Chapter 3 - Reece
I’m ridiculously excited about this. It took me hours to comb through my closet to find my old t-shirts from college.
Rolling my luggage off the elevator from my suite, I’m surprised to see Dean leaning against the front of his Land Rover.
“I thought you sold this thing?” I’m pretty sure he bought this in high school with his graduation money.
The rust around the wheel wells betrays its age. “Does it even run well enough to drive to the mountains?”
Dean pats the hood with a look of adoration.
“Oh yea, she runs like a champ. I had the whole thing rebuilt, I just couldn’t stand the idea of making it look shiny and new.
” His thumb fondles one of the wrinkles in the metal.
“Remember when we slid off the road and were stuck against that little tree? We had to saw at that thing for almost two hours to get free.”
I glance at my friend of two decades and shake my head with a smile. Looking at him now I’d never believe he was that half-cocked guy who had a touch of spite that wanted to set the world on fire.
He’s in good shape, but his hair is just a little too perfect, his nails manicured, and he’s dressed like he just stepped out of an L.L. Bean catalog.
Almost as if he’s trying too hard. Maybe this vacation will help him loosen up?
“I remember it was because you got a text from your ex that she’d go on that date with you.” My eyes roll in exaggerated exasperation. “That should have been a sign, buddy.”
With a grin, he balls his fist into my shoulder, then slams the rear door closed. “Screw you, she was great for a while. It’s just all of this—” He gestures towards my Madison Square apartment highrise. “—is what ruined it.”
“Hardly,” I snort in derision. “She’s the one who fucked it all up. But no more of that.” After I settle into the passenger seat, I pull out my phone to hook up to his audio system and find some old school rock. “We’re only reliving the good times, man.”
Well, with a fully stocked cabin of all the best food and high shelf bourbon.
I’m not going back to cheap ramen and hot dogs.
It was a handy service that the place offered. Complete turn-key use, all I had to do was send my grocery list.
Well, my assistant did. I haven’t shopped for myself in way too long.
Massive buildings and traffic thin as we leave the city.
I didn’t realize how much I’d miss the open landscape. Dean and I came from a small town in rural Indiana. Corn fields and oak groves made up most of the surrounding areas.
How long has it been since I’ve been back home? I think Mom is getting tired of asking when I’ll visit next.
No. I’m just getting tired of listening to her wondering when I’ll have kids.
“Did you want children?” I blurt, mid-musing.
“I’m flattered, Reece. But you’re not my type.” The corner of Dean’s mouth tilts in a sarcastic smile.
“Shit,” I grumble, slumping into the worn seat. “You’re my longest relationship. I’d have more faith in you sticking around than anyone else.”
This time it’s his turn to snort. “Sure, buddy. We’ll get a flat together and a mess of babies while we both try and learn how to change diapers.
” He raises a brow over his amber eyes. “Not saying you wouldn’t be a good dad.
” He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly while taking an off ramp from the interstate. “Debra got pregnant once.”
That makes me sit up straight. “You never told me!”
His knuckles turn white as he grips the steering wheel. “It didn’t last long enough to share the news. But I was so fucking excited. I think she blamed herself.”
“Damn. I’m sorry.” I can’t imagine the high and low that experience brought.
“It’s fine. That was years ago.” He gives an idle wave, but I know by the set of his jaw that it hits harder than he’s letting on.
For once, I don’t know what to say.
Only the noise from his knobby tires breaks the silence.
My chest aches for him. I remember when we were younger, all he talked about was starting a family. He drove himself towards success just in hopes of accomplishing that.
I think a lot of that has been forgotten riding the high of awards and big contracts.
It will be nice to get back to our roots.
Snow hugs the shoulders of the narrow road as his SUV climbs higher into the hills.
“It’s prettier than I expected.” The fading sun casts red and gold over the white plains until we get into the heavier trees.
When we turn off the highway onto a small dirt road, a feeling of almost claustrophobia takes hold. Through a narrow set of jagged bluffs, we wind along a frozen stream to the sign pointing towards the bed and breakfast.
“If I hear banjos out here, I’m breaking your ankles,” Dean mutters.
“It’ll be worth it, I promise.” I hope.
But when we pass the first cabin nestled in the woods, it becomes clear just how gorgeous this entire set up is.
Each is a complete little homestead. A full woodshed is arranged next to every porch. And there’s at least a half mile between each place.
“Where do we check in?” Dean slows to check the number on the post near the driveway.
“I already did. Keep going, we’re at the end. I wanted it to be quiet.” I point directly ahead in the direction of the last of the light filtering through the towering pines.
“Sure, except for whoever ends up in that one.” He jabs his finger at the smaller cabin set just across the clearing from ours.
“Eh, maybe it’ll stay empty. Besides, it’s too tiny for a party. Worst case scenario it’s a couple.” I fling open my door after he rolls to a stop and stretch my back.
I must be getting old. Four hours of sitting feels like forty.
He mirrors me on the opposite side of the car with a groan. “Remember when we drove for six hours just to get a blizzard at Dairy Queen?”
“We were eighteen. We also stood outside for six hours to get into Attack of the Clones. I still want that time back.” I think that’s the last Star Wars movie I watched.
Maybe that’s what inspired my desire to get into directing?
An irrational push to try and do better.
“Should we binge the series while we’re here?” he laughs as he opens up the back.
I head to the main door of the spacious cabin and punch in the code to unlock it.
It opens to a huge open living room with a full kitchen, framed on either side by the matching suites.
I might have booked us in the forest, but it features all the comforts we’re used to.
“I love the fireplace. Look, we can make babies on the big sheepskin rug.” He stomps some of the snow from his boots before moving deeper into the expansive building. “Which one is which?” He pauses with his arms spreading like a scarecrow between the two wings.
“Pick one, daddy,” I snap sarcastically. I guess this is going to be the running joke all week.
Veering to his left, he disappears down the hall.
I do a quick check of the kitchen to make sure it’s stocked, and happily close the full pantry.
There’s enough stuff here for a small army to last a year or two. Anything left should make a nice gift to the owners. Those cans of caviar aren’t cheap.
But they’re hard to want to live without.
“Is it all there?” Dean returns without his bags. “I have a few more things in the truck. Want me to grab the rest of yours?”
“Yep, we’re set. I’ll go with you, I have expensive liquor in that last bag I’d hate to have broken.” I pull the brass handle and gesture for him to go out before me.
“Why, thank you, darling.” He bats his eyes in a comical exaggeration, then freezes when he glances across the cul de sac. “Looks like our neighbors arrived,” he whispers.
A bright red Audi pulls into the undisturbed snow of the opposite driveway.
Only a lone woman gets out. Her thick hat is pulled low over her eyes, and her heavy dark peacoat puffs around her.
I watch curiously out of the corner of my vision as I follow him to the Land Rover.
He digs out three more awkwardly large bags while I pluck out the fragile container with the bourbon in it.
“Here, sweetheart, let me help you.” I lay it on thick as I grab the strap of one of his duffles.
The woman across the street looks up and noticeably relaxes.
She even gives a shy smile and wave before disappearing into her own cabin.
“Well, I’m pretty sure she thinks we’re a couple now.” I grin before turning on my heel.
Dean sighs behind me. “It’s for the better. No distractions this trip. Especially no women.”