It's What You Do

by C L Wesley

  “Well hey, I have to get to class.” Jensen stands, as do I, having to be at work in twenty-minutes. We grab our stuff and head outside where he pulls me in for a quick hug. Jensen has always given the best hugs. I was at work for an hour when the awkward looks and whispering started in the commons alerted me to check social media. Pulling my phone out of my back pocket, I check Instagram and see the picture of Jensen and I hugging. The hug seen around the world on Instagram. #cheatingonstriker #friendsshareapparently #soccergroupie #waytogoJensen The picture makes it look like we were hugging for hours when it lasted literally two seconds. I immediately text Noah.

  Me: Social media sucks, he hugged me for like two seconds. We found out Izzy is in rehab

  I didn’t hear back from Noah all afternoon which is highly unlike him. The rest of my shift passed at a snail’s pace as the snickers continued throughout the Commons. I had about twenty-minutes left when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.

  Jensen: Hey hunny, I’m so sorry about Instagram

  Me: Nothing to be sorry for

  J: It was Brittany that snapped it. Josh posted it

  Me: Great. That explains why Noah is not returning my text

  J: Want me to text him?

  Me: No, I’m going to see him after class

  If I went to class that is. I skipped class for the first time in my collegiate career in favor of walking over to Blexler Hall. I have to wait for him to either buzz me in or for someone to let me in, so until one of the two happens, here I sit, in the cold. Noah finally came home around 8:30PM to find me sitting in the hallway with my back to his door. Mason had let me in a little while ago. “Taryn? What are you doing?” I take his offered hand and stand up.

  “I texted you earlier about this stupid Instagram thing and when you didn’t respond, I skipped class to come talk to you about it.” I look at him smiling like he heard something funny. “What’s so funny?”

  Noah pulled me into his arms. “Darlin’, I would have texted you if I didn’t forget my phone and Jensen saw me in the gym and told me what happened.” Noah opened his door and pulled me inside. “I love you. It is just me and you, no one else. I truly believe that.”

  Two weeks have gone by and I find myself crying alone in my bed after just putting Noah on a plane home to Houston a few hours ago. I miss him so much already. We both finished out our semesters with straight A’s, so we had lots to celebrate and I couldn’t wait until December 23rd so I could fly to Houston and celebrate with him. Noah was required back in the gym for spring soccer training on January 2nd so we made plans to fly home on New Year’s Eve and ring in the new year together.

  “Taryn? Dad and I would like to talk with you.” I hear my mom yell from the bottom of the stairs. I groan and roll out of bed thinking that this conversation was never going to take place. When I got downstairs, they were both sitting in the kitchen, cocktails in hand.

  “What’s up?” I say as my mom slid something fruity across the counter at me.

  My dad takes a deep breath, “We wanted to tell you that we are going to be selling the house and moving into something smaller. We are looking at the two-bedroom condos over by Shoregate. You are more than welcomed to move with us. We just didn’t want you to think that if we moved you couldn’t come. You have done everything we asked of you, including being responsible with Noah.” I sat shocked at the words coming out of my dad’s mouth.

  “Honey, we want to use the profit from this big ole house to help you finish your last year of school and also help your sister. We know and you know, James is not it for her.” My mom informs me while tipping back her drink.

  “But this is your house. And my tuition is fine.” I taste the fruity cocktail and lick my lips at the tasty concoction.

  “This house is too much for us and we want to help you with your tuition. It’s just what you do when you love someone.” My mom covered my dad’s hand with her own. “Now, since our Christmas is the 22nd, what would you like for dinner before you fly south for the winter?”

  My phone started buzzing on the counter with a (312) area code. “This could be Izzy.” I grabbed my phone and went in the other room. “Hello?”

  “Oh my God. I could masturbate to the sound of your voice.” I hear Izzy laughing on the other end.

  “Izzy!” I scream. “How are you? God, I miss you so much!”

  “Well rehab is hell, but a necessity. I fucked up so bad Taryn. I got a DUI on my drive home.” She whispers into the phone, obviously embarrassed about her escapades.

  “I thought you were flying home?” I asked slightly confused.

  “Well a little issue at the airport. I wasn’t allowed to board the plane drunk.” I hear her take in a deep breath. “So, I swerved through Indiana. Where my parents had to bail me out and pick me up.”

  “Oh Iz. Are you getting better?” I ask, slumping down into the corner of the couch.

  “I think so. It’s hard to admit when you are wrong.” I shake my head even though she can’t see it. “I was able to take my finals online with a monitor through Skype.”

  “I talked to your mom. She said she was going to try to help you out.” I stretch out on the sofa.

  “Yeah, she told me. Hey, how’s Jensen? I messed up with him so bad. I let my want for a drink get between us and it tore us apart. He broke up with me a few weeks ago.” Last time I saw Jensen he was sitting next to a pretty brunette in the Commons flirtatiously studying but how do I tell Izzy that.

  “He was okay last I saw him. He never told me you two broke up. He was getting ready to head home for the holiday. There was a scandal between him and I after you left.” I laughed. “He came to talk to me in the library and gave me a hug when that bitch Brittany snapped a pic sending it to Josh who then thought it was funny to post on Instagram with some awesome fucking hashtags.”

  “Jesus Christ. I’m so sorry. How’d Big take it?” I laughed into the phone.

  “It’s funny that you call him that. He was fine. Surprisingly, he ignores all that shit. So, when do you get out?” I ask wanting to know when my BFF will be coming back.

  “Well, I’m going to do online courses this next semester. I was going to ask you if you wanted to stay in my dorm room to be closer to Noah.” She offers and my eyebrow cocks. “It’s all paid for and it is still mine even though I am doing all online.”

  “No! I want you to come back.” I tell her. “But if you can’t, yes, I’d love to stay there once in a while.” That would also go along with my parents plan to sell the house.

  “So, I know I have to call Jensen to apologize, but I only have five more minutes today. Tell me about you and Noah.” She asks and I go on telling her all about my planned trip to Houston for Christmas when we hear the operator tell her that her twenty-minutes is up. “I love you girl! I get my cell phone in a few weeks. I promise we will catch up more!” The phone lit up signaling a disconnected call. She sounded so much better. I sat there for a few minutes before heading back in to talk to my parents.

  Me: Hey J! I just talked to Izzy. Rehab is going well. She got a DUI in Indiana!

  J: Holy shit! Hopefully her eyes are wide open.

  Me: You didn’t tell me you two broke up

  J: Didn’t want to ruin both our holidays

  12

  “The temperature outside is 68 degrees and partly sunny. If Houston is your final destination, then welcome home.” I hear the captain say as we pull up to our terminal. I feel the butterflies in my stomach as I make my way down to the baggage claim with weak legs. I round the corner to see my handsome boyfriend waiting patiently for me with snapdragons in his hand. I’ve never been so happy to see someone.

  I dropped my bags and ran into Noah’s arms, placing a movie worthy kiss on his lips before he put me down. “I missed you too, Darlin’. You look so good.” I didn’t want to let him go, even long enough for him to grab my bags. I found out quickly that Houston is a crazy city with weird freeways and bridges built over each other that I woul
d easily get lost on should I ever have to drive this crazy city. “Nervous?” He asks, holding my hand over his gear shift, only letting go to switch gears in his older than fuck Chevy Cavalier.

  “Petrified.” I smile. “I know you met my parents like a pro, but I’m scared as hell.”

  “They’ll love you, just like I do.” He rubbed my knuckles as we get out of the city and head into the suburbs.

  “Oh my God! Sugarland! Like the band? Or like in the tv show The Client!” I watch Noah laugh as we continued down the same stretch of freeway over and over or so it seemed because it was so flat.

  “Yes to both. We will be there in about twenty-minutes.” He laughed and spent the rest of the drive pointing things out to me as we drove to Lake Jackson, Texas, his hometown. We pulled down a cul-de-sac, and into the driveway of a cute little brick ranch style home. “This is home.” Noah says as he walks around to open my door. “I finally get to drive you around.” I stand up and into his arms, burying my head against his chest and wrapping my arms tightly around his waist.

  “I’ve missed you so much. Facetime is nothing like the real thing.” I tell him just before he tips my head up, pressing his lips lightly to mine. “Definitely can’t do that on Facetime.” Before I knew what he was doing, I was picked up and thrown over his shoulder. “Noah! What are you doing?” I giggle out when he slaps my ass.

  “Something else we can’t do on Facetime.” He walks quickly through the house, his massive dog following hot on his heels. “Thor, go lay down.” He tells the dog and lays me down on his bed.

  “Your parents, Noah!” I start unbuttoning my shirt as he pulls his off over his head revealing his washboard stomach.

  “Will not be home until after 4:30.” I lift my eyebrows at him before he hovered over me.

  I wasn’t sure what was better…make-up sex or I miss you sex. Either way, I didn’t care because I was laying here with Noah. “So, you are a decent soccer player eh?” I tease looking around his room and seeing enough trophies to outfit a recreational soccer league.

  “I can hold my own.” He grabs his watch, “Um, we have to get dressed.” He kisses the top of my head before sitting up giving me a glimpse of his back. Noah is full of muscles and I watch each one ripple beneath his skin as he slipped his jeans on.

  “Wait.” I say, standing up and wrapping his sheet around me.

  “What’s wrong?” He stood there, t-shirt in hand.

  “I just like admiring you with no shirt on.” I give my best devilish smile.

  “You gotta behave, Darlin’. The parental figures will be home in fifteen minutes or so.” He winks at me and I pout. As if they were on schedule, John and Marla Grodnowski, walked through the door exactly fifteen minutes later, damn near tripping on my suitcase. “Hey Mama.” Noah walks over to the door and picks up my suitcase. “I wasn’t sure where you wanted Taryn to sleep.”

  “Obviously not in front of the door.” She slipped off her shoes and I stepped out from behind Noah with a smile. “Hello there.”

  “Nice to meet you Mrs. Grodnowski.” I slip my hand out only to come up empty as she looks me over from head to toe.

  “Oh, I just left work. I simply must wash my hands first.” She walks by me as Noah turns around with hurt and confusion in his eyes.

  “You must be Taryn.” I hear another deep voice with a bit of a twang. I turn around and I am met with a handsome older version of Noah with salt and pepper hair. “Come here.” He pulls my extended hand and wraps his arms around me. “Hope you had a good flight.”

  “I did. Thank you, Mr. Grodnowski.” I smile when he finally lets go of me.

  “Please darlin’, John is just fine.” He turns to Noah, smacking him on the arm. “Hey buddy, did you show her the pool house yet?” Noah shakes his head no.

  “Hey Pop, Mom is pouting in the kitchen and didn’t tell me where Taryn is sleeping.” He asked, his dad looking at him like he was foreign.

  “Noah, you are an adult.” John turns to me, “As long as you are comfortable, you may sleep with Noah, Taryn.” He squeezes my shoulder as he heads to the kitchen. “I know you college kids are not innocent.”

  Noah hangs his head in embarrassment. “My dad thinks I lost my virginity in high school. Did you bring the swimsuit I asked you to bring?” Noah asked, patting my suitcase.

  “Yes, but it’s a bit chilly for a swim.” I say as I slowly follow him to his room checking out the pictures of him and his brother proudly displayed.

  “Let’s go change.” Noah pulls me into his room.

  “Are you ready?” Noah asked as I walked, his hand over my eyes, with my back against his chest through the kitchen and into the chilly air. I hear a door click before I was met with warm humid air, smelling of chlorine.

  “Yes.” Noah removes his hand and I am met by an exotic oasis. “Holy shit, Noah. This is gorgeous.” I look around at the glass greenhouse set up with a large in-ground pool that sports an adjacent hot tub. Surrounding the hot tub was giant ferns and greenery with large leaves, adorned with soft white fairy lights. Along the right side of the pool, a half-dozen lounge chairs were laid out. On the left side was a tiki bar but what was out of this world was the large rock structure that created a waterfall that ran into the pool.

  “Having this year-round was my mother’s dream. It took my pop over twenty-five years to make it happen. He just finished it for her last year.” I watch the adoration in Noah’s eyes as he looks around at his father’s masterpiece. “Now, can you swim?” Noah grabs us both and jumps in while I scream. We spent at least an hour playing around and swimming in the oasis when Noah pulls me to the waterfall. “This is my favorite spot.” He says as he pulls me through the waterfall into a cove hidden behind it, pulling me into him before gently leaning me back against the giant rock.

  “This may be mine too.” I say tilting my head up, my lips meeting his in a sweet yet sensual kiss. Noah’s large hands innocently roamed every inch of bare skin he could reach. “Noah?” I breathe out heavily.

  “Hmmm.” He growls against my neck while creating a path of delicate kisses that have my body on fire.

  “You are the best part of my life.” I wrap my arms around him and refuse to let go.

  “Noah?” I hear his mom calling him from the door. “Noah, we are leaving for dinner in thirty-minutes. You two may want to stop playing around and get dressed.”

  “Does she always sound so stern?” I ask breaking my lips away from his.

  “Not usually.” He pulls me through the waterfall leading me to the towels that are delicately rolled up on the shelf. Wrapping me into one of the large fluffy towels, Noah puts his arms around me. “It will be fine.” He buries his head into my shoulder. “I love you, Taryn.”

  “I love you too, handsome.” I let him hold me for a few minutes before breaking the connection. “We should go change.” I turn to leave when Noah grabs my wrist. “What?” He smiles at me the corner of his mouth turned up.

  “Come here.” He leads me over behind a beautifully glass tiled wall to reveal an open shower. “My mom requests that we all clean off here before coming in. She thinks that the chlorine will ruin her wood floors.” He removes my towel, hanging it up on the hook strategically placed on the wall.

  The warm water felt like rain coming from the shower head as Noah massaged shampoo into my hair. The way he takes care of me is unlike anything I have ever experienced. Noah finished washing up, allowing me to rinse my hair before his lips descended upon mine. I pull back and allow myself to hold him against me, the warm water cascading down my back. “Are you alright, Darlin’?” Noah whispers into my ear.

  “I can’t begin describe what I am feeling but yes I am more than alright.” I loosen my grip around his waist as he kisses my nose. “We should go get ready.”

  An hour later we were sitting at the local Chili’s Bar and Grille with Noah’s parents waiting on the server to bring our food when the interrogation began. Marla sipped her drink before starting t
he fifty questions as if she needed a confidence booster. “What do you plan on doing with your major Taryn?”

  “Well I have not decided on where my focus will be but business is pretty general. I really like marketing and human resources but I do not want to settle with just a bachelor’s degree. I want to get my master’s and eventually a doctorate so that I can teach at the college level after I retire from my career job.” I muster out hoping that she will at least smile at me.

  John smiles, “You sound like you have your future mapped out. Nice and bright.” I smile as Noah squeezes my hand under the table, his mother still not showing a smile. “You will be an unstoppable duo.” He raises his tall draft glass and salutes us.

  “Oh honey, they are just college sweethearts.” Marla presses her pursed lips to her drink glass, glaring at me over the table.

  “Hopefully we outlast more than that.” Noah squeezes my hand again in every attempt to reassure me.

  “I just think you are getting ahead of yourselves.” Marla snarls.

  “Mom!” Noah snaps at Marla as she shrugs her shoulders back at him.

  “Marla!” John turns to his wife in disbelief of her actions.

  “Mrs. Grodnowski, I am not sure what I have done or said.” I look at her fighting back the tears I feel forming.

  “Some day when you have a child, not my grandchildren, you will realize that you want the best for them.” She rudely snarks at me.

  “Well, someday when I do have kids, they will know they can bring home someone they love to meet me and I will not treat them like they are an abomination.” I let go of Noah’s hand. “I’ll see myself back home.” I stand up from our booth, heart thumping, and walk with a speed that damn near makes me want to jog from the restaurant.

  The warm air hits me and the tears fall as I pull out my cell phone to call an Uber. Through blurry eyes I try to read the bright screen when warm arms wrap around my waist spinning me into a hard chest. “I am so so sorry Taryn.” Noah’s deep voice cocoons me. “I have no idea what has crawled up my mom’s ass.”