2. Chapter 2 #2
Jordie’s voice rises in glee. “I got a call today saying there’s a new professional league in the works for us. I mean, we’ve all heard the rumors, but now it’s official. By the time I graduate, it should be up and running.”
I feel her thrill running through me. She and the other players deserve this… getting to do what they love and getting paid for it. But my heart also squeezes in worry.
Keeping my voice as casual as I can manage, I ask, “Will there be a team in Texas?” Please say yes.
“Are you kidding? The greatest football state in America? Heck yes there will be a team here. It’s going to be in Houston though.” Her eyes go dreamy. “I hope I get drafted there so I can be close to all of you.”
Even in the thinning light of evening, I can see her dreams flashing through her aqua-blue eyes. Eyes that match my own.
“I hope so too,” I say, meaning that with every beat of my heart. Jordie is the baby of the family, and I’m very protective of her.
“Tell me about your new book,” she says, switching the subject. “You didn’t say much about it at dinner.”
I groan. “Because there’s not much to tell. I’m only on chapter two.”
“When is it due to your editor?”
“A month,” I admit, feeling the pressure sink down onto my shoulders.
“Shit, Juli.”
“I knowwww. I’ve tried to write all day, but I haven’t gotten much done. I keep getting distracted.” I pull into a space in the parking lot outside her dorm and put my vintage Volkswagen van in gear.
Jordie purses her lips and makes a little humming sound. “Didn’t you tell me the library is closed for renovations over the next few weeks?”
“Yes, we got some damage during that tornado. Luckily, none of my book babies were damaged. The board voted to get us a new roof and windows, and we’re closing down to get ready for summer.”
“You should go off the grid. Get out of town and ignore the rest of the world for a while. No phone, just your computer.”
“That would be nice, but I can’t just go without my phone. What if one of you needs something?”
“Then we’ll deal with it like the grown-ups we are.” At my skeptical look, Jordie rolls her eyes. “Fine. You can take your phone so we can get in touch with you in case of an emergency.”
“I’ll think about it,” I told her, reaching across the console of my van to hug my sister. “I just want you to know how proud I am of you.”
“I’m proud of you too, sis. But I’d be even prouder if you’d get your damn book finished on time. I need something to read this summer.”
“Get out of here,” I say, kissing the side of her head before giving her a playful shove. I stay parked and watch as Jordie reaches the dormitory door and turns to give me a wave before scooting safely inside.
Then I drive to my home in Pine Tree Falls on the outskirts of Dallas.
Not sure where the name came from. While there are pine trees aplenty, there are absolutely no falls.
Unless you count that time Mrs. Walman slipped in the produce aisle at the local Piggly Wiggly grocery store. It was the talk of the town for weeks.
Pine Tree Falls is a cute little community, close enough to Dallas that I can easily get into the city but far enough away that I still get that small-town feel I love so much. Bubba lives here too.
I’m the oldest in my family at age thirty-six, then my brother Bubba, who’s thirty-three. Xander and Jordie were later-in-life babies for my parents, and they’re twenty-two and twenty, respectively .
Finally reaching my house, I fix myself a glass of Dr Pepper and then make a beeline for my writing nook. “Okay, time to get some shit done,” I tell myself.
I flip open my pretty pink sparkly notebook to find the note I’d made before going to the store with Ms. Mijares. My eyes narrow at the words.
Globe, apple the cock.
My eyebrows creep together. What the hell does that mean? Cock makes sense, but apple the cock ? And globe? That could refer to the globes of my female character’s butt. She does have a great ass. As I attempt to decipher my messy handwriting, my phone vibrates with an incoming text.
AK: How’s the writing going?
Juliette: So so bad! I can’t get inspired.
AK: You should write a female character whose superpower is breaking cocks. Call her The Mangler. Featuring cock number seven in your folder.
Juliette: I’ll keep that in mind.
AK: I can feel the sarcasm even through text. Why are you having trouble with inspiration?
Juliette: I guess it’s more that I can’t just sit down and write. I keep getting distracted by life.
AK: Ahh, you’re in need of a writing retreat.
Juliette: That’s what my sister said.
AK: Genius supporters - 2, Distracted author - 0. Just fucking do it.
Juliette: You’re right.
AK: That’s what I like to hear. Find a beach somewhere. Hot dudes running around half naked? That’s what you need for “inspiration.”
Juliette: Do the words “globe” and “apple the cock” mean anything to you?
There was a long pause before her next response.
AK: You’ve been scribbling in your notebook again, haven’t you?
Juliette: Yes, how do you know me so well?
AK: Because you always do this. And you have the handwriting of a drunken kindergartener.
Juliette: I would be offended if it wasn’t true.
AK: Stop texting and go book a trip.
“Bossy ass,” I mutter, switching out of the text app and opening the travel one I use.
My finger taps on the “Late Bird” button.
This particular app finds hotels and resorts that haven’t filled all their rooms for the upcoming time period and offers significant discounts. Kind of the opposite of “Early Bird.”
Using the filters, I search for beach locations and begin scrolling my options. A bunch of family resorts pop up, and I shake my head. Nope, that won’t do .
I adore kids, which is the problem. If there are children there, I’ll spend my time making sandcastles on the beach and playing Marco Polo in the pool with them. Further refining my search to “adults only,” I survey the results.
I veto the first four for various reasons. Too expensive. Rumors of bed bugs. Low customer ratings. Caters to the elderly .
And then… my eyes land on result number five.
Hmmm, Pineapple Island Resort and Spa.
I tap on it and scroll through the reviews first.
Beautiful tropical location.
Cool, relaxed vibe.
Most fun I’ve had in years.
Great for relaxation or playtime.
This sounds right up my alley, so I click over to the photos and attempt to not drool.
It’s beachside, the sand white and the water a clear blue.
There’s an enormous Roman pool, which seems to be the centerpiece of the resort.
It’s surrounded by palm trees and a cute bar that boasts high-end liquors.
The lobby appears well-appointed, and the rooms look clean and inviting. I notice all of them have two queen beds. Some of them even have three beds, which seems weird since it’s not a family resort.
But what really grabs my attention are the hammocks dotted throughout the grounds. I picture myself reclined back on one of them with my laptop resting on my stomach, typing away as the sea breeze gently sways me from side to side.
And the best thing is that it’s all-inclusive, so I won’t be wasting money on overpriced resort food and drinks. Actually, that’s the second-best thing. The best is the price.
Could this be right? According to this, a seven-day trip is totally in my price range, but I’d have to leave in two days.
I save it under my favorites and return to the main menu to search for airfare.
My nose wrinkles. Booking this late is going to cost a lot, but I think I can swing it with my book income and my salary as the head librarian at Pine Tree Falls Library.
Taking a deep breath, I go back to the Pineapple Island Resort page and click “Book It!”
A pop-up appears and catches my attention.
Flash sale! Book an additional week and save 50% on your entire vacation. Book TWO additional weeks, and you’ll also receive FREE airfare from most major airports.
“What?” I shriek at my screen, navigating to the airport page to see if DFW is listed. It is indeed.
Excitement makes the tips of my fingers tingle. Three weeks away is exactly what I need to finish my book, and this deal is too good to be true.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I accept the offer and sit back in my chair with a satisfied grin.
Pineapple Island, here I come!