(please bear with me. i am on vacation and almost done with the chapter that follows this one. i love all the comments, even the hard bashing ones. i am working to try and wrap this up)
*
Laura was coming back from her morning jog when she saw David's son, Sean out in front of the house. He looked up and waved to her. She groaned slightly to herself, but pulled out the ear buds and walked over smiling, catching her breath.
"Morning Laura. I run in the evenings. Maybe I should join you if you'd like the company."
"I just put on the tunes and go, not really possible to have a conversation or such. It's my time to think really. Are you going to the beach?"
She was watching him strap boards to David's truck.
"Yeah, me and the old man are gonna catch a few waves. Want to go out to dinner with me tonight?"
She groaned, rolling her eyes slightly. He was bound to know she had been seeing Jesse. Add his father to the mix and she definitely didn't need another man to cope with.
Sean wasn't looking at her, but he knew she was fumbling for a way out of it. How did his father and Jesse get so damn lucky?
"Sean, I am sure you are nice, but I kinda got my hands full right now, and I am not looking for any sort of relationship."
He laughed at her phrasing, "well I figured I would throw my name in the hat. I'm damn sure better looking than Jesse, and I would think I have better stamina than my old man."
Laura's jaw dropped. He knew! David had told his son? Was he bragging about it? She was livid and she wanted to make damn sure he knew it.
"Well you certainly have them beat in the cocky aspect. I don't think I care much for an ass that assumes he is God's gift to women."
She turned quickly and headed to her house.
David had come from the house just in time to hear her remark. He growled at his son and ran over to Laura, grabbing her arm as she hurried up the steps.
"Let go of me!" She barked at him, wringing her arm from his grasp.
"What did he say to you?"
"It's not what he said David; it's what you told him. How dare you?!"
David sighed, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. He didn't need to ask.
"Laura, I am sorry. I didn't exactly come out and say it. He saw how upset I was when Jesse stayed over. It didn't take a genius to figure it out."
She looked down at him, suddenly feeling guilty. It never really occurred to her that being with Jesse would upset him.
"Upset?" She should have said more, but like a mumbling idiot that was the only word ringing in her head.
"Yes Laura. It upset me. And it isn't a conversation I wish to have right now. When I get back, we should talk. Sean will be leaving this afternoon, come over for dinner and let's talk about what's going on."
His tone was calm and almost void of feeling. She felt like a kid being reprimanded by a teacher. That phrasing of "we will talk about this after class," firm and obedient.
And like a young school girl, she followed instructions, "ok then. I hadn't any plans tonight."
Her last statement was only to justify to herself that she was choosing to go over.
David made no attempt to hug or kiss her. He didn't even say good bye, he simply turned and walked back over to the truck. He wasn't about to call off this surfing trip with his son. They had their differences, but in the water with their boards was the only real time he felt a connection with Sean. He would tell him when they were on their way back that his visit was no longer welcomed and he would need to move on.
***
David was flipping the steaks when he saw Laura walking over. He called to her to just let herself in. He had a glass of Moscato waiting for her when she came out on the deck with him. Her smile was faint, not the usual bright shine that always brought forth his own smile. He wondered what was on her mind.
He was quiet, just watching the steaks and drinking his scotch, watching her sip at the wine, her eyes fixed on the ocean.
"Where did Sean head off to?" She tried to start conversation.
"I'm not sure. I gave him a thousand dollars and offered to find an apartment or such for him. Said he had a friend in Atlanta he wanted to see, a possible job waiting there. He's actually a great landscaper and artist. This friend of his designs outdoor living spaces. Hope it will hold him steady for a bit."
Laura nodded. She didn't really care, but the silence was killing her.
David checked the steaks again and asked her to get a platter from the kitchen.
He watched her enter the house, groaning as his eyes fell on the swing of her hips. What was he going to say? How was he supposed to broach this subject with her? How would she take it?
As she set the platter down; she touched his arm softly, looked up to him with a gentle smile. Those green eyes of hers sparkled.
