The Road to L.A. (33 page)

Anger and resentment forced her to climb into her car, ignoring his pleas.  Anger and resentment prompted her to drive away, abandoning him.  She drove for what seemed to her long hours as the tears continued to stream down her cheeks.  By the time she pulled into the twin's driveway, anger and resentment had been replaced by regret.  She became weak, losing all control.  She rested her forehead against the steering wheel while she sobbed uncontrollably.  Before long, she heard tapping on the window and looked up to see Amanda and Aaron standing next to the car, appearing concerned.  She opened the door and stumbled out.

              “What’s wrong?” Amanda asked.  The concern in the twin's voice prompted more tears. 

When Carly had calmed down a bit, she turned to Aaron and said, “It’s good to see you back home.”  Her voice wavered slightly as she spoke. 

              “What the hell is wrong?” Amanda reiterated, more sternly this time.  She wanted to know what was wrong with her friend so she could help her. 

Carly finally answered.  Although, it was very difficult for her to speak about.

              “Jake.  He came to the bar to talk to me.  And in so many words, I told him to fuck off.  My anger just took over and I left him standing in the parking lot.” 

Carly started to sob again.  The stricken expression on Amanda’s face didn’t help either.  She loved Jake more than anything, and she had pushed him away in just a few angry words. 

              “He came all the way to Ohio to talk to you?  We gotta find him!” Amanda said frantically.

              “We don’t even know where he is,” Aaron said in a rational tone.  “He could be anywhere…on his way to the airport…or…”

              “Maybe he went to his mother’s for the night,” Amanda finished, glaring at her brother.

              “He could be on his way back to California as we speak,” Aaron conjectured.

              “Let’s just drive by his mother’s house anyway,” Amanda finally decided, grabbing Carly’s keys from her.  “You’re not driving in your condition.” 

Carly slid into the passenger seat of her car, and Aaron slipped into the backseat.  She stared out the window at the dotted canopy above and silently prayed to the heavens that he had not yet left.  The usual route to the Harmon house seemed twice as long to her.  They had barely parked next to the curb in front of the house when Carly blurted out in a distressed tone, “He’s not here.  I don’t see the SUV.” 

              “Where else could he be?” Amanda said mostly to herself. 

All three of them sat in sheer silence. Amanda and Aaron pondered the worst, and they both reached the conclusion that Jake had, indeed, left for L.A. tonight.  Carly propped her head against the window and closed her eyes, still praying that it was not too late.  If ever she needed a prayer answered, it was now.  Suddenly, a feeling of intense relief rushed over her, and her eyes flew open.  She turned to Amanda and said with strong conviction, “He’s at the old baseball field.”

Jake sat inside the dugout.  He leaned his head back against the stone wall behind him and propped his feet up on the concrete ledge in front of him.  He peered at nothing in particular, his mind still reeling over what had occurred in the parking lot at the karaoke bar.  The worst he could have imagined happening had actually happened, and for the first time in his life he had no idea what he was going to do next.  Not even the prospect of returning to L.A. seemed enticing at the moment.  If only Carly had accepted his apology and agreed to give him a chance, he would have enjoyed returning to his life there.  But now it all seemed so pointless without her. 

Just then, he heard the sound of a car approaching, and he turned to look.  He figured it was probably a police cruiser patrolling the neighborhood to ensure curfew laws were being adhered to.  The car came to a complete halt, and the engine died down a few seconds later.  Subsequently, he saw the passenger-side door open and a tiny figure emerge.  He removed his feet from the ledge and stood up, his eyes straining to make out who this was.  The figure quickened its pace, and he slowly moved toward it.  After several more paces, he finally recognized whom the mysterious figure belonged to. His heart leapt with renewed hope. 

Carly stopped short just a few feet in front of him, afraid to come any closer for fear he was angry with her over the incident earlier tonight.  She spoke first.

              “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.  “I never intended…I’m…I…I’m just so sorry.”  

She was prepared to fight for his forgiveness.  

              “I should never have let you walk out of my life.  I should have told you the truth.  You mean everything to me, and I don’t ever want to let you go again.  I love you so much.”

He stared at her beautiful face, which seemed to glow brighter than the biggest star suspended high above them.  He suddenly noticed how the light breeze made her long hair flow like a curtain of delicate silk.  He also saw that familiar warmth in her deep brown eyes that was both comforting and tender.  More importantly, he noticed the loving smile that welcomed him wholeheartedly.  With a sudden, unexpected motion that caught her by complete surprise, Jake closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms.  He held onto her possessively as though she might fly away from him at any moment. 

              “You’re mine, Carly.  And I need you more than anything.”

He cupped her face with his hands, leaned down, and captured her mouth for a deep and searing kiss that seemed to last a blissful eternity.  He thought he’d never pull his lips away, for he relished and delighted in possessing her so completely. When he finally released the hold on her mouth, he still held her close.

              “You are extremely stubborn,” he said, grinning.

Carly laughed.  She tightened her embrace, then rested the side of her face against his broad chest and contentedly closed her eyes.    

              “But, I will gladly learn to live with that,” he affirmed. 

He kissed the top of her head and smiled to himself.  He’d never been happier in his life. 

Jake could hear Amanda and Aaron cheering from beside the parked car, and he shouted at them to come over.  They happily complied, and before long they all stood in the outfield. 

              “Just like old times,” Amanda said.  She sighed contentedly. 

              “Yeah, but we’re missing one person,” Aaron remarked.  “Roy.” 

Jake suddenly thought about the Hummer and groaned. 

              “Anyone up for a trip to L.A.?  I gotta return a car.”

Carly smiled at him and whispered, “I’ll go wherever you go, Mr. Harmon.” 

He leaned down and kissed her again. 

              “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he replied.