  “I forgot a few pills last month.”