Chapter 23 – Vale
I CAN’T UNSEE THAT
VALE
Oliver was true to his word. He’d cooked way too much food. You’d think he was cooking enough for an army, not just the three of us. He’s a fine cook though. He’d made fresh pasta by hand, and it makes me wonder if there’s anything this man can’t do. He seems too perfect to exist in this world.
Over the hours, I’ve learned Oliver’s an architect who has a passion for historical homes.
He specializes in historic preservation and restoration, but he’s also been studying sustainable building models in Europe.
He explained how these Victorian homes would one day fade from existence if people didn’t make them more sustainable.
He didn’t want to see them disappear. I understood what he meant.
These houses are unique with a chaotic character that doesn’t exist anymore.
Oliver is very funny when I’m not stuck in my head thinking about his lips, his body, the way he kisses, or how his ass looks in those well-tailored pants.
He’s clever, with a quick-biting wit that intimidates me.
I could listen to him duel with Gramps over literature and history for hours.
They quote pieces and discuss them at length like philosophers.
I don’t step in often, but I admire them both for their easy banter.
I’m not like that. I wish I was, but I think too much before I speak.
I analyze the situation to death because I learned fear at a young age.
I learned that my opinions were not and never would be appreciated by my parents.
So now, I turn words over and over in my head, making sure they’re safe before I speak.
I’d assumed everyone was like that, but Gramps isn’t, and neither is Oliver.
I feel safer here in Silver Springs, but old habits die hard.
I can’t break out of my shell enough to join in their conversations even though I know many of the subjects they’ve discussed.
I ask a few questions about Oliver’s job, but I can’t make myself jump in more.
The fact is it takes a kind of emotional toll on me after a while.
“What about you, Vale? What are your plans for college?” Oliver suddenly turns to me and asks. “Let me guess, astrology and astronomy. Am I right?”
Gramps laughs, but he doesn’t say a word as he waits for my answer. I’m in the hot seat, and I don’t like it. I wrap my finger around and around in the skirt of my dress while they both stare at me.
“No, not astronomy and astrology, although if I didn’t hate math so much, I’d want to study astrophysics and aerospace engineering. Since algebra is my worst nightmare, I think I’ll stick with a general education degree until I can figure out if there’s a gateway for female pilots.”
Oliver narrows his gaze on me while Gramps seems happy with my answer.
“You want to be a pilot in the military?”
“It’s one of the only ways to become an astronaut, and that girl is going to space,” Gramps explains with a genuine smile. He must have had too much wine because he never agrees with my plan.
“Can’t you become a pilot without the military?” Oliver asks.
“In all honesty, I don’t know what I want to do. Some days I want to be an astronaut, then some days I want to rehab old cars. When I figure it out, I’ll let you know. How about you let me do some job shadowing so I can rule out being an architect?” We all laugh at that.
“I don’t work for a traditional firm, so it wouldn’t be a problem to show you the ropes,” Oliver offers with a smile. “There can be a lot of math involved though.”
“Thank you. I’m curious about what you did to this house and the whole process behind it. It’s beautiful. I love the idea of bringing old, broken things back to life.”
For some reason Oliver blushes. “I do too. When you find a project you love, like this one, it’s not work. I wish I could’ve been here throughout the entire remodel, to see it all take shape. That’s the problem. I design, but I’m rarely there on the build site these days.”
“I got to see it,” Gramps says, then he starts telling Oliver about the construction crews and how the front yard turned into a muddy bog in the spring. I bow out of the conversation.
The backyard is lit up by inviting fairy lights, and when the fireflies come out, the contrasting colors of their light makes the night wrapped around us seem magical. It’s so beautiful here. Oliver has created a slice of paradise in southern Georgia.
It’s not long before I start getting antsy. I’m fidgeting with the tie of my dress when I look down at the pool. I’ve hit my limit with the amount of mental energy I’ve used to sit at this table. I’m ready to move. I’m ready to dive in.
“Oliver, is it okay if I jump in the pool?” I interrupt when their conversation lulls for a moment while Gramps takes a drink of the no doubt expensive red wine Oliver’s been serving all evening.
I was served wine, but I only took a sip. I don’t like the way alcohol can take away inhibitions. I could get in a lot of trouble drinking, and it has nothing to do with Gramps saying no. He hadn’t stopped Oliver from serving me, and he never said a word when I took a sip.
“It’s getting late, Vale. Are you sure about swimming tonight?” Gramps asks.
“I’m sure. I haven’t been all summer.” I hope he doesn’t make me point out that he’s been at Oliver’s house till late every single day since they met.
“It’s fine with me if it’s okay with Nick.”
“I’m going to head home. I ate too much. Vale, it’s okay with me. Just be safe. Get home before Oliver goes to bed, alright? I don’t want you swimming alone.”
Oliver points toward the path and offers me directions to the pool house where I can get changed and find a towel.
I give my Gramps a hug good night, then thank Oliver when he stands like a gentleman.
There’s a moment when his hand lifts at his side like he’s going to take my hand, but it falls quickly. I give him a weak smile and walk away.
I head down the path to the pool house. This isn’t a changing room, it’s an entire separate house.
When you enter, there’s an open concept kitchen, dining, and living room.
And there’s a wall of glass overlooking the pool.
It’s much more modern than the main house.
There are multiple bedrooms, but I choose the first one to change in.
Why would he need so much space? He’s a single man.
I think. I never asked him if he was married or if he had kids, but here he is with this huge house and no one to share it with.
It’s either sad or he’s hidden something from us.
Gramps didn’t tell me he was married. Please don’t let Oliver be married.
I don’t think I could cope with the guilt if he was.
It would make all the shit my father spewed true. I’d have done exactly what he said.
I slip out of my dress and into the black bikini, then take the clip out of my hair and leave it on the counter in the bathroom. I grab one of his fluffy white towels and head toward the pool, barefoot. I’m so excited to swim tonight.
As I get closer, I no longer hear Gramps and Oliver talking.
Oliver probably escorted him home or maybe he’s watching me from the veranda and I just can’t see him.
The thought of him seeing me in this bikini is scary.
I don’t think I’ve ever been so naked in front of someone.
What if he saw my unfashionable curves and thought I was fat?
What if he never kissed me again? What if he didn’t want me?
In the end, I don’t want to think about it. I need to have fun for once.
I walk over to the diving board and step up.
I haven’t jumped off a diving board in years.
Not since I was banned from the gym pool by my dad.
I stand on it, admiring the huge pool, then I close my eyes for a moment as a warm wind blows.
It sends ripples that expand across the crystal-clear water.
I take a breath before jumping in. I drop down and down into the deep water.
When I hit bottom, I kick up and swim upward as fast as I can.
The water is warm and as soon as I break the surface, I see the lights in the pool have come on.
They must be motion activated, like the lights of the pool house.
I float on my back and study the sky, smiling as I look up at the stars and admire the happy twinkling of Antares, one of my favorite stars.
It’s a tie between Antares and Sirius, both twinkle and flash in a multitude of colors. I’m happy. I love this place.
After doing a few laps from one end of the pool to another, I’m out of breath, so I swim to the shallow end, step out, and stretch my arms above my head and arch my back. Wondering if I can still do a flip into the water, I head back to the diving board.
As I ready myself to jump, I see Oliver watching me from the gate, and I lose my train of thought. Flailing, I’m surprised as I hit the water back first, screeching before I sink. I’m in shock for a moment and sink lower. Then strong arms wrap around my waist, and I’m being pulled to the surface.
I cough when I hit air. Oliver pulls me up and out of the water, lifting me up onto the edge of the pool. I’m sitting there trying to catch my breath when I hear a wet slap and look back at him. He’s there, stepping out of his pants, and my eyes widen like saucers.
“What are you doing?” I choke out, panicked.
“Getting out of my wet clothes. Are you okay?” he asks as if he’s worried about me, but the man is stripping.
“I’m fine,” I bark, unable to make eye contact as the last piece of clothing lands on the concrete with a loud smack. My cheeks heat so much I think they might melt off.