Chapter 22 #2
Now we’re sitting on rocking chairs with masks on our faces and overlooking the indoor water feature while sipping on cucumber water. As much as I have a bunch of questions so we can catch up, I’m waiting for her cues.
But then when I see her watching a small group of women leaving the changing room with pink satchels that indicates it’s a bachelorette weekend, then I know what’s occupying April’s thoughts.
“I bet lunch will be delicious,” I attempt to divert her attention.
April looks at me. “Ginger, it’s okay, I’m not going to burst into tears.”
Is this a step? She called me my nickname for the first time in a long time. I give her a sympathetic look. “You don’t need to get married to have a nice spa weekend.”
“No. I just need a best friend who is sleeping with my rich uncle.” Her tone and look are actually a relief because I know she was attempting to make a joke.
I try to hide my smile. “So, I’m still your best friend?”
April sighs and places her glass on the side table. “I have a right to be mad. You lied to me for months.”
Setting my own glass down, I angle my body toward her. “I could have handled it differently, I know.”
“And I’m a horrible person,” she states.
“That should probably be my line in this situation.”
April blows out another breath. “I think I was also mad because… you get to fall in love when my heart has been stepped on. What kind of friend doesn’t want their friend to be happy?”
I reach out to touch her arm in comfort. “The kind of friend who is human and just had an engagement ripped away from them because the guy is an absolute tool, and even though it’s for the best, it still stings.”
“He is a tool. We were supposed to go to Italy on our honeymoon, and now I have to ditch those plans.”
“You can still go. Maybe now you can do that cooking course instead of what he wanted to do.”
April attempts to smile. “I guess I can get a dog now too since he was allergic.”
I give her a knowing look. “But was he?” My voice raises to a near squeak. “Or was he just saying that because he doesn’t like dogs?”
April laughs and tries to keep her tears back. “Fuck, the signs were there all along, weren’t they? We weren’t a match.”
I shrug. “I don’t know, I mean, opposites attract, so don’t beat yourself up about that.”
“Are you and Hudson opposites?” she wonders.
I take hold of my drink again to occupy myself, as I’m not sure how to talk to her about my boyfriend who happens to be her uncle and godfather. There are some topics that may be a little too uncomfortable to discuss, I’m aware of that.
“In some ways, sure. He’s all or nothing, determined, focused yet laid back. I’m… laid back, focused, and hesitant with many things in life. So maybe we meet in the middle.”
“Are you hesitant about him?” April asks point blank.
A warm smile comes naturally. “I feel different when I’m with him. From the moment that I met him, actually. I’ve always done slow, and he does… fast. But it’s okay, as I feel safe and free. That was something I didn’t think I would ever feel again in a relationship.”
This time April reaches out to touch my shoulder. “He is by far the furthest thing from your douchebag of an ex.”
“I know. I don’t think that really comes into play, it’s more the feelings in general. But I’m not sure I’m coach’s-wife material, I mean the whole in-the-spotlight thing.”
“First-world problems, I guess. But just be yourself. It isn’t about you in those moments.
I don’t see my uncle often because he’s married to his career, maybe not even by choice.
Being head coach just takes a lot of hours, but for the first time he wants to attempt to be tied to something outside of football. It just so happens to be my friend.”
Our eyes meet, and perhaps this is our turning point. “It really sucked not being able to share things with you.”
“I know the feeling.”
“Can we move forward?” My voice is hopeful.
April seems to contemplate. “I’ve wallowed for weeks.
Maybe I needed the time to digest the news about you and my uncle too.
I think we can move forward… but if you and my uncle don’t work out, then it might be awkward, so I guess that means…
you need to work out.” There’s a humorous undertone.
“And I know lingerie is your career, but maybe let’s put a pin in those discussions, or at least don’t add my uncle’s name into the same sentence. ”
“I can live with that.” I nod.
“I guess it only took a massage and facial to get us to talk. I was kind of expecting we would at least need the pedicure too before we really talked,” she quips.
“I’m happy we’re ahead of schedule then because I’ve really missed having a best friend in my life,” I admit. “I have so much to share, and I was so worried about you.”
“I could use my friend back too.”
The corners of our mouths curve up and tears form in our eyes before we lean in to hug one another, then tears actually burst out. “I’m so sorry.”
“Me too.”
We squeeze tighter in our hug, careful not to make a mess of our face masks.
The spa attendant comes to interrupt us to take our masks off, and just in time, as I feel my face cracking.
“Oh God, are we going to get weird lines on our faces because we cried with this magical mud on?” April wonders.
The attendant smiles. “Believe it or not, you two are not the first to cry while in the mask. You should be fine. Some even say the tears enhance the experience.”
April and I look at each other and burst out laughing.
Now back in normal clothes, I arrive at our table overlooking Lake Spark. It’s clear blue skies today.
April looks up from her phone. “They offered us a high tea with little sandwiches and cakes, but I changed it to burgers and fries.”
“Oh, thank God.” I’m relieved that she knows me so well. “I feel like that massage was like running a marathon. Or maybe it was the sauna, but I’m starving.”
“I guess you are all up-to-date on Lake Spark, so did you go to Jolly Joe’s or Catch 22?”
I nod as I sip from my iced tea. “It feels like a second home almost. Just kind of sucks that Hudson is now in football season so won’t be here much.”
“It sounds like you will, though. Moving in?” she asks simply.
I laugh. “No. Well, it’s more like my apartment in the city is a place where I sleep and here it feels like… a home.”
She raises a brow at me. “That’s promising.”
“Actually… there is this little boutique on Main Street. Apparently, it’s been empty for a while, but the family didn’t want to sell. I saw a sign go up today that it’s for sale.” Excitement comes out in my words because it would be great spot for Piper Ginger.
April studies me for a second then grins. “Exactly what Lake Spark needs, a classy lingerie company.”
I wave my hand. “It’s just a silly thought.”
“No, it’s not.” She looks over my shoulder. “Ooh, I see our food arriving.”
A few moments later, with food in front of us, April checks her phone for a moment. “That dress is stunning by the way,” she mentions.
“What dress?”
“The one you were wearing when you were packing on the PDA with Coach Arrows.”
My face turns bewildered, as I don’t understand, and April notices, so she shows me her phone. “You’re online. One of the players’ wives posted a video from practice and someone pointed out what they saw in the background… you and my uncle.”
I look at the screen, and my stomach sinks because there I am in Hudson’s arms. It looks innocent enough, but very much makes the message clear that I’m his significant other.
“Oh, I didn’t know about this. We were going to announce when we were ready with a photo of coffee mugs or a view of a sunset or something like that. ”
April snorts a laugh and takes her phone back, scrolling frantically.
“Well, a little late for that. You are an entire hashtag. Oh, ‘arrow to his heart,’ that’s a cute comment.
Actually… you and my uncle are kind of blowing up the internet.
” She tilts her head to the side. “Ooh, I see we have a few new articles. ‘Coach Arrows is no longer a bachelor!’ There is also ‘This is the year for Coach Arrows on and off the field.’”
“What?” I feel a sense of panic come over me. A waiter walks by, and I quickly signal for him to stop. “Can I have martini?” My head is spinning, but just as quickly as I requested the drink, I backtrack. “Wait! Can I just have… a Shirley Temple maybe.”
April’s eyes blaze open and her mouth drops. “Holy shit. You just turned down alcohol.”
I breathe out a long calming exhale and hold my palm up. “It’s not what you think.”