Turbulent Kisses (9 page)

Pearl finally called her coach. He’d been calling her for weeks, but each time, she’d sent it straight to voicemail.

“Hey, it’s Pearl.”

“It’s about time you called me back. Where are you?” His voice was a growl.

She bit her lip. “That doesn’t matter. I saw that you’ve called a couple of times.”

“A couple? Pearl, I need to know what’s happening with the upcoming season. The sponsors are getting antsy, especially the main sponsor for this year. You’re supposed to be on all their advertising materials for the World Series.”

She sighed and started pacing the room. “Look, I’m doing the best I can.”

“I need to tell them something. Give me a bone here.”

Pearl thought for a moment. “Give me two more weeks and you’ll get a definite answer.”

“Not possible.”

Pearl was frustrated and let some of it show in her voice. “Well, give me something here.”

“Fine. You have one week to decide.”

She hung up the phone and then looked at the calendar.
One week? She wouldn’t know in one week.

Training on her own wouldn’t do the trick. She needed somebody standing over the top of her, pushing her to try harder, go longer, and be stronger. Someone to support her unconditionally and force her to give her very best.

Chase.

No way.

Since he’d left, she’d had plenty of time to think. No matter which way she spun things, it always came back to one truth. She’d fallen for him. Hard.

It wasn’t a crush. Not even an intense like. She’d fallen for him, hook, line and sinker. The force of her emotions for him scared the heck out of her. It was the first time she’d ever felt this way about a man in her life.

For as much as they fought with one another, she loved him. She needed and wanted him to train her. But that was not an option, because she’d behaved like a complete idiot and pushed him away.

I miss him so much.

Pearl tossed her pride aside and made a difficult decision. She’d apologize to him and beg him to come back to her. Maybe he’d forgive her. Perhaps he’d even agree to train with her again.

But Chase was nowhere to be found. Not at the beach. Or the grocery store. Not even the Lighthouse Bar. And she didn’t know where he lived.

The search would have to wait until the afternoon, because first she had to go to her physical therapy session.

On her way home after a promising session, where her therapist had praised her progress, she spied Allison coming out of the grocery store. His sister.
Why haven’t I thought of her?

She waved to her and hurried across the street to meet her. “Hey.”

“Hi Pearl. How are you?” she said with her usual bright smile.

“Fine, thanks. Do you have a minute to talk?” Pearl asked her, hoping she wasn’t being too forward.

“Sure, but can we do this at the house? I really need to get the baby home and down for a nap. I can make a fresh pot of coffee, and I baked muffins this morning.”

“I love muffins. What kind?”

Allison giggled, “Does it matter?”

Pearl shook her head. “From what I ate the other night, not at all. You’re a fabulous cook.”

The praise blushed Allison’s cheeks. “Thanks, and they’re lemon poppy seed.”

“Sounds delicious. I’m in.”

“Good. You can play with the baby while I put things away.” Allison gestured her to follow.

“No problem, I like kids. I just hope Jackson likes me as well.”

“He will. You’re such a nice person.” Now it was Pearl’s turn to blush and speed up her pace. If Allison knew why she wanted to talk to her, she probably wouldn’t consider her nice anymore.

Once at Allison’s home, Pearl happily changed the infant’s diaper and set about making him giggle as she tickled his stomach and played peek-a-boo with him.

Allison peeked her head into the room. “Warning, he could play that particular game with you all afternoon.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

When Allison had put little Jackson to bed, the two women settled at the kitchen table.

“What do you do for a living?” Pearl took the cup of coffee and sipped it slowly.

“Right now? Changing diapers, cleaning baby spit...” Allison giggled. “Before I met Russell, I worked in the souvenir shop at the Marina.”

Pearl leaned closer. “Lake Memories? I’ve been there.”

“Yes. Exactly. Once the baby came along, I quit and it’s been the best possible move for me. Not having to work outside the house has given me new freedom.”

“So, you’re just a mom now?” Pearl asked, striving to understand the situation.

“I love being a mom. For now. And working at the souvenir shop was always only a means to pay the bills. My true passion is my paintings and interior design.”

Pearl glanced around her with appreciation. “Did you decorate this place?”

Allison beamed with pride. “Yes. I love putting colors and different types of architecture together. You like it?”

“It’s terrific. And those are your paintings?” Pearl asked, referring to the paintings decorating the walls of the living room and the hallway beyond.

“Most of them.”

“Wow. They’re fantastic.”

“Thanks.” Allison stood up to pour herself another coffee. “Do you want more muffins?”

“They’re super yummy, but, no thanks. I’m full up to here.” Pearl held her hand to her chin.

Allison giggled. “You probably guessed by now that I love to cook and bake.”

“I can’t say the same,” Pearl said, nodding. “I actually hate the kitchen and everything that goes along with it. And the thought of having to decorate a house is worse than a grueling ten-hour workout.”

“You’re like my sister, Reese. She’s a professional organizer, but she hates decorating. Thanks to her, I started my own mini interior design business. Once or twice a month, a client of hers will call and have me decorate their homes.”

“That’s pretty cool.” Pearl liked Allison – a lot. She was so easy to be with and her happy mood was contagious.

In an attempt to gear their conversation towards Chase, she asked, “Have you always lived in Sandy Beach?”

“No, we used to spend our vacations here and when my parents moved up about ten years ago, it was the happiest day in my life.” She wrinkled her forehead pensively before she continued, “I’m such a lucky girl. Russell moved up here to be with me because he knew I’d never be happy living in Chicago. Too many people, buildings, and cars.”

“Wow, he sounds like a gem.”

Allison’s face took on a dreamy expression. “He is. He even started to work in the Milwaukee hospital, to be closer and have more time for us. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me, with our little one a close second. Russell pretty much leaves me free hand with everything concerning house and garden.”

“He doesn’t help out around the house?” The words came out harsher than she’d intended and she shifted in her seat at the sound of it. Apparently, Russell wasn’t different from Tara’s husband.

Allison seemed surprised and the green spots in her otherwise brown eyes sparkled. “No, he helps out as much as he can. Or as much as I let him.” She smiled. “He has two left hands for anything besides surgery and I much prefer to get the work done before he gets home. I usually ask for his help when it comes to marketing my paintings. I’m horrible at it, but he’s amazing.”

“You’re a painter and not a marketer. There are probably lots of artists in that same boat.” Her voice softened and Pearl worked hard to keep her whirling emotions under control. She was here to find out about Chase, not to judge.

Allison winked at her. “But not all artists have their very own private marketing whiz.”

Pearl laughed. “No, I don’t imagine they do.”

“I told you, I’m a lucky girl.”

Pearl nodded. Yes, Allison was a lucky girl. And she was grounded enough to realize how lucky she was. Russell seemed to be the perfect fit for Allison, and Pearl felt a stab of jealousy in her heart at the obvious love and happiness those two people shared.

A deep sigh escaped her at the discovery of a real flesh and blood man who didn’t mind sharing the burden of home and hearth. A man who didn’t trap his wife with shaky compromises and unfair work distribution. Maybe there was hope for herself too. Could she find such a fine specimen?

Allison squinted in concern. “Are you alright?”

Tears welled up and Pearl had to bite them back before she could answer, “Yes, I’m fine.”

A long silence developed between them until Pearl finally gathered the courage to ask, “You wouldn’t know where I can find Chase?”

A knowing expression crossed Allison’s face. “He didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?” Pearl paled, anticipating the worst.

“He left for the Outer Banks.”

Her heart dropped. “I thought he was staying here at least one more week.”

“Yes, we thought so too, but he changed his plans.”

Disappointment and utter loneliness occupied Pearl’s heart.

It must have shown on her face because Allison reached across and touched her hand. “Pearl, I’m sorry. My brother is the proverbial womanizer and a huge player. I love him because he’s my brother, but I can’t recommend him as boyfriend material to anyone.”

She gathered her wits and squared her shoulders. “Thanks for the warning. But don’t worry, there’s nothing going on between us.”

The expression on Allison’s face indicated she didn’t believe one word and Pearl forced a smile as she continued, “I wanted to thank him for training with me and apologize for being rude the other day. I was a real bitch and took it out on him. That’s probably the reason he didn’t tell me about his changed plans.”
Or why he changed his plans in the first place. To get away from me.

A few minutes later, Pearl left Allison’s home none the wiser, but with a broken heart. Her stupid fears had pushed away the one man she loved.

Pearl wandered around Sandy Beach like a lost puppy. The aching sense of loss followed her everywhere. Every single place in that damned town reminded her of Chase. And that she’d lost him. For good.

She woke up the next morning hopeless and sad to the bones, and booked a flight back to her hometown of Misty Falls, North Carolina. Her parents met her at the airport and while they were very happy to see her, they were worried sick about her and her decision to compete in the upcoming season.

“Pearl, it’s too soon. You need more time to heal. There will be other competitive seasons,” her father tried to convince her.

She understood the good intentions behind his words, but her reality was different. “No, there won’t. Besides, this is my job.”

Her mother slung an arm around her waist. “Darling. It’s not a normal job. It’s a sport. You have to take care of yourself.”

She stomped her foot down. “No, Mom. It is a job like any other. I have a fan base and sponsors. I have little girls who look up to me as their role model. I’m their idol. What kind of message would I be sending them if I simply took the easy way out?”

“You’d be watching out for your own safety and future,” her father reminded her.

“Would I? I preach strength and self-reliance to the girls I coach. I tell them to never give up. If I don’t compete, I’ll come across as weak. I can’t appear weak.”

Her mother tugged her tighter into her embrace. “I’m just worried about you, darling.”

Pearl hugged her back. “I know. I’m a little worried myself, but I have to do this. And I’d really like to know that I have your support.”

Her father joined the two women in his life and hugged them both. “Of course you have our support. We might not like your decision, but you always have our support. That hasn’t changed.”

“Thanks. I needed to hear that.” Tears quelled in her eyes.

“Have you seen your coach yet?” her father asked.

Pearl shook her head. “No. I’m going down to the pool right now if that’s okay. He should be working with the team right now.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Will you be back for dinner?” her mother asked.

“I don’t know. Can we play it by ear?”

“Of course, dear. If you’re not here, I’ll put a plate in the oven for you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Pearl hugged her mom and dad once more, then headed for the gym across town. She entered the pool house and watched as Coach Dawson gave the team in the water their final instructions for the upcoming meet.

When he was done, he lifted his head and met her stare across the pool. Pearl walked around the edge, nodding to her teammates as she passed them on their way to the showers. “Coach Dawson.”

“Davids. Why are you here?” His voice wasn’t unfriendly, but the tone of steel made her cringe.

“I came to talk to you about the upcoming season.”

He looked her over from head to toe and then nodded towards the shower. “Suit up.”

Pearl hid a smile, thinking how predictable he was. She’d known that if she even had a chance with him, he’d expect her to train on the spot. Her swim bag already waited for her in the locker room.

She was back by the pool five minutes later, ready and willing to take whatever he threw at her.

“Jump in and warm up,” he told her without taking his eyes off his phone.

She grinned at his back but dove in, swimming easily through the water lap after lap. Once her muscles were warmed up, she climbed from the pool and waited for further instructions. He finally looked up at her and then at the platform. “You been diving?”

Pearl shook her head. She could lie and say yes, but he’d know she was lying right away. “No. But I’ve been training and getting my strength back.”

He looked at her scar for the first time and then back at her eyes. “You think you can handle an easy dive?”

Pearl nodded, praying she wasn’t being over confidant. “Sure, Coach.”

“Forward dive in a pike position. Ten foot board.”

“No problem, Coach.” Her heart beat faster and trepidation almost didn’t allow her to move. To execute the requested dive, she’d have to keep her legs together, the muscles taut, and her body straight up and down.

She still couldn’t straighten out her knee all the way, making execution of the requested dive near impossible without a big splash. Climbing the ladder up to the platform was one of the hardest tasks she’d done in a long time. Her knuckles whitened at the tight grip on the bars and the last step to the platform cost her more emotionally than she’d imagined possible.

Once up, she took her position at the edge, schooled her breath and went into that quiet place that allowed her to focus on the upcoming dive. The seconds ticked by.

She didn’t look down. No. She looked straight ahead and then moved her feet forward, balancing on her toes, her heels lifting off the platform. She tightened her muscles, ignoring the pulling in her left leg.
I can do this. Now!

In the perfect moment, she pushed up and out, moving her body into a pike position as she dove for the surface of the pool. Her body bowed slightly backwards just before she hit the water, and as she rose to the surface, she saw what she’d already sensed: a substantial wave. Amateurish even.

Coach Dawson’s face hardened as he waved her out of the pool. “Davids. What the hell was that?”

Pearl grimaced. “Awful first try? I have twelve-year-olds who could execute a better dive.”

“Perfectly right. Don’t ever dare to show me a dive like that again,” he growled.

“I’m just a little rusty. I’ve been training hard, and now that I’m back, I’ll add water work to my routine each day.”

“More than once a day,” he suggested in a tone that made it clear this was an order, not a suggestion.

“Anything you say. I train morning and night. I want this.”

“You’re not ready yet. Your left leg wouldn’t straighten all the way out. If I can see that, so can the judges.”

She knew that, but she would be ready in three months’ time for the first competition.

“It’s getting better every day. I can do this.” Pearl shoved her lower lip over the upper one and held his stare.

Coach Dawson looked at her and sighed. “I’ll make up a training plan for you tonight and leave it on the board. In two weeks from now, you’ll show me the three required dives for the first competition and they better be damn perfect. Otherwise, I won’t nominate you.”

“But…”

“This is the only offer on the table. You have two weeks. I suggest you don’t waste a minute of it.”

Pearl took a breath. “I need more time.”

“You don’t have it,” he informed her without emotion.

She gasped. Coach Dawson must be out of his mind. She was a good diver, but two weeks?

Before she could open her mouth, he pinned her with his stare and said, “Davids. I know you think I’m being a bastard about this, but if you can’t handle the required dives, you have no business up on that platform. It’s too dangerous and you know it.”

Of course, she knew that. This same thought had occupied her mind for the last months. Every. Single. Day.

Signaling defeat, she raised her hands. “Fine. What are the required dives?”

“They’re posted on the board.” With a glance to her leg, which made her squirm, he said, “There isn’t anything on that list that you couldn’t handle before the injury. The question is whether or not you can handle them now.”

“I can. And I will.” She turned to leave, but his voice called her back.

“Davids. I’m pulling for you. You’re one of the best high divers I’ve ever worked with.”

***

The next day, she practiced the required dives early in the morning, and then continued with her strength training, debating with herself whether or not she should call Chase.

No. Calling wouldn’t do the trick. It was a sunny day, around fifty degrees and she decided to drive out to the Outer Banks. During the two-hour drive, she almost turned around at least a hundred times, but her need to find Chase and apologize was bigger than her fear.

With sweating hands, she parked her car near the ocean and stepped out. The stiff breeze blowing in from the ocean made her shiver despite the sunshine. She put on her hoodie and wrapped her arms around herself.

At the famous kitesurfing spot, she observed more than a dozen kite surfers on the water, all of them in full wet suits, out of deference to the cool temperatures.

Sitting down on the sand with her binoculars pressed to her eyes, she searched for him. Bingo. His familiar frame came in sight and she marveled at his awesomeness. Her body got all hot and bothered as she watched him doing one crazy jump after another.

An hour passed while she sat on the beach, seeing his strength on the water and the way he controlled his kite board. She knew if she had any hope of ever getting him back, she had to give over control to him. What she didn’t know was whether she could actually do that.

She wanted him back, but at what cost?

Another two hours went by with Pearl sitting on the sand and staring at the man she loved. Alone with her thoughts and her doubts.

The constant breeze from the ocean penetrated her hoodie and her bones. But Pearl didn’t go back to the car and retrieve a jacket. She was too anxious to move. Frozen into place, she just sat there, staring out at the water.

Just when she thought she’d be permanently frozen to her spot on the sand, Chase brought his kite board into the shore. Glancing up and down the beach, she noticed it was only the two of them left.
High Noon.

Chase walked in her direction and when he recognized her, his eyes widened in surprise. And even from the distance, the pain in his eyes almost knocked her over. It was so deep and profound.

His usually mischievous chocolate brown eyes had turned into dark pools of hurt. He turned his head away and stomped off in the opposite direction.

Pearl forced herself to get up, ignoring the pins and needles in her legs and feet as she rushed to intercept him. “Chase! Please wait!”