Derailed (19 page)

“So now you want to know about it?” I asked skeptically, wondering where she was going with the question.

“I never said I didn’t. I was just surprised you’d go down that road again.”

“He makes me happy, I feel like myself with him, and the sex is great. What else is there to know?”

“Molly!” Shayna’s mouth fell open.

“What? We already established I was sleeping with him.”

“That doesn’t mean I need to hear any more about it.”

“Okay, I’ll keep that part to myself.” I loved pushing my sister. I had no idea how a doctor could be such a prude. Everything had to be so proper with her. I guess Dad rubbed off on her more. She was always the goody-two-shoes while I rebelled almost every chance I got.

“Now, that’s the Mathews I’d pick if I was a cougar.”

“What?” I followed her gaze and saw Jake coming out of the water with his board.

“Cougar? You’re twenty-seven!”

“A married twenty-seven year old with kids. He’s a baby.”

“He’s the same age as me.”

“Exactly. A baby.”

Jake waved, likely noticing us staring at him.

“If you think Jake looks good, wait until you see Ben. He’s grown up a lot too.”

“More than that?” I figured she was referring to Jake’s washboard abs and muscular arms.

“Yeah, more than that.”

“All right, maybe I can see why you’re having fun with him.” She laughed.

It was fun to talk boys with Shayna. Being five years apart, it wasn’t something we did much.

Jake came over. “Hey there. Is the whole Sander clan back for a visit?”

“No, I’m just here to bring my sister home.”

“You’re leaving?” Jake grimaced, likely worrying about Ben.

“I’m not going anywhere.” I smiled, wondering if he’d run into Ben yet.

“Good. I wanted to make sure you hadn’t forgotten about our conversation already.”

“Definitely not.”

Shayna looked back and forth between us. “What am I missing here?”

“Nothing. Molly and I had a chance to catch up last night, that’s all.”

“Okay…” she trailed off.

“Well, I’m going to go. If I don’t see you again before you leave, it was nice seeing you, Shayna.”

“Yeah, nice seeing you.”

Shayna lay back down. “I’ve missed the beach so much.”

“Remind me again why you think I should move to Seattle? I’ve missed the heat so much the last few years. I never want to leave.”

“All right, I’ll admit the weather isn’t the best, but I still think you’d like it.”

“Maybe, but I’m not coming.”

“Let’s just talk about it again tomorrow, okay?” She knew when to call a momentary truce.

“Okay.”

We both flipped over onto our stomachs, soaking up the sun and carefully avoiding any thorny conversation topics.

Chapter Nineteen

I was lucky Shayna made me put on sunscreen. Even lathered with 45, I still managed to get two spots of sunburn from a few hours of lying out. We headed home in good moods. It’s hard to have any other mood after spending time in the sun. I know some people hate it when it’s hot, but it must be in my blood to love scorching temperatures. Mom always said it was the southern girl in me that makes me live for it so much. I couldn’t believe Shayna had willingly moved to such a rainy, overcast city.

I missed a call from Ben while I showered, so I called him back while I waited for Shayna to take her turn.

“Hey, babe.”

“Hey. Sorry, I just saw I missed your call.”

“I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner tonight. I thought maybe I could cook for you.”

“You cook?” I asked, unsuccessful at keeping the surprise out of my voice.

He laughed. “Yeah, I cook.”

“Well as tempting as that sounds, I may have to pass. Shayna dropped in for a visit.”

“What? When did she get here?”

“Around ten. Be glad you were long gone.”

“Yeah, that was probably for the best. But, why don’t you both come over for dinner?”

I thought about it for a minute and decided it would be good for Shayna to see Ben and me together. “Yeah? I think we can do that.”

“Cool. How about you come by around seven?”

“All right, we’ll see you then.”

“I can’t wait.” I could almost hear him smiling through the phone.

“Me either, bye.”

“Bye, Mol.”

I decided to throw in a load of laundry while I waited for Shayna. I never remembered to do basic things like that anymore. Shayna showed up just as I crashed on the couch.

“So, we have dinner plans.”

“We do?” Shayna sat down across from me on the loveseat.

“Yeah, Ben’s cooking for us.”

“Ben can cook?”

“I asked him the same thing, and he assured me he’s capable.”

She straightened a throw blanket I had left lying around. “I guess it was sweet of him to invite us, and if you insist on dating him again, I might as well see him. Now I’m curious to see if you’re right about him growing up.”

“You don’t trust me?”

“When it comes to Ben, no. You were always so blind with him. He could do no wrong in your eyes.”

“That’s not true.” I sat up, ready for a fight.

“Yes, it is.”

I knew what she was talking about. When she was home on break from college one year, she ran into an incredibly high Ben, and she assured me it wasn’t from weed. She confronted me about it, and I refused to believe her. Of course, I found out from a friend that it was true. I didn’t talk to him for a week after that, but he promised to stop, so I eventually forgave him. Ben said I was hypocritical because I drank, but I never bought that line.

“He’s not the same boy anymore.”

“I hope you’re right.”

I immediately went on the defensive. “I am. It’s not like I was an angel back then either.”

“It’s not like you’re an angel now.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I snapped, worried about where this conversation was going.

“I found the empty bottles while you showered. I knew you drank, but it seems excessive.” Only Shayna would have found the evidence that quickly. In another life, she could have been a detective.

“I know. I’m going to cut down. It’s just sometimes the only way I can escape the pain. I haven’t needed it as much lately.”

“Because of Ben?”

“Yeah.”

“All right, I’ll try to give him a fresh slate then.” That was a lot coming from Shayna.

***

Jake answered the door in an apron.

Shayna busted out laughing. “Did Ben conscript you to help?”

“He promised me free food.”

“Are you really that easy to ply?” I asked.

“Don’t start.”

“Who me?” I feigned innocence.

“If you guys are done fighting, you can come in here,” Ben called from the kitchen.

Ben wasn’t wearing an apron. He looked adorable in a navy Lacoste shirt and khaki shorts. He took a few pans from the oven. He washed and dried his hands before pulling me into a hug and a chaste kiss. He turned his attention to my sister.

“Hi, Shayna, thanks for coming.”

“Thanks for inviting me. It’s nice to see you.” Shayna shot me a look that let me know she agreed with my earlier assessment. I laughed.

“What?” Ben asked.

“Nothing,” Shayna and I said in unison.

“I’m not going to ask. Can I get either of you something to drink? I’ve got wine and some beer in the fridge.”

“You have wine?” Shayna asked skeptically.

“Yes, don’t act so surprised.”

“All right, I’ll try to stop.”

Ben poured wine for Shayna, Jake, and himself. I passed, asking for a Coke instead. I looked at Shayna triumphantly. I wanted her to see I wasn’t an alcoholic or anything.

“Are you sure you’re feeling well?” Jake taunted when I refused.

“Shut up. Like you should talk.”

“Some things never change,” Shayna said dramatically.

“I think I’ll worry if they ever start getting along… I’ll know they’re up to something.” Ben came over to put an arm around my shoulder. I leaned comfortably into him.

Ben ushered us all over to the table, bringing out a stuffed chicken, mashed potatoes, and grilled vegetables. It all looked and tasted incredible.

“So, how is Seattle? You’ve got two kids now, right?” Ben asked.

Shayna seemed surprised by his interest. “Yes. Rob’s four and Ella is one. We’re doing well, but we all wish we saw more of Molly.”

“I can understand that.”

“I planned on trying to bring her home with me, but she seems to have found a reason to stay.”

Ben found my hand under the table and squeezed it. “I’m glad. There’s no way I’m losing her again.”

“I still think she’d be happy if she came, but she seems pretty determined. You’d better treat her right, or you’ll have me to deal with.”

Ben laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of doing anything less. I’ve been waiting five years for a second chance, and I won’t blow it again.”

Shayna smiled. “Good. You’re not going to get a third.”

I squirmed in my seat, but didn’t say anything. I hated that all of the blame for our breakup fell on Ben. As angry as I was at him at the time, I had overreacted. Hurting, I’d wanted to make a clean break. I would have found another excuse.

“Everything’s amazing, Ben. But you know what this means right?”

“What?”

“I’m going to expect you to cook for me all the time.”

“Not a problem. If it gets you over here, I’m all about it.”  He placed his hand on my leg, while trying to inconspicuously arch an eyebrow.

Unfortunately, Shayna noticed. “Ahem, I’m only in town for a few days. I think you two can keep the conversation PG until I leave.”

Jake laughed. “These two? I don’t think it even took forty-eight hours of Molly being back before they were at it again.”

Ben punched his arm.

“What’s that for?”

“Do I really have to explain?”

“How did you even know that, Jake?” I looked over at the guilty expression on Ben’s face. “Seriously?”

He shrugged. “He asked why I was in such a good mood.”

“All right, so what are you guys up to tonight?” I tried to steer the conversation. I couldn’t really be mad considering I’d told Kelly right away. Besides, I already knew Jake had broadcasted it to everyone at Gill’s.

“I’m not sure. What are you doing?” Ben asked.

“I promised some people I’d stop by Gill’s and catch up,” Shayna said. “Anyone want to join me?”

“I’m game for that,” Jake said.

Ben and I both agreed.

Shayna and I insisted that Ben let us do the dishes since he did all of the cooking, and then we all headed over to Gill’s.

***

The bar was packed by the time we got there. Shayna took a spot all the way to the side of the lot where the pavement changed to gravel.

“Happening tonight, huh?” Shayna asked before we got out.

“I guess so.”

“I still can’t believe I’m going to Gill’s with my little sister.”

“I’m not so little anymore.”

Shayna glanced over at me. “I know.”

Ben pulled in next to us, hopping down from his truck just as I walked around the car. He took my hand, leading me in. I realized that the handholding wasn’t just because he wanted the contact. He wanted to get the word out that we were officially together. I smiled. Sometimes, his Neanderthal ways were cute.

“Do you want something to drink? I couldn’t tell if you just didn’t want wine or…”

Shayna interrupted him. “She wants something to drink. She was just trying to prove to me she isn't an alcoholic.”

You had to love Shayna and her bluntness.

“Okay, what can I get you girls?”

“Just get us some Coronas,” Shayna answered for both of us.

Ben went to try to get the bartender’s attention, and I followed Shayna further inside.

“Well, I’ll be damned, both Sander sisters are back!” Ronny came over, putting an arm around each of us.

“Hey, Ronny!” I awkwardly slinked out from under his arm as Shayna hugged him.

“Shayna?” Tom came over with Kelly right behind him. “When did you get back?”

“Hey! I got in this morning. I’m just here for the weekend. I wanted to check on my sister. And I hear congratulations are in order.” Shayna turned to Kelly, gesturing for her hand so she could look at the ring. “I never took you for a cradle robber, Tom, but good for you.”

“Hey, I waited until she was perfectly legal.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“I didn’t expect to see you here.” Gavin’s husky voice startled me as he put an arm around me. I’d never realized just how touchy feely people were in Clayton Falls. Plus, after what happened at the party, I’d expected him to have backed down.

I looked up, locking eyes with Shayna.

Shayna looked Gavin over. “And who might you be?”

“Hi, wow. You have to be Molly’s sister. You look so much alike.”

I distanced myself from Gavin. The last thing I needed was for Ben to see that. He’d flip.

“Yeah, we get that a lot. But you didn’t answer my question. Who are you?”

“Don’t let her get to you, she’s always this bossy.” Tom laughed.

“Gavin Powell.” He held out a hand to Shayna in a formal way.

She accepted his handshake, but never took her eyes off his face. “And you know my sister, how?”

“Tom introduced us. I have to say I’m really glad he did.”

Shayna looked at me, confused. I had conveniently forgotten to mention him.

“Is he safe, Tom?”

“Would I have introduced them if he wasn’t? Don’t worry, he’s a good one.”

“All right, I’ll take it, but I don’t think he’s going to.” Shayna gestured to Ben heading toward us.

Ben eyed Gavin warily as he approached, handing both Shayna and I beers before putting an arm around my waist to pull me toward him.

“How is everyone doing tonight? Gavin.” Ben was careful to make his acknowledgement of Gavin less than friendly.

Both Shayna and Kelly smiled. Tom just looked uncomfortable.

“Hi, Ben.” Gavin shot him daggers.

“Because this isn’t awkward.” Kelly laughed.

“My little sister the heart breaker,” Shayna said under her breath.

Jake chose that moment to join us. “This is an interesting group.”