Line Change, page 26
“Te quiero,” I whisper as I leave small kisses over his face. Another of the grand gestures I decided on was saying “I love you” in as many different languages as possible. They started out as little notes left in his pocket or his car, so he could find them and know I was thinking about him. On one occasion, I was running late and missed the opportunity to leave the latest note, so instead, I recorded a message and texted it to him. Ever since then, he starts each day with a request for me to say those words in a different language. Today, it’s Spanish. I know my pronunciation leaves a lot to be desired, but it’s the thought that counts.
“Fuck, Thea, I don’t know what turns me on more, hearing your sexy morning voice whisper sweet nothings to me in any language, or rubbing your sweet pussy against me in those tiny shorts.”
I laugh and exaggerate my movements, causing Ky to moan and chase my mouth for a kiss. I allow him to, but only for a few seconds.
“Easy, tiger. We’ve got a big day planned ahead of us.”
“I’ll be quick,” he promises. His fingers tug at the elastic on my shorts. I kiss him once on the nose then jump off the bed, eliciting a curse from him.
“You and I both know ‘quick’ is not in our vocabulary when we’re in a bed together. But I look forward to continuing this later.” I give him a wink, then strip completely before running into the en-suite for a shower. Before I shut the door, I hear his pained words behind me.
“You’ll be the death of me, Thea Jenson!”
“We’re going to an amusement park?” Ky asks, his eyes wide in a mixture of awe and excitement.
“You guessed it!” I pull the car into a parking spot and switch it off. I’ve driven us to a town about two hours away, so we can go to the amusement park on the pier.
“Lacey is going to be so jealous!”
“We’ll bring her here soon. Today is all about you and me.”
Since we started dating, Ky and I have only had one official date, which was at the ice rink after one of his games. One-and-a-half if you count the ice-cream date with Lacey. A date at a tourist’s attraction might not be the most original idea, but the wonder shining in Ky’s eyes indicates this is something he missed out on growing up. We walk hand-in-hand to the ticket booth, and I purchase two adult passes which entitles us to unlimited rides, together with a bumper book of tickets for the concession stands. I let Ky guide us through the day and his first pick is the roller coaster, where he whoops and yells at the top of his lungs. We go on the bumper cars, the tilt-a-whirl, the free fall, and the orbiter and are now about to take our turn at one of the games. The attendant quickly explains the rules—we have to aim our water pistol at the cartoon face in front of us and shoot the water in its opening and closing mouth. The first person to raise the ball in the tube on the character’s hand to the top, wins. A countdown starts and when the siren sounds, I’m quick off the mark. My aim is steady, thanks to years of playing against Jude when visiting fairs as a kid, and even though Ky tries to put me off by shoving me a couple of times, my steely aim earns me the win. The attendant asks me what I want for my prize, and I point to a large, cuddly unicorn. He hands it over and I immediately give it to my boyfriend.
“No way,” Ky laughs infectiously.
“Yes way,” I reply, “I told you, I plan to show you all the grand gestures you deserve and winning a cuddly toy is one of them. It’s also a rite of passage. You have not lived until you’ve tried to carry one of these things around all day.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one fighting tooth and nail to win you a toy instead?”
“Nah, it’s the 21st Century. It’s all about equality these days.”
“I’m not going to argue with that.” Ky brings my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles, then picks up the giant, overstuffed unicorn and proudly holds it in front of him. I quickly stop to take a photo and send it in the group chat message to the others.
Nolan
You won him a toy? I’m sooooo jealous.
Jude
Niiiiiccceee Thea. Looks like I trained you well.
Devon
First dibs on cuddling that fucker when you get back.
Millie doesn’t reply but I know she had some things going on today, so I take no notice.
After we have something to eat—hot dogs and funnel cake—and spend the afternoon on a few more rides, we make our way to the Ferris Wheel for our last ride of the day as the sun begins to set. We leave Eunice the Unicorn, as she is affectionately now known, with the attendant and take our place in the cart as it slowly begins to turn. It might be the clichéd romantic gesture of them all, but I wouldn’t change anything. Kyler’s missed out on this and I’m happy to show him all the clichés in existence if it means having him smile without a care in the world.
Since Mrs. Nelson became a frequent figure in Lacey’s life, it’s as if the responsibility and worries that sat heavily on Ky’s shoulders have been removed. As well as finding Ky’s mom a stable job, she’s helped her quit drinking all together. Ally has moved on from the diner and is now working as a receptionist at an attorneys’ office—the same attorneys who are handling Mrs. Nelson’s divorce from her husband. Apparently, she laid down the law on Mr. Nelson and was furious he kept Lacey a secret from her. Carl and Adam have been thrown out and are now living in an apartment on one of his newly-finished developments. Mrs. Nelson plans to sell the house eventually and move closer to Northport—but with enough distance so it doesn’t feel like she’s imposing on the Roses’ lives. And Lacey? Well, she’s thriving. She started her hockey lessons a month ago and by all accounts, is a demon on the ice, just like her uncle. And she loves her new grandmaw, as she calls her, and video chats with her twice a week. Lacey has her first youth ice hockey game coming up on the weekend and we’re all going to be there: Ky’s mom and sister; Mrs. Nelson, Jude, Nolan, Devon, and Millie; and Ky and me. Better believe we’ll be the best and loudest cheerleaders she could ever wish for.
I’m also relieved to say Kyler’s also given up the fighting and there are no more cuts and bruises to care for. He’s received some interest from a few AHL teams but hasn’t decided whether he wants to play now or try for another championship. Ky feels another stellar season will up his chances in the draft. He also wants to graduate and receive the diploma he’s worked hard for. And, after much persuasion, he eventually cashed Adam’s check and used the money to buy a new car. Gone is the Camry and in its place is a Toyota RAV4. As much as he wanted to get a truck or some kind of sports car, he also has Lacey to think of and needed to be somewhat sensible. The RAV4 is his compromise.
Speaking of Adam, he’s been wiped from not only my life, but my family’s life too. Jude has also blocked him and, after updating my mom and dad, they’ve done the same—cutting all ties with the Nelsons, except Andrea. In fact, my parents let Andrea stay with them while her lowlife husband and son moved out.
As our cart nears the top of the Ferris Wheel, Ky pulls me closer to him and presses a gentle kiss against my lips. I deepen it and before long we break apart, both gasping for breath.
“Thea, this is . . . incredible. I’ve had the best time. Thank you so much,” he says, resting his forehead against mine. “I am so deeply in love with you, Thea. Since I met you, my world has become brighter, and I feel like my life has begun. I can’t even begin to fathom how I got through twenty-one years of my life not knowing a feeling like this. I’ve only known love that comes with conditions but with you? You’ve shown me what it is to really be loved. Whether it’s a simple plate of food or nursing my bruises, it’s an affection I’ve never experienced before. It’s overwhelming and addicting and all-consuming and I never want to be without it. I never want to be without you. You’ve awoken me, Thea. A lifetime of loving you will never be enough to convey how truly grateful and yet unworthy I am to have you in my life. You’re everything to me. You’re my purpose. And I will do everything in my power to give you the world, whenever and wherever you need it. Jesus,” he breaks off with a laugh and a shake of his head, “who’s being the clichéd one now?”
I turn his head back to me and look intently in his eyes.
“Being clichéd is who we are right now, Ky. You, with your tortured-hero look. Me, falling for the broody, silent type. All the sexual tension between us. My nasty ex. The breaking up and making up. Those clichés have made us everything we are. They’re everything we need to be at this moment, so we can develop our own clichés in time. And besides, in striving for originality all of the time, we tend to forget there’s nothing wrong with a red rose, or a love note, or finding ‘our song’.”
I kiss him again, before continuing. “I love you too, Ky. I always will.” We continue our kisses as our cart lowers and the attendant has to clear his throat to bring us back to earth. As we step off the ride and collect Eunice, Kyler points toward the popcorn stand.
“Is that Millie?” he asks.
I look in the direction of where he’s pointing and sure enough it is—and she’s not alone. “Yes, it is. And she’s being very friendly with someone who is very much not Nolan.”
“Huh,” Kyler comments, “guess that means they’re definitely not a thing.”
I take one more look at Millie and Not-Nolan. Yes, they look cozy, but it also looks like it’s one-sided. The expression on Millie’s face shows me the affection is not completely reciprocated. I guess I’ll need to get the low-down on whatever is going on later.
Kyler and I make our way to the car, holding Eunice between us. As far as grand gestures of love go, today’s have been successful. But even if it wasn’t and it turned out Kyler hated the fair, I’m safe in the knowledge we have a lifetime of grand gestures ahead of us and, clichéd or not, I’m excited to explore them all.
also by heidi mclaughlin
Visit heidimclaughlin.com
THE BEAUMONT SERIES
Forever My Girl
My Everything
My Unexpected Forever
Finding My Forever
Finding My Way
12 Days of Forever
My Kind of Forever
Forever Our Boys
Forever Mason
The Beaumont Boxed Set - #1
THE BEAUMONT SERIES: NEXT GENERATION
Holding Onto Forever
My Unexpected Love
Chasing My Forever
Peyton & Noah
Fighting For Our Forever
A Beaumont Family Christmas
Give Me Forever
Everything For Love
THE PORTLAND PIONEERS:
A BEAUMONT SERIES NEXT GENERATION
SPIN-OFF
Fourth Down
Fair Catch
False Start
THE SEAPORT SERIES
The Lobster Trap
The Love in Sunsets
CAPE HARBOR SERIES
After All
Until Then
THE ARCHER BROTHERS
Here with Me
Choose Me
Save Me
Here with Us
Choose Us
The Archer Boxset
NASHVILLE NIGHTS
Sangria
LOST IN YOU SERIES
Lost in You
Lost in Us
THE BOYS OF SUMMER
Third Base
Home Run
Grand Slam
Hawk
THE REALITY DUET
Blind Reality
Twisted Reality
SOCIETY X
Dark Room
Viewing Room
Play Room
THE CLUTCH SERIES
Roman
STANDALONE NOVELS
Stripped Bare
Blow
Sexcation
Before I’m Gone
HOLIDAY NOVELS
Santa’s Secret
It’s a Wonderful Holiday
Stranded with the One
Love in Print
THE DATING SERIES
A Date for Midnight
A Date with an Admirer
A Date for Good Luck
A Date for the Hunt
A Date for the Derby
A Date to Play Fore
A Date with a Foodie
A Date for the Fair
A Date for the Regatta
A Date for the Masquerade
A Date with a Turkey
A Date with an Elf
enjoy this sample of sangria
You’re never prepared for that moment. It could be anything from finding out you’re pregnant or learning that your band, the one you’ve been in since you were seventeen, has just been nominated for a Grammy. I wish my moment were one of those, but unfortunately, mine comes in the form of finding out my husband of ten years, Van Phillips, has been having an affair.
And how does one find this out? Well, if you’re me, you walk into your publicist’s office to find your husband banging her assistant. I mean I’m happy that it’s not my publicist bent over her desk with my husband pounding into her because that would really ruin my day.
There is no recovery for something like this. Even as I stand here with my mouth open with tears streaming down my face, nothing fixes this. Not the look of regret that he gives me as he pulls out of her and quickly stuffs himself back into his pants. Not the “oh shit” look she flashes as she hurries to fix her skirt, making me wonder where the fuck her panties are.
You’re not prepared when your publicist actually walks into her office oblivious that two people were just fucking on her desk and she asks if you’re ready to get to work on your next tour.
What the fuck does someone do in this situation? There isn’t a handbook on how to handle your husband when he gets caught cheating, let alone when you find out he has been unfaithful, although there should be because it seems to happen more often than not in Los Angeles. It’s clear that I should’ve taken some classes on how to handle my emotions by the death glare he’s given me. It’s as if I’m supposed to “man up” and pretend as if nothing has happened. Like I am somehow at fault here.
Unfortunately, that is exactly what I do because I’m moving on autopilot, still trying to decipher if what I saw was real or an optical illusion because I can’t fathom why my husband would cheat on me. It’s not like we don’t have a healthy sex life. In fact, he had no qualms taking care of my needs this morning. Apparently, I didn’t take care of his, though.
I take one of the two seats in front of Laura’s desk, cringing when she sets a pile of folders in the spot where my husband had her assistant bent over, the same one who is now scurrying away to fetch coffee. Not that I would drink anything she hands me because for all I know, she’s trying to kill me so she can have my cheating-ass bastard of a spouse all to herself. Newsflash, Trina. . . Trisha. . . Tanya, whatever the fuck her name is. . . she can have him. As far as I’m concerned this is unforgivable, and the fact that he’s sitting down next to me as if nothing has happened makes my skin crawl.
Oh God, he fucking smells like her cheap ass perfume too. I pretend to gag. Except I’m really gagging since my stomach is doing its own version of gymnastics and I have a feeling that I’m about to lose my breakfast all over Laura’s desk any second now. I lean away and not so subtly move my chair farther from him. He reaches out to touch me, but I glare at him. I throw so many daggers that I’m imagining each one hitting him square in his chest. He must understand that I don’t want to be fucked with right now because he pulls his hand away.
That is until the tart walks back in with two cups of coffee. Laura doesn’t look up from the paper she’s reading when her mug is set on her desk, but my husband, he fucking perks up like this bitch is his only means to feed his caffeine addiction. And because I am living in some alternative universe, she has no qualms about brushing up against his arm and making sure he can see her tits when she unnecessarily bends over to give him his coffee.
“That’s it, I’m out of here,” I say as I stand up.
Laura looks up quickly, she’s confused, and rightly so.
“Sit down, Zara,” Van has the nerve to say. I can’t even be bothered to look at him so I look at Laura and smile as best I can because right now shit hurts inside and all I want to do is break down and cry.
“I walked in a few minutes early for our meeting and found Van and your assistant fucking on your desk. You might want to sterilize it and find a new assistant because if you don’t, I’m walking.”
I don’t need Laura to say anything. The wide eyes and open mouth are enough for me to know that I’ve shocked her. Behind me, I can hear Van yelling my name, but he’s not following me. No, he chose to stay back with the bimbo instead of getting up and chasing after his wife to tell her how sorry he is and that what he did was a mistake. But I know better. I could tell by the look on his face that he was only sorry that he didn’t get to finish before he got caught.
Outside the sun is shining, and it’s hot. So hot that I’m sweating and my breathing is labored because I’m on the verge of a meltdown. I decide to walk, to get lost in the crowd even though that is nearly impossible because people are calling my name. They’re grabbing at me, asking for a picture, an autograph and I can’t stop and give them what they want.
