We're One: Two wrongs always make a right

Chapter Sixteen

Sia

As soon as our group hug breaks up, I’m handed a drink as everyone continues chatting like we haven’t missed a single day apart. It’s funny that you can be away from your friends forever, and when together again, you go right back to where you were. It’s beautiful to be here with the people who have shaped my life. Laughter and music fill the air and the heat from the bonfire warms our skin.

I move into the dance circle and get lost in the conversation and music as all of my worries float to the sky along with the fire’s smoke. About fifty people are here, which isn’t a lot, but as the night continues I’m sure more will show up.

Time disappears on the beach and, as I move around, I visit with people I haven’t seen since I first left as they also were on their own journeys. Others I’ve seen more recently on previous visits home. Being together is taking me right back to my last summer at home when school was out and we were getting ready to take on our next great adventure. That was the summer I met Zach, the summer that changed my life forever.

“Sia!” Someone calls my name, and I turn to see my old friend Stacy with a very large bump on her stomach. I meet her halfway and pull her into a hug.

“What is going on here?” I ask pointedly staring at her belly.

“I’m married and we’re having our first baby in about three months,” she says, her eyes sparkling as she holds up her hand, showing off a very beautiful diamond.

“I’m so happy for you. That’s wonderful,” I tell her. Stacy was our class president and always wore a smile in school. We all thought for sure she’d marry her high school sweetheart but they went off to college and went their separate ways. Stacy was sad about it for a while so it’s wonderful seeing her so happy and positively glowing now. Heartbreak can make us stronger and prepare us to meet the one we’re supposed to be with for eternity.

Before long my favorite science lab partner, Toby, comes up to me. He’s changed a lot in nine years, now sporting a beard and some giant biceps. He squeezes me tight. “It’s good to see you,” he says.

“It’s good to see you. It’s been forever,” I tell him.

“I traveled the world for about six years, but nothing compares to home. My mom had a stroke three years ago and I moved back to take care of her.”

“I’m so sorry. Is she okay?”

He beams at me. “She’s doing great. I opened my own tattoo parlor, a dream come true, and she runs the front desk.”

I laugh at this. “I can’t imagine your sweet little church-going mom in a tattoo parlor.”

He laughs with me. “I know! It’s funny to watch some of my clients come in; she scolds these big biker men when they use bad language,” he says between chuckles as he air quotes the last two words. “My mom considers the word damn bad language, and you might get a slap in the ear if you use the Lord’s name in vain.”

“She doesn’t chase them right back out?”

“Nope, they absolutely love her and give her the utmost respect. She’s Mama Tat to most everyone. She wasn’t sure what she thought about that at first, but now she loves it.” He leans in close. “And just between you and me, I even managed to talk her into her own little tattoo.”

My eyes widen in shock. “No way!”

“Yep.” His eyes are bursting with laughter.

“What of?” I ask.

“She got a nice little cross with roses around it on her shoulder. She told me Jesus wouldn’t be upset with her for representing him.” We both laugh. His mom really is Betty Crocker come to life, a petite little thing with bright white hair.

“I’m going to have to stop by tomorrow. I have to see this.”

“Come on in and I’ll tat you for free.”

I shake my head. “I’m terrified of needles, and I’ve never found anything I love enough to have permanently etched on my body.”

“Well, when you change your mind, and you will, you know where to find me. I think we should put a nice big siren on your thigh because you are good at luring men to their doom.”

I punch his arm. “I am not. I’m probably more vanilla than about any of our classmates,” I say as my cheeks flush.

“Oh, you forget I was with you our junior year in high school when a fight broke out over you at the football game.”

“That wasn’t my fault.” Both Johnny and Rob wanted to take me to prom, and I told them I’d think about it. Then they decided to one up each other to get me to choose them. I was so embarrassed by their antics I told them I was going to go on a friend date to prom instead. Then they both pulled stunts at the football game to try to win me back, leading to some shoving that ran into the opposing team, then the brawl was on. The game was cancelled because they couldn’t get the fighting to stop. I was known as the siren from that moment on, which was absurd.

“Don’t you know all wars start because of a woman?” He winks.

“I remember that fight well,” Bethany says as she joins our conversation. “I was so jealous. I wanted an entire football team to get in a brawl over me.” She waves her hand in front of her face as she grins at me.

“I didn’t want that,” I insist, but it’s too late. Everyone joins in on the fun now that the memory I’d rather be forgotten is discussed in full detail. I try to change the subject.

“How are you doing, Bethany? Anything new?” I desperately look at her for help. She laughs again.

“I’ll save you this once,” she assures me. “My beauty salon is thriving. I expanded last year and now have three nail techs and two more stylists. I’m moving to the resort when it opens with double the space I have now. I can’t wait! We’re going to add more services: massage, facials, and mud baths.”

“Wow, Bethany, that’s amazing.”

“I’m so beyond excited. I wanted to do what I love while remaining in my hometown, and this business is doing so much more than I ever thought possible. It’s incredible.”

“That gives me hope that I can bring my business here one day,” I tell her.

“You so can. You’d have nonstop work,” she assures me.

“It’s Nikki’s and my goal to come back home. Being here today makes me want that more than ever.”

“Just do it. You won’t regret it.” She pulls away from me. A part of me wants to take the leap and come back home. Another part of my thoughts immediately turns to Zach. As much as I miss home, do I want to run away right now, right when things are heating up between us? I don’t know. I should run, but I can’t make my feet move.

I’m bumped from behind when another tall man pulls me into a hug. It takes a moment to recognize him because his features have become so chiseled, and his body has doubled in size from our senior year.

“Victor?”

He laughs. “You’re hurting my feelings that you barely recognize me.”

I grab his arm and give a squeeze. “Who would? You’re huge now.” I gasp as he gives me a cocky grin. He was always a bit nerdy in school. Probably why we got along so well. We attempted dating a few times, but we were too close of friends for it to ever work. Looking at him now, I’m wondering if I was an idiot. He’s absolutely gorgeous. Then again, Nikki had a bit of a love-hate thing going on with him too. Once that started any crushes I might’ve had quickly went out the window. We don’t share men.

“I just got back from my time in the Marines,” he says. “I had three deployments and worked my ass off... or on since it’s bigger now,” he tells me with a laugh.

“It’s bigger in all the best ways,” I tell him. “You have got to be fighting women off left and right.”

He shakes his head, and I still see that shy boy I knew beneath this new confidence he’s exuding. It’s aweing. “I’m trying to figure out what comes next in my life. I’m running my dad’s mechanic shop now and I love it, but I want more. I have some secret passions I’m not willing to admit to right now, but you never know what might happen. I’m also hoping to settle down, make a few rug rats, and get old.”

“I want to know immediately when you share your secrets,” I tell him. We used to share everything. He’s a great guy bestie. “Plus, all you need to do is hold out your hand and you’ll have all sorts of applications for the husband-daddy position,” I assure him. His cheeks flush the smallest bit.

“I was in and out of a relationship for about three years with a fellow Marine. She gets out in six months. We’ll see where it goes. My parents think she’s great, but she’s from New York, so I don’t know if it will work or not.”

“I hope it does, Victor. It sounds like you know who you are and where you’re going. I’m really happy for you.”

“I’m glad I joined. It definitely turned me into a man and taught me a lot. I’m also glad to be back home. I’m not willing to move across the country, though, not even for love. I know the clock is ticking on how much time I have left with my parents.”

“I totally get that. I want to move back too. The goal is to do so by the time I’m thirty,” I say.

“At least you aren’t too far away. New York to here is way too far,” he says. “Besides, I despise cities. They are too easy to get lost in.”

“I agree. Seattle was fun at first, but it’s pretty depressing at times with all of the rain.”

“I’ve had enough rain while serving to last me a lifetime,” he says. He’s then pulled away from me and I’m brought into another conversation. Time whizzes by as I move from group to group, loving to catch up with so many people.

It’s odd, though, because I keep looking out at the crowd, searching... I can try to deny it all day long, but I’m searching for Zach. Knowing he’s in town, I’m drawn to him, no matter how much fun I’m having with my friends.

I’m bumped around for a while and am now sandwiched between Emily and Jess. Emily leans forward and whispers in my ear. “A very tall, dark, and handsome man is making a beeline straight toward you with a very sexy and determined look in his eyes.”

I turn as my heart begins pounding and watch Zach parting the crowd like it’s the Red Sea and he’s Moses. It doesn’t take him long before he’s right in front of me, his eyes intense as the flames of the fire dance in them.

“Dance with me,” he says as a slow song plays on the radio. I don’t try to pull away from him. I want this dance, want to be taken back in time to when we danced like this the night before we made love for the first time. It was heaven then, and it’s just as much bliss to be in his arms now. I tune out the sounds of laughter and talking and get lost in Zach’s embrace.

I’m utterly lost as memories flood through me of us together, young and carefree. It’s strange how people talk about the world fading to black when they’re lost in someone’s arms, but it really happens. When the only sound you hear is the thumping of your own heart, it’s easy to tune out everything else around you.

“You look beautiful tonight,” Zach tells me.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.”

He grins at me as he swirls me around. The slow song ends, and a sexy number comes on. He doesn’t release me, only continues dancing. I’m sure people are watching us, but I don’t care. I’m sure some of them remember this exact scene from nine years ago. This man swept into our town and immediately knocked me off my feet. It seems he’s doing it again.

We continue to dance, laugh, and flirt, surrounded by my friends, surrounded by love and affection. I find myself feeling better than I have in a very long time, not wanting this night to ever end.

I’m not quite sure how it happens, but suddenly I’m led away from the party goers as Zach takes my hand and we stroll away from the fire, down the moonlit beach. The sounds of the party beginning to dim.

“What are you up to, Zach?” I ask, loving the warmth of his hand wrapped in mine. I don’t consider pulling away. Is it the magic of Seaville, or that I don’t want to let go of this feeling? Whatever it is, I don’t want it to end. I’m enjoying it far too much.

“I’m taking you to the resort. It’s not finished yet, but it’s beautiful, and you have to see it. I haven’t been here since construction began, and I’m incredibly impressed.”

“I was going to see it tomorrow, but tonight there won’t be hammers pounding so it will probably be better,” I say. He pulls me closer and wraps his arm around my shoulder, tucking me in close to shield me from the cold. I wrap my arm around his waist and snuggle in. I know this is dangerous, but I’m lost in the moment.

It takes us about fifteen minutes to reach the resort, the waves splashing against the shore, providing the perfect music on our walk. We follow a path to the walkways, lit with beautiful lanterns to guide us through the main building and all of the little cabins. It’s perfectly done, fitting in with the vegetation, looking like it was meant to be here.

“This is much more stunning than I imagined,” I tell him. “Your brother is very talented.”

Zach laughs. “I’ll admit to you how impressed I am, but I can’t stroke Callan’s ego too much by telling him.”

“That’s terrible.”

“That’s brothers,” he says with a shrug of his shoulders. “Some of the cabins are completely finished. They’re done so well.” He takes me down another path.

We step onto the porch of a nice sized cabin where a swing is swaying in the gentle breeze. He leads me to it, and we sit. I rest in his arms as we gaze out at the glow of the moon shining down on the peaceful ocean. I could be lulled to sleep right here.

Zach turns to me so I can see his face. It’s dark, but I still see his eyes, still see the set of his mouth. The man is so damn beautiful it’s hard to look at him. Time’s been very good to him.

“There’s something I’ve needed to say to you for a while,” he says as he takes my hand. My stomach tightens. I don’t want our night to be ruined. I’m afraid to hear what he has to say, but I can’t stop him.

“Being back here has flooded me with memories. It’s made me realize what foolish decisions I made back then. Being with you nine years ago was like being in a bubble. It was paradise. It scared the hell out of me. I was still angry at that time over the loss of my parents, and I made many poor decisions. But when I was with you, I was at peace for the first time in a long while but I felt guilty over that. How could I be so happy when I’d never see my parents again? I left you and I deeply regret how I did it. I pray that one day you’ll forgive me.”

My throat closes for several moments as he says the words I’ve craved to hear for so long. I have to fight tears. I shake them off and give him a smile. “It’s okay, Zach. It was a long time ago.” It’s not okay, but it’s stupid to hold on to this for so long. We’re both clearly new people now than we were nearly a decade before.

“It’s not okay. I hurt you. I’m sorry.” His voice is filled with regret. “Being back here with you now, makes me realize I’ve needed to say this for a long time. I want to spend the day with you tomorrow, take you around town, show you what you mean to me. You’ve always meant something to me. It was just that I was too foolish to come after what I really wanted.”

My breathing deepens at the intensity of his voice. I’ve told myself I’m not going to fall for him again, but how can I not? He can’t just be saying this to get me into his bed. He doesn’t need to. This man can have anyone he wants... and right now it seems that he only wants me. I’d be a fool to keep fighting it. All of my plans about waiting are quickly going up in smoke.

“Zach...” I sigh, not knowing what to say, what to do.

He pulls me closer to him, then leans down and kisses me with such tenderness and longing I can’t help but respond. He always was able to take my breath away with a single kiss. Some things really do never change. I melt against him as he traces my lips and captures my sighs.

The moon glows down upon us and I let myself be taken in the moment. It’s perfect, everything with Zach is perfect, just as it was nine years ago. The beach, the moonlight, the kiss... it’s where we once were and where I feel I belong. He tightens his hold on me... and I fully let go.