Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Layton
“ B all!” I hear a familiar voice yell before being pegged in the head by said object. The basketball hits me like a rock, but I keep my footing while my head feels split open. Turning to my left, I groan, catching the flinch of my best friend.
“Dude, I am so sorry,” Jenson says, walking up to get the ball from the ground.
Summer is holding on strong here in Magnolia Point, and with the sun beating down, I’ve already started sweating. Add a headache into the mix, and my mood gets sour, like my grandma’s lemonade when she forgets to add the sugar.
After a deep sigh, I check my gym bag in the grass, then jog over and steal the ball from his hands.
“You should be,” is all I mutter, then spin, giving Jenson my back as I turn and shoot the basketball. It hits the hoop, and I silently celebrate my small victory.
“Alight folks, step right up and marvel at the great, Layton. Damn, man, I didn’t realize all I had to do was hit you in the head to wake your ass up.”
“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, man, but if you hit me again, I promise to pummel you to the ground.”
Jenson just laughs at my threat. He runs over, picks up the ball, dribbles until he’s lining up for the perfect shot, and takes it. I keep up with him with minimal effort.
“No man, but for real, it’s good to see you out. I can’t remember the last time you agreed to shoot some hoops.”
“I’ve been out. Maybe not for this, but I’ve been out.”
“Oh yeah, you mean to the fire station, the grocery store, and home? Sure, yeah, you’ve been out.”
“Your sarcasm is noted, my friend,” I grumble, taking the ball and dribbling closer to the hoop. Then, I take a step and shoot. The ball goes in, and I watch Jenson grab it and dribble. He stops a moment, seemingly in thought.
“I just worry, man,” Jenson says in a hushed but serious tone.
It’s never easy to be called out, but when it’s laced with worry from a friend, it’s ten times worse.
“I’m good man. I appreciate you, but no need to worry.” Is all I reply, and he nods, letting it go.
We’ve talked about my grandmother a lot in our two-year friendship. He got drunk with me the night Grandma announced her engagement. I didn’t take it as well as I should have. Honestly, I was a fucking prick to her new fiancé since day one. I’m not proud of my actions, but Jenson never judged me. With good old Jack Daniels in me, my friend let me spout off everything about my grandpa, my hero, and the love of my grandma’s life.
Jenson just listened as I recounted memories of our summer vacations to Candy Cane Key. Those will always be my favorite memories. Unfortunately, I was also drunk enough to mention Daphne, and thankfully, he gave me grace enough to never bring her up again.
That was until he noticed my lack of a dating life. I’d go have a beer or two, but the nights he left with a woman, I always declined. Now he’s got it in his head that I’m still in love with Daphne, which is ridiculous. Women are just a lot of work, and my actual job is far too important to have distractions.
“You find a new place yet?” I ask, changing the subject.
“No, and the little dude is chewing up the apartment. I’ve got to find something soon, or I’ll never get my deposit back.”
I laugh, knowing his new dog has been a handful.
“You laugh, but Rocky has been impossible to train. I even broke down and took him to a trainer, but he still won’t listen.”
“That’s too bad, man. Maybe a little house with a backyard is what he needs to run out more energy and not be so destructive,” I suggest, throwing up a shot.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m hoping.”
We continue our basketball game until we’re covered in sweat, and I’ve skinned my knee.
“Oh fuck,” I say, getting back up to my feet. “That’s game for me.”
“Yeah, I’m done, too,” Jenson says, bending over to catch his breath.
The blood on my knee isn’t bad, so I brush it off and head to my gym bag for water. By the looks of the sun, we’ve been at it for over an hour, and my stomach rumbles.
“You hungry?” I ask, then take a long swing of cold water from my bottle.
“Yeah, always. What do you have in mind?”
“How about Riverside Cafe?” I suggest.
“Oh yeah, it’s Tuesday.” He nods, knowing I order my favorite sub from there every Tuesday without fail. “Sounds good to me. I’d love a good sub right now,” he replies.
“Perfect. I’m not changing, though.”
“Not even for a date with me?” He teases, but I just shake my head at his antics.
We drive separately. It is such a short drive, and my truck isn’t even cool before I pull up outside the deli. A minor drawback to living in a small town. In my opinion, there aren’t many. I’ve always loved my hometown, and I've only ever thought of moving once, but I was just a dumb kid back then. Dumb and in love with an idea of forever. I did a great job of ruining that idea, and I don’t need to start regretting it now.
Jenson and I meet outside the entrance and make our way inside. The burst of cold air makes my heavy eyelids fall closed for a split second. Instant relief to my still sweaty skin. “Well, gosh dang, it sure does smell like heaven in here,” Jenson says beside me, loud enough for the group of women eating by the window to hear him.
“Table for two, or will you be joining, Elenore?” Sasha, the owner, asks me. See, small-town perk.
“Grandma’s here?” Jenson hollers before taking off to find her.
“Yes, she is,” Sasha laughs. “I’ll grab two more plate settings and meet you back there. Right corner.”
“Thank you, Ma’am,” I say. It must be twenty-plus years since I’ve been coming to this place for the Ballistic Meatball sub. Every Tuesday, the same routine on repeat. Damn, I’m getting old, I think as I walk back to the familiar table. As I’m lost in thought, I forget to worry if Grandma Elenore is dining with her fiancé, but when I do, it’s too late. And it’s actually much worse.
Sitting at the big corner table, my grandma’s favorite, isn’t her new man I loathe, but the last woman I want to see. Daphne.
Jenson doesn’t miss a beat, sitting beside Daphne and introducing himself.
“Well, hello, I don’t believe we’ve met before, and any friend of Elenore’s is a friend of mine. I’m Jenson,” he says, flashing Daphne his best smile. The same I’ve seen him give a dozen women before. The thought has me grinding my teeth. When Grandma spots me standing frozen at the drinks station, she waves.
“Oh, good, Layton is here. We can order,” Grandma says, averting her eyes from my questioning glare to peruse the menu. I don’t miss the guilt in her eyes as she avoids me.
Reluctantly, I make my way to the table and kiss her cheek. That earns me a hello, but I can tell she’s still playing.
“I’m so glad you boys could make it. I was just telling Daphne how you love this place.”
“It’s true, I do. But why are you ladies here?” I ask, pointing my glare at the side of Grandma’s face.
“We were just having some girl about dresses and got hungry.” Grandma shrugs innocently when I know she’s anything but. “I thought a good sandwich sounded perfect.”
“Right. Did you find anything on the menu you like?” I ask.
“You always get the Ballistic meatballs, don’t you? Maybe that’s what I’ll get,” Grandma says while puttering with the menu, but she knows damn well I come for the meatball sub every Tuesday. I make a point of ignoring my grandmother saying Ballistic.
I’m under no illusion that this meeting is no accident.
“So, tell me, how do you know Elenore?” Jenson asks Daphne, and I fight my muscles to loosen. Suddenly, I have the urge to push him down to the ground and pummel him, but I don’t understand why.
Daphne is wearing a light blue dress that brings out the sparkle in her eyes. Can’t blame a guy when she’s beaming at me like I’m the last cookie in the jar and biting her lower lip. Does that mean she wants a taste?
I shake out of my sordid thoughts and promise they won’t return there. Daphne and I knew each other as kids, and we are now both grown, and the things I’ve done aren’t forgivable. I might have saved her bird, but the Daphne I knew wouldn’t give me a second chance, so I won’t bother trying. Even as a teenager, she was resolute and not the kind to take nonsense from anyone.
“Oh, you know, old family friends. She used to vacation every year in my small town in the Keys,” Daphne says, turning to Jenson. Giving him her attention.
“I’ve traveled a lot in the Keys. Where about?” Jenson replies, leaning into her chair and resting his arm behind her.
“Candy Cane Key,” Both the women at the table reply simultaneously, and I see when it hits my friend’s ears. His spine goes straight, and his eyes shoot to me. A knowing look on his face as he graciously removes his hand from Daphne’s chair and clears his throat.
“Really, Candy Cane Key. I’ve never been but hear great things,” he mutters, nodding awkwardly, and grabs for the menu on the table to change the subject, I’m sure. The man knows the menu as well as I do.
I shouldn’t smile and feel guilty when it spreads across my face. It’s not a victory, so I’m not sure why I feel like it is. Hiding my smile, I’m saved by the waitress before anyone notices, and she takes our orders.
Grandma makes small talk with Jenson easily, and soon, the awkward tension fades as the two tell jokes we all can’t help but laugh at. Our sandwiches come in hot with bags of chips and drinks. The meat is so good the table grows quiet for most of the meal. Each of us appreciates it and savors every bite.
“Now somebody wheel me out of here. I think I’ve gained five pounds,” Grandma jokes. By the nods, I know we all agree.
“Oh, speaking of full, don’t forget dinner this week. Jenson, darling, you’re always welcome to join him,” she says, getting out of her seat, and Daphne follows suit, pushing in her chair.
“I would love to come to dinner, ma’am, thank you,” Jenson says, but I kick him under the table.
“Ouch, what?” He sputters in a hushed tone.
I shake my head in signal, but the bastard only smiles. I never make family dinner at Grandma’s because I know I’ll be rude to her fiancé, and honestly, I don’t want to see all the changes he’s made in my grandpa’s house.
“We’ll be there Friday, Ms. Elenore, don’t you worry,” he tells her.
Then he winks at me like an asshole.
“Oh, good. That makes this old woman so happy.” My grandma coos and kisses both our cheeks before turning to leave. I’m sure she’s eager to get away before I come up with an excuse.
“Um, bye,” Daphne says with a small wave before following my grandma out the front door.
With the two out of sight, my best friend turns to me. “Dude.”
“Don’t,” I say, my voice stern, leaving no room for question.
“She is unbelievably-” he starts, but I interrupt him with a glare.
“Attractive.” Jenson finishes with no remorse.
My fists clench, but I nod as I make my way to the front of the deli. I hate that he’s right. It would be so much easier if the only woman I’ve ever loved, and the one I know I’ve hurt beyond repair, wasn’t so damn beautiful.
Not that it changes anything. She’ll never forgive me, and I accept that. Hopefully, we can avoid each other. That’s best for everyone here.
Even as I tell myself I never want to see her again, I can’t help but think about the woman I saw today and wonder about her life since I’ve seen her last. She’s taller, and her hair is darker and cut a little shorter now that I’m viewing her in the light of day, but those eyes will always be burned into my memories. Those curves are definitely new, and that is the reason I have been tossing and turning all night with little to no sleep. I know there is no way we would ever get back together, but that doesn’t stop my dreams from showing me how good it would be if we did.