Heart Waves (17 page)

He shook his head. “There was something about
her
;I
just wasn’t interested.
Until finals.”
He swallowed hard. “She put together a study group for psych and invited me. When I got there, it was just Rebecca and me.”       

“She tricked you to get you alone.”
Clever girl.

I would put money down that math and psych went out the window. The only subject getting any attention that night was biology, to be more specific, anatomy.

He nodded. “We started dating after winter break. My friends all liked her and thought I was jerk for the way I treated her. School always came first, then friends, then partying, and then
Becca
.”

I hated how he said her name all cutesy.

“Somewhere along the line you had to fall pretty hard.”

“Sort of.”
He shrugged. “She wanted to spend time together for spring break. But I didn’t make any time for her. Instead I went home and partied with some old friends.
The guys were all looking to hook up, but I wasn’t. I realized I would’ve liked to have been out with
Becca
instead.”

“Did you tell her that when you got back?”

“I tried, but things changed, she pulled away and suddenly she wasn’t available anymore. We didn’t talk as much. The more distant she became, the more I thought I cared.”

“And then she broke up with you?”

He nodded. “Right before the semester ended she came to tell me it was over. By the end of the day word was out she already had another boyfriend.”

“That sounds awful.”

He shook his head. “Best thing to ever happen to me. That’s why I came to spend the summer here.” He smiled at me. “That’s what led me to you.”

“Did you know the guy?”

I thought I saw a flash of anger in his eyes, but just as suddenly as it appeared it was gone and I assumed I imagined it.

“Does it matter?”

I bit my bottom lip, deliberating. “I guess not.”

“Was it every bit as entertaining as you thought?”

I shook my head, “Pretty boring.” There had to be something more. Something I missed. I
yawned
exhaustion overtaking every cell of my body.

“Gee, thanks.”

“Thank you!” I leaned against his chest and closed my eyes for a minute, listening to the sound of his heartbeat, strong, steady. “I really appreciate it.” I said through a nice big yawn.

“Hey,” he nudged me gently forcing me to open my eyes. I realized I’d fallen asleep. I had no idea for how long. “Go to bed. Tomorrow night we’re going someplace special.”

“You always take me someplace special.” I smiled trying to stay awake.

He chuckled, “Not like this. You are defiantly going to need your energy tomorrow.”

I had no idea where we were going. Reece looked over and smirked every time I’d ask what the plans were. He kept closed lipped about his surprise and our destination. We headed north on the parkway toward central Jersey. I wondered what we could be going to do that we couldn’t do closer to home.

Soon after getting off the highway, Reece turned the car into a sports complex and parked. There were baseball fields nearby and soccer nets off in the distance. At first I thought it was a joke.

“We’re going to play baseball?” I asked him, not altogether happy we were there.

He looked at me like I came from another planet. “Don’t be silly, all these people aren’t here to watch you and me play.”

I looked around the parking lot as he came around the car to open my door. It was full, and when I looked at the bleachers there were people sitting on them.
A lot of people.

“If we aren’t here to play and I’m going to need my strength, than who are we here to watch?” I asked hesitantly as I got out of the car.
             

He wore a wide grin as he answered.
“My brother of course.”

“Your brother?
Are you kidding me?” My eyes opened wide with fear. “Are your parents here too?”

He continued to act is if he just heard the punch line to a really funny joke. “It’s no big deal, Jenna. I met your parents a long time ago.”  

I looked down at my clothes, blue tank top and jean shorts. I knew my hair was windblown and wild since I left it loose and we drove with the windows down. I hoped at least my makeup wasn’t all over my face. Definitely not the way I would’ve presented myself if I knew I was going to meet his parents.

Reece put his arm around my shoulder and led me in the direction of the bleachers. I pushed him away, still annoyed he didn’t give me any warning.
             

“Hey, Reece!” one of the players came jogging toward us.

Even from a distance I could tell it was his brother. He looked like a carbon copy of Reece, only younger, thinner. He had a similar slim build, the same high cheekbones and straight nose. Even their dark copper tans were alike.

When he reached us, Reece pulled him into a quick hug, patted his brother on the back, and pulled the lid of his cap down.

“So,” the younger boy looked me over appraisingly through thick, dark eye lashes, “this is her?”

Reece nodded, “This is her. Aaron, I’d like you to meet Jenna,” He motioned with his hand.
“Jenna, my brother Aaron.”

“It’s nice to meet you Aaron,” I extended my hand.

He took my hand in his own, his eyes fixed on mine. “Hello beautiful!” He kissed my hand, in the same manner Reece did the night we met.

“Cut it out,” Reece slapped him on the back.

“Hey, I’m just trying to break the ice with your girlfriend. By the way, you were right. She is hotter than
Becca
.” He shook his head in disbelief, “I didn’t think that was possible.”

I saw a flash of anger in Reece’s eyes, “You feel like losing some teeth before the game starts?”

Aaron kept his eyes on me while he spoke, “You wouldn’t want to beat up on your baby brother in front of your girlfriend,” he goaded.

Reece placed his hands on my hips and directed me to his other side away from his brother.

“Hey!” Aaron complained.

“Head in the game.”
Reece slapped the lid of Aaron’s baseball cap.

“No problem,” Aaron said with a familiar air of confidence. “Jenna, first inning I’ll strike out the side for you.” He said raising his eyebrows mischievously.

The coach called Aaron to return to the dugout for the start of the game. He jogged back to his team, turned to look at us again and winked before taking the field.

“He comes on a little strong,” Reece didn’t look at me as he spoke.

“Like someone else I know.”

He gave me a sideward glance, “But I’m irresistible and you love every minute of it.” He pulled me close and kissed my cheek. How right he was.

I feared we would be sitting with his parents, but the bleachers were packed. We didn’t have the privilege of being choosy. We climbed up to the top row behind third base on the visiting team’s side and squeezed in at the end.

“Are they expecting me or are you surprising them as well?” I asked, clearly annoyed.

He nodded. “Don’t you worry,” he smirked, clearly enjoying my angst. “Not only are they expecting you, they are looking forward to meeting you.”

My stomach knotted, and my jaw tightened. He just threw a truck load of anxiety on my shoulders. I wanted to make a good impression, but felt so utterly unprepared to do so.

The first batter struck out.

“It’s not about how you look,” he leaned in to tell me, “Although if my brother is any indication, that’s clearly not an issue.”

I shook my head. “I would’ve liked to have dressed a little more presentable.”

“Yes, but then you’d also be guarded. More so than you are now,” he said with a look of disappointment. “I want them to meet the real you.” He looked at me with narrow eyes and a sly smile, “Don’t worry. They’ll love you as much as I do.”

Reece turned his attention to the game. I glanced at him, enjoying the look of pride on his face as Aaron completed his smooth delivery to home plate.

“Strike three!” The umpire pumped his fist to signal the strike out of the second batter.

I couldn’t help but smile.
One more to go.
I wondered if he could do it. I had a flashback to my first date with Reece. What was it he said just before winning Patches? “You need to have more faith in me.” And then last night, he wanted me to believe in him when logic told me not to. And Aaron was so much like Reece.

I knew at that moment Aaron would do it. And as the last batter of the inning swung and missed for strike three, I couldn’t help but laugh. I watched him take his cap off and wave it in the air as he jogged back to the dugout. There was definitely something special about that kid.   

*                       *                       *

Aaron’s team won. He pitched five innings giving up just one run. Immediately after the game the players surrounded the coach and were listening intently before picking up their equipment and disbanding.

Reece and I waited for Aaron, intending to drive him home after the game. Instead Aaron headed in the opposite direction. We watched him approach a sweet looking, young girl. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and her eyes fell to the ground as her face changed to a pretty shade of pink.

Reece smiled and shook his head. “Something tells me he already has a ride.” He took my hand and led me in the direction of his car.

“So did your mother take one look at me and take off?” I asked nervous to hear the answer.

He nodded, face serious.
“Yep.
That’s it exactly.”

I wondered when my life turned into a horror film, until I heard him laugh.

“You are such a jerk!”

He started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. “Actually my parents should be home getting everything ready for you.”

“They are?” I think I liked it better when I thought they cut and run. “Why?”

“My mother’s probably more nervous about meeting you than you are about meeting her.”

I looked around the suburban neighborhood as Reece drove. It looked different than mine. My neighborhood definitely spoke “Nautical.” People used oars, life preservers and sand in their landscapes. Aside from the fact that many of the houses, like mine, actually were waterfront property, the openness and view of the water set the maritime mood.

It seemed like Reece came from another world altogether. His neighborhood boasted brick-faced houses with vast lawns, long driveways and trees.
Lots of trees.

The ride only took a few minutes. Reece parked the car in the driveway. I looked up at the large house feeling slightly intimidated. The outside had an elegant look about it. The straight clean hedges served as a backdrop to ornamental trees which were framed by either smaller curved rows of colorful plants or flowers. Decorative pavers led from the black top to the front steps which were made of matching brick.  

I felt tension throughout my neck and shoulders. I would have felt better if Aaron drove along with us. He had an easy way about him, like his brother. He would have kept my mind occupied.

Reece came around and opened the car door as usual. He took my hand and led me to the ornately carved double doors. I bit my bottom lip as he rang the doorbell.

“Did they take your keys away when you left for college?” I asked playfully.  

“Oh, you’re a comedian.”

The door on the right opened, and I stopped breathing.
Terrified of the unknown.
Reece placed his hand on the small of my back nudging me forward. “It had to happen eventually,” he whispered so only I could hear.

Reece’s mother looked young and perfectly put together in beige shorts and a simple green capped sleeve shirt. Her brown hair was swooped up into a causal twist.

“Hello, sweetheart.”
Reece’s mother embraced him and kissed his cheek.

“Hey, Mom.”

I didn’t mind that she didn’t look at me or speak to me immediately. I hoped if I stayed quiet enough she might forget me altogether. No such luck!

“And this must be Jenna,” she looked at me with a kind smile, looking genuinely pleased to meet me.

“Hi, Mrs. Walton.”
I said, terrified to move.