“What would you think about going to Anne’s to see what’s there? It might be the perfect thing for us.”
Nikola pulled back. Her emerald eyes were bloodshot. “I’d like that a lot. Can we go now? I don’t want to stay here a second longer.”
I put my hands on either side of her face and leaned down to taste her sweet lips, needing to feel a connection with her. The kiss was gentle and soft. Extending the moment, I left my lips pressed to hers while saying a prayer of thanks that I still had Nikola. Pulling back slightly, I said, “Let’s go.”
We got in the car and held hands as we drove to Anne’s house. The majority of the trip was quiet and reflective as I rubbed Nikola’s thumb with mine. At some point, I hoped life would give us a break. Lately, it seemed to be throwing a hefty deck our way. The comforting part of all this was that I had no thoughts of using. I embraced the emotions, not letting them overtake me. I still visited the airport from time to time, to see the planes taking off and to gather my thoughts when life felt like it spun too fast. I wanted to go there now, but I wouldn’t. For now, I’d settle for calling Quentin later. There was no way I’d leave Nikola’s side after this.
We were getting close to Anne’s place when Nikola started talking. “Do you have any idea what Grandmama left us?”
“No, I don’t. I wouldn’t keep that from you.”
We pulled into the driveway. The house seemed lifeless, but the memories would linger. I looked at the sidewalk and thought about New Year’s Day, when I’d come after Nikola, to fight for her, to fight for us. Thinking about our battles, I knew we’d won. We’d never given up.
I looked over, and Nikola smiled. “There are so many good memories here. So much happiness. I hope I leave a legacy like this someday.”
“Me, too.”
It was strange to think that one day our kids would be doing the same thing that we were. Someday. I stared at the empty house as I reflected on this.
Nikola rubbed my hand. “Are you ready to go inside?”
I’d expected Nikola to need some time before she went into the house again. She answered my internal question before I had a chance to respond.
“I thought I would be sad when I came back, but seeing this place brings back happy memories. Though my time with Grandmama was shorter than I would have liked, we still had so many years compared to some. I’m grateful for what I was blessed with.”
We opened our car doors and met at the front of the vehicle. Hand in hand, we walked to the front door. Unlocking the door, Nikola stepped inside, taking a deep breath. Everything was as it had been. I had no idea where the gift would be, but Nikola turned right and headed down the hallway.
“Where are you going?”
“To the sewing room.”
The sewing room had always been a place for Nikola and Anne to sit and talk. Standing in the doorway, I could imagine Anne at the table as she worked her sewing machine, the quiet hum of the needle as it plunged up and down a million times. There was a box on the bed. Nikola ran her hands along the edge. Next, she pulled off the lid. There was a pale pink envelope on top. She was beautiful as she wiped a quick tear away.
I stayed at the door, giving Nikola this moment. If she needed me, I’d be there.
Nikola opened the envelope carefully, unfolded the letter, and read aloud.
“My dearest Nikola, This is the only way I could think of to be there for you through all the years and different stages of life. Once I found out I had cancer, I started making videos of different things. There’s sewing videos to teach you and my future great-grandkids how to sew, baking videos for us to bake some of our favorite dishes together, some arts and craft projects, videos of advice and many more. There are also things I’ve learned in life that you may face someday. There are over one hundred and fifty DVD’s in here. I know your first urge is going to be to watch them all, but wait, if you can. That way it’ll be like I’m there seeing all those wonderful things with you and Brandt as you go through life. I love you, Nikola, with my entire heart. There’s a video in there for you to watch today with Brandt. I hope it helps, even though it’s short. I hope I’m able to give this to you in person, but I wanted to write this note, just in case. I feel deep down that my time is coming. Hopefully, I’m wrong. Live your life to the fullest and love with your whole heart. Until the next sunrise or sunset, Grandmama.”
I was touched as I sat next to Nikola on the daybed. She leaned into me. “Brandt, the letter is dated the night she went into the hospital. I miss her.”
Life was unyielding at times.
Anne had done the only thing that could make this loss a little bearable. I looked down at the familiar writing as Nikola continued to re-read it. “Now you have a piece of her. She’ll be with you through our whole life. Do you want to watch the video she left us now?”
“Yes, let me find it.” Nikola started looking at the DVD’s and laughed. “She made one for when our kids go to college. It’s comforting to know I’ll have pieces of her for that far ahead.” She continued to look through the DVD’s. “Found it.”
Nikola was off the bed and sprinting to the living room. I jogged after her. Grabbing the remotes, Nikola turned everything on. After everything was set, we sat on the blue leather sofa.
She smiled big as she looked my way. “Are you ready?”
“I am.”
Nikola pressed play, and Anne appeared on the screen. She wore what she’d been wearing that night of the last Rook game—jeans and a pink button-up shirt. She sat at the bar in the kitchen. “Hey, Nikola and Brandt. You guys just left after playing Rook. Brandt, honey, she whipped you good. I love watching you guys bet and play with each other. The love I see reminds me of what I had with Nikola’s grandfather.” Anne paused and laughed before taking a big, tired sigh. She didn’t look like she felt well—she seemed exhausted. “Well, if you’re watching this, then I’ve passed. Remember, this isn’t goodbye. I refuse to think so. We’re going to have so many adventures over the years. Remember to live your life to the fullest. Don’t focus on what could have been, but what you have. Until we see each other again. I love you both more than you’ll ever know.”
She smiled lovingly and blew a kiss before picking up the remote control and turning off the camera. The screen went black. We sat in silence until Nikola spoke.
“That was perfect, and it came at the perfect time. She always knew what to say.”
“Yes, she did.”
I was going to try to take Anne’s advice and not focus too much on what could have happened today. I’d focus on what we had—love and each other.
One Week Later
WE WERE AT Club Envy. The agreement had been signed last night and the sale of the club was announced today. When we’d sent a counter offer, the terms had been accepted and the sale was fast-tracked. There was never a doubt that we were doing the right thing for the club—and for us. There was still no update on Lance, and it was hard to let Nikola out of my sight, but I tried. I texted her regularly when we weren’t together. Hopefully, the police would have news soon. They were still putting the case together. At least bail had been denied.
Tonight was our last night as the owners of Club Envy. It was bittersweet as I looked around the bar. All the people that had been there for us were here, and we were a family. I knew this was the path Adam and I were meant to be on, but leaving this chapter of my life was hard.
Adam and I still didn’t have any idea what we were going to do at this point. We were contracted to help with the club for thirty days as the new management came in and learned the ropes. Ironically, tonight was the last night the Thrillhammers were playing before they went on the road. The place was in full swing as Adam and I leaned against the bar and took it in.
Adam took a swig of Guinness. “I’d say that, for two college dropouts, we didn’t do too badly.”
I tapped my bottle of water to Adam’s beer. “I’d have to agree. Who would’ve thought that what started as a last di
tch effort to make something of ourselves would have turned into this?”
The Thrillhammers took the stage and the crowd went wild. Nikola, Ainsley, and Nora were all a few feet in front of us, jumping up and down. My girl had on tight leather pants and a green silk shirt that was begging to be removed. I couldn’t wait to sink myself into her later. I was taking her back to our room for one last night at the club. Adam and Ainsley had been talking about staying in their room, too. In the final sale of the club, Adam had negotiated for him to take the furniture from the bedroom off of his office. The movers were showing up in the morning. I didn’t want to know where Adam and Ainsley were going to put it. Nikola and I had decided we didn’t want anything from our room. We were starting fresh in this new chapter of life in all respects.
The Thrillhammers were about to start the show, and I wanted to give my present to Adam before they played. Payback was a bitch, and all the aggravating he had done while I had my Blue Balls Timer was going bite him in the ass. Nora had finally confessed that Adam had purchased those blue cattle balls for her to torment me with. Apparently, he’d bought more than twenty of those damn things to replace the ones I threw away.
Adam turned to order another beer. I leaned forward and tapped Nikola on the shoulder. “I’m about to give Adam my present.”
She winked then turned to get Ainsley and Nora’s attention, too. Jude, Nora’s boyfriend, who was leaving in less than a week for Australia, came up and put his arms around Nora’s waist. Nikola had filled me in on his dad’s illness. At least Nora had agreed to give it a try.
“Hey, Jude.” Jude had black hair and a lip ring. He and Nora fit together.
“Hey, mate. Sorry I’m late. The boys at work wanted to get a drink. Now, I’m done and get to be with my gal.” He squeezed Nora and gave her a kiss on the neck.
She glowed with affection, leaning into him. Adam and I had approved for Nora to be off for the next week, paid, prior to selling the club. We didn’t want to risk them rejecting her request.
Adam turned back around with his beer in hand as he said hey to Jude. Nikola handed me the flat, square package from her purse.
Feeling the pre-victory of getting Adam good, I held up the wrapped gift and said, “I got you a little something as a thank you for always being there for me. I hope you’re able to use this a lot while we’re unemployed and looking for our next adventure.”
I handed him the package, and Adam looked a little flustered. “Shit, I didn’t know we were doing a gift thing. Hell, I would’ve gotten something for you, too, Brandt, even if it makes me feel like a pussy.” Adam looked a little embarrassed, but we laughed.
Slapping him on the shoulder, I said, “Doesn’t matter. It’s nothing big. I didn’t want you getting bored.”
He chuckled. Everyone watched Adam as he unwrapped the gift. Nikola looked down with her lips mashed together. She and I avoided direct eye contact. The two of us couldn’t stop laughing every time we thought about what I’d gotten him.
Adam threw the paper on the floor and turned it over. His eyes shot to mine. “You motherfucker.”
I laughed and Nikola did, too. Nora plucked it from his hands and then bent over in hysterics.
Nora gasped for air. “Brandt, you’re a genius. Now he can practice all his Prince Lir parts from The Last Unicorn for when he watches it with my sister.”
She held up The Last Unicorn CD I’d bought when Adam had been giving me shit months ago. When Nikola started packing, she’d found it in a drawer.
Ainsley, ever so sweetly, walked up to Adam. “We can have sing-alongs in the car when Emilyn rides with us now. She’s going to be so excited!”
Adam brought Ainsley into a hug and shot daggers at me. “You’re an asshole. You’ve just caused me months of humiliation.”
I glanced at Ainsley, and she shook with giggles. Deciding to lay it on thick, I used the name Ainsley had given him. “You’re going to do great, manfriend.”
Everyone laughed, even Adam. “I’m going to get you back. We’re neighbors now.”
“Bring it.”
“Oh, I will.”
Ainsley stood on her toes and said, “You’re one sexy manfriend.”
“Thanks, baby.”
He gave her a kiss as I brought Nikola close.
Chris spoke over the microphone as the rest of the band waved to the crowd. Everyone turned toward the stage. “So as you know, we’re going on tour and this will be our last night at Club Envy.” Cheers erupted. “We’ve got a hell of a show planned, but first I wanted to thank Adam Ryker and Brandt Mattox for all the support they’ve shown the Thrillhammers. And, of course, we appreciate our fans, you guys have helped make our dreams into reality. We couldn’t have done it without you.” More cheers. “So let’s get this party started!”
The Thrillhammers began playing one of my favorites, “Highway 369”, and the crowd pushed forward. Nikola leaned into me as I absorbed it for the last time. Everyone moved and cheered, and I hoped this moment would be burned into my head forever as the band sang.
I’d been sitting in that barn since Nineteen fifty-three
Growing iron oxide like an acorn grows a tree
Never tasted blacktop, red dirt dust is all I breathed
Peering from the darkness you’d be surprised,
Just what I’ve seen
Well the man who held my title
From the Cadillac company
When they stole his right-of-way, he refused the D.O.T.
Vowed he’d never utilize that god-forsaken ground
The sacred wheels of progress
Might shut my motor down
Seems like just yesterday
I was rolling off the line
Now the dust hides the rust
And the paint that used to shine
Looking out through headlights
Frozen here in time
While I watch the world fly by on Highway 369
I was born in thirty-nine
A few years before the war
Dusty road to town amends,
Then right back to the store
Heard him cuss, raise a fuss
When they started laying tar
Once they’d paved that highway,
He parked me in the barn
He died in eighty-two alone
And nobody found a will
Guess they could look some more,
But they’d be looking still
Came before the auctioneer,
He brought that hammer down
Imagine that ten gallon hat said,
“Son you’re Texas bound”
Hauled me out I-40, on a flatbed in a tarp
Pulled me off, shined me up
And got me lookin’ sharp
They dug a hole, and bless my soul
My nose went in the sand
Sheltered from the world I lived,
But now I see firsthand
Seems like just yesterday
I was rolling off the line
Now the dust hides the rust
And the paint that used to shine
Looking out through headlights
Frozen here in time
While I watch the world fly by on Highway 369
The song ended and the Thrillhammers kept playing. They rocked the house, and I loved every second of it as I held the girl of my dreams, my wife, in my arms. This was our night. This was Club Envy’s night.
THE SUN BAKED my skin as I laid on a chaise longue in the Caribbean. It had been a month since our last night at Club Envy. My eyes were closed as I listened to the soft ocean waves. We were waiting for Ainsley and Adam, along with their family, to arrive this evening for their wedding two days from now. My hair was thrown on top of my head. It had been a crazy few months, and now it was time to relax. With Brandt’s obligation to the club over and my decision to reduce my hours for the summer, we’d come down to Nassau in the Bahamas early to enjoy sometime to ourselves.
We
were staying at an adults-only resort. The resort was fairly empty, which made us feel like we were on an island all to ourselves. Yesterday, I’d firmed everything up with Ainsley’s wedding coordinator. This way, when she and Adam arrived, there wasn’t anything for them to do other than enjoy themselves and get married. Only Adam’s parents, Ainsley’s mother, and Nora were coming down to join us. Adam’s brother wasn’t invited, due to their history. His sister, Jessica, was in Asia on a six-month internship. She’d offered to come, but Adam said he would send videos and pictures. The internship was a big deal, and he didn’t want her to miss out on anything. I think it was good that she’d left. Jessica had always tried to fix problems with the family. Hopefully now she’d be able to find her own way in life.
The day after the wedding, everyone was heading home to give Ainsley and Adam privacy. The newlyweds were going to stay down here for an additional week.
Right before we had left the States, I’d received a phone call from our lawyer who assisted in the prosecution of Lance. During the night, Lance had hung himself in his cell. He’d attacked a female officer the day before, thinking it was me. The next morning, he was dead. No note. No explanation. We’d never know what truly happened to make him snap. It was a double-edged sword, thinking about someone’s life ending, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sleep better knowing Lance wouldn’t ever come after me again.
Cold drops landed on my stomach, making it draw in. A smile graced my lips. Brandt had gone to the room to get sunscreen. “Hey there! I was beginning to wonder if you were lost.”
“I’ve been watching my beautiful wife for a bit.”
I loved the sound of his sex-riddled voice. It did things to me, even though we’d barely come up for air while we had been here.
Each couple could reserve a private space at the resort on the beach. Because we were staying in one of the suites, we’d automatically reserved one for the week. The structure was similar to a cabana—the back and two sidewalls were solid material that had a few slits in them to allow air circulation. The front wall had a curtain that could be drawn with your choice of sheer or solid material. The top was open.
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