Chapter 27
Since the meeting, Victor has been considerably less stressed. Massey’s dad has been, too. He’s come around us a little more when we have family gatherings. I guess I never contemplated the magnitude of stress it is being in their position. It was easy to assume that money gives you the power to do, and to take whatever you want. However, that’s far from the truth when speaking of these two men. I still cringe, remembering the way Victor’s dad viewed me with such disgust. As swiftly as that feeling comes, it’s immediately replaced with adoration by the way Victor defended me. The contrast of the entire scene still has my mind bobbing back and forth. Victor proudly claimed me in a room full of people. Verbally announcing that I was his future wife. If that wasn’t the only swoon-factor, he saved our business. He saved Leland’s home and livelihood. It’s the place where I became who I am today. Where Leland instilled a hard work ethic and provided everything he could for us. And where Lawson taught me more about life than anyone. A hard lesson in loving unconditionally.
This week Victor mentioned they’ve had to decline a few clients. Before they take on too much work, they need to make sure they are not too overwhelmed. Unlike before, they want to come home and enjoy the outside life.
Like today, for example. We are sitting at our super secret spot. Alright, it’s no longer super-secret. The whole family is here for a surf session and bonfire. We’ve been spending a lot more time together lately, and in the spirit of being honest, I love it. The heaviness of life seems to have fallen to the wayside. Like breathing air for the first time, we can just enjoy the paradise we live in and the people that are a part of it.
It’s wave after wave and a lot of laughter. My heart could explode listening to my brother’s laughter. I almost forgot what it sounded like. I’ve never seen Leland so relaxed and able to enjoy life.
The shop has continued on as normal. If anything, we’ve picked up a few more clients. Leland has moved into my old place. I think it’s his real first place to relax. Living and working at the shop was twenty-four-seven of shop talk.
We are sitting around the bonfire and I’m listening to everyone talking with each other. I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to refrain from a massive grin that wants to escape. “Hey! What do y’all say for a surf competition?” I ask.
“I’m down.” Massey throws her hands in the air.
“Oh, it’s on!” Lawson points to Leland, then at Massey.
Leland crosses his arms, giving Lawson a pointed look. The atmosphere becomes so playful. Leland gives a mischievous grin, glancing over at Taylor. I’m thankful that Taylor didn’t give up. He brings a lightness to Leland’s life. A gentle side that used to be reserved for me when I wasn’t being such a pain in the ass.
“I’m out of practice, but let’s do it,” Taylor nicely says.
“Alright, who’s first?” I point to everyone, waiting for the first two victims.
“Let me go so I can get the nerves out. If y’all go first, I’ll chicken out,” Taylor offers.
“Alright, Leland, you are against him. Couple versus couple,” I say.
Everyone seems to love the idea, and the crap talking begins. Mostly between Massey and Lawson. Taylor and Leland rush to the water, paddling out. We are cheering them on with every wave they drop into. I’ve seen Leland surf before, but seeing him so happy today, he’s gliding over the waves like butter. Dropping into the crested water so effortlessly and cutting back into the waves with ease. At this moment, nothing is holding my brother back or holding him down.
Taylor looks at Leland with such hope and admiration. I am proud he’s back. Maybe they needed that break to reconnect on a deeper level. I think Leland finally being honest with himself, and Taylor gives them more hope. Taylor doesn’t realize that Leland never truly gave up on him. When Leland is done with someone or something, there is no going back. So, him being here today, means that Leland kept him close to his heart even after the heartbreak. I sure hope that Taylor doesn’t fuck this second chance up. It’s his to lose.
They surf back into shore. With a slow walk, hand in hand, back to our group, and I take advantage of the moment. I jump up and point my fingers like guns toward Victor. “Ready peacock?”
“Are you ever going to let that nickname go?” He shakes his head at me.
“We can go back to douche?” I shrug my shoulders.
“Fine. Let’s go cheater.” He retorts.
I laugh and push him back down in the sand when goes to stand up. Snatching my longboard from its place in the sand, I take off running into the water. Victor is hot on my heels.
“Goddamn it, Collins. Cheater! You all saw that?” Victor yells.
I can hear everyone laughing at him. He catches up and ends up beating me to the water. Throwing his board into the waves, he catapults himself forward, landing on the board with a grunt. His long arms glide through the water with ease. I’m slightly envious, but I won’t give up.
We paddle out past the reef and catch some waves. Victor has gotten better at surfing, but he’s still bad in my book. He falls a lot. It keeps me laughing, and I think he does it on purpose. I can appreciate him more for that, giving me reasons to smile and laugh. As I drop in on a good wave, I feel a different wave carrying me. Any stress or anxiety that I ever felt in this world melted away as the speckles of ocean water hit my body. All these years and today is no different in being a day I could never forget.
I end up taking only a few waves and settle on my board, watching Victor attempt to drop in and ride some waves. My eyes trace the world around me. I’m enjoying the view all around. It’s not just the scenery of plush vegetation, and crystal blue waters, but the people I love.
After a few sets, he notices me observing and paddles over. I giggle as he hops on my board, dropping his body to face me.
“What’s up, buttercup?” he asks.
He’s so stupid it makes me smile. “It’s been a great day.”
“Yeah, it has been, but it’s not over yet. Are you done surfing?”
I nod with the most relieved sigh. We paddle side by side into shore and Massey and Lawson shoot up off the sand. Together, they rush past us. Bickering back and forth like petulant children as they paddle.
“I’m going to bury you, Withers.” Lawson yells.
“You’ll be dead before you grab the shovel, Law.” Massey retorts.
“Feisty! I love it!”
“Save it! It’s a competition!”
“I’ll leave you in my wake.” Lawson spits.
“Only thing left in your wake is your ego!”
“Oh! Massey! That hurt.”
“I won’t look back as you trail behind.”
Lawson smirks. “You know, your backside is one of my favorite things. I may be okay with this.”
“Lawson!” she squeals.
I’m once again watching my brother enjoy being carefree. He looks happy and free. Massey gives him that. They’ve become so perfect for one another. He gives her unwavering support and isn’t influenced because she makes a lot more money than he does. She provides the emotional reassurance he’s been searching for. Proudly, she’s mentioned that he’s almost stopped drinking completely, and they spend more time at home than they do going out.
I stand at the water’s edge just watching Lawson and Massey, who take wave after wave, and of course, talking shit to each other.
A nice wave comes and they both go for it. Massey, of course, is more focused on the wave and doesn’t realize Lawson reaching for his ankle strap and pulling it from his body. As soon as she is standing and situated, he jumps on her board and holds her from behind. Regaining her composure from the intrusion, she laughs hard and they are both struggling to stay on top of the board. The wave levels out and Lawson pulls her closer to his chest, whispering in her ear. I smile, watching her hand cover her mouth and nod at whatever he is saying. She turns her body toward him and jumps into his waiting arms, causing them to fall into the water. When they surface, she swims over to him and gives him a deep kiss. Excuse my gag. When they pull away, he is wiping tears away from her face so gently.
He did it.
I walk back to the bonfire and sit next to the love of my life. His hand reaches around my back. His fingers ghost up and down my spine, soothing touches that provide a level of comfort I didn’t realize I needed. Today is a day I realize that me and my siblings are entering a different stage in our lives. Though we’ve been on our own, today feels like a world of possibilities and experiences that we didn’t realize would be available to us.
Lawson and Massey slowly come back to shore and Lawson saunters up to me. I reach into my bag, grabbing the small box. He grins down at me, snatching the case from my hand. He turns, dropping to his knee. Gasps all around when everyone else starts realizing what is happening. Victor pinches my side, causing me to lean closer to him. I rest my head on his shoulder as we watch Lawson open the ring box.
“I know you said yes out there, but say it louder for the world to hear!” he begs. “Marry me?”
“Yes! Yes, yes, yes!” Massey squeaks, and her entire body shakes with excitement.
He pulls the ring from its spot in the box and slips the ring on her finger.
“Lawson, left hand! Left hand!” I quickly state.
“Left hand.” Lawson shakes his head at me. Massey is so completely caught up in the proposal she also didn’t realize she had offered the wrong hand. Her head falls back, cackling. Everyone jumps to the happy couple, offering congratulations. I rush to my best friend and grab her hands, tugging her to the side for us to have a moment. I wrap her up in a big hug, and she holds me tight.
“You knew?” she whispers.
“Of course, I knew.” She should know better.
“Thanks for keeping the ring,” Lawson says, sneaking up behind us. He drags Massey from my grip and holds her close to his body. He’s so gentle with her.
“Of course.” I scrunch my nose at them both. He gives me a fist bump and holds onto Massey’s hand, running his thumb over the engagement ring.
“Congrats Law. That’s amazing,” Taylor warmly says.
“What’s amazing is she said yes!” I tease. I knew she would say yes, but he’s my brother. I enjoy giving him some kind of shit.
“I’ll second that!” Leland adds, taunting along with me.
“What?” Massey looks around like we are the crazy ones.
“Shocked the hell out of me, to be honest,” Lawson adds.
“Why?” She genuinely looks confused.
“Because you, my beautiful fiancé, are a catch. You can have anyone you want, and you said yes to me. Part of me worries knowing some guys at your work are dying for you to look their way,” Lawson tells her. Massey looks bewildered by his words. He soothes her furrowed eyebrows, “Babe, it’s cute you didn’t see.” Lawson pushes some hair out of her face. “But, yeah, they all want you. Why did you think they asked you to go to lunch all the time?”
“Work lunches are not dates.” Massey tries to defend them.
“Well, it’s a start. Trust me, you could have anyone you want.” He looks at her, hoping she doesn’t realize it.
“I only want you.” Massey wraps her arms around Lawson’s waist, hugging him tighter. Reassuring him verbally and physically.
“Good, I’m never letting you go.” He lays a kiss on her head.
“Well, let’s celebrate you two!” I changed the subject.
Everyone breaks apart to get the food ready. The rest of the night, we reminisce. With all the love and excitement of the day, offers a gentler recollection of everything. Today, we can speak in a more hopeful tone.
Massey turns toward me and the elation beams from her. Her eyes flick back and forth from me to her ring.
“Are you okay with this?” weariness tugs at her words.
“Are you kidding? I am so happy for you!”
“How didn’t you slip up? I can’t believe you knew.” She gleams.
“I can keep secrets.” I laugh.
“Think you’ll be here one day? Engaged or married?” She shifts the ring around her finger. Circling it around her skin. The oval cut moissanite vintage ring sits perfectly along her finger. The small cluster of diamonds that surround the center stone looks like a starburst.
I take her hand and examine the ring closer, contemplating the question. I bite the inside of my cheek to center my thoughts. Of course, I’ve thought about this kind of commitment. Especially with Victor. He’s everything I could want and more. I sit back in the sand and look over at Victor, who has moved to the other side of the fire pit with the other guys.
“If it happens, I’d welcome it. But to be honest, I’m pretty happy at this moment.” That’s not a lie. “So, is it going to be a big Hawaiian wedding?”
“I hope so. Do you think he’d be okay with that?” Massey worries.
“He doesn’t care.” I laugh and she nods and looks down. I take her arm and wrap it around mine. “Promise you will always take care of him? He’s um … He’s …”
“I know, I promise. I love him.” She knows and understands this fear. Massey lays her head on my shoulder. We sit in comfortable silence, watching everyone else. Lawson catches us staring and walks over, sitting next to Massey, smiling like a fool.
“We’re going to pack up. Are you ready to go home, fiancé?” he proudly asks.
“With you, always!” Massey can’t help the giddiness. Her body shakes with all the excitement of the day.
“We’ll pick up. You guys enjoy your evening. Massey, let’s catch up later this week?” I offer. She nods and wraps her arms around my shoulders. Giving me a gentle squeeze before Lawson drags her up to him and he waves to everyone.
“Later, guys!” He intertwines his fingers with hers, tugging her along.
Today has been one of those days where it feels like a dream. It’s not my happiness that I’m excited about, it’s my brothers. How this journey of life has brought us these moments. We all start picking up and packing up the cars. I give Leland and Taylor the biggest hug my little body can, and hope they can feel the adoration I’m feeling. Words seem to stall after everything today. Climbing in the truck, Victor gets in the driver’s seat. The engine rumbles to life and instead of driving off, he sits back and turns to me. There’s a flicker of emotion in his eyes. I furrow my brows, confused.
“Are you okay?” Reaching for him, I run my hand through his hair.
“I love you. You know that, right?” he says in a rush of breath.
“Yeah, I know, baby. I love you too.” I lean toward him and he meets me the rest of the way for a soft kiss. He then rests his forehead against mine and we sit, listening to the hum of the radio. My eyes remain closed, with my other senses taking over. The way his lips feel against mine and the unassuming way he leads each day with me.
“What’s on your mind?” I whisper, finally opening my eyes and gazing up at him.
“Today was just incredible. You and this place continue to surprise me. I can’t even fathom the idea of ever living the way I used to. You’ve changed me for the better. Simply put, I just love you. Every single piece of you.”
His admission has tears threatening to escape. I’ve never been the emotional type of person, but he brings this affectionate side out of me. He squeezes my leg and puts the truck in drive. I grab his hand as we head for home while staring out the window in a daze. The stars and crescent moon reflect off the dark ocean. An illusion of an endless horizon. Life never seemed more perfect.
I feel like there is more to his admission. He seems to struggle with something on his mind, but I won’t push. When he is ready to talk, we will. He’s given me that respect and in return, I’ll be patient. For now, I’ll continue to hold his hand and give him the reassurance he needs.