True

by Grace, Gwendolyn

  "Well, somehow Joey was able to score two tickets. Probably from one of the stupid bitches he's fucking." She reached into the front of her bra and pulled out two concert tickets. "Guess where we're going tonight?" She squealed while waving them at me.

  "You stole his tickets? Just now? That's so cold, even for you, Dee."

  "Oh, well. Fuck him." She shrugged dismissively. "Wanna go or not?" I only considered her question for about a half-second before I nodded excitedly.

  "Hell yeah. Let's go!"

  DeeDee peeled out of the apartment parking lot, and we drove forty minutes to the concert. It was being held outside the city on farmland that had been converted into a place for events like this. We found a place to park, and made our way through the crowds to find out which stages our favorite bands were playing. It was late May, and the weather was hot even at night. Body heat from the crowd made the night seem even warmer.

  After bopping up and down and singing at the top of our lungs for a while. DeeDee and I made another stop at the beer stand. We were faintly aware of a couple arguing behind us.

  "Screw you! What do you care anyway?"

  "Erica!" I heard someone call behind me. "I'm serious. If you take off, I'm not coming after you."

  Just as I was turning around with a plastic cup full of light beer, my arm was bumped by a girl rushing off with a huff. Before I could steady myself, a strong hand reached around my waist while another hand clasped my wrist to hold the drink steady.

  "Oh, I'm sorry." I said instantly and found myself looking into a familiar pair of golden brown eyes. Alex.

  He looked good.

  I mean really good.

  He was wearing a pair of dark jeans that hung perfectly on his hips, and his black concert t-shirt was from one of my favorite bands playing tonight, Star 33.

  "Hey! Courtney!" He said with surprise.

  Holy crap! He knows my name! Be cool, Court.

  "Uh. Hi, Alex." I replied cheerfully. A little too cheerfully, in my opinion, since to my ears it sounded more like a fake chipper cheerleader voice. God. I forced myself not to cringe in embarrassment. That was when I realized that his hand was still around my waist, and I was only inches from touching his chest with mine.

  "Alex?" DeeDee purred from behind me. "I thought that was you. Wow, you look good in regular clothes. Well, you look good in your work clothes, too, but I really like how…" I stepped on her foot to stop her drunken rambling.

  "So, you like Star 33?" I pointed to the familiar band logo stretched across his wide chest.

  "Yeah." He glanced down at his shirt and then back at me. "I love their sound. They used to play at a place near school. My buddies and I never missed a concert."

  "Nice! They're one of my favorite bands. Some of their songs remind me of The Cure."

  "Plus, the lead singer, David, is hot!" DeeDee chimed in.

  We talked for a few minutes while he got back in line for beer. Soon Dee and I were tagging along with Alex and his friends. By the time Star 33 came on stage, we were having so much fun dancing and joking that I tried not to notice Alex's tiny excuses to touch me. The way his hand landed on the small of my back to guide me through the crowd or when his beer was empty, and he reached for my hand still holding my cup and lifted it to his mouth to drink. How he threw his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to him as we looked at each other and sang song lyrics in unison. I felt so relaxed with him, like I'd known him for years. Nothing felt awkward between us. Sometime later I looked around me to see that DeeDee was in a heavy lip lock with Alex's friend, Cole. We nudged each other and pointed to our friends before snickering together. I smiled and shrugged because I knew she could use some fun. She wasted no time in her forget-all-about-Joey plan.

  When the concert was over, we all walked together to the parking lot. Alex was holding my hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

  When we finally made it to DeeDee's car, we stood there trying to advert our eyes while she and Cole were making out some more by the driver's side door. Alex pulled me to the trunk of the car. He lowered his head and his voice just a bit while looking down at me.

  "I had fun tonight, Court." The way he said my name sent butterflies all through my body, not just my stomach. I also loved that he picked up on calling me Court and how it sounded rolling off his tongue.

  "Yeah, it was awesome." I nodded, not sure what else to say that wouldn't ruin the moment. He looked at me a little longer as if deciding what to do next. Then he let out a breath as if he'd made up his mind.

  "Do you want to…uh… go out… with me…tomorrow night?" He finally managed.

  I blinked up at him for a few seconds, trying to process the fact that this gorgeous guy with black curls tumbling over his forehead and suck-able bottom lip just asked me, Courtney Collins, on a date.

  Hell yeah.

  "Sure. I would love to." The answer came out with much more calmness than I felt. My heart was pounding wildly, and I worried that he could see my chest vibrating.

  "Cool." He replied with something that sounded like relief. His smile was so breathtaking that my eyes moved to his mouth automatically until his face started getting closer and closer. I'm not sure who moved first but suddenly our lips were colliding. The kiss was sweet and hot at the same time. His soft lips brushed mine, once then twice before he lightly sucked my bottom lip causing a soft gasp to escape my throat. My momentary surprise gave him the access he needed to glide his tongue into mine. He moved me until my backside rested against the car. With one hand on the trunk, the other curved lightly around the back of my neck as he deepened the kiss.

  I'd always heard people refer to kisses as toe-curling but until that moment, I'd never experienced it. I fought the urge to wrap one leg around his hip, so instead I threw one arm around his shoulder and the other around his waist. I was shocked that I could feel his erection through his jeans, and I rubbed myself against the bulge, shamelessly. The movement caused us both to moan softly into each other's mouths until Alex pulled away, his panting breaths mirroring my own.

  "Damn." He whispered as he rested his forehead against mine. Loud honking broke us out of our lusty bubble.

  "Come on, Alex. We're leaving!" One of his friends shouted from a car nearby.

  "Alright." He called back. "Give me your number, Court, and I'll call you tomorrow to get directions on where to pick you up. Is seven o'clock okay?" I nodded and pulled a pen out of my purse and wrote my number on the back of his hand. He smiled that dimpled smile and gave me one last delicious peck on the lips before backing away and getting into the passenger seat of a Jeep.

  Suddenly that old clichéd saying; "When you know, you know." made perfect sense, because that night I knew deep in my soul that Alex was meant for me.

  Chapter Three

  Present.

  The sound of the doorbell jolts me awake. For a second, I don’t move thinking Alex will answer the door but I remember that he’s been in Pennsylvania for two days. I glance over at the bedside clock.

  9:30 am. Shit!

  I can’t believe the girls and I have slept this late. I jump out of bed, then quickly peek in on my daughters who are still sleeping and make my way downstairs to the door.

  The bell chimes a third time followed by sharp knocking. I pull aside the curtain in the living room to see the familiar silver minivan parked in my driveway.

  “Well, good morning Dee.” I swing open the front door with fake enthusiasm.

  “Nice of you to finally answer.” Dee eyes me suspiciously before brushing past with baby Luke on her hip, followed by four-year-old Jack, seven-year-old Tucker and nine-year-old Colton.

  Yeah, so obviously DeeDee and Cole hit it off right away, too.

  A year after we all met at the Dreamfest concert, Dee and Cole were married and pregnant with Colton. They’ve been pretty vocal about wanting to have a large family from the very beginning. DeeDee turned out to be a great mom with the patience of a saint. She stays hom
e full time with them and doesn’t seem to mind chaos.

  Dee never spoke to Joey again. Last we heard he finished school and moved down to South Beach. From what we can tell by his Facebook page, he’s into men now. Which in retrospect makes sense considering how they both went through a Jack and Rose phase together. Joey was always completely on board with reenacting scenes from the Titanic with Dee and game for singing Grease duets at karaoke. Yeah, I totally get it now.

  “Were you still asleep, Court!” This was not a question from her but an accusation. Dee plops baby Luke on the living room floor. “Where are the girls?” She reaches into her large purse that also doubles as a diaper bag and proceeds to change him.

  “I was just about to wake them up. We had a late night that involved a princess movie marathon.”

  “Aunt Court, can we wake dem up?” Jack asks. I nod, and the faces of all three boys immediately light up with mischief before they are charging up the stairs. Soon there is squealing and laughter followed by jumping and excited chatter. The kids love seeing each other, but since DeeDee and Cole live in the next town over it makes visits harder to coordinate.

  Speaking of visits.

  “So what’s up, Dee? I’m sorry. My mind has been so scattered with Jordyn being sick and trying to work from home the past few days. Did we have plans?”

  “No, I sent you a text about an hour ago. I guess you never got it.” She finishes up changing Luke and walks to the kitchen to throw out the diaper. “Cole was supposed to take care of the boys while I go get stuff for the retirement party this afternoon, except, he went to referee a soccer game instead. He says he forgot that he committed to doing it, but I’m not sure I believe him.” I heard the clattering of cabinets and the closing of doors. “Anyway, he’s usually not much help, he’ll just call me every five minutes to either ask where something is or find out what time I’ll be home to relieve him of his duties.” I smirk to myself because it’s true. While Cole is a great dad, he’s not able to handle being home alone with all four boys for long.

  “I wanted to go to a couple of shops over here anyway. Do you and the girls want to come with?” She steps out of the kitchen nibbling on one of the blueberry muffins I made yesterday. “Hey, I started some coffee.” She mumbles with her mouth full.

  “Um, thanks. Dee, isn’t it going to be hard to shop with six kids, though?” I ask, not at all thrilled by the thought of going around town with six energetic kids in tow, and yet wanting to avoid a possible offer to keep them all here while she goes off on her own.

  “Nah, I don’t have much to do plus I want to hang with my best friend. I’ve got a coupon for that ice cream place the kids love. We’ll use that as their reward for good behavior.” Her expression is so bright that I can't refuse her.

  “Fine.” I hear myself agreeing.

  “Now, go and get ready!” She shoos me off while holding down a piece of muffin to Luke, who has wobbled over to have a bite.

  *****

  After spending a few hours picking up decorations, a large cake and various food trays we make a quick stop at the ice cream place as promised. The kids were fairly well behaved. Luke only had one meltdown at the party supply store over balloons, and we lost Jack and Jordyn just twice in Target as opposed to the four or five times they tend to take off, usually in opposite directions. Dee and I also picked up a bottle of wine as our reward for later.

  By two in the afternoon, we were setting up for the party in Dee and Cole’s enormous back yard. Their once modest sized house is now showing off all of its expanded features to include a huge back deck and built in climate-controlled sunroom. Just one of the many perks of being an architect with access to the best contractors in town. People were starting to arrive and our guest of honor, Sam, Cole’s dad, was among them. He started the business twenty-five years ago and felt it was time to retire. Cole has been primarily running things for a while and doing an amazing job. He also recommended me to his father right after college, and since then I've been working as an accountant for his small architectural firm, E & Company.

  Cole was manning two grills and preparing to cook the burgers. Justin Rich, one of the firm’s contractors, was entertaining the kids with an all-out water gun fight.

  “Do you see Justin over there?” Dee whispers from across the picnic table where she is stacking plates and cups. She looks around before mouthing, “Body be bangin'.” and then grins at me.

  I giggle and nod quickly in agreement. Dee and I have developed a slight obsession with Justin, who Cole recently brought in to help with a project.

  “God, he looks so young. He can’t be more than twenty-five.” I whisper back.

  “No, he’s our age. Mid thirties.” Dee says confidently.

  “There is no way.”

  “Why not? Do we look old or something?”

  I decide not to verbally answer and opt for a neutral shrug. The last time we talked about aging Dee ending up convincing me to go and get a tattoo with her. She’s liable to suggest nipple piercing next. I feel myself shudder at the thought.

  I look over at Justin again who is fighting off the attack of at least six water guns with Olivia’s help. Leave it to my daughter to help out the underdog. She has such a good heart, like her daddy. Speaking of Alex, I pull out my phone to see if he’s called me. Nothing.

  No missed calls or texts. Sadly, I am not surprised.

  He hasn’t called at all since he left on Tuesday. He’s sent a couple of texts to let me know that he landed and to check on the girls but nothing more than that. He always claims to be so busy that he never has very much time to talk on the phone or that he's in the presence of his employees so personal conversations are difficult. Disappointed, I start to put my phone back into my pocket. I'm about to change my mind and give Alex another ring when a voice calls out, “Hey, Mrs. Easton.” Justin speaks, directing his gaze at DeeDee. “You got a towel I can use. I got my you-know-what-handed to me by the kids just now.” He gestures behind him with a thumb.

  “Do you give up?” Colton runs over and yells at Justin.

  “Yes, Yes. I'm out, dude.” Justin replies throwing is hands up in the universal sign of surrender.

  “That’s enough, Colt. Go back over and play with the other kids now.” DeeDee tells her son before turning back to Justin. “And you better quit calling me Mrs. Easton. That’s my mother-in-law. Call me DeeDee. I’ll be back with a towel.” She flashes her best hostess smile, but I don’t miss the quick once over her eyes give him before she goes into the house.

  I can’t blame her. It's difficult to not appreciate the way Justin's soaked shirt is clinging to his hard chest and defined abs. Or the way droplets of water are rolling down his arms and over the intricate tattoos running down his muscular biceps and forearms. I feel a sudden urge to stick out my tongue and catch each drop.

  Whoa! Do what?

  “Nice to see you, Courtney.” Justin smiles, looking completely oblivious to the eye fucking he just received from me.

  “Oh, you mean when I’m not bugging you for time sheets and expense reports?” I chuckle, and work to clear my head of my inappropriate thoughts.

  “Definitely.” He grins in agreement before changing the topic. “So did you bring the family?”

  “Well, just the kids. My husband is out of town on business.” He nods as if he’s considering my words.

  “Are those your two girls?” He points over to Liv and Jordyn sitting side by side on the swing set.

  “Yeah, how’d you know?” I ask amused because there are a lot of kids here.

  “It’s obvious. Their beautiful just like their mother.” His answer takes me by surprise.

  Before I can say anything in response, DeeDee exits through the sliding glass door and chirps, “Here you go, Justin. Did you need another shirt? I can see if Cole has anything you can wear.” I think to myself that it might be difficult to find anything since Justin’s build is bulkier than Cole’s lean one.

  “Nah, I’ve
got another one in the truck. I’ll be back. Thanks for the towel, Mrs er…DeeDee.” He smiles at us again before leaving through the side fence.

  I consider telling Dee about the “beautiful” comment but think better of it when I notice that Dee has clearly put on more makeup and another spritz of perfume. Dee’s beauty makes her an attention getter but it also means that she is an attention seeker. She’s always been a pretty girl with a fun personality, but having four kids can kick a dent in anyone’s confidence. I certainly know the feeling. It's nice to be found attractive by someone other than your husband occasionally.

  Justin returns to the party wearing a dry t-shirt and goes to hang with the guys on the other side of the pool, drinking beer and talking. Every so often, I catch him looking at me, and I smile politely, trying not to look harder into things.

  So what if he said that my girls were beautiful like their mother. Big deal. Just take the compliment without trying to over think it, Court. Has it been that long since Alex paid you a compliment that you must resort to inventing things in your head? Are you that starved for attention?

  I try not to consider my answer for too long because I’m starting to think that I am.

  *****

  Later that night I feel a pair of arms wrap around me.

  “Hi, baby.” Alex whispers as he nuzzles the side of my neck and snuggles up close behind me. I reach my hand around to rub the back of his neck where I can feel that his hair still damp from the shower he must have taken.

  “Hey. When did you get in?”

  “Not too long ago.” He yawns. “I’m really glad to be home. Missed my girls.” He mumbles sleepily while sliding his hand along my hip and down my thigh. I’ve always loved the feel of his hands on my body. I let his familiar scent surround me and harden my nipples.

  “Missed you, too.” I whisper entwining my legs with his, letting his touch stir me into arousal. I wiggle my behind slowly against him, a move he always took as confirmation that sex was a go. Alex replies to my invitation with a long grizzly bear like snore into my ear.