Riker,
I booked a flight out of Miami to New York for eight thirty this morning. I wish things would’ve turned out differently. My feelings for you are strong, but you know that it’s important to me to put my career back on track. I hope that you’ll understand why I had to go.
Love,
Trista
She left the note on her side of the bed, where Riker would see it when he woke up. With tears in her eyes, she left him sleeping. She put her overnight bag on her shoulder and left the cottage. Walking down the steps of the bungalow, she saw the Key deer waiting by the porch, hoping for more apples. She smiled, remembering Riker throwing the fruit to the deer. Walking down the path to the dock and her waiting boat, she thought about the great time she had spent here with Riker. But she never looked back.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Trista, you better hurry up if you’re going to make curtain call!” Nicolette yelled through the intercom system.
Trista was in her room putting on the finishing touches of her makeup. She had just flown in from New York. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it in time for dress rehearsals, but she had called Michelle and explained her situation. “No problem. I can cover for you. Just get home in time for opening night!” Michelle had told her over the phone. “And congratulations on the new job!”
Trista was nervous about seeing Riker again. He hadn’t called her since she left him in the Keys. When she got home last night, she told her family about the job in New York. Her father was happy. Nicolette seemed to be truly happy for her. Everyone was happy for her it seemed…except Riker.
Putting on a pair of her favorite gold hoops, Trista stood at the French doors and watched the quiet surf. She realized, as much as she loved the city, she was going to miss the peace and calm of living at the beach. And seeing Riker. She wished things had turned out differently. Even though they weren’t seeing each other anymore, she still needed to tell Nicolette about their relationship. She wanted to clear the air with her sister and try to start fresh before she moved to New York. After tonight’s performance, she planned on doing just that.
It was a full house at the Blue Mountain Beach Children’s Theatre. Trista escorted her father, Madeline, and Nicolette to the front row before she went backstage to meet with the kids. There was a nervous excitement backstage and complete pandemonium. Kids were running everywhere, some dressed in their costumes, other frantically putting on their costumes, and some going over their lines again. Trista found Michelle, who was talking to Amelia, who was one of the lead characters in the play. Already dressed in costume, Amelia was blowing her nose with a tissue.
“Amelia, are you okay?” Trista asked, looking at the child with concern.
“Amelia thinks she is coming down with a sinus infection and sore throat,” Michelle answered for her.
“I’m a little hoarse,” Amelia said. She looked cute with her blue gingham dress and brown hair in braided pigtails. A smattering of freckles dotted her nose and the top of her cheeks. Amelia reminded Trista of herself when she was that age. But nothing ever stopped her from performing in school plays. When she was ten, Trista was the lead in Cat in the Hat. She had a bad stomach bug the night before the play opened. She could’ve stayed home and let her understudy do her part. Instead she filled up on the pink liquid stuff and performed in the play.
“Do you feel like going on tonight?” Trista asked her.
Amelia nodded.
“Great. How about some hot tea to soothe your throat? That always helps me when I have a sore throat.” Trista grabbed Michelle by the arm and headed to the back of the stage where there were dressing rooms and a small kitchen. She put a mug of water in the microwave and pushed a button to start it.
“We go on in thirty minutes.” Michelle plucked a teabag from a box of Celestial Seasonings. “All we have is chamomile.”
“That’s good.” Trista removed the mug from the microwave and put the teabag inside.
“What’s going on with you and Riker?” Michelle asked. “I mean, I know it’s none of my business but—”
Trista froze in place. “How did you know about me and Riker?”
“It’s pretty obvious, Trista.” Michelle stirred the teabag around in the mug. “Like I said, I know it’s none of my business, but I can’t stand to see anyone get hurt.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve known Riker a long time. He’s been volunteering at the theatre for three years. I’ve never seen him unhappy. For the last two days, he’s been sulking. He hasn’t been himself. Usually you guys are inseparable around here. I haven’t seen you say two words to him tonight.” She handed the mug to Trista. “It’s about New York?”
Trista nodded. “He doesn’t want me to take the job.”
“I doubt that. I don’t think Riker would want you to hold anything back because of him.”
Trista thought about that for a moment. “I didn’t tell him about the job until after I decided to take it.” She told Michelle about her secret trip to New York. “Riker and I went to the Keys this past week, and I finally told him what was going on. He didn’t take it too well.”
“If I know Riker as well as I think I do, he is probably upset that you kept it from him. More than he is that you took the job. Do you love him?”
“Yes,” Trista answered quickly. “I do.”
“Then you need to tell him that. Nothing gets in the way of true love. Not even two thousand miles. You can make it work.”
Trista grabbed a paper towel and wrapped it around the mug. “Thanks, Michelle.”
“Now let’s get out there and give our audience a great show!”
As they walked out of the kitchen, Nicolette was standing in the hallway. Trista bumped into her and splashed some tea onto the tiled floor. “Nicolette! I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you standing there.”
“I was just coming by to wish you good luck.”
Trista wondered how long Nicolette had been standing outside the kitchen. How much did she hear?
“It doesn’t seem like you need any luck though,” Nicolette continued. “How long, Trista?”
Michelle looked over at Trista with a surprised look on her face. She took the mug out of her hands. “I’ll just take this over to Amelia.”
“I can’t talk about this right now. After the show.” Trista tried to walk away, but Nicolette grabbed her arm.
“I want to know right now! How long have you been sleeping with my boyfriend?” Nicolette’s voice grew louder as she spoke. Once she got mad, it was hard to get her to calm down. Two boys were playing in the hallway, and they both stopped and stared at the two sisters.
“I can’t believe I didn’t figure this out sooner,” Nicolette continued. “I knew something wasn’t right, but I just didn’t see it.”
“Nicolette, keep your voice down. It’s not what you think.”
Nicolette pursed her lips together in thought. She started to pace back and forth in the tight hallway. “The other night when we went to the Liars Club. Riker fixed you a drink without asking what you wanted. How did he know you liked margaritas on the rocks? No salt? Then Crazy Jack said he remembered you from the other night. That was the first night you had come in town. Did you fuck my boyfriend then? Or was it the night of his surprise party? I saw you two walking up from the beach. You were walking very close to one another. In deep conversation about something. You both tracked a lot of sand into the house. Did you fuck him that night too? After that you both started volunteering at the theatre. Lots of late nights together. Let’s not forget your attempts at setting me up with other men, like Brent, so you could have Riker to yourself.” Nicolette’s tone continued to rise with each accusation. People began to walk toward them to see what the commotion was about.
“Please lower your voice. We can’t talk about this here,” Trista said through gritted teeth.
“Tell me the truth,” Nicolette persisted. She stopped pacing and stood right in Trista’s face.
“We met the first night I came back to Florida.” Trista clenched her fists, her fingernails cutting into her palms. “I didn’t know you two were dating. I swear. And when I found out that you two knew each other…the night of the surprise party, Riker told me that you were not a couple anymore.”
“I just can’t believe this! So you were with Riker before the party?” Nicolette’s face turned all kinds of shades of red.
“Like I said, it was a random thing. I stopped by the Liar’s Club on my way into town. He needed a ride home. One thing led to another.”
“You’re a fucking whore,” Nicolette hissed.
“Nicolette, please.” Trista turned to the kids who had gathered just behind Nicolette and told them to go back to the stage. She turned her attention back to her sister. “It wasn’t like that. I just…”
Nicolette slapped Trista across the face. “You are not my sister! Sisters don’t betray each other like this! You’re dead to me!” She turned and stomped down the hallway.
Trista was trembling by the time she made it to the stage. Riker was talking to Michelle, and they both turned as she walked by. He started to come to her, but Trista waved him off. She rubbed her cheek, which she knew had a huge red handprint across it, and put a smile on her face. As the saying goes, the show must go on. Pushing Nicolette’s accusations out of her mind, she addressed everyone.
“Listen up!” Trista gathered everyone in a large circle. “This is it! Everything that we’ve worked hard for these last few weeks. Remember your lines. If you forget anything, just keep the dialogue going like we rehearsed. Help each other out when you can. Most of all, let’s have fun!”
“Okay, places everyone!” Michelle said. “We go on in two minutes!” She shot Trista a concerned look.
Trista just smiled brightly and gave Michelle a thumbs-up. She stepped off stage when the house lights started to flash off and on, signaling to the audience that the play was about to begin. She took a deep cleansing breath and said a little prayer. The curtain rose slowly. From her position at the back of the stage, she could see where her father and Madeline sat. Beside Madeline was an empty chair, where Nicolette should be. For the rest of the night, the chair was vacant.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The after party was held at Blue Crush, a restaurant and wine bar adjacent to the theatre. A special kids buffet table was set up with mac-n-cheese, chicken tenders, hamburger sliders, cookies, and an ice cream bar. For the adults, waiters passed around heavy hors d’oeuvre and champagne.
Trista wanted to talk to Riker and warn him about Nicolette, but she couldn’t get away from the crowd of people. Every child’s parent had come up to her and congratulated her on the success of the play. It seemed all of the locals who lived in and around Blue Mountain Beach had turned out for the play. And they all wanted to talk to Trista.
Michelle had pulled her aside and told her this was the most successful play the theatre had every done. “In ten years of its existence we have never made this much money. We had a full house tonight and tomorrow’s matinee is also sold out. Donations were through the roof! We’ve raised over three hundred thousand dollars!” Michelle was ecstatic. “Do you know what that will pay for? New costumes, materials for the sets, a field trip to New York for the kids!”
“I’m just glad I could be a part of it,” Trista said sincerely.
“I know you just got offered that job in New York, but we would love to have you next year. If you’re free.”
“We’ll see about that.” Trista gave her a smile. “I promise.” She looked around the crowded restaurant for Riker. She almost gave up when she spotted him at the bar, talking to another guy who’d helped with the sets. “Excuse me, Michelle. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Michelle followed her gaze to the bar. She gave Trista a pat on the back. “Good luck, hon.”
Trista weaved her way through the crowd, occasionally stopping to say hello to people who grabbed her arm. She stopped for photographs and signed autographs. By the time she reached the bar, Riker was gone.
“Hey, Gary,” Trista said, approaching the guy Riker had been talking to. “Great job tonight.”
“Thank you.” Gary downed whatever he was drinking. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Actually I was looking for Riker. Do you know where he went?”
“Men’s room, I think.”
Trista thanked him and then headed toward the men’s room. She wanted to catch him before he left. After tomorrow’s matinee, she had a flight to New York, and there wouldn’t be another time to say goodbye. She hated the way she’d left things with him. As soon as she spotted him coming out the bathroom, she grabbed his arm. “Let’s talk.”
“I don’t think there is anything left to say.” Riker pulled away, putting his hands in his jeans pockets.
“Please.”
“All right. But not in here. Let’s walk outside.”
Trista followed him outside. He led her across the street to the pathway down the beach. Taking off their shoes, they plunged into the soft, white sand. A group of teenagers were having a bonfire, all gathered around a guy with a guitar. Riker led Trista in the opposite direction toward a group of sand dunes. They sat down at the edge of the dunes.
“I’m sorry,” Trista started. “I know I shouldn’t have lied to you about New York. I really didn’t think I would get the job. I know that is no excuse, but I wasn’t ready to tell anyone. I thought I would just fly up there, read for the part, and come back home. I wasn’t expecting anything to come out of it.”
“Is this what you want, Trista? You want to live in New York?”
She looked at the moon and the cloudless sky, stars sparkling brightly like diamonds. The reflection of the moon hit the water like it was shining a path to the end of the world.
“I think I do. I realized when I went up there how much I really missed the place. The energy. The fast pace. The excitement. Most of all, I realized I missed working on a stage. A real Broadway stage. The live performances. Everything.”
Riker brought his knees up and rested his elbows on them. “I could see that tonight. The way you were with the kids. The excitement in your eyes during the play. You really enjoy doing this.”
“I do. I really do.”
He put her hand in his and squeezed. “I love you, Trista Carmichael. I want you to be happy.”
“Would you go to New York with me?” She loved the way Riker’s strong hand held hers. “I know you love the beach as much as I love the city. And I know how much you want to buy The Bar, but—”
“I love you more than The Bar.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “I might be willing to give New York a try.”
She scooted over until she was practically sitting in his lap. She nuzzled her head on his shoulders. “I love you, James Riker.”
“What about your sister? We can’t put off telling her anymore.”
“She already knows.” Trista told him about the argument she had with Nicolette before the play.
“I knew something must’ve gone wrong when I saw Nic practically run off the stage. I’m sorry I wasn’t with you happened,” Riker said.
Trista thought back to her conversation with her father. “I can’t keep worrying about my sister and what she thinks of me. I have to live my own life.”
“I didn’t see Nicolette after the play.”
“I don’t think she stayed around for it. Her seat was empty the entire the time.”
Riker checked his watch. “It’s getting late. Let’s go say our goodbyes at the restaurant. Then we can go back to your place.”
“My dad and Madeline are at the house. They went straight home after the play was over. I think Dad was worried about Nicolette.”
“Then my place it is.” He helped her up. “At least we’ll have one night together before you leave.”
Chapter Thirty
“Last night ended in a way I would’ve never expected,” Trista said, snuggling with
Riker.
“Why do you say that?”
“I didn’t think you were ever going to speak to me again.”
“It was a lonely trip back from the Keys. I realized as soon as I woke up that morning and found your note that I couldn’t let you leave Blue Mountain Beach without me. I just wasn’t sure if you wanted me back.”
Trista smiled. “Do you think you’ll like living in a big city?”
“I’ve been to New York before, but I never imagined myself living in a big city. But then again, I never thought I would hook up with a movie star either!”
Trista laughed and punched him on the arm. “Hook up, huh?”
“Best hook up in my life.”
“I bet.”
“Now I just need to figure out what the hell I’m going to do for job.”
“There are a lot of bars in the city.”
“I wasn’t thinking of bartending.”
“What else? Construction?”
“I really enjoyed working with the children’s theatre. Maybe I can find something like that?” He shrugged.
She lifted her head off the pillow. “Actually that’s a great idea. I’m sure I can help find you something.”
“What time is your flight again?” He looked at the alarm clock resting on his nightstand. “It’s almost six now.”
“I’m catching the last plane out. Not until eight tonight.”
“I’ll let you get settled before I come up for my first visit. Then I’m going to have to work through spring break and get someone else trained before summer.” Riker caressed her face. “Until that’s all settled, I’ll come for lots of visits.”
Trista reached for her cell phone, realizing that the battery had died sometime in the middle of the night. “Mind if I use your charger?” She plugged in her iPhone and waited for it to charge up.
Sunkissed Page 15
