Chapter Thirteen:
Ian
With summer in full swing, complete with festivals and sweltering heat waves, I decided it was time to show Lanie more of my true self--the me I really was at heart when no one else was looking. I sat on the tailgate of my rented pickup truck waiting for her to come out. We had plans to go for a hike first thing this morning but her boss had called her in to fix some sort of mistake, though she didn't say if it was a coworker or herself that had made it.
I took the liberty of changing our plans, renting two kayaks and paddles to go with them, and planning for Grayson to drive my rented truck from a drop off point east of the city to the pick-up point near the state line, north of Tega Cay. My brother and I did this once a summer when we were younger though it had been a while. Floating the entire length of Lake Wylie was just about as "Ian Gregory" as you could get.
When she walked out with a sulking expression and downcast shoulders, I felt my heart go out to her. I hated that look because it meant she was hurting. I wished I could reach into her heart and take the painful parts out so she'd never feel anything but bliss and happiness the rest of her life. It was how I knew I loved her, more deeply and purely than I'd ever loved anyone.
She shuffled across the parking lot, not even looking up. Her face was buried in her phone, hands typing away briskly at the screen. I didn't think she'd even seen me, and my phone vibrated in my pocket proving it. I didn't bother pulling it out. Her hands dropped as soon my phone buzzed and finally her eyes rose.
The slow realization dawned over her features which softened from frustration and upset to mild discomfort, then brightened to happiness as I slid off the tailgate and stood waiting for her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, wrapping her arms around my body.
I pulled her in and kissed her forehead. After only seven weeks of dating, I knew it was too early to really confess how much of my heart she owned, but it didn't feel right not expressing how much she meant to me.
"You seemed sad when you had to cancel our hike. I rented a few kayaks and thought we could float a while this afternoon. Might take us a few hours... if you're not busy." She felt good in my arms too, like she was supposed to be there. If she said no, it was no big deal. I knew a slew of guys who would fill in at the last minute. Hell, even Grayson would go cabrewing with me for the day, though that wasn't what I really wanted to do.
Lanie laid her head on my chest and sighed softly. For a moment I thought she would say no, that she was too upset or busy with something else. Instead she looked up at me and said, "Do you have sunblock?"
I leaned down to kiss her soft lips and she smiled. We spent the next half-hour driving to the drop-off point, Lanie beside me in the passenger seat, her hand resting on mine atop the center console. I could feel the warmth of her touch, a silent affirmation of the bond between us. When we arrived, Grayson was already waiting, leaning against the welcome sign with a wide grin plastered across his face. He helped us unload the kayaks, ensuring everything was secure and we had all the essentials: paddles, life jackets, and a small cooler packed with drinks and snacks.
Lanie seemed to avoid Grayson before he left with a wave, promising to meet us at the pick-up point. I watched the dust from the truck settle, then turned to Lanie with a smile. "Ready?"
With a gentle nod, her previous tension dissipated as she took in the tranquil beauty of the lake. The water was like glass, undisturbed and shimmering in the warm sun. As we pushed off from the shore, our kayaks glided effortlessly across the surface, leaving behind a trail of gentle ripples that caught the light and danced with it. The world around us was alive with the symphony of summer: the distant hum of insects creating a soft buzz, the occasional call of a bird breaking through the stillness, and the rhythmic sound of our paddles cutting through the water, creating a soothing splash with each stroke. It was as if nature itself had formed a perfect harmony for us to float along to on this peaceful day.
After a while, we found a quiet rhythm, and I grabbed a couple of chilled beers from the cooler and handed one to Lanie, her warm fingers brushing against mine as she accepted it with a grateful smile. She took a slow sip, allowing the refreshing liquid to soothe her parched throat before releasing a contented sigh. "This is perfect," she murmured, her gaze sweeping over the tranquil water stretching out before us.
"I'm glad you think so," I replied, taking a sip of my own. The boat rocked gently, the sound of water lapping against its sides creating a soothing rhythm. The sun's warm rays danced across the surface, casting shimmering reflections on our faces. Comfortable silence enveloped us, but after a few minutes, I felt a sudden urge to break it. A memory resurfaced, one I hadn't spoken about in years.
"My brother and I used to do this every summer," I began, my voice softer than usual. "He and I would spend hours out here, just talking and enjoying the peace. It was our way of escaping everything, you know?" I didn't talk about it much, not with anyone. It was something most of my friends thought I was over, but I never really got over it. I didn't think anyone did. But it was something Lanie had to know about me. Part of my heart I needed to share with her. We were already so close; why not share this too?
Lanie turned to me, her eyes filled with curiosity and empathy. "He sounds like he was really important to you."
"Yeah," I said, my chest tightening a little. "He passed away a few years ago. Car accident. It's been hard without him, but being out here... it helps me feel close to him again." That night was still too fresh in my mind to go into detail, but if I was being honest with her, I wanted to share them.
She reached out and squeezed my hand, her touch grounding me. "I'm sorry, Ian. I can't imagine how hard that must be." Lanie's soft, compassionate expression moved me. It felt natural sharing my heart with her, like we'd known each other forever, not just a few months.
"Thanks," I said, giving her a small smile. "He was a great guy. Loved nature, just like me. He would've liked you, I think."
"Of course he would. I'm the life of the party." Lanie hoisted her beer into the air and I tapped my can to hers. "You know I've never lost anyone that close to me before, so I can't imagine the pain, but I'm here if you ever need to talk about it."
I slurped my beer and nodded. "I think that's all I needed to say right now. But I appreciate that offer."
Things were perfect for the next hour. We raced; she won, though I'd never admit I let her. We finished the six-pack between the two of us and managed to tip my kayak so I took a swim. Thankfully my phone was lodged in the pocket of my cargo pants in its waterproof case. She laughed when I managed to right myself and get back into the kayak, pouring the water out of my sneakers. It was a better day than I could have hoped for.
Until we pulled up to the pick-up point where Grayson helped haul our kayaks ashore. He held out a hand for Lanie, who took it as she climbed out. She unsnapped her life vest and tossed it into the kayak as she waited for me. I struggled out of my kayak as Grayson loaded Lanie's up and all I could think was how uncomfortable she seemed around him.
