It was thirty minutes later when he finally looked up from the page. “Sorry, I wanted to get that down while it was still fresh in my mind,” he said, closing the sketchpad.
“Not so fast,” I said, holding out my hand. “Let me see.”
“It’s not done,” he answered, stowing it in his bag.
I didn’t argue. The intensity he had the entire time he was drawing led me to believe he took his work very seriously.
“So, what do you think?” he asked, indicating the large expanse of windows in front of us. “Pretty cool way to show visitors a glimpse into what it’s like beneath Puget Sound?”
“It’s breathtaking. I could stay here all day.”
“Been there, done that,” he said, throwing his head back to laugh. Several preteen girls turned to stare at him, looking completely entranced before dissolving into a heap of giggles. As we left the viewing area, I could still hear them giggling and chattering away.
“I think you have a fan club,” I said, throwing a look over my shoulder at the girls.
“You think?” he asked, raising his pierced eyebrow, which naturally drew my attention. Everything about him seemed designed to appeal to the opposite sex. I wasn’t the only one to notice as we continued walking through the aquarium. I caught women young and old openly admiring him. There was no denying he was attractive. Obviously, any warm-blooded female would attest to that. Knowing the way the female mind works, I realized I was also being judged by his many admirers as to whether I was worthy to be with someone with his looks. Not that I felt I was ugly, but feeling insecure around guys was never my thing. Being with Justin had a way of making me feel like I was lacking in one capacity or another. It was more my problem than his, and I realized that. The only problem was I was beginning to find I actually enjoyed his company. He was laid back, good-natured, and very easy to talk to. It was a shame I had to end things before they got started.
We were eating lunch when I mentioned it. “Today has been really fun.”
“Why do I sense a but coming?” he asked, dipping a French fry in ketchup.
I smiled slightly at his intuitiveness. At least he wasn’t dense like the last guy I ended it with before the first date was even over. “But, I just think we’re too different.”
“Different? How?”
“I’m sure you’ve noticed I’m not the most open person,” I started, glaring at him when he grinned broadly at my words. “Fine, it’s obvious,” I acknowledged. “The point is you’re the exact opposite. You have a way of making someone feel special even if you don’t say a word.”
“Care to elaborate?” he asked, settling back in his chair with his arms crossed across his chest.
“Like you don’t know,” I answered, exasperated. “A smile here. A wink there. You’re a born flirt. I may have been off on the bad-boy part, but I was dead-on when it comes to your flirty nature.”
“Flirty nature? God, could you emasculate me any more?” he joked, leaning forward so we were closer. “So, I’m friendly. No harm, no foul.”
“Player,” I countered.
“Easygoing,” he volleyed.
“Tease.”
“Affectionate.”
I couldn’t help laughing at his persistence. “Whatever way you phrase it, I’m not looking for a relationship.”
“What are you looking for?” he asked with a more serious tone.
“I’m not sure,” I answered honestly. “I’ve been here a year and a half and I feel like I’m barely scratching the surface. Take today, for example. I’m not sure I would have ever come here if you hadn’t brought me. It’s not like this is a place my friends are talking about. There are so many things I want to do that I’ve never had the opportunity to do before.”
“Strict parents?” he questioned.
“No, it’s not that. It’s just, I’m from a very small town. You know, the kind of place where you sneeze and everyone knows about it. God forbid you actually do something scandalous like make out with Gregory James in Mr. Jacobs’s science lab.”
“Gregory James? Is he someone I have to worry about?”
“Very funny. My point is I’m enjoying my freedom more than I ever thought I would. I don’t feel like bogging it down with a relationship.”
“Don’t you get lonely?”
“Have you met my roommate?” I joked. “Melissa kinda doesn’t allow for loneliness.”
He laughed. “She is something else. I like her, though. Her enthusiasm is cool and Rob seems to dig her.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. I love her to death, but she pretty much fills any void I may have.”
“I didn’t realize you two were those kind of roommates,” he teased, his innuendo clear. “Maybe I should come hang out.”
“You wish.”
“You mean you two don’t have pillow fights?” he asked, giving me puppy-dog eyes.
“Strangely, no. We also don’t have wet T-shirt contests or play Truth or Dare every night.”
“Just on some nights?” he asked hopefully.
“Is it hard-wired in every guy’s brain that girl-on-girl is hot?” I asked, popping a fry into my mouth.
“Depends on the girls,” he answered.
“Oh boy. Sexist much?”
“Girls just look at it wrong. It’s more of a compliment that we’d like to see you hook up at least once.”
“Excuse me while I puke,” I said, making exaggerated gagging noises.
“Does that mean you’re done with lunch?” he asked. He crumpled up his burger wrapper and tossed it into his empty fry container.
“Yeah. Are we leaving?” I asked. I was surprised he’d given in so quickly. Just goes to show my instincts were dead-on.
“Hell no. If I only get one date with you, I’m going to make it worthwhile. We’ve pretty much seen everything here, so we’re going to head out to see one of my favorite things about Seattle. You game?”
I turned his words over in my mind, trying to decide what to do. My intention had been to call it a day once we left the aquarium. I wasn’t one to give false hope for something that wasn’t going to happen, but he already knew where I stood and seemed to accept it. I didn’t see the harm in finishing the day as long as he knew once it was over, that would be it.
“Lead the way,” I finally answered, trying to convince myself it didn’t mean anything that he smiled broadly at my words.
My second ride in his jeep was as exhilarating as the first. The sun had broken through the cloudy morning haze, making it feel almost warm outside. My face was still red and felt slightly chapped by the time we pulled into the parking spot at our next destination. “Olympic Sculpture Park?” I questioned.
“Have you been here?” he asked, sounding disappointed.
“No, but some guys were talking about it in my psychology class last semester. I’ve wanted to come out here but kept forgetting about it,” I answered, jumping down from the jeep.
“Well, I’m glad I thought to bring you here, then,” he said, leading the way.
I could see why this was his favorite place. Even though I wasn’t an artist, something about the outdoor museum was tranquil and peaceful. The art was oversized and I knew I was most likely missing the significance of each piece, but I still enjoyed looking at each one. Justin kept up a running commentary, providing all the details of the nine-acre park. He also pointed out the pieces that were permanent and the sections that were there on a temporary basis. I couldn’t help eating up his words. His attention to detail and facts about each piece kept me interested.
“What do you think?” he asked as we made our way back to where we had started from.
“Definitely has the cool factor,” I answered, buttoning up my jacket to ward off the sudden chill in the air.
“Thanks for bringing me here. Today was fun,” I admitted as we left the park.
“Day’s not over yet. It’s time for some grub.”
“Again? We just ate,” I said, checking the time on my phone.
“Like four hours ago. Besides, by the time we eat it’ll be closer to five hours.”
“Where are we going?”
“Another favorite place of mine.”
“You seem to have a lot of those.”
“When I like something, I don’t have any qualms about stating my feelings,” he answered in a voice that made me wonder if it held a double meaning.
“Are you cold?” Justin asked as we piled into his jeep.
“Not too bad now, but I’m sure I’ll be a Popsicle once we start moving.”
“Here,” he said, reaching behind my seat and extracting an oversized fleece blanket. “Don’t worry, it’s clean. I keep it in here for when my kid sister is in the jeep with me.”
“Your sister?”
“Yes, my sister. Are you always this distrustful?”
“No, but with your reputation I’m just trying to stay on my toes.”
“What reputation?” he asked, popping open the glove compartment and pulling out a skullcap. “You’ve got some pretty funked-up views about me.”
“Please. Melissa told me you’ve dated enough girls to fill a sorority house.”
“Whatever. Talk about people in glass houses.”
“Are you insinuating that I’ve gone out with as many people as you?” I sputtered indignantly.
“Insinuating? Hell no. I’m stating a fact. You’re no different than me, sister.”
“It’s not the same thing,” I replied.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” he said loudly over the wind that was whipping through the vehicle.
I fought the childish urge to stick out my tongue at him. His dating life and mine were worlds apart, considering the fact that I didn’t fall into bed with every guy I dated. I kept that piece of information to myself, though. No reason to discuss my sex life with someone I hardly knew. Of course, I wouldn’t be surprised if loose-lips Melissa had already filled him in on my stats in that category. Her ass was mine when I got back to the dorm. Revenge would be swift and just.
We drove in silence for close to thirty minutes and despite my misgivings about the blanket on my lap, I ended up burrowing my face in it when the wind became almost painful. With the warm fleece against my sore face, the ride was bearable and I could enjoy it despite my watery eyes.
I began to have misgivings about more than the blanket as the city and businesses faded behind us and were replaced by suburbs. Justin made a left turn, and a right, and a left again. Not that it mattered. All the house-lined streets looked the same. There were no restaurants in sight, which left me with only one sadistic thought. Please don’t let him be a weirdo who is dragging me to his dungeon or something.
My heart sank when he pulled into a circular driveway and parked behind an oversized SUV that screamed family vehicle.
“Please, for the love of all things holy, tell me you’re not some crazy stalker. That this isn’t your secret residence and you plan on chaining me up in your basement or something,” I said, eyeing the brightly lit house with trepidation.
He looked at me like I had sprung an extra head before laughing loudly. “Sorry. I’m fresh out of chains. This is my mom’s house.”
“Fuck me,” I mumbled as he jumped down from the vehicle.
He laughed at my colorful choice of words, but I could have sworn I heard him mutter something along the lines that he’d like to do just that.
7.
Present Day
12:14 PM
“This is bullshit,” Justin ranted. He surged to his feet after twenty minutes of uncomfortable silence in our stalled-out tomb.
I remained silent as he paced back and forth, swearing with each step. His outburst was unexpected. The entire time we’d dated he’d always been so laid back, except for the end, of course. I watched him with a heavy heart, wondering where the boy I had fallen in love with had gone. The man pacing in front of me showed little resemblance to the person I once knew. Was this my fault? Did the lies and secrets lead to this?
After a few minutes of watching him tick like a bomb waiting to go off, I finally broke into his rant. “How’s your family?” I asked quietly.
The words instantly had the effect I knew they would. Above all else, Justin loved his family. The first night I met them I would have gladly swum with a tank full of hungry flesh-eating piranhas rather than walk into their house. It had taken Justin a full five minutes to talk me out of his jeep. I remember how he had laughed at my apprehension as we made our way up the lighted path to the front door. It was obvious he thought I might bolt, which was completely possible.
“They’re all the same,” he sighed against the elevator wall. “Crazy, loud, obnoxious at times, but I guess some would call it lovable,” he answered with a hint of pride in his voice.
“Some things never change,” I mused. I had to admit I missed them.
“They still ask about you,” he admitted, studying his knuckles.
“They do?” I asked, although I wasn’t surprised. They were sweet people who had welcomed me from the beginning.
“I never told them what happened.”
“You didn’t?” I asked in a strained voice.
“No. I figured, why ruin the illusion?” he said bitterly. “They all thought you were perfect.”
“I never pretended to be perfect,” I mumbled, picking invisible lint off my pants. “How’s Hollie?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from another yell-fest.
“She’s great. The same gangly, awkward, but beautiful girl. She started middle school last year and is a total band geek now,” he answered like a proud parent. She was his kid sister, but in truth he was probably a better father than her real dad.
“Band? That’s great. I guess the tone-deaf gene skipped her, huh?”
“Must have. She definitely has mad skills.”
“What about Travis?”
“He’s better once we convinced him he wasn’t that unique just because he came out of the closet.”
“And your dad? Is he still giving him a hard time?” I inquired with an edge in my voice. Out of his whole family, the only one I’d disliked was his father. Since his parents were divorced, I’d had the misfortune of meeting him once. He was a total monkey-douche. How Justin’s sweet, loving, and a bit harebrained mother wound up with such an ass was beyond me. He was unyielding and opinionated and gave all new meaning to the word dictator.
