Rum Punch Regrets (16 page)

Abby was sneaking a look in her own wallet to count what she had. Forty dollars. She was thinking that maybe she should be the one to stop at the ATM when she remembered her promise to Cutty. Twenty dollars of her forty was for his bet.

No sooner did she think it then Ben was already reminding her, “Don’t forget about Cutty wanting a bet placed.”

“I know, I know . . . Tell you what, when we get in, let’s just go straight to the roulette table. I’m going to place his bet first thing.”

Tracey was already sliding back from the table. “Sounds like a plan. I like blackjack myself. Oh, Abby? I saw what you did when the waitress brought the check by.”

Abby shot her a sideways smile.

“Well, big sisters have to do that for their brothers, even if they are only half.” She smiled at Ben as it dawned on him she had paid for their meal.

“Abby, what did you do that for? There’s no need,” he started to protest, but Abby stopped him short.

“Ben, shush. Seriously, there’s no need for the argument. I just wanted to pay for all of us because I could. And now that I know Tracey is in on the whole ordeal, all the better. It’s nice to be feeling more settled, isn’t it?”

During dinner, Ben had told Abby he had confided in Tracey since there was no one else he really thought he wanted to talk to about their new dynamic -- at least not yet. Abby knew that in time they would have to come out of their little safe haven of “us against the world -- or at least our immediate family,” but until that happened, she wanted to make sure they both enjoyed their personal calm before the storm.

The Royal Palms Casino and Hotel was next door to Tiramisu, so they left their car in the parking lot and made their way down the street to the casino. Tracey was going over different rules of blackjack with Ben. Ben was nodding and acting like he was listening, but there was a look in his eyes that made Abby think that there was something else going on between them besides being study partners.
Hmmm . . . Something to discuss during our poolside coffee conversation in the morning,
she thought.

The hotel was absolutely breathtaking. It was one of the only resort hotels on the island, and it was set up as its own little paradise. The lobby was open-air with a large fountain set across the other side of the entrance, looking out over the lounge area and shops on the interior. The opposite end of the lobby gave one a view of the pool and beyond, out to the Atlantic side of the island. Someone was playing steel drums in the middle of the room, and there was a specialty water bar with fruits and cucumbers marinating to add a delicious flavor to the otherwise ordinary beverage. There was also a rum-tasting bar set up by the steel drums where tourists and locals were gathered trying some of the newest rums from local and faraway islands.

The casino was set off to the right of the lobby, so they headed inside. First order of business was to find the roulette table so Abby could be done with the bet she agreed to place for Cutty and then continue on with some blackjack or poker.

Ben and Tracey decided to head over to the blackjack table and get started while Abby slipped away to find the roulette table. While wandering through the main thoroughfare, she heard a cheer of excitement and figured she must be close. She was right.

As she turned a corner near the Wheel of Fortune slot machines (or Wheel of MIS-Fortune, as she liked to think of them), she saw the roulette table. It was crowded, so she snaked her way to the front to bet Cutty’s (her) twenty dollars on black.

As she moved closer to the front, there was an excitement and anxiety that arose in her chest. She was feeling competitive and knew she was in it for the win now. As she got to the front, she reached into her wallet and took out the two twenty-dollar bills. One was for Cutty and the other one for herself. She had decided that she would bet as well, but wanted to watch and see what the table was like first.

There were a variety of people at the table, from different countries, and they were all different shapes and sizes. There were many different accents and languages filling the air around her, but Abby could feel the anticipation in the air as everyone was placing their bets.

Abby watched the roulette table attendees for a few rounds of the game before she finally put her money on the table to change it for chips. As they were calling for bets, she leaned over and placed one chip on black, per Cutty’s instructions. She was trying to decide if she wanted to join him there when she felt the urge to put her money on seventeen since it was her birthday. No idea why, she just decided to do it.
Why not?
she thought.

She placed her bets and then sat back to wait for the wheel to turn. As she was saying a silent prayer to herself, Abby felt like someone was watching her. She looked up to see J.D. smiling in her direction from across the table. He, too, had placed a bet and was toasting Abby across the table. Her heart thudded in her chest but she was also a little irritated. Mostly because he was there in front of her looking handsome and oozing charm. She was about to return his smile when she realized that next to him stood a gorgeous, lithe, tan, raven-haired woman with eyes as piercing as his. She was whispering in his ear, sharing a laugh or an inside joke.
Or sharing some kind of anecdote about Nevis,
Abby thought.
I bet that’s the reason he went there . . .

All bets were in, and the croupier turned the wheel to get it going. As it was spinning, he dropped the ball in, throwing in the opposite direction of the spin. Everyone was quiet as they waited for the ball to find its home. The clunking sound as it hit different numbers and bounced around inside the wheel tormented Abby. She held her breath and waited to see where the ball would land. Then she could get out of there and go home.

Abby was so caught up in the moment that when the ball landed on number seventeen all she could register was that Cutty had won because seventeen was black. Then she slowly realized she had bet on seventeen as well.

The croupier greeted her stunned expression with a huge grin.

“Did I just win?” she asked innocently.

J.D. was suddenly standing next to her, grabbing her in a big hug, acknowledging her win.

“You just won on seventeen! You didn’t even know it? Beginner’s luck, I’d say,” he almost whispered the last part under his breath as he focused on her, watching the croupier take his money, adding it to the bank, and seeming not to care.

“I agree,” she said, smiling at this handsome man whose presence and closeness actually made her heart thud in her chest with such force she thought he might have been able to hear it as well.

J.D. was motioning to the waitress as she rounded the table that he needed a cocktail, and held out his hand to Abby as if asking if she wanted one as well.

“Oh . . . no. Thank you. You’ve already bought me one drink. I owe you.”

“Well, lucky for you, we’re in a casino. So they’re free,” he said with a wink.

Abby smiled shyly and laughed half to herself. “Very true. However, since I won, I’m leaving.”

“Not a gambler?” His voice was husky. Abby knew if she stayed, one drink could lead to . . . What? A threesome? No. She had to go.

“Nope. Not at all. I’m a responsible lady who needs to go home,” she answered as she gathered her belongings. “Thank you for the offer.”

They locked eyes for a brief second before Abby began backing away to collect her winnings, in an effort to navigate away from temptation. Thinking twice, she walked back over to him.

“Nice to see you, J.D.”

She wanted to ask him why he never came looking for her or to explain why she hadn’t called him at the hotel, but she couldn’t shake the fact that he had just up and gone off to another island with some other woman. Even if there was a good explanation, she wasn’t sure she wanted to go down that road.
But I’ll never know unless I ask him, will I?
she thought.

Abby was about to suggest they go to the bar and have a drink after all, but they were interrupted by the croupier, who was insisting he pay her for her wins. Abby took that as a sign to get the hell out of Dodge. She gave J. D. one last lingering smile and then made her way across the casino floor.

When all was said and done, Abby was walking away with $700. Despite the fact that she was nurturing her deflated ego, ripe from her run-in with J.D., she skipped off through the casino in search of the blackjack table where Ben and Tracey had parked. She couldn’t wait to share her good news with them. They were, in a backward way, her reverse good luck charm.
If they had come with me to the table,
she thought,
I might have never placed a bet at all!

Abby was on a gambler’s high as she scanned the tables looking for her companions. There weren’t a lot of open seats; many were filled with boys from a visiting rugby club, or tourists, then there were some locals and a couple who couldn’t take their hands off each other. It was this particular couple that made Abby take pause.

Upon further inspection, Abby could see the couple was Ben and Tracey. She wasn’t able to stop the grin blossoming on her face.
Good for you,
she thought.
Until you wake up next to each other in the morning. Bad breath, someone used the last of the toilet paper, someone else forgot to pay a bill. Yep. That’s sweet.

Abby realized that her internal monologue had gone from hopeful to downright bitter-ass bitch.
Not everyone is going to be like Matt was,
she thought.

She had a small smile playing on her lips as she watched Ben and Tracey. This was new for them, and she didn’t want to be the one to poop on it like a mad seagull just because her luck with romance seemed to suck. Nor did she want to be a third wheel. She decided to grab a taxi home and let them have this night for themselves.

She waved at the duo, who had looked up after sneaking some kisses to find her smiling at them from across the casino floor. She made a motion with her hand, jerking her thumb toward the exit behind her so they understood she was leaving. The grinning pair smiled and waved back.
Yeah, I like her for him,
Abby thought as she winked at them both.
Cool and down-to-earth. Good for you, Ben. You too, Tracey.

She cashed out her chips and headed to the taxi stand, lost in her own thoughts and a little sad that at thirty-five years old, there wasn’t anyone special in her life. Wasn’t she supposed to be happy that it was just her? Abby felt happy, but yet she also felt . . . alone. Really alone.

She stayed in that space for the rest of her night, the big win now long forgotten. It was replaced by her own need to be a little depressed and to feel her own loneliness right now.

As she lay there, she was reminded that there was a point just last year when she didn’t want to go to sleep. Going to bed and being in pure silence was like reliving the whole horrible mess her life had become. She would close her eyes and see the proposal, Matt’s beaming face as she said yes, and the plans they made for their wedding. Then the nightmare began of him boxing his things and moving in with another woman while Abby was on the phone begging for her deposits back for a wedding reception and the honeymoon that would never come to fruition. The thud in her chest echoed in her ears as she was taken back to a time where being alone wasn’t good enough and being around people just wouldn’t do. No matter where she was, her heart was ripped open, torn and tossed aside as if a hurricane had come through her chest. It was a lonely feeling like no other, because no matter what she did when she closed her eyes, she would see Matt and the potential they had.

That night, she fell asleep in her cramped alcove with silent tears sliding down her cheeks.

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Abby! Do you have the keys to my car?”

Ben was in a whirlwind. He had gotten up a little later than planned and now was in a mad dash to get out the door so he could be at the airport as Andrew was exiting the building. In the midst of studying for midterms, he had been planning and prepping for Andrew’s visit with excitement.

Abby was outside by the pool drinking coffee with Maria, discussing who they’d hire as a painter to take care of a few of the guestrooms that needed to be touched up versus having Abby and Ziggy knock it out if there was time.

Abby peered over her coffee mug at Ben, shrugging his way as he stood in the doorway, pleading with his eyes. “I used the keys yesterday when I ran to the store, but I put them back on the counter.”

Ben mumbled something about “damn cats” under his breath and disappeared. Abby smiled at Maria.

“He’s really excited about Andrew. The last few days I’ve had small lists of favors and to-dos as well as notes with ‘Please, Abby, can you go to the store and buy this for me?’ The cupboards are stocked for the first time, and the fridge is packed with food and beer.” Abby shook her head good-naturedly at the thought of the two drunk young men being together. “And I think he’s planning a trip over to Nevis tomorrow.”

“You gonna join them?” Maria asked.

Abby thought about it for a second before she answered. “I guess it depends. I’d like to see Nevis, but if we have things that need to be done here, that’s my first priority.”

Abby paused, looking up at the crisp, blue, cloudless Caribbean sky. “I still have to make time to talk with Leigh about Ben,” Abby said with sadness. “I guess I don’t know if it’s the right time to go away, Maria. I think it’s time to broach some of these topics with Leigh. And I just don’t want to.”

Abby took a big breath and closed her eyes, aiming her face to the sun. “I wish I knew how this will all end.”

Maria was drinking from her mug, watching Abby intently. “It’s not up to us how anything ends. Just know it’ll be what it’s supposed to.”

There was a slam in the house and some minor expletives were hurled around the kitchen. Abby could see the two cats lounging and sunning in the window. She would even swear later that they were smiling at each other. More than likely they knew where the keys were and just weren’t sharing the info with Ben.

“I know, Maria. I just need to get this over with, talking to Leigh, that is. She needs to know that Ben and I know what’s up and that we want answers. Ben has ignored emails and calls from his mom, only taking enough time to write her and tell her he’s in midterms, so he isn’t exactly lying. I guess we both just want to let the truth come out. See what dust gets kicked up and then bury it.”

“It’s a plan, Abby. I think if you’re ready to talk to Leigh, then you should. If you both are worried what this could mean for the road ahead, then may I suggest something?”

“Well, you seem to know best these days,” Abby replied as she threw a smile Maria’s way. “And any suggestions when it comes to dealing with my sister -- our sister -- are much appreciated.”

At that moment Ben came flying out of the pool house, keys in hand, racing to his car.

“See you guys in a bit. The plane is coming in now,” he said as he pointed to the sky. Sure enough, the group watched Andrew’s plane begin its descent to the island.

“Drive carefully, boy. Tell Andrew I made his favorite jerk chicken for dinner.” Maria had known Andrew as long as she had known Ben, so he was an exciting guest for everyone to see. Almost a part of the family, Ziggy had said.

Abby watched Ben as he waved good-bye and disappeared down the driveway, kicking up clouds of dust behind him as he sped away. She then focused her attention back on Maria. “Okay, where were we before hurricane Ben came flying through?”

“I was saying I think you should go away to Nevis this weekend. The roof is almost done, the ceiling is repaired and anything else can be left a day or two.” Maria was all business. “We can get back to brass tacks once you return. If I’m not mistaken we only have one person checking in here tomorrow, correct?”

Abby reflected on the appointment calendar in her mind’s eye. “I believe so . . . I remember talking to his assistant. Jack Rhys. And he’s looking at the property. Hmm,” Abby wondered aloud, “should I be here to greet him?”

Maria shook her head. “Nah. He’s just checking in. I can show him around, then the real estate agent can do the rest.” Maria smiled lovingly at Abby and reached over to pat her arm. “Go take a day or two. I wouldn’t tell you to go if I didn’t think it would be okay.”

Abby nodded. “It’s a good idea, Maria.”

“I know, girl,” Maria said jokingly. “Trust me, there’s a bigger picture here. We only just see a corner of it. That’s life. You don’t want to unwrap it all at once. Enjoy the journey.”

“Ya know, Maria, I think you missed your calling.”

Maria smiled smugly at Abby. “Therapist?”

It was Abby’s turn to smile with smugness. “No. Greeting card jingle writer.”

Maria’s mouth dropped, but her reaction was quickly followed by laughter. “Girl. Back to work here. Let’s go over what we need to do, what we need from Leigh, and then I need to get in the house and start cleaning.”

“You got it. Need any help today or can I concentrate on paint touch-ups?” Abby had found comfort in helping Maria with the house. She now knew almost every inch of it and felt attached in a small way.

“Nah. I’m just making beds and straightening. You can do some touch-ups if you want, but know it really is a good time for you to take off. You can continue with your to-do list when you get back.”

“If I remember correctly, Ben mentioned that one of the plantations was running a special for the weekend. Offering discounted prices for the students. I think I saw it on a note somewhere inside.” Abby was already pushing back her chair from the table. “I’m going to look it up and see if I can hold two rooms.”

“That’s the spirit, make it happen.” Maria was gathering her things and making her way back to the main house. “And Abby?”

“Yeah?”

“No matter what, trust yourself.”

Abby was halfway in the door to the pool house. “Okay, Hallmark!” Abby teasingly threw Maria a thumbs-up and went inside.

Once she was in the kitchen, Abby started looking around for Ben’s note.
It should still be on the counter,
Abby hoped. It was a plantation on the Caribbean side. Nice restaurant, cottages with porches, hammocks under palm and coconut trees. Palm Tree Plantation? Then she saw the sticky note with Ben’s scribble on it. Coconut Palm Plantation! There was a number and Abby quickly grabbed her mobile to call.

She was in luck. Abby was able to hold two cottages on Saturday night. The cottages had pull-out couches on the screened-in porches, so if Ben wanted to invite anyone else along, they could make it work. They just needed to get the ferry over in the morning. She couldn’t wait to tell Ben the news.

Abby realized the boys would be getting back any minute, so she hurried to get through a shower to be fresh for meeting Ben’s friend. This was the first of his good, close friends to whom she would be introduced as his sister, and she didn’t want to disappoint anyone, especially someone Ben was so close to.

Abby was just about to head to the main house to start a load of laundry when Ben’s car came whizzing up the driveway. There were two figures inside with Ben. It seemed Tracey had been picked up along the way to the airport as well.

The group was extracting themselves from the small car as Abby made her way over. Tracey jumped out of the backseat first and came over to hug Abby hello.

“Hope you don’t mind that Ben asked me to tag along?” Tracey asked.

“What? Never. You can come around anytime you like.” Abby tilted her head in secretively to Tracey. “What’s he like?”

“He’s great. You’re going to love him.” Tracey grinned.

“Good. I’m excited to meet him.” Abby had noticed her palms were a little sweaty, and it wasn’t from the humidity. She was excited but oddly nervous as well.

She turned toward the car so she could greet the two boys as they got out. Ben was already at the back of the car unloading Andrew’s suitcases. Andrew was just emerging from the passenger’s seat. He and Ben were arguing about something news-related, politics or such. Andrew turned in Abby’s direction to wave hello, and it was all she could do to keep from falling over.

It seemed that Ben had neglected to tell Abby that his friend Andrew was absolutely to-die-for gorgeous. Andrew was smiling, standing in the sunshine like a glistening Adonis or at least a cute close-up version of Brad Pitt. His body was fit, as he, like Ben, still played rugby almost every weekend. He had a ball cap on to cover his dark curly hair, and it only added to the boyish charm that oozed from his very being. He came complete with gorgeous biceps that threatened to rip open the T-shirt he wore. Abby was thrown for a loop as her eyes drifted over his rugged body. The smile he greeted Abby with melted her insides like chocolate on a sidewalk at noon.

She was quick to maintain her composure. She made her way over to the car and held out her hand to Andrew as she began to introduce herself.

Andrew turned the tables on her, though. She had no sooner rounded the front of the car to greet to him than he grabbed her and took her into the biggest hug she had ever gotten from a stranger. Taken off guard, Abby stumbled a little backward when she was released.

“Andrew . . . uh, nice to meet you,” she stammered, not knowing how to react.

“Abby, I’ve heard so much about you.” He was smiling at her with all those perfect damn teeth and that beautiful smile again. Abby couldn’t help but be lost in his dark brown eyes.
Dammit!
she thought.

“I’ve heard a lot about you as well. And I think Ben is really looking forward to getting to spend some time with you. Seems he has a lot to talk about, huh?” Abby managed to summon a wink.

Andrew was laughing. “True.” His smile was wickedly twitching on his lips as his eyes trailed over Abby’s body. She could feel his gaze like a searing hook in her gut. “But first, I think I need to fill you in on some good Ben stories.” Andrew threw a look Ben’s way as he teasingly tossed an arm around Abby’s shoulders. “You know, like -- ”

Ben piped in here, cutting Andrew off, pulling Abby away from his friend. “Like the time you wanted to play cards with the locals in Phuket?” Ben turned to the girls here. “Andrew had this great idea. ‘Ben, let’s play cards with these guys for beer. It’ll be easy.’ Famous last words.” Ben rolled his eyes Andrew’s way.

“Like I knew they were militia and they actually understood English. Apparently, they didn’t like it that I was trying to cheat them at our game.”

“Andrew,” Ben insisted, “tell them the card game we were teaching them.”

With a straight face, Andrew replied, “Go Fish.”

Abby and Tracey exchanged a glance.

“Go Fish?” Abby asked.

Andrew nodded. “Yep. And I pretended that certain cards meant that we got beer or we won.” He shrugged. “I just kept making up rules.”

“And the drunker he was, the sloppier the game. Eventually, one of the guys realized what we were doing since tattletale here,” Ben jerked his thumb toward Andrew, “opened his mouth to share his excitement at winning with me. We were bounced out with a few swings taken at us --”

“But,” Andrew interjected with a wink, “we made it out. We were on a flight out the next day.”

Ben stared Andrew down. “We got lucky. You almost got us killed over beer.”

“We’re okay now, right?” Andrew was charming; Abby could see that it was going to be fun having him around to spar with Ben.

“Well, I’d like to request that nothing like that happens while you’re here with us, okay? When you leave, we’ll still be here and I don’t want our locals ganging up on us.” Abby could feel her body tingling whenever they made eye contact.

Oh, good God,
she thought to herself.
I need to get it together. This is Ben’s best friend. And he’s at least nine years younger than I am. What the hell am I thinking?

As if sensing the need to change the subject or at least keep things moving, Tracey began to question Andrew about his job as they headed toward the main house.

“Andrew’s an architect.” Ben decided to boast for Andrew, in case he wouldn’t do it himself. “Gets to fly all over the place for work.”

“And rack up frequent-flier miles in the process?” Abby offered.

“Indeed. Although most of my trips are business-related these days.”

The group was stopped short by a high-pitched scream.

“Andrew! It’s about time you came back to us!” Needless to say, Maria was thrilled to see him.

“He’s here for me, Maria!” Ben chided his housemother.

It was obvious that there was a lot of love in this group for one another and that they were all happy to be together. Andrew and Ben were punching each other and laughing, sharing some stories with Maria when Ziggy came in through the hallway off the kitchen, carrying some fishing poles over his shoulder and what appeared to be a gun of some sort.

“Look ’ere! He’s back from South Africa and going on a safari wit’out me,” Ziggy exclaimed as he grabbed Andrew in a big bear hug.

“I’m in London now, Ziggy,” Andrew chuckled as he patted Ziggy on the back. “On your way to spear-gun a few fish?”

“Yeah, mon. Going to Ricky’s now and meetin’ da Cap’n. We gonna catch some fish, den I was gonna make us some on de grill for dinner.” He cast a quick look toward his wife. “If dat’s okay wit’ da meal you have planned, baby?”

“My, that man gets so sweet when he wants his way,” Maria remarked as Ziggy came up behind her and gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Yes, Ziggy. Go and get some fish. The more island food we can offer this skinny man, the better!” She began buzzing around the kitchen again, prepping some snacks for the group to munch on for the time being.

“You are the sweetest woman in the world, Maria. If you weren’t already taken . . . ” Andrew began, but was stopped when Ziggy pointed to the spear gun he’d placed on the kitchen table.