by Jessica Gray
The phone still in hand, he decided to call his sister Reese. She worked as a professional organizer and lived with her fiancé Nik in Ashton, about twenty minutes north of Sandy Beach.
Reese’s voice was cheerful as always when she answered her phone and she confirmed that she was free this afternoon and happy to meet him. As was her fiancé, Nik. He’d only met the man a few times, but the man absolutely adored his sister. That made him more than okay in Chase’s book.
After lunch, he drove up to Ashton and arrived twenty minutes later at their mansion just as Nik was taking delivery of another car. What a beauty!
As the grandson and heir to the shipping tycoon Nikos Petridis Senior, Nik had plenty of money at his disposal, but he usually lived an unspectacular life – except for his weakness for cars. Fast and expensive cars.
Chase rushed out of his rental car and watched wide-eyed as the delivery driver carefully unloaded the newest addition to Nik’s car stable.
A brand new Lamborghini Diablo in a brilliant yellow color.
“Chase. Come and see my newest baby,” Nik called to him, his eyes showing the excitement of a five-year-old on Christmas day.
Chase sauntered over, eager to run his hands over its sleek lines. This car was almost like a woman. It had curves in all the right places, with a powerful motor inside and sexy as hell. The doors swung up like wings to open and allowed him to glance at the black leather interior. He smelled the exhilarating smell of brand new and grinned, “Yellow?”
Nik shook his head in indignation. “Not yellow. Giallo Midas.”
Chase ran his fingers along the smooth roof, while Nik asked, “Isn’t she beautiful?”
“The hell she is. What’s she got under the hood?”
Nik launched into a detailed description of the car’s attributes. “A V-12 with dual overhead camshafts. Five speed manual transmission and all the bells and whistles they offered.”
“Speed?”
“Top speed in fifth gear is around two hundred miles per hour. But she can go from zero to sixty in four seconds.” Nik’s voice grew excited as he rounded the car.
“Wow.”
“Excuse me, but didn’t you come here to see me?” Reese interrupted their little car fest.
Chase turned and grinned at his sister. “Just talking cars, sis.”
Reese rolled her eyes. “Boys. So, are you going to visit with me, or sit out here and drool over a car?”
Chase chucked her under the chin. “Of course I’m going to visit with you. But I can multi-task and drool at the same time.”
Reese and Nik both laughed at that and Chase pulled her in for a hug and gave her kisses on both cheeks, before he turned back to the Lamborghini, continuing to ask Nik questions. Like most guys, Chase also had a weakness for cars. He just didn’t have the deep pockets to afford several six-figure vehicles.
“Let’s take her for a ride,” Nik suggested, his enthusiasm enough to rival a child’s on Christmas morning.
Chase gave his sister an apologetic look, begging for understanding. She sighed and waved them both off. “Go play and come see me when you get back. Oh, and be careful!”
“Yes, ma’am.” Chase saluted her. Grinning at Nik, he told him, “Let’s go before she changes her mind.”
Nik chuckled, kissed Reese on her lips and then slid behind the wheel. He took it easy as they headed out to the open road, but then he let the sports car show them what it could do.
After a while, he stopped and suggested, “Why don’t you try her now?”
Chase looked at him in awe. “Really? I can drive her?”
“Why not?”
Why not indeed. Chase and Nik changed places and Chase took it easy until he felt comfortable with handling this little firecracker. When he put his foot down on the accelerator, he could feel the entire 650ps engine coming to life beneath him.
They were out on a deserted road and he let the car fly, the roaring sound of the motor filling the air and the slight tremble reverberating through his body. The engineers hadn’t given her the name ‘Diablo’ for no reason.
It was almost as good as kitesurfing. Or sex. With Pearl. Overwhelmed by his need for her, he pushed down the throttle all the way and the acceleration pressed him against the seat.
Adrenaline coursed through his veins. The risk. The speed. The absolute control, or lack thereof. It was addictive, but also extremely dangerous. One second of inattention could quickly become fatal.
Nik’s voice reached through his state of elation. “Chase. You might want to go a tad slower.”
He removed his foot from the gas pedal and glanced over at him. The man was pale and almost shaking.
“No problem. I got carried away for a moment.”
Nik said, “I know that feeling.”
Chase felt Nik’s stare as the man scrutinized him. “Man. You need to sort out your problems somewhere else. Not inside my car.”
He raised a brow at the ridiculous accusation. “What? I don’t have any problems.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, really. Why would you think I’m having problems?” Chase asked, bringing the car down to a normal rate of speed.
Nik tapped his finger at his forehead and grinned. “I know that look of yours. It means serious woman trouble. I hate to tell you this, man, but your days as a womanizer are all but over and counted.”
Chase gripped the steering wheel harder. “How would you know?”
“Ask Reese. The same exact thing happened to me when I met your sister. And let me tell you from personal experience, there is no way to resist it. When you get hit, you might as well give in graciously.”
“Nah, man. You’re completely off base here. I’m not having woman troubles. Not me.” Chase lied.
Chapter 18
Pearl finally called her coach. He’d been calling her for weeks, but each time, she’d sent it straight to voicemail.
“Hey, it’s Pearl.”
“It’s about time you called me back. Where are you?” His voice was a growl.
She bit her lip. “That doesn’t matter. I saw that you’ve called a couple of times.”
“A couple? Pearl, I need to know what’s happening with the upcoming season. The sponsors are getting antsy, especially the main sponsor for this year. You’re supposed to be on all their advertising materials for the World Series.”
She sighed and started pacing the room. “Look, I’m doing the best I can.”
“I need to tell them something. Give me a bone here.”
Pearl thought for a moment. “Give me two more weeks and you’ll get a definite answer.”
“Not possible.”
Pearl was frustrated and let some of it show in her voice. “Well, give me something here.”
“Fine. You have one week to decide.”
She hung up the phone and then looked at the calendar. One week? She wouldn’t know in one week.
Training on her own wouldn’t do the trick. She needed somebody standing over the top of her, pushing her to try harder, go longer, and be stronger. Someone to support her unconditionally and force her to give her very best.
Chase.
No way.
Since he’d left, she’d had plenty of time to think. No matter which way she spun things, it always came back to one truth. She’d fallen for him. Hard.
It wasn’t a crush. Not even an intense like. She’d fallen for him, hook, line and sinker. The force of her emotions for him scared the heck out of her. It was the first time she’d ever felt this way about a man in her life.
For as much as they fought with one another, she loved him. She needed and wanted him to train her. But that was not an option, because she’d behaved like a complete idiot and pushed him away.
I miss him so much.
Pearl tossed her pride aside and made a difficult decision. She’d apologize to him and beg him to come back to her. Maybe he’d forgive her. Perhaps he’d even agree to train with her again.
But Chase was nowhere to be found. Not at the beach. Or the grocery store. Not even the Lighthouse Bar. And she didn’t know where he lived.
The search would have to wait until the afternoon, because first she had to go to her physical therapy session.
On her way home after a promising session, where her therapist had praised her progress, she spied Allison coming out of the grocery store. His sister. Why haven’t I thought of her?
She waved to her and hurried across the street to meet her. “Hey.”
“Hi Pearl. How are you?” she said with her usual bright smile.
“Fine, thanks. Do you have a minute to talk?” Pearl asked her, hoping she wasn’t being too forward.
“Sure, but can we do this at the house? I really need to get the baby home and down for a nap. I can make a fresh pot of coffee, and I baked muffins this morning.”
“I love muffins. What kind?”
Allison giggled, “Does it matter?”
Pearl shook her head. “From what I ate the other night, not at all. You’re a fabulous cook.”
The praise blushed Allison’s cheeks. “Thanks, and they’re lemon poppy seed.”
“Sounds delicious. I’m in.”
“Good. You can play with the baby while I put things away.” Allison gestured her to follow.
“No problem, I like kids. I just hope Jackson likes me as well.”
“He will. You’re such a nice person.” Now it was Pearl’s turn to blush and speed up her pace. If Allison knew why she wanted to talk to her, she probably wouldn’t consider her nice anymore.
Once at Allison’s home, Pearl happily changed the infant’s diaper and set about making him giggle as she tickled his stomach and played peek-a-boo with him.
Allison peeked her head into the room. “Warning, he could play that particular game with you all afternoon.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
When Allison had put little Jackson to bed, the two women settled at the kitchen table.
“What do you do for a living?” Pearl took the cup of coffee and sipped it slowly.
“Right now? Changing diapers, cleaning baby spit...” Allison giggled. “Before I met Russell, I worked in the souvenir shop at the Marina.”
Pearl leaned closer. “Lake Memories? I’ve been there.”
“Yes. Exactly. Once the baby came along, I quit and it’s been the best possible move for me. Not having to work outside the house has given me new freedom.”
“So, you’re just a mom now?” Pearl asked, striving to understand the situation.
“I love being a mom. For now. And working at the souvenir shop was always only a means to pay the bills. My true passion is my paintings and interior design.”
Pearl glanced around her with appreciation. “Did you decorate this place?”
Allison beamed with pride. “Yes. I love putting colors and different types of architecture together. You like it?”
“It’s terrific. And those are your paintings?” Pearl asked, referring to the paintings decorating the walls of the living room and the hallway beyond.
“Most of them.”
“Wow. They’re fantastic.”
“Thanks.” Allison stood up to pour herself another coffee. “Do you want more muffins?”
“They’re super yummy, but, no thanks. I’m full up to here.” Pearl held her hand to her chin.
Allison giggled. “You probably guessed by now that I love to cook and bake.”
“I can’t say the same,” Pearl said, nodding. “I actually hate the kitchen and everything that goes along with it. And the thought of having to decorate a house is worse than a grueling ten-hour workout.”
“You’re like my sister, Reese. She’s a professional organizer, but she hates decorating. Thanks to her, I started my own mini interior design business. Once or twice a month, a client of hers will call and have me decorate their homes.”
“That’s pretty cool.” Pearl liked Allison – a lot. She was so easy to be with and her happy mood was contagious.
In an attempt to gear their conversation towards Chase, she asked, “Have you always lived in Sandy Beach?”
“No, we used to spend our vacations here and when my parents moved up about ten years ago, it was the happiest day in my life.” She wrinkled her forehead pensively before she continued, “I’m such a lucky girl. Russell moved up here to be with me because he knew I’d never be happy living in Chicago. Too many people, buildings, and cars.”
“Wow, he sounds like a gem.”
Allison’s face took on a dreamy expression. “He is. He even started to work in the Milwaukee hospital, to be closer and have more time for us. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me, with our little one a close second. Russell pretty much leaves me free hand with everything concerning house and garden.”
“He doesn’t help out around the house?” The words came out harsher than she’d intended and she shifted in her seat at the sound of it. Apparently, Russell wasn’t different from Tara’s husband.
Allison seemed surprised and the green spots in her otherwise brown eyes sparkled. “No, he helps out as much as he can. Or as much as I let him.” She smiled. “He has two left hands for anything besides surgery and I much prefer to get the work done before he gets home. I usually ask for his help when it comes to marketing my paintings. I’m horrible at it, but he’s amazing.”
“You’re a painter and not a marketer. There are probably lots of artists in that same boat.” Her voice softened and Pearl worked hard to keep her whirling emotions under control. She was here to find out about Chase, not to judge.
Allison winked at her. “But not all artists have their very own private marketing whiz.”
Pearl laughed. “No, I don’t imagine they do.”
“I told you, I’m a lucky girl.”
Pearl nodded. Yes, Allison was a lucky girl. And she was grounded enough to realize how lucky she was. Russell seemed to be the perfect fit for Allison, and Pearl felt a stab of jealousy in her heart at the obvious love and happiness those two people shared.
A deep sigh escaped her at the discovery of a real flesh and blood man who didn’t mind sharing the burden of home and hearth. A man who didn’t trap his wife with shaky compromises and unfair work distribution. Maybe there was hope for herself too. Could she find such a fine specimen?
Allison squinted in concern. “Are you alright?”
Tears welled up and Pearl had to bite them back before she could answer, “Yes, I’m fine.”
A long silence developed between them until Pearl finally gathered the courage to ask, “You wouldn’t know where I can find Chase?”
A knowing expression crossed Allison’s face. “He didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?” Pearl paled, anticipating the worst.
“He left for the Outer Banks.”
Her heart dropped. “I thought he was staying here at least one more week.”
“Yes, we thought so too, but he changed his plans.”
Disappointment and utter loneliness occupied Pearl’s heart.
It must have shown on her face because Allison reached across and touched her hand. “Pearl, I’m sorry. My brother is the proverbial womanizer and a huge player. I love him because he’s my brother, but I can’t recommend him as boyfriend material to anyone.”
She gathered her wits and squared her shoulders. “Thanks for the warning. But don’t worry, there’s nothing going on between us.”
The expression on Allison’s face indicated she didn’t believe one word and Pearl forced a smile as she continued, “I wanted to thank him for training with me and apologize for being rude the other day. I was a real bitch and took it out on him. That’s probably the reason he didn’t tell me about his changed plans.” Or why he changed his plans in the first place. To get away from me.
A few minutes later, Pearl left Allison’s home none the wiser, but with a broken heart. Her stupid fears had pushed away the one man she loved.
Chapter 19
Pearl wandered around Sandy Beach like a lost puppy. The aching sense of loss followed her everywhere. Every single place in that damned town reminded her of Chase. And that she’d lost him. For good.
She woke up the next morning hopeless and sad to the bones, and booked a flight back to her hometown of Misty Falls, North Carolina. Her parents met her at the airport and while they were very happy to see her, they were worried sick about her and her decision to compete in the upcoming season.
“Pearl, it’s too soon. You need more time to heal. There will be other competitive seasons,” her father tried to convince her.
She understood the good intentions behind his words, but her reality was different. “No, there won’t. Besides, this is my job.”
Her mother slung an arm around her waist. “Darling. It’s not a normal job. It’s a sport. You have to take care of yourself.”
She stomped her foot down. “No, Mom. It is a job like any other. I have a fan base and sponsors. I have little girls who look up to me as their role model. I’m their idol. What kind of message would I be sending them if I simply took the easy way out?”
“You’d be watching out for your own safety and future,” her father reminded her.
“Would I? I preach strength and self-reliance to the girls I coach. I tell them to never give up. If I don’t compete, I’ll come across as weak. I can’t appear weak.”
Her mother tugged her tighter into her embrace. “I’m just worried about you, darling.”
Pearl hugged her back. “I know. I’m a little worried myself, but I have to do this. And I’d really like to know that I have your support.”
Her father joined the two women in his life and hugged them both. “Of course you have our support. We might not like your decision, but you always have our support. That hasn’t changed.”
“Thanks. I needed to hear that.” Tears quelled in her eyes.
“Have you seen your coach yet?” her father asked.
Pearl shook her head. “No. I’m going down to the pool right now if that’s okay. He should be working with the team right now.”
“That sounds like a good idea. Will you be back for dinner?” her mother asked.
