Chapter Nineteen
LEE
18 years earlier
After our day at the beach, I brought her home, to officially meet Mom for the first time.
She was ecstatic and told Ellie all about how my face lit up anytime she would call, or a letter would come in the mail, and I would hide myself in my room while I read in privacy.
Thankfully, she left out anything having to do with my ex-girlfriend, who she never really liked anyways.
I think Mom was more excited to see that Ellie did exist beyond the paper trail that I had been following for three years.
I know she saw her from the car years ago and knew she was real, and she was supportive of my feelings in the beginning, but I think she resented that I was so attached to this girl that lived all the way on the other side of the country.
She just wanted me to be a kid and experience all the things in high school that kids usually experience with other people in person which is why she tolerated my relationship with Maggie for so long.
But I knew she did so through gritted teeth; Maggie always annoyed her with her high maintenance, try so hard, popular girl vibe.
Ellie was the complete opposite, I mean she was also a cheerleader, but she wasn’t the same type; she didn’t need to be in-your-face popular or seen as the sexiest girl alive – she accomplished that last part just fine with her casual tank top and jean shorts look.
Ellie stayed for dinner that night, and Mom made my favorite things: lasagna and garlic bread.
It was nice sitting at the table with everyone enjoying each other’s company and getting along, talking about our days.
I looked over at Ellie; she was laughing at something that my sister had said, and I could see it all.
This is how I want to raise my future family.
I packed a duffle bag and made sure Mom was okay with me spending some more time at Steff’s house before we headed back to the apartment.
I know she was hesitant to even let me out of the house while Ellie was here because she thought I was irresponsible.
Yes, I’m eighteen and I’m no longer in high school, but I haven’t done much with myself since graduating, and I think she’s been disappointed in my lack of drive.
I graduated a few months early so I could get the heck out of that school; I was always getting into trouble anyways.
I’m sure the office staff was glad to see me go.
But I didn’t have any clear-cut career plans for my future.
Dad set me up with an interview for a construction company and I got the job, but I was able to negotiate some vacation time so that I could spend time with Ellie this summer.
I hoped that was enough for Mom to see that I’m trying, and Ellie makes me want to try even harder to make something of myself.
When I looked at her to ask if it was okay to leave, she smiled and gave me the go-ahead with a nod.
Steff was hanging out with Sarah, so we didn’t have to rush or anything and I took a detour on our way, stopping at one of my favorite thinking spots.
It’s an overgrown parking lot, if you can call it that anymore, with a footpath that leads to a quiet beach.
“This is where I come when I just need to be alone and want to get out of my house.
No one ever comes here and it’s like I have a personal beach to myself.”
We sat there, on the trunk of the car, watching the sunset through the trees, her hand in mine.
It was another perfect moment, and I was about to lean in for a kiss when a big, wet raindrop fell on my face.
I looked up, blinking at the clouds just in time for the skies to open up and pour down on us.
We hopped off the car and climbed into the backseat, completely drenched, and laughing at each other.
I took off my soaked shirt and draped it over the headrest, she did the same, revealing a lace trimmed bra that clasped in the front.
We kicked off our shoes and threw them in the front seats and I took her in my arms.
It didn’t take long for us to become tangled up in the backseat and we steamed up the windows in that secluded parking lot while the rain hit the rooftop and I fell deeper in love.
* * *
We were nearing the end of her first week here and I took her to lunch at Buckey’s because I was craving a burger, and I knew they had phenomenal salads which would be right up her alley.
What I wasn’t expecting was that we would run into Dane and Ezra.
I wasn’t one of Dane’s favorite people at the moment because about a month before Ellie got here, I broke up with Maggie and told her it was for good this time.
Dane was one of my best friends and he was dating Maggie’s best friend, Liz.
They had been in an on again, off again relationship since shortly after Maggie and I started dating.
In that time, he became pretty close with the rest of the gang, which was great until I chose Ellie over Maggie, and then he became somewhat protective of her.
Up until the last time we spoke, he would just tell me how heartbroken I left her and how she couldn’t stop talking about me to Liz.
I hadn’t actually talked to any of them in over a week because my world was consumed by everything Ellie.
As soon as we made eye contact though, Dane was in my face, and I stood to match his height.
Ezra was right there in an instant, pushing himself between me and Dane but not before he had the chance to punch me in the jaw.
I heard Ellie gasp, and I looked over the table at her just as she stood to catch me from stumbling over my chair.
“What the hell is wrong with you?”
I heard her say to Dane.
“What’s it to you? Are you his little pen pal? I’d suggest you stay out of this one.”
Dane spat.
Ezra's head whipped around with a jolt as he turned quickly from Dane to Ellie, blurting out, “What! So, this is the famous Ellie, is it?”
He reached his hand out for Ellie to shake while the other hand was still pushing Dane back.
“I’ve been dying to see who could possibly win the battle of Lee over Maggie and damn, I have to say it was a good choice, man.”
He winked at Ellie before looking over at me. Ezra was always the one to make remarks that came out of the blue. It was his way of lightening the mood in an otherwise tense situation.
Ellie was looking at me too, her eyes holding back a million questions.
“I don’t care how good looking she is, Maggie didn’t deserve the way you left her.”
Dane said.
“Dane! Dane let’s not forget that this is Lee, here. Our best friend, remember? The one you’ve known a hell of a lot longer than Maggie and Liz.”
Ezra told him.
“I understand why you’re mad at me, and I do…”
I rubbed my jaw, cracking it back into place, “I do deserve some hate. But can you really blame me for diving in with everything on the table for the girl you’ve been trying to get me to forget for three years?”
My eyes drifted back to Ellie and so did Dane’s, while I thought now was as good a time as any for a formal introduction.
“Dane, Ezra, can you please, nicely, meet the love of my life, Ellie?”
I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, bringing her in closer to me and smiled at them.
Dane relaxed a little and took a step back, giving me some space. His eyes softened while he sucked in a breath, and after a tense silent moment before he blew out the breath he’d been holding, “God I’m gonna be in deep shit with Liz for this but … it’s nice to finally meet you, Ellie.”
Dane shakes her hand and turns back to me, no longer holding anger in his eyes.
“I’m sorry dude, I shouldn’t have punched you like that.”
“It’s fine, man. I’ll be fine.”
I told him.
“It’s nothing a little ice pack can’t fix and I’m glad you’re finally talking to me again.”
Dane, Ezra and I had been friends for as long as I can remember. There had never been a fight or argument, or a girl come between us that we couldn’t work through, and I think this was the worst one yet. Even when one of us got the others in trouble and even when that trouble brought the police knocking on my parents’ door, we stuck it out. So, the fact that they could be here, meeting Ellie for the first time, and not be angry at me, that meant a lot.
We all sat at our table, the four of us, sipping on drinks and they got to know Ellie as more than just my pen pal. She laughed at their ridiculous jokes and to us, she just fit right in, without the need to be impressed by anyone. She excused herself to use the restroom and as soon as she was out of earshot, Ezra kicked my foot under the table, “Fuck dude, I had no idea she was that hot!”
“I can tell, now, why you’re so into her.”
Dane said, his eyes still on Ellie as she walked away from our table.
I massaged the back of my neck and couldn’t help but smile at their comments.
“I think you’re in deep, man.”
Ezra said.
“Yup, wrap him up with a bow. Damn, I’ve never seen you like this, you’re actually blushing, bro. You were never like this with Maggie. Dane said.
“I can’t help it. She just … she’s perfect, guys. I really think she’s the one. Everything is different when I’m with her – I’m different when I’m with her. She brings out the best version of me, and I can see…”
I sighed, “I can see a future with her.”
I told them, still smiling at the thought of her, until I noticed both of their bodies tense up. Ezra tapped Dane’s arm and Dane shot up, clearing his throat.
“Shit. I completely forgot that we were here to meet the gang. Lee, I would have mentioned it before, but …”
Dane was cut off by a girl’s voice coming from behind me, the same direction that Ellie went in, but this wasn’t Ellie.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in!”
Liz purred, coming into sight, and stopping at Dane’s side.
“Maggie, look who Dane and Ezra found.”
She said, holding her hand out to bring Maggie to stand next to her.
“Lee.”
Maggie said quietly. I could tell she was still hurt by the way she looked at me.
“I’ve been leaving messages at your house all week; I was hoping to talk to you.”
“Maggie, I – I’m sorry, I’ve been busy this week.”
I finished my sentence just as Ellie returned to the table. I could tell she was confused by the addition of two more people standing with us. Make that four more people; two of Maggie’s jock star football friends just walked up to join us. It was starting to look like a scene, and I was nervous about how this was going to play out. It was a good thing there weren’t any families here right now.
Liz noticed Ellie walking up to us and stop by my side, “I’m sorry, can we help you? This is a private conversation we’re having.”
Liz snarled and looked down her nose at the sight of our hands touching.
“Excuse me?”
Ellie questioned; taken aback by the sheer rudeness she was met with. I had never seen Ellie in a confrontation before and I wasn’t sure if I should interject yet, but this didn’t look like it was going to end well so I took a step forward and stood between them, my fingers still hanging onto hers so she would know it’s alright.
“Guys, this is Ellie. Ellie, meet the gang: Rich, Philip, Liz … and Maggie.”
I dared to look at Ellie to see her reaction to Maggie’s name and she surprised me with how calm she was.
Her fingers flexed in recognition of the name, and she exhaled a slow, steady breath, then nodded her head, “Hi, I’ve heard so much about you guys over the years! It’s nice to finally meet you all and put faces to the names.”
She addressed the group but was looking directly at Maggie.
Well played, Ellie.
Maggie didn’t take that so well; she looked like she was sizing up her next prey. When Ellie finished talking, she immediately walked over and slapped me across the face and then walked away, leaving the rest of the group at our table in silence.
“How dare you bring your new girlfriend and flaunt her in Maggie’s face. That was wrong, Lee, so wrong.”
Liz turned and jogged after Maggie. The guys stared me down for a beat before walking away too. Before they were out of sight, Liz turned around and called for Dane to come with them. He just shrugged his shoulders and raised his hands to me in question; I nodded in return, letting him know that it was okay to leave with them.
Before they walked off, the guys turned back to Ellie with sincere looks of apology. I know they didn’t intend to start an argument between the girls today, but they didn’t hide their smiles in response to how Ellie handled herself faced with Maggie.
“Ellie, don’t take this personally. It’ll take some time for them to come around.”
Ezra told her.
“Hey, way to stand your ground! It was really nice to finally meet you. I hope we’ll get to see you again soon?”
Dane said.
“I’d like that. Thanks for being some of the good-guys.”
Ellie smiled at them as they left the restaurant and we sat back down, just the two of us.
“Okay, well, that was … interesting.”
Ellie said to break the silence after the guys had disappeared.
“Yeah. Sorry about that.” I winced.
“It was bound to happen, right? Meeting the ex?”
“I guess it was. I just really didn’t think it would happen like that, or today for that matter.”
I sighed.
“I’m glad you got to meet the guys though, but I honestly didn’t think we would run into them. We only ever come here on Friday and Saturday nights, never in the middle of the day.”
“Dane and Ezra are something else.”
She laughed, changing the tone of the conversation.
“Yeah they are!”
I laughed.
“They’re my crew, been with me since second grade, thick as thieves.”
“I’m glad you have them.”
She smiled and there was silence again.
“Okay, I know you have questions. Go ahead, lay it on me.”
I told her and pulled her hand into my lap.
“Ugh, thank God. I was dying!”
and she immediately relaxed, her shoulders less tense while she spouted off questions about the infamous Maggie.
I never went into great detail about my relationship when we talked over the phone, and I dodged her questions from her letters over the last year, so she only ever heard Maggie’s name and that she was my girlfriend. She wanted to know how serious we were, did we ever sleep together, why were Dane and Liz angry over the way I broke up with her and were we for sure over. I told her everything while we finished eating lunch and it felt good to put it all out there, it’s so effortless with Ellie. I can tell her anything and I don’t want to hide anything from her if she wants to know it. I told her all she has to do is ask, but I’d rather not go into explicit detail because nothing I experienced with Maggie compares in the slightest to what we have.
“And yes, it’s over, over.”
I squeezed her hand in reassurance.
I broke up with Maggie several times over the course of our relationship. She knew that because even though I never came out and said it, that was when I would start calling her again. Sometimes Maggie was just too much for me, overbearing and obsessive, and she would always figure out a way to convince me to give her another chance. When I found out that Ellie was coming to visit this summer, though, I knew that’s when I had to break it off with Maggie for good. I wanted something more with Ellie and I didn’t want to string either of them on. Maybe I could have done it a little more discreetly than I did, but the way it happened was brought on by her own actions and the timing was just necessary.
We were at the last party of senior year, senior night, hosted by the school at a community center. Even though I had graduated early, I was invited to participate in the party at the end of the year. There was no alcohol allowed since it was put on by the community, but Maggie showed up already tipsy, as usual, and kept putting her hands down my pants. When I told her she needed to grow up and shoved her hand away for the third time, she got angry and told me she would rather be spending tonight at the club where a hundred guys would be paying more attention to her than I was. So, I told her to go on then, enjoy the attention from those hundred guys because we were through. She didn’t think I was serious until I got up and walked out of the building, the whole room staring at us like a bomb had just gone off.
I avoided her calls and asked Mom to tell her I wasn’t home when she stopped by every day. I thought, eventually, she would realize the finality of my words and avoidance and then I completely forgot everything once Ellie arrived.
When I finished explaining all of this, it was nearly 3’oclock in the afternoon and we had more than over-stayed our lunch at the restaurant. I paid our check and tipped the waitress well for taking up her time and table for so long.
Then I drove us out of the shopping center and made a left onto the highway.
“I thought the apartment was that way?”
Ellie asked, pointing to the right.
“It is, but I wanted to bring you somewhere else first.”
She watched out the window as King Bowl came into view and she held her hand over her mouth, screeching with excitement.
“Aww, it’s where we met!”
“The place where all the magic started.”
I grinned.
“Oh my gosh, can we play?”
she asked.
“Only if you let me pick you up and swing you down the lane like before?”
“Hah, no way!”
She laughed, wagging her finger at me.
“Besides, you’d need Chris here to reenact that scene.”
“Yeah, well, we’ll leave him out of this. Seeing how he still has the hots for you and all.”
“Oh, he does not.”
She slaps my arm, playfully and I pull into a parking spot. I took the keys out of the ignition and looked over at her. “What?!”
she laughs.
“Ellie, you just really don’t know, do you?”
I shake my head in disbelief, marveling at her obliviousness, because how could she not realize.
“What? What don’t I know?”
she asked, her smile fading slightly like she thinks I’m about to tell her something bad.
“You don’t know just how beautiful you are.”
I said softly, trying to convey the depth of my emotional connection to her.
“Everywhere I’ve taken you, guys turn their heads and watch you; they stare at me like I don’t deserve to be holding your hand. And I’m not entirely sure that I do. You could have your pick of literally any guy in the world.”
She blinked, processing my words, her expression caught somewhere between surprise and uncertainty. “Lee, I…”
she began to respond, but I cut her off gently.
“It’s true, though. You have this way about you, this amazing style and grace that draws people in. You’re not just crazy beautiful on the outside, but you’re smart, and kind and so … you … it’s captivating.”
She shifts herself sideways in the passenger seat so that she’s facing me, with one leg pulled up under the other and her fingers pulled at the hem of her shirt as she absorbed my words.
“I never really saw myself that way.”
She admitted quietly.
“Well start seeing it,”
I reached over and squeezed her knee.
“Because it's true, and you deserve to know it the way everyone else does. You didn’t see the way Chris stared at you when we were at their place or the way the guys at the beach turned and watched you walk by them. I honestly don’t know why you chose me, I’m not as good as you…”
She reaches up and takes my face in her hands so that I can’t look away and stops me from saying anything else.
“I don’t want just any guy, Lee. I only want you, and I don’t care if they’re looking at us, let them look. Let them see how insanely in love I am with you.”
I dropped the keys to the floorboard and pulled her toward me for a kiss that lingered on my lips like a sweet memory for the rest of the afternoon. I’m literally the luckiest guy in the world.