The Tick-Tock Between You and Me

by Kristy Tate

8 a.m. 5k fun run

  10 a.m.-4 p.m. carnival,

  6 p.m. Black-tie dinner

  8 p.m. casino night

  I need help all day. I need people to hand out water along the runner’s path, help man carnival booths, deal cards or spin wheels at the casino night, and serve dinner. If you come and work like a dog, I’ll forgive you for the cost of your airline ticket and the use of my car. If not, I’ll tell my brothers, uncles, aunts, cousins, clients, in short, everyone I know that you are a mooch. They say that Hollywood is a small town. I hope you’ll consider my offer.

  Benjamin to Darby: No need to be threatening. I’m happy to help. Tell me where and when.

  #

  “Maybe he’s not the scum-eating bottom feeder we thought he was,” Nora said before she took a long drink from her water bottle. With her long legs and bouncy blond ponytail, she looked cute in her running clothes while short and curvy Darby, dressed in a nearly identical outfit of a hoodie and running shorts, resembled a pillow with arms, legs, and a head.

  “I still don’t want him anywhere near my sister,” Darby said. “I don’t trust him.”

  A barefoot runner sprinted up to their table and Darby put a water bottle into his outstretched hand.

  “Go, you!” Nora clapped and cheered for the small band of girls jogging by their table.

  “He didn’t have to come, you know,” she said. “I know you think your brothers are terrifying, but they’re only scary if they know where you are.” she tossed a water bottle at a man running with a prosthetic leg. “Good for you!” she called, cheering and clapping.

  Darby pushed her curls off her forehead. The morning mist had morphed her curls into a beast that couldn’t be tamed by hair ties. The sun, just a bright spot behind the clouds, hung above the trees. Darby hoped the clouds could hold out—without rain—throughout the day so the carnival wouldn’t be raging hot.

  “I didn’t think he’d actually show,” Darby said.

  “Maybe he’s really into Henley.”

  “That shouldn’t hurt, but it kind of stings,” Darby said.

  “But you don’t like him, right?”

  “No, not at all.” She pressed her lips together when she spotted Chad and a cluster of school girls jogging their way.

  “When will you apologize?” Nora asked, whispering, even though Chad and the girls were still a long way away.

  “As soon as I get a chance to speak to him alone,” Darby said.

  “I wonder if he’s seen Benjamin, yet.”

  Chad’s eyes widened when he spotted Darby, and almost immediately a mask of indifference fell over his face. The troupe of girls surrounding him laughed and joked as they took their water bottles, but Chad remained stoic and jogged past the table without making eye contact.

  “Do you think he’ll ever forgive me?” Darby asked as soon as Chad was safely out of earshot.

  “Absolutely, because you’re awesome and adorable, and he knows it.” Nora smiled and waved at a group of her students jogging up who wore bulldog T-shirts with a caption that read, Bully for you. “And if he doesn’t know it, he’s an idiot and shouldn’t be allowed to influence young minds.”

  #

  Chad, of course, had known that Darby had stepped in at the last moment to save the school’s fundraiser, but what he hadn’t known, or guessed, was that seeing her would hit him hard enough to knock him off balance. He didn’t actually stumble as he jogged past the water station where she sat looking as charming and beautiful as ever, but his knees transformed to liquid and his chest burned as if he’d run a hundred miles instead of just three.

  It didn’t help that she was just as smart and capable as she was adorable. She had rescued what could have been a nightmare for the school and whipped it into a fun-filled weekend for the girls, their parents, and the community. She not only saved the school a tremendous amount of money but also a heaping helping of humiliation. And she’d done the same thing for his grandfather’s ranch.

  He owed her gratitude, but that didn’t mean he had to give her his heart.

  And yet, that’s exactly what he wanted to do. No, longed to do. But was he resisting the impulse because he guessed that if he handed her his life, she’d commandeer it as capably as she was running the school fundraiser? Why did that scare him?

  Was it because he’d felt so used and betrayed by Jessica? Was it fair to assume Darby would treat him the same way?

  After Chad and the girls crossed the finish line, he didn’t hang around to chat with the students or their parents but headed to the locker room. Years after the school had become girls-only, the boys’ locker room still had a ghost-like feeling. It was always weird to be the only person showering in a room filled with dozens of showerheads, to use only one locker out of a bank of hundreds. He could almost hear the laughter and chatter of those vanished boys.

  He flipped on the closest shower, grabbed a towel, and waited for the water to warm before stepping in.

  He had to admit, the ranch carried the same eerie feeling of abandonment. The barn and stables that had been built for a herd now only held a few horses. The large house that had once been a home of love and laughter now was hushed and sleepy with age.

  Maybe his dad was right—he needed to get on with his own life, create his own family and build his own home. But was it so wrong to try to hold onto the ranch? And he liked working at the school. He enjoyed teaching. And sure, it would be more fun if there were boys mixed in with the girls, but that wasn’t his call, and he liked the girls.

  He stepped out of the shower, toweled off, and realized he wasn’t alone. That skin-pricking sensation of being watched tickled the back of his neck. “Hello?”

  A rustling sound came from behind a bank of lockers. Chad wrapped the towel around his waist and went to investigate.

  Barry Sprog hastily shoved something into a locker and slammed it shut. “Hey, George,” Barry said, straightening and tugging at the collar of his button-down shirt.

  “Barry,” Chad said, studying him, sensing his unease. It surprised him to see the science teacher in the locker room, after all, Barry lived in one of the teachers’ on-campus cottages. If he needed to shower, it would be almost as easy to do it at his own home. “Everything okay?”

  “Sure,” Barry said, blinking, but after a moment, his shoulders slumped. “I hate these things, sucking up to the rich and famous and begging for funding. I wouldn’t have to do this at a public school.”

  Chad ran his fingers through his wet hair. “Not true. Even public schools have fundraisers.”

  “Yeah, but…” he grimaced. “I just get so sick of these status seekers, trust fund babies, and elitists. No offense.”

  Chad raised his eyebrows. Barry probably assumed Chad was rich. Well, maybe he was right, but if Barry only knew Chad’s true financial condition… “You could probably teach at a public school if that’s what you want.”

  Barry didn’t reply but recoiled as if Chad had slapped him with his wet towel.

  Chad almost laughed at the science teacher’s horrified expression. “Just an idea,” he said, “if you hate it here so much.” Chad patted Barry on the shoulder and went to get dressed.

  He pulled his chinos out of his locker and inspected them for wrinkles. He knew the blue shirt and matching sweater accented the color of his eyes. Not that he cared what Darby thought. Not that he wanted her to notice him. Or try to talk to him. Not that he wanted to hear her laugh, or smell her perfume, or touch her…

  The light in the room shifted and a breeze swirled the air as the door to outside opened and closed and someone, presumably Barry, left.

  Chad sat down hard on the bench, slipped on his socks, and pulled on his boots. A thought occurred to him as he stood to leave—what had Barry been doing in the locker room anyway? He obviously hadn’t come to shower because he had already been dressed.

  Chad went to the bank of lockers where Barry had been. None of the lockers had locks, except one. The one beside Barr
y had slammed shut. The shiny black combination lock bothered Chad, but he couldn’t say why. He tugged at it, but it didn’t budge. He studied it, trying to figure out what was bothering him. He dialed the lock, waiting to hear it click. Of course, it didn’t. Guilt pricked him. What business did he have poking into Barry’s locker? But what was Barry hiding? And why?

  He scratched his head, tried to shrug away his curiosity, and abandoned the locker room in favor of daylight. But as soon as he stepped outside, he wanted to duck back into the privacy of the locker room.

  What was pretty boy Benji doing here? Chad instinctively flexed his fist. Darby must have invited him, but why? Was she still in his thrall?

  Benji lifted his finger in a half-hearted wave, even though it seemed likely he had been looking for Chad. Why else hang out around the locker room door?

  “What are you doing here?” Chad asked.

  Benji gave him his lopsided grin. Chad realized it was probably more endearing to females than to him.

  “Do you mean here specifically,” Benji pointed at the ground, “or here at the school?”

  “Both,” Chad said. Then he heaved a sigh and wished he’d acted more indifferently. “Not that I care.”

  “I’m here because Darby invited me.” Benji stuffed his hands into his pockets. “But I’m talking to you because I want you to know there’s no hard feelings.”

  Says who?

  “You know, for the whole punching me in the face,” Benji continued. “As you can see, no permanent damage.”

  “Well, there are greater disappointments, I suppose,” Chad said. Not that I can think of any at the moment. “Darby invited you, huh?”

  “She’s great, isn’t she?” Benji’s grin didn’t even falter when Chad clenched his fists. “Amazing really. Just brilliant the way she saved this show.”

  “What do you know about it?” Chad asked.

  “Ah, just what she told me, of course.”

  Chad wanted to know everything Darby had said because he wanted to know everything about her, but if she still had any feelings for Benji, and it looked as if she must or else why would Benji be here? Then Chad didn’t want anything to do with her. He inhaled a ragged breath.

  “So, I’m willing to let bygones be bygones. Are you?” Benji pressed. “For Darby’s sake?”

  Chad just stared at him.

  “Hey, I’m the injured party here,” Benji said.

  “You’re right,” Chad admitted. He was being stupid. What did it matter if Darby and this goon got back together? After a few hours, he didn’t ever have to see either of them again. “But just to be safe, can you stay away from me?”

  #

  Dressed in her favorite black dress and heels, Darby scanned the room, not only to make sure everything from the lighting to the floral arrangements on the tables looked picture perfect, but also because she wanted to talk to Chad. If he wanted to avoid her, he was doing an awesome job.

  She caught Nora’s anxious glance and sent her an I got this smile. The twinkly lights suspend on poles crisscrossing the patio swayed in the wind. A darkening cloud blew across the moon. The Weather Channel had predicted a cloudless night sky. Unseasonably warm, the weatherman had promised. But as her gaze sought out Benjamin’s, she had to admit that not all promises could be delivered.

  Benjamin caught her eye and winked. She flushed and looked away. He had surprised her this weekend. He’d worked hard, schmoozed with the parents, flirted with girls, and proven himself nearly indispensable. If she needed boxes moved or signs erected or food served, he’d been there. Even now as he circled the patio offering his tray of hors d'oeuvres, he looked delicious enough to eat. But she wasn’t interested. Even if there weren’t a Chad or a Henley and only Darby and Benjamin were left alone on the planet, she didn’t think she could ever see him as anyone other than her mistake.

  She felt Chad more than she saw him. When she turned to find him on the other side of the patio, watching her, she wasn’t surprised. Drawn to him, she weaved through the teachers and guests until she reached his side.

  She’d never seen him in a suit and tie before and he looked good. Even the tartan tie, which looked so goofy on everyone else, suited him. A cluster of guests surrounded him, but he made room for her in his circle when she put her hand on his arm.

  He introduced Darby to the guests. She nodded and smiled, but none of the names and faces registered. After a moment, he drew her to the edge of the patio, out of earshot of the others.

  Now that she had his attention, she wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. The wind ruffled a nearby bougainvillea and scattered red petals across the lawn. The noise of the party grew faint as they wandered farther from the lights and music.

  “Thank you for doing this,” Chad said, sounding stiff and formal. “Irena and Cole have been telling everyone how amazing you are.”

  Darby flushed with the praise. “I was happy to do it.”

  “This fundraiser is tremendously important to the school.” He sounded like an advertisement, and she was tempted to tickle him or kick him to see if she could crack his icy demeanor.

  “Did you get my texts or calls?” Darby swallowed. Apologies didn’t come easily for her and his silence had hurt.

  “You didn’t send me a text,” he said without a flicker of emotion.

  “I did. Several in fact,” she said, shifting from one foot to another. “I wanted to apologize. It was wrong of me to just assume that you lied.”

  “Miss Elliot!”

  “Help! Miss. Elliot!”

  A trio of students wearing aprons and hairnets burst through the cafeteria’s side door. They waved their spatulas at her.

  “The sauce is burning!” one of them called, panic touching her voice.

  “I better go,” Darby said.

  “That’s probably a good idea,” Chad said.

  #

  Chad stood in a shaft of moonlight and scrolled through his phone looking for missed calls or texts from Darby. There hadn’t been anything from her in weeks.

  Was she lying?

  He pocketed the phone and went back to the party and even though he smiled and chatted with the parents and other faculty members, his heart was heavy.

  #

  After she rescued the sauce, Darby remained in the kitchen supervising the girls with the food, and then later, the cleanup. She watched through the door as a flashing disco ball descended over the makeshift dance floor. She couldn’t see Chad, but she couldn’t help wondering about him. The band began to play “The Way You Look Tonight,” and she turned her back on the couples joining hands on the patio and found a stack of dishes she could load into the industrial-size washer.

  “No, no, no.” Benjamin bustled into the room, put down his tray full of half-filled wine goblets, and took off his apron. “What are you doing?”

  It took Darby a moment to realize he was talking to her. “Huh, the dishes?”

  “No.” Benjamin took her arm and spun her away from the sink. “Come on.”

  “I’m not going out there,” Darby said.

  “Yes, you are.”

  She planted her feet. “Do you want to be punched again?”

  “Do you want to spend your life hiding in the kitchen?” He took possession of both her hands.

  “Not my life, but tonight, sure.”

  He squeezed her hands. “It’s the same thing. Can’t you see that?”

  “What do you mean?” Darby asked.

  A girl with frizzy red hair stepped away from the sink. “He means the way you do anfing is the way you do everyfing.” Her soft lisp would have been funny if the words weren’t so hurtful.

  “You’re hiding behind your work. Again,” Benjamin said. “Tonight, it’s the dinner and dishes, but tomorrow it might be a stack of tax returns. Either way, it’s the same thing—you’re too busy to enjoy your life.”

  “That’s so not true!” Darby said.

  “Isn’t it? Then why aren’t you dancing with me?�
�

  “Why would I want to dance with you?” she asked, making her voice sound mean to cover her hurt.

  “To make Mr. George jealous,” the redhead said.

  “Obviously,” a tall brunette added.

  “Anyone can see that he’s totally into you,” a blonde put in.

  “What are you talking about?” Darby shot looks at all the girls in the room. “He won’t even look at me!”

  “Yeah, when you aren’t looking at him!” the redhead said. “The rest of the time, he’s watching you.”

  “Like he wants to eat you for dessert,” the brunette said.

  Benjamin held out his hand, waiting.

  “I’m not dancing with you,” Darby said.

  “Is it because of Henley?” Benjamin asked.

  “No. Sort of. Maybe. I don’t know.” Darby went back to the sink and plunged her hands in the soapy water. “But I do know that my not dancing with you has absolutely nothing to do with…what you said earlier.” I’m not hiding, she told herself. I’m not a workaholic. She knew all about workaholics, her accounting firm was teeming with the pasty-skinned men who avoided their families and friends like moles shun the sun and offered up a laundry list of excuses for their anti-social behavior that included the tax season, or year-end audits, or the need to make partner.

  Benjamin shrugged. “Think about it. When we first met, you were cowering beneath a blanket.”

  “The hotel was on fire!”

  “And you were great when we were communicating online, and I was at a safe distance.”

  Darby glanced at the girls sharing the kitchen with them. They weren’t even pretending to work but stood staring at Benjamin with open-mouthed devotion. “This really isn’t the time or place for this discussion,” she told Benjamin.

  “What did she do?” the blonde asked.

  “Once I got here, she shut me down,” Benjamin said.

  “I did not!” Darby sputtered. “It was you! You were the one who didn’t return my calls!”

  “That’s not how I remember it.”

  Heat crawled up Darby’s neck and flooded her cheeks. “I don’t care how you remember it! That’s what happened. I paid for you to come to the U.S. and once you got here, you blew me off!”