I peeked around the door and Mills lifted her head sleepily off her cot. “Oh, hey. Come on in.” She sat up and stretched. “She’ll be right back. They took her to check her head again. Make sure her brain didn’t swell. She had a good night, though.”
“I don’t like the sound of that. Is she all right?”
“That’s all I’ve heard. I think she’ll be fine. She should be back in a minute. Come on in and have a seat. I’m glad you’re here. I didn’t get a chance to thank you for what you did for me on my birthday, so thanks. I have sworn to never drink again.” She raised her hand to demonstrate her oath which made me laugh. When I looked at Mills, it was like looking at a smaller version of Pepper. Minus the tan, of course.
“It was my pleasure to come to your rescue and I hope you stick to your guns. How was your head the next day? I was drunk for two days on my eighteenth birthday.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief and now I could see the difference between them. Pepper’s eyes were a lighter blue, more like her mother’s. “No way? You? Mr. Responsible?”
I laughed again and ran my hands through my hair. “Really? Is that what you heard about me? Who from? Your sister?”
“Nah, she doesn’t talk about you much. Just stares at your picture all day.”
“What?”
“Just kidding. She doesn’t have any pictures, but I can tell you she wished she did. No, really. She doesn’t tell me anything about you, except that you’re a good kisser. Tell me some deep, dark secret. Something that would shock me.”
I grabbed the dolphin nervously and grinned at her. “Deep, dark secret? Okay, let’s see…I got one. When I was fifteen, my parents wanted me to learn how to drive a standard. I don’t know why. Anyway, I drove into the wall of a convenience store and nearly killed myself.”
“Oh, my God, that is shocking. What did you do?”
“I got out of the car and wrote a check to pay for the store. What else?”
She laughed. “How is my sister really doing at Sea Lab? Is she as good with the dolphins as I hear?”
“She’s a natural. Are you coming to the fundraiser? If so, you’ll get to see her in action.”
“I plan on it. My dad told her she needed to wear a helmet next time, though. Hey, here she is!” A nurse rolled Pepper into the room in a wheelchair and her eyes grew wide when she saw me. I was so happy to see that pretty smile on her beautiful face.
“I’m really feeling better today. Can you ask the doctor when I can go home, please? I’ve got things to do.”
“I’ll ask him, Miss Anderson, but in the meantime, please rest and don’t get in the shower yet. I’ll have to come help you. We don’t want you to fall.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll help her. She’s my sister,” Mills volunteered, and Pepper thanked her. Soon, the three of us were alone.
“You look so much better today. No more blackout spells?” I said.
“No, I feel as good as new.”
“Hardly, Pepper. Look at your head. You’ve got a big lump and a few stitches. If you can’t ride at the gala, that’s fine.” I handed her the dolphin and the card. “Here, I brought you something.”
“Oh, my goodness! That’s so sweet. Thank you!” She opened the card, read it and laughed. “Tell Singh I said apology accepted, and I didn’t know he could write. I haven’t trained him to do that yet. You must have taught him.”
“No, but I wouldn’t put it past Bobbie Jo.”
“Well, thank you and yes, I’m riding my dolphin at the gala. Lump or no lump, I’ll be there”
“Pepper, seriously, I don’t want to risk you getting hurt again over a fundraiser. You’re much more important to me than that. It’s not worth it.”
“Thanks, Gabe. That is so sweet of you to worry about me, but I’m going to be fine, and I am riding my dolphin next weekend. There’s no way I’m not, even if I do have to wear a helmet.” I believed she’d try, but I quietly resolved to pull the plug on her performance if the news she was expecting from the doctor later today wasn’t good.
“Um, I think I’m going to go down to the cafeteria and get some breakfast. Do you want anything, Pepper, or would you rather have what they bring you here?”
“Yuck, no way. Can you bring me some fruit and a yogurt and a…”
“Coffee?”
“You know me so well, sis.”
She laughed. “Yep, I do! Gabe, you want some coffee?”
“No thanks, I’m good.”
When Mills had left the room, I walked over to Pepper’s bed and kissed her. I couldn’t help myself. She looked so beautiful, even with the bandages on her head, and I needed to be sure she was okay. “I was so worried about you. You hit your head pretty hard, you know. I heard it from the other side of the pool.”
“What about Singh? Is he okay, too? Has anyone checked on him, spent time with him?”
“Yes, he’s fine. The vet’s checking him out for us, but I think he got testy because Abu was in his pool. Dolphins can get territorial sometimes. He’s a sweet animal, but you don’t always know what they’re thinking or how they’ll react to new situations. But you, Dolphin Girl, I’m really glad you’re okay.”
“Me, too. I couldn’t believe that happened, but he surged under me and I couldn’t control him. It was so unexpected and out of character for him.” I held her hand, and she turned onto her side and looked into my face. I pulled my chair closer to her.
“What am I going to do about you, Pepper Anderson?”
“I don’t know. Are you confused about what to do with me?”
“You do confuse me. You and your beautiful, blue eyes.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I like you being confused.” She beamed at me. I moved a silky strand of hair from her face, but before I could say anything else, the door opened and another visitor entered the room. Jonathan fucking Church.
He came in with a big bouquet of red and white roses in his hand, all neatly arranged in a large, white vase. We glared at each other for a few seconds, like a couple of boxers before a fight, but he didn’t speak to me. Smart guy.
“Hey, Pepper. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay, but I see you are. I brought these for you. Where would you like them?”
“Anywhere is fine. Please tell me you didn’t bring Evangeline with you.”
“Of course not. Why would I do that? I don’t know what you think, but your mother and I are not an item. I’m sorry about what happened. It was a terrible mistake.” He stared at me harder and said, “Would you excuse us a minute?”
I looked at Pepper while she struggled to sit up. “No, he’s not leaving, and I don’t want to hear it, Church. You do what you want, okay? I’ll be your friend—but that’s it.” Ouch, I didn’t know how I felt about that. Friends?
He nodded and asked her, “When are they letting you out?”
“Hopefully, today. I’m feeling pretty good now.” She didn’t say anything else to him. She just squeezed my hand and stared at her visitor.
“That’s good. I’m glad you have someone around to wait on you. Every good diva needs a lap dog, right? If he runs off, don’t hesitate to call me. I’m only a phone call away.”
“Get out, Church!” I wanted to bust this jerk right in his big mouth. I wasn’t going to let him bring his mind games in here while Pepper lay in a hospital bed. He sneered at me, then turned around and left. I hoped it was the last I’d see of him, but somehow, I doubted it.
“Gabe, I’m really sorry about that. I don’t know why I ever hooked up with him. He’s always been trouble, ever since we were kids. One day, he’s going to kill someone.”
“Don’t worry about it. He thinks he’s got enough money to avoid going to jail if he does something stupid. Little does he know. And I can tell he wants you in a big way. I know all about jerks like him.”
“Yeah, well, he’s not getting me. I don’t care what he wants,” she sighed. “From what I hear, you’re just as rich as Church is. How come he’s not like y
ou? What made the difference? I mean, you can afford to be an ass if you wanted to be, but you’re not. What’s the difference?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know him so I can’t say much about it, but the differences are obvious. He doesn’t have a passion—or a purpose in life. He’s not interested in anything but himself. That kind of guy just wants to exploit everyone around him. To him, you’re just a toy, someone he thought he had complete control over, but now he’s realized he doesn’t. He’s lost. And sad to say, I feel sorry for him.”
Pepper looked at me quizzically. “You do? Why? I mean, he’s richer than God.”
“The money doesn’t matter. It’s what he’s got inside, and as a man, I can see he’s just a scared little boy with no direction, no future. It’s sad.”
Pepper squeezed my hand. “What did I do to deserve you? I mean, you’re so…together. So knowledgeable...” She looked into my eyes and paused for a second, “…and so freakin’ sexy.”
“No, babe. You’re sexy…and sweet…and smart. What did I do to deserve you?” I leaned in to kiss her, and I felt butterflies in my stomach and stiffening in my pants. She was so amazing.
“Gabe…”
“Yeah?” I stared into her eyes.
“I’m yucky, I haven’t—” I silenced her with my lips on hers. My hand moved around her waist and I scooted in closer. I wanted to devour her—to kiss her, love her and make all the bad go way.
“Ahem.” Mills had returned with her food delivery. “Uhm…should I leave? Maybe hang a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door? Rent you guys a real room?”
“No, we’re good.” Pepper laughed as Mills delivered her breakfast on a tray. “This looks great. Push that button, please, to raise the bed up. I hope I get to go home soon. I’m so ready to get out of here.”
She started eating then Mills asked me, all nonchalant, “Hey, Gabe, who was that girl you brought with you yesterday? She’s was so tall! Like my mother! Is she a model?”
“Who? Sophie? No—well, yes, she was, but she’s in marketing now. She’s heading up the gala for me at Sea Lab.”
“Oh, only I was just wondering about her. I mean, you two were holding hands like you were Hansel and Gretel—or something.”
“Mills, don’t be nosy!” Pepper scolded her.
“I have every right to ask. He’s sucking face with my sister and I want to know if he’s stepping out on her. I mean, you were kind of out of it, so it’s likely that you don’t remember.”
“We’re just friends, Mills. I assure you. We’ve been good friends for years. As a matter of fact, she’s one of my closest friends.”
“Okay, well, she’s awful pretty to be just a friend.”
“Mills, please. That’s enough!”
“Sorry, but if my sister’s man is in here holding hands with some floozy, I—”
“Mills!” Pepper yelled.
“It’s okay, really. I don’t mind the questions, but I do have to get to work now. Call me, please, and let me know when you leave? One of you?”
“Will do, boss.” Mills gave me a salute and I rubbed her messy hair. I kissed Pepper one more time on the cheek and left the hospital. I surveyed the parking lot and didn’t see Jonathan Church anywhere. I’d half hoped the guy would stick around so we could conclude our unfinished business.
Maybe it was best he’d gone.
Chapter Nine — Pepper
Mills’ smile said it all. “You look fantastic, sis, but are you sure you want to wear your hair down? Maybe put it in a ponytail?”
“No, I always leave it down when I’m riding Singh. It might not make a difference, but then again it might. I don’t want to change anything. He’s already performing for a crowd, and I don’t want to stress him out more.” I’d taken her to meet my dolphin earlier, and she fell in love with him. I could tell he liked her, too, especially after she gave him a few fish.
Sea Lab was packed. A Jimmy Buffet cover band played in the amphitheater where we hoped we’d soon have extra tanks and two killer whales to add to the attractions. Mr. Buffett couldn’t make it in person, but his replacement group sounded terrific. All the interns had been given the chance to mingle earlier on in the day, and I’d bought a new red silk dress for the occasion with a plunging back and a fluttering hem. I loved the way it looked on me and Gabe did, too. He said I looked like a ‘walking flame’ and then he kissed me, right in front of everyone—he’d never done that before.
I’d only been out of the hospital for a few days, and the bump and the stitches were still on my head, but I wasn’t going to miss this gala for anything. The doctor told me to take it easy, and I would after the gala. It was nothing that some ibuprofen and a band-aid wouldn’t help, anyway.
I went into the locker room to trade in my stilettos for a red, one-piece bathing suit—no sequins. I took off all my rings and jewelry so it wouldn’t distract Singh, who didn’t like anything shiny. Like all of his species, Singh was intelligent and curious, and that was a troublesome duo for him when he was out in the wild. It was always so sad to hear about dolphins getting caught in fishermen’s nets and drowning.
“I can’t believe this! My sister on a dolphin! Can I take pictures?”
“Sure, everyone else will be,” I laughed. “Now, go enjoy the party and I’ll see you out there, okay?”
“Okay. Good luck, Pep! Don’t forget your helmet!” she joked as he left.
“Ha, ha!” I turned toward the mirror and checked my bathing suit. Yeah, everything was in place. I couldn’t risk showing any private body parts—not after “titty-gate.” Would I ever live that down? I looked at myself again in the mirror. Yes, I would. Tonight would be the night when I would draw the line between past and present. This was it. I heard the door to the locker room open, but no one stepped inside. “Who is it?” I called out.
I didn’t hear an answer, then Church appeared and stood there with his hands in the pockets of his dress pants. His tuxedo looked perfect, his hair looked perfect, his smile white—classic Church. “You can’t be in here, Church. This is a restricted area.”
“But I am in here,” he said, and he smiled and took a step towards me. It wasn’t an innocent smile, either—he was up to something. I wondered if he’d try to hurt me, or was he just being wildly inappropriate? With Church, it could go either way.
“Get out of here, Jonathan. I have a performance in like five minutes.” He took another few steps towards me leaned against a locker with his hands still in his pockets.
“I was thinking that after the show, you and I could go somewhere.” He moved closer. “Maybe talk, maybe dance, maybe walk on the beach. I miss my friend.” Then he reached out his hand and touched my hair. My heart raced as I stepped back away from him.
“There are no more maybes between us, Church. I’m seeing Gabe and that’s it.” His face changed instantly. The seductive smile crept away and a cold, intimidating stare took its place. I stepped back a little further and leaned against the vanity table. “Now please leave, before I call security.”
“Hey, Pepper. Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you. They’re ready for you downstairs.” Sophie gave me a curious look, but I didn’t bother to explain. She wasn’t my biggest fan and, as a matter of fact, I could tell she had a major crush on Gabe, and I was pretty sure that she’d report this locker encounter to him in detail.
I squeezed past both of them and headed toward the door. “Thanks,” I smiled. “I’m on my way.” I didn’t have time for any of this right now. I had a dolphin to ride.
I walked down the stairs to the employees’ entrance that led outside to the pools. I skirted past the crowd and tried to keep a low-profile, but that didn’t happen. A half-dozen people insisted on taking selfies with me, so I smiled, gave my best side profile pose then walked to the tank as quickly as I could. The air was warm, the water would be warm and I looked forward to the swim. While Bobbie Jo made her speech about the show the audience was about to see, I stepped behind the d
oor to Singh’s pen and talked to him quietly. I had to calm my nerves, and his. I wasn’t sure, but I believed Church had nefarious intentions. Why else would he come into the locker rooms that were off-limits to the public?
“Hey, boy. Are you ready for the show?” I tossed him a fish and he nodded, with his head bobbing above the water. “That’s great. Me, too.” I rubbed his snout and talked encouragingly to him. “No matter what, Singh, I’m right here with you. It’s going to be okay, I promise.” He nodded again, hungry for another fish. I had no idea if he understood what I was saying or not, but it was nice to believe that he did. “Here you go. Last one, though, for now. We’ve got a show to put on. You ready?” He gave me another nod and I walked to the edge of the ring with Singh following me, then I stepped down the ladder and eased into the warm water.
I interacted with Singh by diving under the water and letting him play to get his energy going. Bobbie Jo finished her spiel and now it was my turn to show the crowd how awesome this dolphin was. I patted the water twice and he swam up right beside me. “Can I have a ride?” I asked him, knowing exactly how he’d react. We’d practiced this routine so many times before. He nodded and I slid onto his back. I leaned forward and whispered to him. “Let’s show them what you can do, Singh. You are one beautiful dolphin. The nicest, smartest dolphin I’ve ever seen. Let’s go!”
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