A Beat in Time (11 page)

I ran back and forth from the bathroom to my suitcase. I didn’t think I’d be dating when I came down to visit, so all I had were T-shirts and jeans. Christine watched me running back and forth with a grin on her face. I stopped and stared at her.

“You could help me get ready.”

“Why? This is entertaining. You look great, by the way.”

“I’m wearing jeans and a hair band T-shirt.”

“Yep, hot,” Christine nodded.

The doorbell rang and I stiffened. Christine grinned and practically skipped to the front door. I hung back a bit, waiting to see what Vince would be wearing. I exhaled slowly as Christine opened the door and there my date stood in faded jeans and a firehouse T-shirt stretched across his chest. He wore hiking boots and had flowers in his hand.

“Um, is Serena in?” he asked.

“She sure is.”

I stepped out into the hallway and waved.

“Hey. I didn’t really bring anything nice to wear, so I hope this is okay?”

“You look great. Love the shirt.” Vince winked.

Christine cleared her throat and smiled at me, mouthing,
“He’s a keeper!”

“So, are you ready?” he asked.

“I am. Do I get a clue as to where we are going?”

“Nope, but I am assured that you will like it.”

“Oh? Who assured you?” I asked.

“Your brother-in-law.”

Great. I hope Remy knows me as well as he thinks he does.

“I brought you some flowers. I hear it’s customary.”

“It is?” I feigned shock.

“It’s what I hear. I also didn’t know what kind you liked, so I got you orchids.”

“I love orchids. Thank you.”

I waved to Christine and walked next to Vince as we hit the street. He stopped next to a Ford F250. I leaned my head back and smiled.

“That’s some lift kit. Do you have stairs?”

“Just take my hand, I’ll help you in.”

Vince got me settled in the passenger seat and then got in, firing up the truck.

“Nice.” I whistled. “I love the sound of diesel.”

“Really? My ex hated it. Said I was ruining the environment with my dick truck.”

I spluttered and then broke out into a fit of laughter. “Let me guess, you bought this big truck to compensate for your small penis?”

“I bought it to carry my exceptionally large penis around in.”

“Gotcha.” I grinned.

Vince pulled out onto the road and we listened to music from the radio. Vince loved the hair bands too. We laughed at some of the cheesy lyrics and, before I knew it, we parked in front of an
eegee’s
. I shifted in the seat to see Vince grinning.

“Remy told you my addiction?”

“Nope. I figured it out at the hospital. When your brother asked if you were going to eat the sandwich, I swore I saw red flare from your eyes.”

“No one touches my
eegee’s
.”

“Or cheesecake, from what I hear,” Vince pointed out.

“True.”

I jumped out of the truck and Vince walked next to me. We ordered and then settled in a booth. I sipped my strawberry frozen drink as Vince picked the pickles out of his sandwich.

“Um, you can order them without, you know?”

“I know, I always forget.” Vince took a large bite of his sandwich. “So, why gay men?”

“I don’t know. I just love writing them. Why? Do you have a problem with gays?”

Vince choked on his bite of sandwich and swallowed hard, wiping his mouth.

“I think not. My best friend is gay and a firefighter. We work together, along with two other gay men.”

I busted out laughing and Vince cocked a brow at me. “What?”

“I just think it’s funny. I always get one person who finds my books unrealistic because I have so many gay guys in them working together.”

“Why is that unrealistic? The two people that work with us now came to our house because they heard we already had a gay in the ranks. They came to us because they wanted a fair chance. Gay men talk and gossip just like anybody else.”

“See! That’s what I said!” I took a bite of my sandwich and eyed him. “So, why the divorce? You don’t have to answer that.”

“Let’s just say my ex liked firemen. She just happens to like a lot of them.”

“Oh God, I’m so sorry,” I said, sincerely.

“I just think it’s funny that we get the rep of being womanizers, but we often get cheated on because of our hours. I’ve always been honest with whomever I am with, so her cheating really hit me hard.”

I studied Vince closely; he was ruggedly handsome with a strong, square jaw with a dimple in it. His lips were full, and a smattering of stubble complimented his jawline.

“Serena?”

“Yes?”

“You’re staring at me.” Vince smiled.

“I’m just trying to figure out why your wife would cheat. Are you an asshole?”

“Yes. I am a total asshole. I cook, clean, and do laundry.”

“How could you?” I joked.

“I know.” Vince sighed dramatically.

“Well, so far you seem semi-normal.”

“No, not the normal!” Vince chuckled. He sobered and grimaced. “I think we were just too young. She didn’t get to sow her wild oats.”

“And you did?”

“I was sowing at twelve.”

“You slut, you.”

“Yeah? When did you start sowing?”

“Sixteen.” I peered around us at the other patrons. I leaned forward and motioned Vince to move in closer. “I hope they think we’re talking about actually
sewing
.”

“I highly doubt it. They shouldn’t be listening anyway. That’s rude.”

I laughed and finished the rest of my sandwich. Vince helped me back into the truck when we were done and we set out to whatever secret place he was taking me to next. Vince looked over at me with a smile.

“So what’s your story?”

“You really want to hear it?”

“Sure. I mean, I looked over your
Facebook
page.”

“So you stalked me then.”

“Just a little.”

“I’m not sure you want to hear it all.”

“That’s what first dates are for, to get all of the nasty baggage out.”

“I thought that happened on your wedding day?”

Vince laughed. “Yeah, that happens too.”

“You might think I’m crazy.”

“Oh, it’s too late for that, but I love crazy chicks.”

I told Vince everything. I didn’t know why, I guess I wanted there to be nothing between us. I wanted to start over, and maybe Vince was the guy for me?

Who knows?

I wrapped up my story with the day at the school. Vince was quiet the whole time, just nodding now and then. When I was done, I sighed loudly and waited for him to say something.

“Sounds like you two have unfinished business.”

“I don’t think so. I ended it for good.”

“You still love him, Serena.”

“Well, I need to not love him. He obviously doesn’t love me, so what is the point? I need to move on.”

“Well, I appreciate you telling me the truth. We can take this one day at a time, Serena. It can be a casual.”

“As long as we are both on the same page.”

“We are.”

Vince pulled up in front of a brick building and I stared out the windshield. We were right in front of a firehouse.

“You brought me to a firehouse?”

“I brought you to mine.” Vince winked.

“Oh, that’s so unfair!” I jumped out the passenger side of the truck and walked toward the building. The garage door was up and a fire truck was half in and half out. Men were busy waxing the side of it, shirtless. I turned to Vince with my mouth open.

“Like what you see?” he gestured to the men.

“I love you so much,” I barely whispered.

Vince laughed and took me into the garage. I spent the rest of the day listening to the guys talk about some of their wildest calls and took my turn sliding down the pole. Vince caught me as I slid down for a second time. I landed in his warm chest and we stared at each other for a few seconds before the guys began making kissing noises.

“So,” Vince coughed, setting me back down. “I should get you back.”

“It was nice meeting you guys!” I waved at all the men.

“You too!” they yelled in unison.

Vince opened my door for me and I settled in, leaning back against the seat. Vince got in and started the truck, backing up into the street.

“So, you had fun?” he asked.

“I did.” I nodded. “I can’t believe you took me there.”

“Why not?”

“Well, I mean, come on.”

“Are you saying those guys are hotter than me?” Vince eyed me sideways as he drove.

“Actually, no. You are definitely the hottest guy there, plus, you have a great sense of humor. I think it was a test of sorts to see if I’d bang any of them.”

“It could be that, but if we work out, you’ll need to see where I work and who I work with.”

“True.”

Vince pulled up in front of Christine’s house and cut the engine. He turned in the driver’s seat to face me, and I met his eyes. I couldn’t argue the fact that I could stare at him all day, that he made me laugh, the only thing left was to see if he was a good kisser. Call me crazy, but if the kiss wasn’t hot, the rest of it wasn’t either.

“So this is the part where I ask if I can kiss you.” Vince tilted his head to the side, eyeing me.

“Well, I would have to say yes. I mean, you have to be bad at something, right?”

Vince leaned forward, his hand caressing my cheek and then sliding to my nape. I leaned in and our lips touched softly. His lips were warm and pliable against mine and his fingers played with the wisps of hair on my neck. Vince backed away slowly, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Was that okay for a first kiss?”

“I think I might need a few more.” I pulled him in by his shirt.

This time, Vince commanded the kiss immediately, trailing his tongue along my bottom lip until I opened and let him in. Our tongues met and dueled, wrapping around each other as we fought to get deeper and taste more of each other. Vince moved until he draped over me and my hands gripped his biceps, meeting him tongue stroke for tongue stroke. My head swam as the kiss became almost feral and Vince pulled back, breathing hard.

“Shit,” he rasped.

“Wow.”

“I’m sorry. I got carried away.”

“No…um, no problem at all. I was just, yeah, okay.”

Vince peered into my eyes, and with a small smile on his lips, asked, “You okay there?”

“Don’t get all egotistical on me now,” I scowled.

“I’m an asshole, remember?”

“Uh huh.”

“I’ll walk you to the door.”

“I can walk, it wasn’t
that
good.”

“Liar.” Vince laughed and jumped out of the truck.

He helped me out and walked me to the front door. Vince stood on the bottom step as I stood on the top. Funny, that made him eye level with me. The guy was seriously tall.

“So, I’ll call?” Vince took my hand.

“I’ll answer.”

Vince leaned in and kissed me lightly. “Good night, Serena.”

“Night,” I breathed.

Vince chuckled and jogged down the walk to his truck. He turned and waved and I waved back. The front door opened just as Vince drove down the street.

“Serena?”

“Yup.”

Christine moved in front of me and smiled. “He kissed you.”

“Uh huh.” I nodded.

“Good date?”

“Yep.”

“Know any other words?”

“Nope.”

“Well, that’s better than yup or uh huh. Come on inside and we’ll talk all about it over drinks and food.”

Christine went back inside and I stood on the stoop with what I know was a goofy grin. I ran my fingers over my lips.

“Wow.”

Over the next three weeks, I poured my heart into the heterosexual book. I finally decided to use myself as the heroine. What the hell, nothing else was coming to me, so why the fuck not? I was pulling myself back together and I relished every moment of it. I had four guitar lessons with Wyatt during that time and he said I was coming along perfectly. Of course, I had to make G string jokes. Vince and I talked on the phone a lot and I really liked him, he was smart and funny, not to mention hotter than hell. I heard the distinct sound of an engine in my driveway and grinned. Getting up from the table, I crossed the living room to the front door. Opening it, I smiled at my family pouring out of my parents’ van.

“Allo, Poulette!” my mom waved.

“Need help?” I bounded down my stairs to the driveway.

“No, your brother and father have it all. I brought food and wine.”

“Of course you did,” I laughed.

“Hey, Dorkus. I hear you’re riding a fireman?” Robbie waggled his eyebrows.

“Oh? Who said that?” I narrowed my eyes at my mother.

“Get over it, Serena,” Marisol hauled her overnight bag over her shoulder, “We talk about you. We’re bored with our mundane lives.”

I scanned the drive and raised a brow at my sister. “Where’s Remy?”

“About an hour behind us. He had to work,” Marisol answered.

“Hey, you!” Brit exited the van with my niece in tow.

“How was the drive, Brit?”

“Smelly,” she pointed to my brother.

I cracked up as my brother stuck his tongue out. “Well, come on in!” I ran back up the steps.

I was really proud of my house; I should be, I decorated it myself. An elephant ear plant reached for the ceiling in my front window and assorted plants dotted the living room. I always loved plants, I think I got that from my mother.

“Jesus, Serena. Will a monkey be flying by at any time?” my brother asked, taking in all my plant life.

“If you keep talking, you’ll suck all the air they make.” I fixed him with a look.

“Aw now, come on.” My brother grinned and began walking towards me.

“No! Not the wet Willy, dammit!” I screeched and ran up the stairs.

“Robbie, leave your sister alone and come help me,” my mom ordered.

~*~

Within the half-hour, my mom had gotten dinner going on my stove and we were all camped out around my coffee table playing Pictionary. I was always partnered with Robbie, probably because we had the same mindset. Plus, he’s an excellent artist; it was actually fucked up how talented my brother was. We whipped ass at Trivial Pursuit, too. Robbie pulled a card and snickered, which meant he was about to draw something rated R. My sister flipped the timer and Robbie began drawing immediately. I stared at the drawing and laughed.

“Erect!” I shouted.

“Yes!” Robbie fisted the air.

My sister grabbed the slip of paper and frowned. “It’s a dick.”

“Marisol!” my mother slapped my sister in the head.

“Fine. It’s a penis. How do you get erect from this?”

“Well,
penis
,” I glanced over at my mother and got a nod, “is too obvious.”

“Whatever, you two are bent,” Marisol grumbled.

“You’re just pissed you’re losing.” Robbie pointed at my sister with his pencil.

I tilted my head as another engine garbled into my driveway. I stood up and pointed at Marisol.

“Don’t cheat. I think Remy is here.”

“I don’t cheat!” Marisol balked.

“Yeah, yeah.” I waved over my shoulder as I headed to the front door. I swung it open and stood there with my mouth open. Jensen stood on my front steps with his hand in a fist, getting ready to knock.

“Jensen? What are you doing here?” I stepped out a little and shut the door behind me.

“I had to talk to you. I wanted to apologize for the way I acted.”

“Fine. Apology accepted. See you later.” I turned to the door.

“Wait! Serena, please listen.”

“I don’t think we have anything to say, Jensen. It occurred to me over the past three weeks that you are not the guy I fell in love with.”

“Look, things have changed--”

“Not for me they haven’t.” I shook my head. “It took me a long time to get here, Jensen, and I don’t want to go back. I have a career and a family, hell, I might even have a chance at romance with someone. So please, whatever changed, it’s too late.”

“I don’t believe that.” Jensen shook his head.

“Believe what you want. I’m not going down this road.”

“Look, Serena, I…care about you.”

“Thank you,” I drawled. “That means so much to me.” I turned and stepped into the house, slamming the door in Jensen’s face. I closed my eyes and exhaled.

“I get it, you’re still pissed! I’m not giving up!” Jensen shouted from the other side of my door.

I opened my eyes to see Robbie standing in front of me, arms crossed. “Does he need to get dead?” he asked.

“No.” I stalked past him to the kitchen, aware all eyes were on me as I did. “Could you all close your mouths?”

“Honey,” my father rushed to me in the kitchen. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Dad. Really.”

My doorbell rang and I lifted a finger as my entire family moved for the door. “
I’ll
get it!”

I stomped across the living room, cursing under my breath. “How many times do I have to say I’m not interested?!” I threw open the door to see my brother-in-law standing with his eyes wide.

“Um, once is enough?” Remy said slowly.

“Get in here.” I pulled him inside the house.

“What did I miss?” Remy stared at all of us.

“Ugh!” I threw my hands up in the air.

“Serena had a visitor,” my mom informed him.

“That would be the car peeling out of here as I was coming in?” Remy crossed to the kitchen and placed a paper bag on the counter. “I come bearing loads of wine.”

“Thank God,” we all said in unison.

~*~

After dinner, my mother, Marisol, Brit, and I all stood on the back deck watching the sun set. Tall pines whispered in the wind and I inhaled the fresh air.

“Serena.” My mother took my hand. “Are you really over him?”

“I have to be, Mom. I can’t take it anymore.”

“Vince seems like a nice guy,” Marisol added.

“He really is.” I smiled at the thought of Vince. “He took me to his firehouse on our first date.”

“How…romantic?” Brit said slowly.

“It really was fun.” I laughed, then sobered. “I need to get past Jensen so I can see Vince.”

All of us turned around at the sound of music pouring from the house. Robbie stood at my sliding glass door with his phone playing said music.

“What the hell, Robbie?” I asked.

“This seems to fit, it’s…” Robbie looked at his phone. “Britt Nicole, ‘The Sun is Rising.’”

“I know it.” Marisol grinned. “It’s from the movie ‘The Other Woman.’”

“Yep,” Robbie agreed. “Brit made me go.”

Brit snorted. “No I didn’t! You wanted to see Cameron Diaz in a bathing suit.” Britt narrowed her eyes. “And give me my phone! I don’t want—” Brit stopped short. “
Penis
pictures on my phone.”

“More wine?” my mother asked.

“God, yes. Tons of it,” I said.

I sat on my couch with my legs under me as my family talked about their newest plans for a vacation. I guess we were going to go on a cruise. The last one we went on, I came home looking like a lobster. I watched my brother and his wife, along with my sister and Remy. I wanted that someday, I wanted kids and someone to spend time with. I loved my family, I really did, but sometimes I felt like I was always running to catch up to them. I had always done things the way I wanted, I didn’t like being told what to do, even now.

Maybe I could make a life with Vince, maybe I could still have the life I wanted.

Maybe…