Reunion (3 page)

She grabbed me into a hug.

“I love you Sav. Good luck and be careful. Call me tomorrow.”

I strolled over towards the exit where Sam was holding the door open for me. He touched my cheek on the way out and I thought the surge of power in his gentle touch was going to knock me completely on my ass.

I don’t even remember getting into his truck and closing the door. Before I knew it his hands were spinning my face around to his and his lips and tongue were all over me. Hard, wet kisses that sent shivers everywhere. His hands moved to my hair and mine to his. We kissed furiously and hard. Our breaths were short and heavy. My stomach flip flopped around and I heard him moaning into my mouth. He pulled away suddenly and looked at me. Deep in my eyes. “ Savy?” Only one word escaped my lips. “ Drive.”

I don’t remember falling asleep last night. I woke up in my old room. The sun was shining through the windows and I could smell coffee. I went to the bathroom, washed my face and stuck on my running clothes. When I came down my mom was drinking coffee and eating some cereal.

“Good morning love bug! How’d you sleep?”

“Great mom. Like a rock.” It was a lie. All I dreamt about was him and his ferocious lips. Damn it Sam Reynolds. Get the hell out of my head. I drank some coffee and talked with mom for a bit telling her about the dinner with Maddy and little Joey. Mom had told me she was working late but if I needed a ride home from Roy’s tonight she would be more than happy to pick me up. I told her thanks, kissed her check and told her I was going for a run and I’d see her tomorrow.

I put on my iPod and began to venture out in my old neighborhood. The song that came on made me set out on my pace a little better. As Coldplay was ringing in my ears I sped up my pace. I tired to get the image of an 18 year old Sam Reynolds out of my head. I forwarded to the next song. Oh great. How perfect. Thanks Kylie Minogue. I know I can’t just get him out of my head.

I ripped the ear pods out and ran the rest of the way music-less. When I came home I jumped in the shower and went in search of a nail salon for a manicure and pedicure. After my relaxing day to myself and went back to my moms to find something to wear to Roy’s tonight. I put on a pair of skinny jeans and my black ballet flats. I put on a black tank top and a shear purple short sleeve shirt that hung down my shoulders exposing the thin black straps of my tight black tank. I blew my hair out straight and put on a touch of makeup. I still had a bit of tan left on my face left over from the summer. I thought I looked good. There was always a chance i’d meet someone and flirt with them so I had to look good even if it was just a bunch of friends hanging out.

I spotted Ella and Trish when I pulled open the door to Roy’s. They rushed to me with hugs and we complimented each other on our outfits. “ Where are Maddy and Lilian?”

“They will be here any minute” Trish said. Just then my two other best friends shimmied through the door. Lilian yelled, “Ok ladies the party has arrived.”

We all hugged and gushed over each other. Lilian was tall and had wavy dark brown hair which grazed her shoulders. She was athletic and was always the consummate professional until a Vodka Gimlet touched her lips. Tonight she looked a little more laid back. Jeans and a short sleeved flowing blouse. She put her “ lawyer clothes” away for the night. We talked about Maddy’s hair growing back thick and curly and how awesome she looked. We walked in the bar area and we spotted Kyle, Maddy’s husband. I stood on my tippy toes to kiss his cheek. “ Hi Kyle. You look great.”

“ Oh Sav I’m old and going gray. My ass is big and I think I have hair growing out of my ears.” I laughed at his monotone voice. Maddy chimed in. “ You are the most handsome man in the world.”

“Oh well my dear I think you are the most beautiful, BLIND curly headed woman I have ever seen.” Kyle replied back to Maddy. He bent down to give her a gentle kiss. Just then I heard behind me.

“Oh dear God I think I’m about to vomit all over my Louboutin’s!”

I turned around to see the dark haired, much thinner and slightly taller version of me. Georgia. She held up both her hands and shouted “ Let the fun begin bitches.”

She hugged me and the rest of the gang and told the bartender to line up the shots of tequila.

“Jesus Georgia already.” I said.

“Why the hell not Sav. You only live once.”

We were on our second shot when I saw Tyler and the rest of the guys come through the door. I bumped Georgia’s arm and told her to look behind her. She turned around and lost her balance when she saw Tyler.

“Holy fuck.” Georgia sucked down her shot. The guys came over to our table and hugged all of us. Tyler came over to me last and Georgia looked like a love sick teenager.

“Hey Georgia. You look beautiful.” He grabbed her hand and kissed the top of it. “ How are you?” Georgia just stood there and said nothing.

I nudged her arm and whispered ”Georgia snap out of it”.

“Oh well, ah, um Hi Tyler. How are me, I mean you!” She stammered through that last sentence and I hung my head down and laughed to myself. She came out of her daze and straightened herself up.

“I’m good.” Tyler replied. Real good now that I see you are here.” He gave her a sexy little grin. And here we go. Drunken booty call time i’m sure. I shook my head and laughed and my sister’s knees were getting weaker after every smile Tyler gave to her. He walked away to join his friends and I thought Georgia was going to pass out.

“Sister dear why don’t you go back over to the table and have yourself a shot.” I grabbed her by the shoulders and steered her towards the table. She did not say a word. She just followed my instructions while still dazed at the sight of Tyler.

I looked beyond the crowd and searched for Roy. My old boss and the nicest sweetest mad I had ever met next to my dad. I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around him.

We chatted about how business was and he asked my about my job in Boston .He asked about my mom as well. I went back to my friends after a while. We all sat around laughing and drinking and dancing and talking about old times.There was a great acoustic guitar player there and he really had the crowd pleased. It was such a great night. Roy whispered something to the guitar player and then stood aside. The guitar player spoke into the microphone.

“Ok everyone. I have a request from the man himself Roy that I get Miss Savannah Garrett up here to sing for us.”

First thought in my head was no freaking way. I was not going up there to sing. I didn’t do that anymore. Not for a long time. I taught kids how to sing.

I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks and Lil started to pull me out of my seat. I resisted. Maddy turned to me.

“C’mon Sav. When’s the last time you did this. It’s just us. It’s been so long since we’ve all heard you. Do it for me please?”

How could I say no to that curly haired freaky friend of mine. I rolled my eyes and buried my face in my hands. She pulled on my other arm and she and Lil practically threw me up on the stage. I was dizzy from the tequila and felt the familiar sting of humiliation come upon me.

“Ok, Ok. You people are nuts.” I heard Tyler yell in his semi- drunken state “ No baby we’re just nuts about you.”

I turned and gave him the finger. He laughed and blew me a kiss. I loved that kid. I bent down and asked the guitar player if he knew ‘ These are the Days from 10,000 Maniacs.’

He nodded and began a slightly down played tempo of the 10,000 Maniacs song. My friends began to cheer loudly as the recognized the song as our theme song since high school. Every time we heard it, it reminded us of our friendship and how much we all meant to each other. As I the end of the chorus of the song came to play and there was an instrumental break I motioned to the girls to come on the stage to help me finish the song. We all sang into the mic and we twirled around and jumped around like idiots. I grabbed the mic back and the final words of the song were about to be sung when I looked up to an image which I was not prepared for standing beside Tyler’s table. An image of two big brownish green eyes burning a hole right through my soul. I stood frozen and I heard Ella on my left side say “ Well I guess the shit’s going to hit the fan now.” The image before me was him. Sam fucking Reynolds.

CHAPTER 3

THE SHIT HITS THE FAN

All I could do was stare. I couldn’t move. I have no idea how long I stood there for. I woke up from my trance and Georgia came to the end of the stage. She met me at the stages steps. We got to the bottom when Sam casually strolled over to us, his hands kept in his pockets. He was no longer the 18 year old boy who I fell in love with. The boy who rocked my world in more ways than one. The one who just needed to look at me with those eyes and I’d jump off a bridge for him. He was about 6 foot 1. Hair sandy blonde/ brown like mine but wavy and it grew out over his ears and touched his ear lobes. It looked highlighted but I guessed it was because he loved the beach and he always went any time he had the chance. His parents had a beach house at the Jersey shore and I figured he still went there when he wasn’t traveling for work. The remnants of a tan were still displayed on his chiseled cheeks and nose. His eye lashes were dark and curled up at the tips. His facial hair resembled a 5 o’clock shadow and he wore a pair of khakis and a button down dress shirt. It was a light green and white pinstripe and two button were undone at the top. His sleeves were rolled up half way to his forearm. A silver watch hung from his left arm. The watch I gave him for his college graduation. Go figure. I hadn’t talked to him in nearly 5 years. The only times I ever saw him were at our towns Christmas tree lighting but I always kept my head down and hid anywhere I could. As soon as the tree was lit, I ran for the hills. I’m not sure if he ever saw me but I kind of think I’m not that slick to have fooled him into thinking I wasn’t there. He knew I went every year. He looked different but familiar. It was a more mature look. No doubt from the exposure of him traveling to other countries and sampling different cultures. He looked thinner than 5 years ago but I imagined he took off his post college drinking weight. His shoulders were broad and his neck was long and lean.

As he got closer to me and Georgia she grabbed my arm. Not sure why but I was grateful because my knees felt weak at his approach. Why, why, why!!! I yelled in my head. Oh God please don’t talk to me. Just ignore me like I’d like to do to you. It’s not going to work. His intense eyes bore through me. Those eyes are not going to do this to me. Never again, I told myself. Don’t fall for it Savannah.

“Savy. Georgia.” He very flatly stated. His lip curved up on the side as he spoke.

I again was speechless but Georgia took care of that.

“ What the hell are you doing here Reynolds. We were told you were away somewhere probably fucking everything across the pond and beyond”.

He let out a sarcastic laugh. “ Same old Georgia. You kiss your mom with that mouth? And yes I was across the pond as you put it Georgia but it was strictly business. I can assure you my pants were on.”

Georgia bit her lip and answered him back. “ And I can assure you that we do not give two shits if your pants were on or not.”

“I was simply trying to be a gentleman and say hello to you both. I don’t think there is any harm in that.”

Georgia rolled her eyes.

“Gentleman? I don’t see a gentleman. Why don’t you just go back over there with your friends and continue to be the asshat that you are.“ His mouth curled up on one side as he took in the humor of her statement.

I peaked at his perfect white straight teeth when he grinned. Look at those perfect teeth! Zoom whitening maybe? Veneers? Why was I thinking that. My gaze took me to look at the floor.

“Well nice running into you too Georgia. Please send your mom my love. My mom tells me they see each other all the time at the shops.”

Sam’s mom still worked in a diner across the street from Duffy’s and she was a hostess there.

“OHH I’ll make sure to tell her that Sam.”

Georgia’s tone was less than enthusiastic. Before he turned to walk away he drew closer to me and bent into my ear. “ You sounded beautiful Savy. But then again you always do.”

And he walked away. Not looking back. No one else called me Savy. Just Sam.

“Holy fuck Sav. Why the hell is he here. Nice job with the silent treatment. I think this calls for a drink.”

Thank God for Georgia. I walked straight to the bar and my girlfriends followed suit. They saw the whole exchange. They also knew not to say anything to me. They just knew it wasn’t a good time.

When the bartender poured the other round of Tequila and we grabbed our glasses and Lilian the professional lawyer she was , wasn’t about to speak so professionally. She stood on a stool at the bar and asked for the attention of the ladies in the bar. She raised her glass and began her toast.

“Here’s to the dick head, cock-sucking, jerkoff, asswipes who think with their penis’s and break our hearts..Keep it in your pants boys. “ To the Dickheads”. We all chanted back”. And down went the Tequila. And another shot,followed by another. When I got off the bars stool my head was spinning.

I turned Maddy and asked “Why the hell is he here ?” She replied loudly over the music coming from the jukebox “I don’t know honey. I just don’t know. Why don’t you ask Tyler. Maybe he knows.”

I peaked over Maddy’s head and spotted Tyler talking to a few girls. I flew over to him in my drunken stupor and grabbed his arm. “ Follow me Jensen.” I said between clenched teeth. I pulled him towards the door of the ladies room and swung his back towards the wall.

“Tyler I’m only going to ask this once and only once. Why the fuck is Sam here! You told me he wasn’t coming and that’s the whole reason I agreed to come to this stupid reunion in the first place. Seriously Tyler. You better spill your guts if you know what’s good for you.” He rolled his eyes and took in a big breath and blew it out.