Junior Year Box Set

I raced out of the water to keep Cassidy from doing me harm. She was game, but I was faster than she was. She got Brook to help her, and somehow, I let them catch me. Things heated up, and soon Brook knew fully how much I’d missed her. I offered to have Cassidy join us, but she reminded me that we were at home, and we’d made a promise to her dad.

Brook thought that was just fine and took full advantage.

◊◊◊

I invited Ava and Ian to join Brook, Cassidy, and me for lunch at my house. I’d bragged up my mom’s BLTs. Mom and Dad were happy to see them, as we’d had a family vacation together. I’d bribed Ian to ask a question.

“What lake are you going to for your vacation?”

“Trout Lake. We’ll fly into Winnipeg and then catch a private flight to Red Lake, the closest small town to the fishing camp we’re staying at. It’s a 20-minute flight from there to the lodge on Trout Lake. The only way to get there is to fly in and land on the lake,” Dad said. Then he saw the big grin on my face. “Dammit, David. You can’t tell Greg or Phil.”

“Phil believes we’re going to strip clubs. I can’t wait to see his face when you dump him in the middle of nowhere in Canada,” I said and then switched into planning mode. “Do I need to call Devin and get us gear?”

“Devin wanted to join us, but Sandy talked him out of it. He agreed to ship everything we might need to the lodge. He only asked that we take some pictures of the fish we catch that he can show on his website.

“Now, what did you tell your half brother?” Dad asked.

“It was Roc’s fault. He told Phil that on the last guys’ weekend we had, we visited a brothel.”

“Really?” Mom asked.

“Mom, just stop. You know what happens on guys’ weekend stays on the guys’ weekend, or that was what Uncle John and Dad made me promise. It’s a guy thing,” I said as I gave her a superior look.

I must have said ‘guy’ one too many times. Cassidy found a nerve bundle under my arm. Now that hurt. I don’t think she was even sorry. Mom thanked Cassidy for the assist, and I kept my mouth shut from that point on.

◊◊◊

After everyone had left, I was surprised when Tami showed up.

“Where are Tim and Wolf?” I asked.

“They drove home to see their parents. I wanted to have a talk with you.”

“Oh, man. What did I do now?” I asked as my mom walked in.

“Did David do something he shouldn’t have?” Mom asked.

“No. No one’s done anything wrong. I just need to talk to him,” Tami explained.

“Oh. I thought you already had,” Mom said and then left us alone.

The old irritation about my mom and Tami being too close to each other welled up inside me. I just sighed, knowing this wasn’t good for me.

“Maybe we should go to your apartment to talk so we aren’t interrupted,” Tami suggested.

I gave her an unhappy face but was smiling inside. My guess was that Tim had finally manned-up and told Tami he liked her. I couldn’t let her know that I was happy for her … yet. I thought she might have to work for it a little.

Once we got seated, she suddenly wasn’t as sure of herself, so I took over the conversation and got her up to date on baseball tryouts. I also told her about the release of my new movie, The Secret Circle. It was doing about what they’d projected in the way of sales. That made Rita happy since she’d invested a lot of her own money into the film. She’d already earned her investment back, and they hadn’t even started DVD sales.

The film had been in the top three for the last few weeks. Saul told me we should expect this weekend would be the last big one, in terms of earnings. The Fourth of July weekend would introduce the summer blockbuster movies.

When I finally ran down, Tami kissed me.

“You know that I love you,” she began.

I was surprised that even though I knew what she was about to tell me, it still hurt. You don’t go as long as we had knowing that ‘someday’ you would be together for this not to get you in the gut. I had to remind myself of what had transpired in the last two years. I’d given up on my claim on Tami. She’d rejected or hurt me too many times. That didn’t mean that I didn’t want her to be a close friend. I had to convince myself that I didn’t want more than that.

“You found someone,” I said to make it easier on her.

She looked at me curiously.

“He talked to you,” she said, putting it together.

“He didn’t want to hurt our friendship,” I admitted.

“That was why you didn’t want to go out with the four of us last time I was home.”

I nodded.

“Then I take it you’re okay with us going out. I told him we couldn’t until I talked to you.”

“He’s a great guy. I hope you two are happy with each other,” I said.

Tami blinked at me. I’m sure she didn’t expect that.

“Uh … okay. The four of us are going out tonight. Why don’t you get a date and join us?” Tami asked.

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

“Why? We’re all friends.”

“Think about it. I’ve slept with you and Sarah, plus the two of you are just starting to date. No one wants their girl’s ex to go on a date with them.”

Tami rubbed her forehead.