Pitchfork in the Road

by M. J. Schiller

  I sat alone at a table, nervously drumming my fingers.

  Zack approached from behind me. With one hand on the back of my chair, he bent in. “You are absolutely beautiful.”

  Heat flushed my face. I wore a new dress, black, with silver embellishments tapering down to the waist, which was also circled by silver. The skirt was a soft, black tulle which flared. I couldn’t look away from his face. He raised his gaze and straightened slowly. I spun around to find Nick returning with our drinks. He slid his gaze away from Zack, to me, with a question in his eyes. I may have forgotten to mention Zack worked at the school and would probably be there. It was stupid for me to think this wouldn’t be a problem.

  Zack bowed his head a little. “Nick.”

  Nick blinked, then finally found his voice. “Zack.”

  Zack’s gaze shifted to me. He moved his mouth like he wanted to say something, then stilled briefly before spinning on his heel, and walking away. His name was on my lips to call him back, but I didn’t speak. My heart swayed as if to follow him, but I just sat there. Meanwhile, Nick downed my champagne and was halfway through his. I stared at him.

  “Oh, sorry, I’ll get you some more.” And he was gone, leaving me at the table by myself once again.

  While I sat lost in thought, Mimi swept up from somewhere in a dress that was a confusion of bright colors. Our kindergarteners would have loved it. “That had to be awkward.”

  I exhaled. “You scared me.”

  “So….” She took Nick’s seat and eyed Zack, who had found a stool at the bar in the back of the room. “…who won the hunk-off?”

  I laughed. “No one.” I cast my eyes Zack’s way, too. He looked miserable. “No one wins with us,” I added under my breath.

  “Mimi, right?” Nick asked.

  I turned at the sound of his voice.

  “Yes. How are you, Nick?”

  He studied me as if I had the answer. “Not bad. You?”

  “Happy as a cat in a hen house, thank you.” She rose.

  “Don’t leave on my account.”

  “Oh. I need a drink. Thanks.” As she passed me she whispered. “I’ll console Bachelor Number Two, Mr. Studly Gym Teacher. Wish me luck.”

  I had to chuckle. She kept me sane at times with her insanity.

  “Something funny?” Nick asked with an edge.

  I swallowed my smile. “No. She’s just…crazy.”

  He snorted and turned away. It had been awkward between us since he’d picked me up at the condo and the rest of the night didn’t seem promising either.

  I kept sneaking looks at Zack and Mimi. Her cleavage became progressively deeper as the night wore on and I was afraid she’d have no hair left on her head if she kept flipping it. The ceremony began, and she returned to her table, her smile a shade dimmer. Zack remained where he was, twirling a half-empty tumbler around, hunched over with his forearms on the bar.

  After a bit, I tuned the speakers out. Watching Zack reminded me of how awkward I was at the ball last year, when I’d come alone. And that reminded me there would be dancing. That would take the awkwardness with Nick and Zack to a whole new level. I fretted over how to handle this and considered asking Nick to take me home. I’d made my appearance. Surely that would be enough to satisfy the principal.

  “Zoe!”

  I spun my head to refocus on Nick.

  “Pay attention. They said your name.”

  I lifted my gaze to the stage, catching the speaker in the middle of their presentation.

  “The nomination speaks, in part, of Ms. McCord picking up on the fact that one of her students had a hearing problem. She worked with the student’s father to obtain expert help, coming into school after hours to accommodate the father’s schedule. Once the student was fitted with the hearing aid, she worked tirelessly not only to help the student get used to the aid, but also to catch him up on what he’d been missing in class prior to the hearing loss being diagnosed.”

  Ryker?

  The principal caught my eye. “Zoe, will you please come up here?”

  I stared at Nick. He smiled and nodded, whispering, “Go on.”

  “So let’s hear it for the first award nomination of the year for Columbian’s Teacher of the Year, Ms. Zoe McCord.”

  People clapped, and I’m pretty sure Mimi whistled and yelled, “That’s my girl!” I snuck a peek at Zack. He was on his feet, smiling, and applauding enthusiastically.

  I rose slowly from my seat and headed over to the podium, accepting congratulations and praise along the way from my colleagues.

  Whoa. A candidate for Columbian’s Teacher of the Year.

  It was quite an honor and came with a nice reward package. Not that I had any chance of winning, but it still felt good to be recognized in a field where praise was scarce.

  “Mr. Adams, would you join us, too, please?”

  Nick? Why did she call—?

  Oh, shit. The dance.

  The principal made a big deal each year of honoring somebody with the first dance of the evening. I had a feeling she would pick—

  “Zoe and Nick will have the privilege of starting us off with the first dance of the evening,” she said into the microphone. Then she covered it. “I’ll keep your certificate for you right here, Zoe. Congratulations.”

  Before I could even get my thank you out, the band started playing. I looked at Nick. He was all smiles. Okay, at least he was kosher with it. I wasn’t so hot on dancing in front of a whole room of people, the center of attention, but really, what could I do? Nick took my hand, wrapping his other arm behind me and beginning to sway to the music.

  He beamed down at me. “I’m so proud of you. Congratulations. This is awesome.”

  I gave him a weak smile. “Thanks.” I glanced around at the people at the tables, hoping they’d be conversing and not watching us, but most of them had their eyes on the dance floor. “I don’t like being the center of attention,” I murmured.

  “I know you don’t. I can tell by the blush in your cheeks.”

  People took the dance floor around us.

  Thank. God.

  I peered at him. It seemed his mood took an abrupt swing. Was it the alcohol? Or was he really that thrilled for me? I never knew what was true with him.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Nothing.” I smiled. “I just wondered about your change in behavior from earlier this evening. Are you getting buzzed?”

  Maybe I need to drive home. Then again, driving one of his fancy cars would make me a nervous wreck.

  He laughed. “No, I’m not buzzed. I’m just…proud of you, that’s all.”

  My smile grew wider. “That’s sweet.”

  “Zoe, I really want to make this work with us.”

  Over his shoulder, Mimi hit the dance floor with someone I didn’t recognize. She shot me a huge smile and waved. I took my hand from his shoulder to wave back, and the next thing I knew his lips were pressed against mine. I jerked back.

  He bowed his head. “You don’t want me to kiss you?”

  “It’s just…these are my colleagues. I need to be professional.”

  But I knew it wasn’t that. I just didn’t…feel that way, for Nick, anymore. Whatever it was, it was gone. As we spun and couples danced out of my line of vision, I saw Zack all the way across the room. He was on his feet in front of his stool at the bar, frozen, staring at us. In a rolling wave my muscles tensed from the top down. He stirred, lifted his tumbler to his lips and drank it down before setting it back on the bar. He stepped away from his stool and stood square to us for one last look before turning on his heel and striding away.

  “Nick. I don’t feel good.”

  “It’s nerves, Zoe. You’ll be fine.”

  The dismissive way he said it grated on me. I removed my hands from his shoulders and stepped back, out of his embrace. “I said, I don’t feel good.” I stormed off, tears in my eyes.

  I wasn’t lying. My heart whirred like a high-speed drill, the pulse of
its beats tripping through my bloodstream, making me dizzy. My expensive meal pressed up into my throat, my stomach surging like a stormy sea. I could hardly see where I was going, and I bumped into the art teacher and his wife.

  “Excuse me.”

  I rushed toward our table but didn’t stop. Nick’s voice became fainter behind me.

  “Zoe. Wait.”

  Weaving through the tables, I crossed an arm over my chest, my hand pressed below my throat, trying to both keep the bile from rising, and provide a barrier for my heart, that was trying to beat its way out of my chest.

  “Zoe!”

  I crossed over the threshold into the next room, lifting my gaze to search for Zack, blinking back tears. A group of men stopped their conversation as I approached, staring at me. I rushed past them. I spotted a light to the far left, a corridor to the restrooms, and charged toward it. He was at the end of the hall, an exit door feet away.

  “Zack!”

  He stopped and turned. I ran to him, as best as I could in my dress and heels. I slowed as I got close, but didn’t stop until I was almost in his arms. So close to him, I stood spellbound. I gasped for breath and struggled not to sob. His brow furrowed, and he put a hand on my left bicep.

  I shook my head, and when I had enough air to speak, said, “I’m…sorry. I didn’t know about the dance.”

  He glanced off to the side. “It’s okay.”

  The defeat in his voice tipped the scales and tears began to fall.

  He lifted his chin and, seeing my face, brought his other hand up to grasp my right arm. He moved the hand on my bicep up to cradle my face. “It’s okay, Zo.” His thumb wiped away a tear and I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I pressed my face into his palm and my whole body sighed, relaxing in his nearness.

  “Zoe?”

  Zack slowly removed his hand. My eyes flickered open. He was staring at the other end of the hall, his jaw tight.

  Why now?

  I twisted. “Nick. Can we have a minute? I’ll be right there. I promise.”

  He hesitated, then nodded and left.

  “Zack, I’m sorry, I—”

  “It doesn’t matter,” he said, bitterness coating his words. He threw a hand up. “Nick drives a Jag. I can’t compete with that. He took you to New York for a damn play.”

  How did he know that? “It’s not a freaking competition.”

  His eyes flashed. “Really? Cause that’s what it feels like to me. It feels like you’re pitting me against Nick.”

  “I—” I stopped and regathered myself. “When has it ever been about the money with me, Zack?”

  He paced off in a circle. His hands on his hips, ignoring my question. “I mean. He’s got his hands on you, right in front of me. How’s that supposed to make me feel, Zoe?”

  I blinked. What could I say? “I never wanted this, Zack.”

  He rubbed his temples. “You in that damned dress, in another man’s arms, while I’m sitting there, alone at the bar.”

  The reference to Nick and I on the dance floor stirred up images of Zack with Maria wrapped around his body. Fury came like a thunderbolt. “Maybe you should have asked Maria Alvarez to come with you.” I whirled around, intending to walk away from him, but he grabbed me and spun me in his arms.

  “I’d never ask Maria. Because Maria means nothing to me. I’ve never felt for any woman the way I feel for you.”

  And before I knew it, he engulfed me in his arms and his lips covered mine in this kiss—this incredible kiss—that resonated from head to toe. Nick’s—no one’s—kiss could make me feel the way Zack’s did. Because this wasn’t only a physical thing. Only lips meeting lips and nerve endings stimulated. The physical twined with the emotions he stirred in me. He, and he alone, claimed me totally, my heart, my mind, my very essence.

  He broke apart and stared at me, as if surprised by the kiss himself. Then we moved together as one, our lips communicating better than our words could, at the moment.

  “Zoe,” he said, breathing heavily. His eyes flicked to the end of the hall and back to my face. “I want to—”

  “Meet me at my place. We need to talk.”

  He nodded.

  I stepped back, sliding my hand down to his until it was all that connected us. I stood at the end of our fingertips for a moment. His mouth hung open, his eyes filled with such longing, it pierced me. I turned, and hurried away.

  Zack

  I didn’t expect him to be at the gala. I don’t know why. But it was a school function, and school was the one place Zoe belonged to me. Even if from a distance. It had gotten to be where I searched her out in every assembly, every crowded hallway, every meeting. And, whether we talked or not, a glimpse of her made my day.

  I’d been patiently waiting for her to come around. To see I was serious about wanting her back. That I’d do anything to prove it to her.

  Earlier in the evening, I’d gone home to get ready for the gala. I got my mail, as usual. A large manila envelope was crammed in my slot, with no return address. Curious, I’d began opening it as I climbed the stairs to my apartment. I pulled out pictures of Zoe and was floored. A note was clipped to them.

  ZACK- I RAN INTO YOUR MOTHER DOWNTOWN. SHE’S ALWAYS BEEN SO NICE TO ME. SHE TOLD ME YOU MOVED TO DENVER. THAT YOU HOPED TO WIN ZOE BACK.

  SOMETIMES, WELL SOMETIMES I’M NOT SURE WHY I DO THE THINGS I DO. I WAS WRONG TO USE YOU THE WAY I DID. I WAS WRONG TO HURT ZOE.

  THESE ARE THE ONLY COPIES OF THE PICTURES THAT ARE LEFT, I PROMISE. YOU GUYS ARE FREE NOW. I HOPE THIS WILL HELP TO REUNITE YOU.

  It wasn’t signed, but it didn’t need to be.

  Maria did the right thing. Eight years late, maybe, but at least I had the proof I needed to support my story and show Zoe I never stopped loving her.

  Tonight. Tonight would be the night. I was filled with such hope as I got ready for the gala. Then, there she was, alone at a table.

  At least I thought she was.

  Nick showed up, blowing my hope to smithereens.

  I retreated to the bar to lick my wounds. That Mimi came over. She was cute enough, and funny. I knew she’d be a blast.

  And that was all she’d be.

  Nick and Zoe were dancing, which caused me to bristle from the base of my spine up, and out to the ends of my hair. I was a fool to think I could make up for eight years of damage.

  But she came after me, we kissed, and it was like no time had passed. Like we were back under that green canvas at the top of her swing set, wrapped up in each other despite the fact that her dad was half a yard away and as overprotective as they came. What we had was so organic, so natural, and it blossomed into something more beautiful with each passing day.

  And it still lay in her kiss. That magic that was Zoe McCord. My heart shook with need for her. I wanted her back in my life. I needed her back in my life. I needed her to make me whole.

  I sat outside her condo, with Maria’s envelope stuffed in my tux pocket, watching as Nick dropped her off. She knew I was there, somehow, and as Nick drove away, she gestured for me to follow her in.

  Chapter 18

  Zack

  She didn’t speak, so neither did I. But in the elevator, I took her hand and held it until the door opened on her floor. As we approached her door, country music boomed from the adjacent condo. I looked at her and she shrugged, grinning.

  “He thinks he’s a cowboy.”

  “Ahh.” I nodded. It seemed a lot of people in Denver liked to fancy themselves as characters in westerns.

  She worked her key into the lock on her door, commenting about the music under her breath, “How did you get ‘stronger’ Kelly Clarkson? Do you have a gym membership? Is it Pilates?”

  Unconsciously I responded, “Perhaps it’s performance enhancing drugs?”

  Her eyes lit up. “You know. You’re right, it could be steroids.”

  “Or, maybe she’s been hanging with Sara Evans?”

  Even though it wasn’t rock music, Zoe knew exactly
what I meant. “Apparently her routine isn’t as rigorous as she’s only getting ‘a little bit stronger.’”

  We laughed as we entered her place. “Oh, man. Your Aunt Sam would skin us alive if she heard us quoting country music. Clearly we’ve been living in Colorado too long.”

  We were standing close to each other and I naturally reached out for her. She backed up.

  “We need to talk,” she said, her voice shaky. “But, let me get us something to drink first. What would you like?”

  It was important I get this right. I wanted my head to be clear. “Water, please.”

  She nodded and waved her hand in the direction of the living room. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.”

  I crossed to the couch, exhaled, and sat, taking a gander at her place. I didn’t have much of an opportunity to check it out before. Okay, maybe there was opportunity, but I only had eyes for her at the time. The decor was simple. Like her. No fuss over belongings, for the most part. But the things she treasured, the value of those things was beyond measure. It made her easy to read.

  I picked a picture frame up from off a side table. Her folks, Scotty, Tabby, and Myles. Next to it was a smaller frame with a wedding picture of her Aunt Sam and Uncle Kyle. The people who meant the most to her.

  I wasn’t there.

  She came in with what appeared to be two glasses of ice water. Was she trying to keep her thoughts clear, too? I put the frame down as she sat beside me. Now we were together, and there was finally an opportunity to clear the air between us, we both seemed hesitant to begin. Or didn’t know where to begin.