| |
“What do you mean he doesn’t want to be alone with me?” Amelia asked when I called her. “I’m not that scary, am I? What have you told him?”
“It’s not you,” I answered with a smile. “He’s just very... guarded. I told you this before.”
“I know, but I didn’t think he’d insist on having his mommy hold his hand for the date.”
“Oh, come on, Amelia. Why are you being such a bitch? And what’s wrong with a double date?”
“Nothing, I’m just... Okay, fine. And you’re right. First dates are better that way when you’ve never met the guy.”
We made plans for the duration of the call, even discussing who my date was going to be. Even Amelia insisted on inviting Levi, claiming he would definitely say yes. I just went along with it, not even caring one way or the other. If Levi didn’t mind, then I was fine with it.
But when we all met up a week later, I wasn’t sure what had changed over the past year and a half. Amelia arrived first for dinner, and just after basic introductions between her and Ben, Levi arrived a few minutes later. For some reason, I didn’t remember him looking so good. Even though I’d always thought he was cute, that night he just looked...better.
Amelia and Ben carried conversation with each other just fine, so that left lots of opportunities for me to talk to Levi. He was funny and friendly, and there didn’t seem to be any ill feelings on his part like I’d been worried about. He was the same nice guy I remembered from before.
Just better looking.
“How does that happen?” I asked Ben while we drove back to Bakersfield that night.
“Our perspectives change,” he answered matter-of-factly. “Or maybe you’re just really—”
“If you say it, I’ll hit you.”
He laughed. “Fine, we won’t talk about your sexual needs.”
I remained quiet, thinking over the night.
After ten minutes of driving, Ben asked, “So, you think you’d want to see him again?”
“Levi?”
“No, the old man that tried to feel you up at the bowling alley.” When I laughed he clarified, “Yes, Levi.”
I considered it for a moment. “Nah, I don’t think so. At least not to date him.”
“Why not?”
“Just because I think he’s cute doesn’t mean I need to date him.”
“Why not?”
I groaned. “Would you give it a rest? Because I’m in love with someone else, Ben. Why lead another guy on? Let’s talk about Amelia. You said you liked her, but how much? What do you really think of her?”
“Mm, she’s not bad.”
“Not bad?”
“She’s a really cute girl.”
“You talk like you’re in sixth grade.”
“I feel like I am. You’re sitting there pestering me about it. Should I pass you back the note with my response?”
I had to smile at that, but I did say, “Sure. It says, ‘Will you go out with me again?’”
He pretended to think it over. “What are the boxes to check?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes or no.”
“Not ‘maybe?’”
“Nope.”
“Fine, then sure, I’d go out with her again.”
I was pleased with the answer because I knew Amelia had liked him.
But things became pretty busy for the next ten days, and neither of us got a chance to go out with Amelia or Levi again. At least I knew my excuse was busyness since I had something going on both times Levi called me. And he knew from the start we’d just be hanging out as friends. I hadn’t given him too many details—just that I was in an on/off relationship already. We did set a date for something casual after my trip to San Diego, and I was actually looking forward to it.
Ben only called Amelia once, and that was because he promised me he would. He basically told her he’d be busy for the next few weeks and she probably wouldn’t hear from him. Amelia didn’t seem put off by it, but I was flustered with him. He had a few opportunities to go out with her, but he chose not to.
We left early for San Diego on August 10th, and we arrived at Hattie Burke’s ranch in La Mesa around noon. Heath and Hattie discussed the two horses while Ben and I spent time with them. They both still looked underweight and a little feeble, but they were a much better sight than the pictures we’d seen of them from before.
After spending the afternoon taking care of business, the evening found us at Petco Park for a game between the Padres and the Braves. I had a lot of fun, and it wasn’t my first time going to a major league baseball game, but spending time with Heath and Ben made the experience even better.
I felt like I was with my family.
We got in close to eleven that night. Hattie had arranged for us to stay in a bed-and-breakfast that was just down the road from her. We each had our own rooms but mine was right next to Ben’s upstairs. I had just settled into my bed when I heard a noise in the corner. I’ll admit it scared me—I wasn’t one who liked the dark, especially when I was somewhere new. I remained still, hoping I was just hearing things, but I heard it again, even louder. It sounded like something moving around in my room—something alive.
After the third time I heard it, I couldn’t take it anymore. I jumped up from my bed, and sprinted to the door. After a brief pause in the hallway, I went straight to Ben’s room and just walked right in.
“What the—?” He sat up in bed just as I shut the door behind me, but then the room went completely dark when the light from the hall disappeared, so I flipped on the light.
“Ah!” he yelled, shielding his eyes.
“Sorry,” I said, flipping the light off.
“What the hell are you doing?” he asked. I could hear him searching for the lamp, and then it switched on. He stared at me when I just stood there in front of the door.
“There’s something in my room,” I finally said.
He gave me a disgruntled scowl. “Like what?”
“I don’t know, something moving around.”
He scoffed, but playfully. “Maybe it’s a big rat.”
“It’s not funny!” I hissed.
He laughed, and then got out of bed. “Fine, you want me to go slay the dragon?”
“Yes.”
He tossed me a smug smile as he approached the door, so I opened it for him. Once we were in my room, he switched on the light and asked, “Where’d you hear it?”
“Over there.” I pointed to a corner.
Ben walked across the room toward the dresser and paused, glancing around it and under it. “Well, I don’t see anything.”
I entered the room a little further, very cautiously, and looked toward the closet. “Maybe it was in there,” I suggested.
He went to open the closet door while I observed from a distance. There was nothing there until he moved my backpack, and something else moved.
“Ah, holy shit!” he yelled, jumping back from the closet.
It made me scream—really loud—and I jumped up onto the bed. “What the fuck is it!?” I cried.
My heart was thundering in my chest when he bent down and picked something up. With a big smile, Ben held it with two hands and said, “It’s your dragon.”
“What the hell is that thing?” I squealed.
Ben laughed just as Heath and the homeowner entered the room.
“It’s an iguana,” Ben told me. “Surely you’ve seen one of these things, haven’t you?”
“Oh, my goodness, you found him!” Vera said, coming across the room. She held out her hands and Ben passed it over.
“That’s your pet?” I asked, utterly repulsed.
“I’m so sorry,” she replied. “He went missing about three days ago. He’s never disappeared for that long, so I thought he got outside.”
I was still cowering on the bed, my heart ready to beat right out of my chest, and Ben smiled as he held his hand out to help me down. I almost refused, but obliged without further drama.
“Are you okay?” Vera asked. “I’m so sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. I heard something over there and... Well, at least you found him.”
“Yes, thank you so much. And this is Miles,” she said, stepping toward me with it.
I shrunk behind Ben out of sheer disgust.
“He’s friendly,” Ben said, nudging me for being such a dumbass.
“Uh, yeah, I see that. I’m sorry,” I said to Vera. “It’s just that it’s late and...”
“Oh, not to worry,” she assured me kindly.
I reached over to pet the thing anyway—with one finger, just to be polite—and Vera smiled.
“Well, I’ll take Miles off your hands so you can get back to bed.” She turned to Ben and added, “Thank you for finding him.”
She left the room, and I released a huge breath of air.
“You are so afraid of reptiles,” Ben murmured as he shut the closet door.
“So?”
He chuckled, and turned to face me. “And what if you ever have to treat one someday?”
“I could manage just fine. It just took me by surprise.” I shuddered.
He laughed again, and then looked at his dad, who was still in the room. Heath was staring at the both of us, and that’s when I realized what the scene might have looked like. Ben was standing there in just a pair of boxers, and I was only in a tank top and itty bitty sleep shorts. I could feel myself turn about ten degrees warmer once I figured out what he was thinking.
“He just got here before you did,” I suddenly blurted out, pointing to Ben.
Ben looked at me with confusion, and then glanced at his dad, who seemed to be waiting for Ben to agree.
“Pssh, her and me? Yeah, right,” Ben told him, once he realized what his dad was thinking. Heath just shrugged his shoulders and left the room. “Did he honestly think...?”
“I think your dad is worried his kids are sleeping together.” I laughed uneasily as I sat on the bed. “I’m wide awake now. Wanna play cards?”
“Sure. I don’t think I could sleep either. But let me at least put a shirt on.” I snorted when he winked at me.
I threw on a pair of sweats before grabbing a pack of cards from my bag. When Ben returned, we sat on my bed and started a game of Go Fish.