The Spring of Candy Apples (A Sweet Seasons Novel) (8 page)

“Take five,” Becca instructed before hopping down off the stage. “Hey, Candace, got a little espionage thing going on here?”

“No reconnaissance, just wanted to see you,” Candace said with a laugh.

“What’s up?”

“Mostly I was hoping to catch you on a dinner break so we could chat. I also wanted to ask you some advice in the guy department.”

“Oh,” Becca said, eyes growing wide. “Gotcha. Well, if you’ve got some time, you can hang out for a few. We’re almost done, and then we can go get some dinner.”

“Sounds like a plan. You’re sure you won’t mind if I watch?”

Becca shrugged. “Unlike some people, we’ve made no secret of what we’re doing.”

“That’s true,” Candace said. “Some people are being quite the pain about it.”

“I personally think it’s a lack of confidence in their performance. If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with mystery.”

“I like your theory. I’ll mention it to Josh.”

“Please do,” Becca said. “And tell him his team is going to lose.”

“Ah, the competitive spirit of The Zone in full swing.”

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Becca asked.

She hopped back on the stage. “Okay, people, one more time . . . with feeling.”

Candace smiled as she watched. One thing was for sure, they were going to be the team to beat. No matter how good her team managed to get at the cup stacking, she wasn’t sure they could match the Muffin Mansion for pure spectacle.

They finished the routine with a flourish, and the only one who was off was Roger. Gib lit into him, and Candace couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

“What’s your problem, galley rat? Not paying attention? Too tired? Look around, we’re all tired. You have to learn to focus.”

“Sorry,” Roger said dejectedly.

Gib just rolled his eyes.

Becca turned her back on both of them and joined Candace. “Ready for food?”

“Yup.”

“In Zone or out?”

Candace hesitated. She would love to eat in the park, but what she wanted to talk about required a little more privacy. “Out.”

“Cool.”

They ended up at Rigatoni’s, one of Candace’s favorite restaurants. They ordered and then settled in.

“So, what’s up?” Becca asked.

“Well, you are the Zone guru,” Candace said.

“I think it’s hilarious that’s what you think I am,” Becca said with a smile.

“You always seem to have good answers.”

“What do you need an answer about today?”

“I’m still feeling unsettled about the whole Kurt thing. Part of me wants closure, part of me wants to get back together, part of me never wants to see him again.”

“All normal reactions.”

“Which one do I listen to?”

“That depends on your specific situation.”

“Okay, specifically me,” Candace said.

Becca sighed. “You know how I told you fall was a season of change?”

“Yeah.”

“Let me tell you about spring.”

“What, it’s a time of renewal?” Candace asked.

“It can be, but generally speaking it’s really a time of new beginnings.”

“As in ‘old things are passed away; behold all things are become new’?” Candace asked, quoting the Bible.

“Exactly!”

“So, like what? A new beginning with Kurt? I don’t know if that’s even an option.”

“More like a new beginning without Kurt.”

Candace just stared at her. “I don’t understand,” she said finally.

“You know for a smart girl you can be pretty dense. Kurt’s not the only guy at The Zone who likes you.”

Candace flushed. “What do you mean?”

“If you don’t already know, I’m not going to spoil the surprise for you,” Becca said.

“So what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I just think it’s time to take your life in a new, better direction. Kurt wasn’t a keeper, not for you.”

“But why?” Candace asked, frustrated.

“Because you want very different things out of life. That is never going to change, no matter how much you wish it would.”

Becca was right, and Candace knew it. It was the thing she had always feared about the relationship. She kicked herself for not having listened to herself sooner.

They ate dinner and talked about guys and work. When they were done eating, Candace glanced at her watch. “Uh-oh, I’m going to be late,” she said.

“Date?” Becca said, raising an eyebrow. “In which case, why are you having dinner with me?”

“Practice,” Candace explained.

“Isn’t it late?”

“It was the only time this week we all had free.”

“Well, then get going.”

“Thanks,” Candace said, handing Becca money for her part of dinner. “For everything.”

Becca waved her hand. “Thank me by having a great practice. It’s going to be embarrassing if no team poses any kind of threat to us,” she said, smirking.

Candace did her best to imitate Becca’s smirk. “Don’t worry, we’re a threat.”

“To ourselves and others,” she added under her breath as she dashed out the door.

Twenty minutes later Candace was back in Sue’s dining room, nervously fidgeting with her stack of cups.

They practiced for an hour. It was hard, frustrating work, but Candace was gratified to see that they were making progress. They all agreed at the end to start trying to interlink their designs the next week.

“Don’t forget to wear green tomorrow,” Sue reminded as they all headed out.

“Green?” Candace asked, drawing a complete blank as to what she could possibly be talking about.

“Saint Patrick’s Day,” Sue said.

“Oh, my! I practically forgot,” Candace said.

“Trust me, I can’t forget. If I let my little brother and sister go to school without green, they’ll come back black and blue.”

“Can’t have that.”

“Uh, no.”

“What about dress code?” Candace asked.

“You mean, you didn’t pick up a green striped shirt from costuming?” Pete asked.

“No, should I have?”

“Yeah,” Traci said.

“Look, how is it you all know these things and I don’t?”

“Candace, you really need to get on the employee website,” Sue said.

“Fine, but what do I do for tomorrow?”

“Wear a plain green shirt if you have it,” Corinne suggested.

“Or a large green brooch,” Pete added.

“I don’t own a brooch, green or otherwise.”

“You could always go with green socks,” Sue said.

“If I got there early, would costuming still have some left?” Candace asked.

Her teammates blinked at her.

“You know, they just might,” Pete said at last.

“I didn’t even think of that,” Corinne admitted.

Candace rolled her eyes.

It was after ten when she made it home. She knew she should go to bed but she was still too keyed up. She sat down at her computer and IMd Josh.

You awake?

Yup. Guess U R 2.

Ya. So . . . green costume shirts tomorrow?

Good, U heard.

15 min ago.

Oh.

Yeah.

You can probably still get one tomorrow.

Hope so. So, what is the ref website?

www.thezonethemepark.com

Candace clicked on the link and the park’s website came up.

Isn’t this just the generic site?

Yeah, but look for a little picture of an umpire at the bottom.

Found it.

Click on him.

Candace did as instructed and it took her to a page titled Referee News and Updates. The whole thing was jam-packed with information and featured a huge banner across the top that said “Don’t forget to get your Irish on!”

Wow.

Yup. Now you know.

Wish I’d known sooner.

Sorry.

So, how are those rehearsals going? Any problems?

Ha ha. Not telling U what R talent is.

Pretty please.

Not even for sugar on top.

Meanie.

A new IM window suddenly popped open. Candace stared at it for a moment in surprise. She fired off a quick message to Josh.

Kurt wants to talk. Fill U in l8r.

Good luck.

She switched back to Kurt’s window and the sentence that was making her shake:

Can we talk?

OK,
she typed.

I’m sorry.

4 what?

U no.

Tell me.

Breaking up.

In IHOP?

Anywhere.

Oh.

Candace could feel her heart pounding. What was Kurt trying to say? Her mouth was dry, and she couldn’t help but think of the conversation with Becca. What if Kurt wanted to get back together? Would that be the wrong thing to do?

Wanna get back together?

Maybe,
she typed. It was a lame answer but it was the best way to draw out the conversation and give her time to think, and maybe get some answers from him.

Why maybe?

Why back together?

Miss U.

Miss U 2.

Then why maybe?

We want different things out of life.

So?

That makes things complicated.

Complicated isn’t necessarily bad.

No, but it’s . . . complicated.

Candace stared at the screen, frustrated. This would be easier if they could talk face-to-face or at least over the phone. The texting was a buffer, though, for both of them. We probably need it, she thought.

Do you love me?

She jumped as she read his text. When they had been dating neither of them had even mentioned the
L
word to each other. Now he wanted her to answer without first declaring for himself. That had to be cheating.

I care for you,
she typed.

Not the same thing.

No, it’s not.

So, you don’t love me?

No, do you love me?

I don’t know. Not sure what love is.

At least that’s honest.

{shrugs}

So what’s the point?

I don’t know . . . but I’d like to try again.

A sudden suspicion filled her.

Is this about your sister getting married?

No. Why?

You dumped me 10 min after telling me she was getting married. Now the wedding’s getting close and u wanna make up.

Forget it.

No . . . U started this.

There was no reply. Candace waited for a full minute before asking the question she really wanted the answer to.

Why did U break up with me?

I can’t be the guy you want. I’ve tried, but I can’t.

I’m sorry.

Me 2.

Kurt signed out, and Candace just stared at the screen. This was what closure felt like, and it felt rotten. She closed the window and saw the conversation she’d been having with Josh. His status indicated he was still on line.

Still there?

Always. U OK?

I think it’s over over with Kurt.

Sorry or congratulations?

Both, I think.

Then consider yourself commiserated with and congratulated.

Will do.

Need me 2 come over?

Yes, but I should go 2 bed instead.

Cool enough. C U tomorrow.

Hasta.

Ciao.

8

Candace arrived at The Zone and stared at the sea of green that greeted her. All the referees were wearing green shirts. Most of the players wore green as well. In case anyone didn’t have enough green, the shops sold green T-shirts, green baseball hats, plastic hats, and shamrock jewelry and buttons galore.

Mascots dressed as leprechauns handed out gold-colored coins. The coins could be used to buy things throughout the park. In order to get one, players had to solve a riddle posed to them by a leprechaun.

She made it to the costume warehouse and managed to snag a shirt. She was wearing a green tank top just in case. The last thing she wanted was to be pinched on her way to the costume warehouse.

Wearing an official green-striped ref shirt, she stowed her stuff in the Locker Room and headed for the Candy Counter. She slowed as she approached. Standing in front of the door, arms crossed over her chest, was Lisa.

Candace briefly considered trying to slip past, but there was no way the other girl wasn’t waiting for her. Candace took a deep breath and halted three feet away.

“Hello, Lisa.”

“Candace.”

“What do you want?”

“I want you out of my way.”

“From where I’m standing, you’re the one blocking the entrance.”

“I’m talking about Kurt,” Lisa said, eyes blazing.

“Look, Kurt and I have broken up. What more could you possibly want?”

“Your head on a silver platter.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not John the Baptist.”

“What?”

“Never mind,” Candace muttered. “Look, it’s over, he’s free. Have at him.”

“He’s still in love with you.”

“No, he’s not,” Candace fumed. “And even if he were, that wouldn’t be my fault. Maybe instead of spending all your energy harassing me, you should spend a little bit on trying to win him over.”

She stepped forward, every muscle tensed, and for a moment Candace thought Lisa was going to hit her.

“Ladies, violence is never the answer,” Josh said, interposing himself smoothly between them.

“What are you, her keeper?” Lisa asked.

It was uncanny how many times Josh seemed to come to her rescue. Candace wondered if he had somehow managed to tag her with a GPS sensor.

“Technically no, I’m my brother’s keeper. And let me tell you, that’s a job,” Josh joked.

For one terrible moment Candace thought Lisa was going to hit Josh instead. Her own fists curled at her side. Turn the other cheek, she urged herself, even as she realized that if Lisa laid a hand on Josh she would drop kick her into the next Zone.