Chapter 7
7
D eenie sat at the counter as Dalton waited tables at the Dirty Dozen Restaurant in Melbourne Beach. He looked a lot like his Uncle Marcus, although he was a younger version, of course. He was handsome, had excellent manners, and was a lot of fun. Deenie found men his age were usually into partying and hanging out. Dalton was more into adventures and risk-taking. He was the type to sky dive, base jump, and partake in underwater exploration. Deenie wasn’t sure she would do all those things, but she might if Dalton was by her side.
He poured her coffee and leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Hello, girlfriend.” He winked.
She giggled. “I’ll have the short stack with a side of fruit, please, boyfriend.”
It was old school to swap titles like that, but it mattered to Deenie that he officially asked her to be his boyfriend. It was a bit of a joke, but she wanted people in Melbourne Beach to know that Dalton was taken.
“I get off in about fifteen minutes, “Dalton said as he delivered her breakfast. “I was the first one in, and I’ll be the first to clock out.”
“Are we still going jet skiing?” Deenie asked. She had been once with her father, but they didn’t go fast, which she was sure Dalton would do.
Dalton checked out, and they went to Marcus’ place so he could shower first.
“Is Kylen coming?” Dalton asked.
“No. He’s going the volleyball route again today. The more he shows up as a sub, the more of a chance he has for playing time. It’s a little like being on the practice squad, but he’s cool with that. I thought Kylen and I would spend all our time together this summer, but we both found different things that we liked more than hanging out.”
“Lucky for me. Did you talk to your mom about spending the whole summer here?” Dalton said. “Maybe you can go to Texas for a week and then return.”
“That would be ideal, but I’m worried about my dad being lonely,” Deenie said. “I threw the question of staying the summer in at the end of an emotional conversation my mom and I were having. She said no. Worst case scenario is I have to go to Houston, and then I’ll have to rely on visits to Tallahassee.”
“That’ll be sick. We can go to football games – Go Noles and I already know so many people who go there. FSU is a party school, and I plan to take advantage of that reputation.”
“You aren’t the party type,” Deenie commented.
“There’s too much to do in Melbourne Beach. I can party with the best when it’s happening all around me,” Dalton said. “You look concerned. Don’t worry because I’ll watch myself when you’re there. Do you think your dad will get you a car?”
“Yes, that’s one of the reasons I won’t freak out if I have to go to Texas. I’m his baby girl, and he spoils me, although I try not to take advantage of that. I’ll have time to convince him that having my own car is a good idea. It may sound boring, but I’m fairly responsible in that I don’t do stupid things that will impact the wrong people. I don’t drink too much, and I don’t do drugs because I hate losing control.
“I’ll be able to drive to Houston on my own when I visit my dad, which will be a plus. I’m sure my parents are tired of carting me around. If they don’t drive, I fly, and that expense will be no more.”
“You’ll need something safe because otherwise, I’ll worry about you taking the five-hour drive to FSU. I’m confident this long-distance thing will work because I’m committed to it. Not dating other women at school will keep me focused on my studies, which is necessary since I’m a scholarship kid.”
“I looked into Florida State, and they have a nursing school where I can pursue my BSN. That means we’ll be at school together for three years.”
They arrived at Marcus’ house, where Dalton planned to shower. He stepped out of his smelly work clothes and was down to his boxers.
“Care to join me?” Dalton asked.
“I’ll pass, although you don’t make it easy when you walk around like that. There will be plenty of opportunity to get wet while we’re on the river.”
“You can wear your bikini in the shower if you want. It’s not often I come across a sixteen-year-old virgin, and I’ll never pressure you. I thought you were kidding when you told me you hadn’t had sex, but I thought about it, and I think it’s cool. I appreciate a woman with self-control who doesn’t give in to peer pressure.”
“I didn’t set out to be a virgin, but now, I’m glad I saved that piece of myself. It hasn’t hampered my ability to have fun, and I don’t plan to hold out until I’m married. I’m simply waiting for the right opportunity. You are still in the running.”
“Good to hear,” Dalton said with a smile. “Do you want to round up some drinks and snacks? The fridge and cupboard are stacked.”
“I’m on it,” she chirped.
Deenie was wondering how she got so lucky with Dalton. A guy with his looks who didn’t pressure her to hop into bed was like finding a unicorn. Her mother had been right when she told her the right man would come along. All Deenie needed was patience, and it was paying off.
Dalton was in the shower when his phone rang. She looked at the screen, and it was his Uncle Marcus. Deenie hesitated as she thought of what to say to the man who broke her mother’s heart. She heard Dalton singing in the shower, so she knew he wouldn’t walk out for at least a few minutes. Deenie didn’t want him to see her sneaky side, at least not yet.
“Hi, Marcus, this is Deenie. Dalton is in the shower.”
“Deenie, hi. It’s good to see you’re keeping my nephew company. How’s your mom?” he asked.
“She’s great, I guess. I haven’t seen her much because she’s been spending a lot of time with Winston, the painter.” Deenie knew that would bother Marcus, and he deserved to feel a little hurt after what he had done.
“Nathaniel’s friend?” Marcus asked.
“That’s the one, I think. He has blonde hair, and he’s good-looking. He has a Brad Pitt vibe.”
“Oh, good then. Um, yeah, just tell Dalton I called. I assume there are no problems at home.”
“Nope,” Deenie answered. “Everything is great. My mother, Winston, and I were watching the sunset the other morning and commented on what an amazing summer we’re having. It’s too bad you decided not to stay for it.”
“Did your mother meet my replacement at Seascape Realty?” Marcus asked.
“She did, and she appreciated him coming by to let her know you left. He’s been wonderful. Are you coming back this way anytime soon?”
“I have no plans. Work is keeping me very busy here on the Left Coast.”
Deenie hung up and smiled. Marcus must be feeling unimportant because he was easily replaced both personally and professionally in her mother’s life.
Dalton walked out in a towel. He was toned with a wasp waist and no longer smelled like a restaurant kitchen. He came up behind Deenie and kissed her neck, which was her most sensitive area, and he knew it. Her heart flew to the moon.
“Your uncle called, and he wanted to make sure there were no problems with the house. I told him everything is under control,” she said.
“We’d better get out of here before things get out of control. Do you know what I mean?” Dalton asked in a sultry voice.
“I know exactly what you mean. Let me throw on some shorts, and I’ll be good to go.”
“No rush. You can wear only that pink bikini all day, and I’d be happy.”
“Slow your roll, Romeo. Deenie kissed him on the lips and released herself from their embrace.
They packed up and made it down to the river. Deenie was thrilled and surprised to see that Kylen showed up. Dalton went for a spin with his buddies before taking Deenie out. He would wear off some of his excess adrenaline and take risks before it was Deenie’s chance to join.
“I thought you had volleyball this morning?” Deenie asked her cousin.
“I did, but we started at seven and finished by noon. I came right here because I knew you’d be here. I haven’t spent much time with you since returning from Miami and I wanted to catch up with my cuz,” Kylen said.
“I’m glad you did. How was Miami?” she asked.
“It was the bomb. I saw neighborhoods beyond the city that I could see my mom and I living in. The city of Miami is great to have right there, but there are plenty of places to escape the fast pace.”
“Sounds like you’re trying to sell me on the place. Maybe you should be having this conversation with your mother.”
“I did a little bit at breakfast, and she made it very clear that she won’t be pressured into making a decision. I know how she is, and I shouldn’t be surprised, but Carmine is different. It’s like he fell from the sky and was meant to be a part of our family. He fits like the missing piece of a puzzle.”
“Is your mom as jazzed about him as you are?” Deenie asked as she watched Dalton with one eye.
“She is. I haven’t ever seen her like this with a man. She’s so comfortable with him, and how they look at each other is next level. Carmine told me I could spend my senior year at Derryfield Prep if I wanted. It’s extremely tough to get in, especially as a transfer, but he has some pull,” Kylen explained. “He won an Olympic gold medal when he was twenty-five, and that looks good for the school he coaches there. Carmine told me that teachers pull strings for their kids all the time. Since he’s never asked before, they’ll give him what he wants.”
“Moving from Tampa to Miami is a big ask. Your mom hasn’t known him for that long, and she’s not young and impulsive. I’d lay off the pressure. She knows how you feel, so now it’s between your mom and Carmine.”