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“Me too. He’s been going to mediation classes and takes it seriously. I encouraged him to figure something out after that horrendous night surfing party. Remember, that’s where you met Victor. After you ratted us out, he took me for ice cream as an apology for his behavior. I told him he needed to work on that cause it was my biggest turn off. Next thing I know, he’s taking yoga and meditation classes. Now when he gets to a point, he takes a timeout. It’s incredible to do meditation with him.”
We let a few moments of silence pass before Massey speaks again. “So …”
“He’s gone,” I mumble. Feeling tears forming again, I am trying everything to hold it together.
“Gone?” She seems confused.
“You told me he went back to New York.”
“Girl!” she squeals, laughing.
Her scream is so loud it startles me, and I end up falling off my board. I pop out of the water, kind of pissed.
“You know what? You and Lawson deserve each other,” I grunt. Massey continues to laugh at me. “Stop laughing!”
I clamber back onto my board. I am suppressing every desire to dunk her head under the water. She must see the look in my eyes, but it doesn’t stop her laughing fit.
“Sorry! So, he went for a board meeting and came back!”
“What?” I gasp.
“He’s back, gearing up for the town meeting. He headed the planning for the event and has been going around telling everyone about it. I mean everyone! He’s trying to build up the community to come out and offer a voice against eminent domain. He’s thinking if he gets enough support against it, it will cause the county to deny the order. Victor has been doing this all behind the law firm’s back, too.” She leans her head down, trying to catch my eye. “If you hadn’t hung up on me, I could’ve told you! If you had answered your fucking phone, I could’ve told you!”
“I thought he was gone, like gone, gone.” I am trying to steady my heartbeat.
“You really are something else.” I looked at Massey, shocked. She’s getting feisty.
“Hey,”—she points at me — “I answer my phone!”
“Touche.” She has me there.
I kick my feet around in the water as we sit, watching the waves crash in the distance. “So, tell me, how’s it with Lawson?”
“You actually want to hear?”
I may regret this, “Yeah.”
“Amazing.” She smiles so big. “Really amazing. I mean, I can’t explain it. He shows up at work, either greasy and gross with an enormous arrangement of flowers or in his surf gear with a picnic basket. He calls or texts every morning to say good morning or that he misses me. He will take silly photos, because he wants to make sure I smile.” She blushes and laughs hard. “He came to a corporate dinner and girl, he looked delicious in a suit! All the women are gawking over him.”
“Gross.” I gag.
“I know this is too much, but you are my best friend, so cover your ears for this next part. The sex is off the charts,” she says too quickly.
She didn’t even give me time to cover my ears. “Oh God, stop!”
“He does this thing…”
“Nope!” I cover my ears. Reaching across, I attempt to cover her mouth. “God, make her stop!”
She continues to laugh at my reaction. “Collins, he’s fantastic. Dad loves him even though he won’t say it.”
Despite its brevity, that comment holds significant weight. It’s the one thing that Lawson has always craved. To fit in and have a place in this world. It gives him purpose. I could cry alligator tears of happiness that my best friend gave him that.
“Dad loves all of you guys. He’s just so very private about everything.” She snakes her hand through the warm blue waters.
“I know.” And I do know. He’s always been warm toward me, but it’s different to hear his approval of Lawson.
I take a moment to look back at my friend. She exudes a gentle, inviting radiance. In the sunlight, her hair gleams, highlighting its chestnut color. Her sun-kissed tan is almost golden today.
