18 Things (30 page)

She laughed.

“Telling him I love you back doesn’t excuse his behavior, but it will free you. Believe me, I was locked away in an emotional cage not telling someone I love them for way too long. I felt like I was losing my mind. So this is more for your sanity, not his. Get it off your chest. Go home and tell him you love him, and give him a hug. And as for your lost childhood, I have just the cure for that, too.”

She pulled some grass up with one hand and then released the blades to the wind. “What?”

“Your own list of eighteen things. Eighteen things you missed while growing up, one for each year of your childhood. We’ll complete them together while the boys are away this summer, before
we
go to college. Deal or no deal?”

“Deal,” she answered as rain came in the form of a gentle sprinkle.

By the time we returned our bikes, I felt the first pangs of hunger as dinnertime approached. We retreated to the yacht to shower and change. I decided on a navy pencil skirt and white tank top with a classic red knit blazer and five-inch cherry-red heels. Looking at myself in the full-length mirror on the back of the cabin door, I let out a laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Nicole asked as she brushed on some lip color.

“I just can’t stop thinking about how everything keeps coming around full circle,” I explained, fluffing my curls. “Like this time last year. A prank, a boating trip, a rainstorm—one bringing death and the other life, a feud beginning and a feud ending, back then wanting to rid myself of my All-American girl next door persona, and now returning to it.”

I spun, showing off my preppy outfit to demonstrate.

She shook her head. “Gosh, you’re right. It doesn’t seem too long ago when all of that stuff happened. How can that be?”

“Life goes on, and we have no control over it.” I embraced the concept more each day.

At dinner, I asked for coffee as soon as the waitress approached the table. Everyone bent over their menus, deciding what was good. Nate ordered the Yankee Rebel Tavern’s Prime Rib and consumed all fourteen ounces, and even sampled a bit of my pot roast. He looked handsome in his pair of khaki pants and long sleeved buttoned down white shirt, topped with his favorite Star Wars necktie.

After our meal, we separated from the parentals right away, excitement for a night on the island by ourselves becoming contagious.

“Any ideas on what you guys want to do?” Nicole asked, her black hair in playful Princess Leia buns. The shimmering gold sweater she wore even reminded me of Leia’s golden metal bikini from the
Return of the Jedi
movie. It was almost like her and Nate planned their outfits, which was comical since they couldn’t have been more different.

Pointing to him, I said, “You’re always the man with a plan. You decide.”

His face settled into a puzzled look with the cutest frown ever. “It’s vacation. There is no plan. Let’s just walk around and see what we find.”

We meandered back toward Main Street and while passing the Mission Point Resort, noticed a wedding reception in one of the flower gardens.

“I know what we’re doing! We’re crossing number eighteen off your list tonight.” Nate’s voice edged with excitement and everyone got jacked up to crash a wedding.

“I don’t know.” I felt like a dork because only I hesitated and this was my list. “What if we’re caught?”

“Come on. We just pretend we’re long lost relatives if questioned.” As if Nicole was an expert on the subject.

Sean nodded. “Yeah, girl. Besides, the band is already playing, so all the formal stuff is over, and servers are passing out drinks like hot cakes. Nobody will notice us. We even dressed up tonight, so we’ll blend right in.”

“Fine.” I plucked a piece of lint from my blazer. “I guess if Keanu Reeves can act, I can pull this off.”

Nate offered me his arm while holding his other arm over his chest, pretending my Keanu jab wounded his heart, and we slinked across the freshly mowed grass, Earth’s homemade dance floor.

Strings of clear mini-globe lights zigzagged between trellises, and votives glowed from surrounding tables, providing a low light idyllic for hiding. The band played everything from rock to traditional bluegrass to country. I watched the bride and groom with jealous eyes as Nate and I swayed to the music.

Looking up, I caught Nate studying the happy couple, too. “Hey, try not to act like a creepy stalker. We’re in hiding, remember?”

He touched his forehead to mine. “Guess I’ll just stare at you then. You look really good tonight, by the way.”

His compliment made my breath catch, and before I could respond with a compliment of my own, the band announced the cutting of the cake.

The crowd cleared, and we headed to the dessert table so we could have our cake and eat it too, so to speak. There was a cool island display consisting of a pineapple tree stuck with watermelon, cantaloupe, and strawberry kabobs. A chocolate fondue fountain stood adjacent to the tree, along with many glasses of champagne. We loaded up plates with fruit, and everyone grabbed a flute except me. We ate off to the side in the dark shade of oak trees to avoid the crowd.

After downing her drink, Nicole announced in a happy voice, “Olga, I’ve gotta pee. You wanna help me locate the bathroom?”

She already looked disheveled, her face red and pupils dilated.

I guess she’s definitely a one drink limit girl
. “Um, sure.”

When we returned a few minutes later, the guys finished their second glass.

Again, I needed to be the responsible one. “Hey, take it easy. The little bubbles cause the alcohol to get absorbed faster in your stomach and into your bloodstream, so you get drunk faster.”

Nicole totally ignored me, grabbing another flute. “How would you possibly know all that?”

I blushed. “I remember a
Today Show
wedding segment, and they mentioned how people need to go easy on the champagne because the hangovers are worse.”

Tammy raised her already empty glass in a toast to me. “Cheers to our resident goody-two-shoes.”

“Cheers,” Nicole shouted. “I’ve got nuttin’ but love for ya, honey.”

“Thanks,” I murmured as she held her arms out for a hug.

I extended my arms to oblige when out of nowhere, a pile of red and white roses landed there instead. The wedding guests applauded. Apparently, I’d just caught the bouquet. As the band announced the garter toss, the boys rushed to the dance area.

Much to my chagrin, the groom performed a sexy dance up to the bride and stuck his head up her dress, pulling the garter off with his teeth, egged on by lots of laughs and whistles from Nate, Kyle, and Sean. I knew the winner would earn the right to slip the garter on my leg afterwards. Cold sweat trickled down my sides as I scanned the small crowd of single men, praying for Nate to catch the stupid thing.

A little girl skipping across the makeshift dance floor interrupted my thoughts. She flung her arms around the bride while jumping in her lap, oblivious to this evening’s concluding event.

God bless her
, I thought, as she inspired an idea.

About to toss the bouquet off to another girl and bolt in the name of self-preservation, my wallflower instincts weren’t needed this time. Nate shoved his way to the front of the line just in time to catch the garter. I felt my cheeks grow hot when he turned toward me and bowed slightly. He walked over and held out his arm formally and I put my arm through his. I studied the surrounding tables to see many sour faces from all the girls under twenty-five, and I could only guess they were jealous because the hottest guy at the wedding belonged to me, for the moment.

Still, I thought Nate pushed our inconspicuousness when he paraded me along the perimeter of the dance floor before finally leading me to the waiting chair in the middle of the dance area.

The band played
Real Good Man
by Tim McGraw, and the lyrics went on about loving with velvet hands just as Nate slipped the garter underneath my skirt, stopping just above my right knee, always the perfect gentleman. Yet I still managed to quiver with delight.

He stood and offered his hand, pulling me up with him. “Would thou carest to dance, m’lady?”

Oh great. If he’s resorting to Shakespeare impressions, he must be buzzed
. “I guess so, but then we leave.”

“What? Why?” His voice cracked, reaching the eighth octave like a thirteen-year-old boy’s entering puberty.

I ran my finger over his knuckles and couldn’t help smiling. “Because the guy I hired to kill you for turning me into a wedding crasher should be here any minute now.”

He faked like he was shot as we headed hand in hand onto the dance floor. A bridesmaid and groomsman danced our way, and I figured explanations were in order soon.

“So how do you know Risa and Simon?”

I assumed they referred to the newlyweds.

Nate didn’t miss a beat. “Second cousin thrice removed on the groom’s uncle’s side. We’re from Detroit. It’s a shame we haven’t kept in touch, been far too long really. Though from what I hear, I’m surprised the bride is wearing white, if you know what I mean.”

He waggled his eyebrows as their mouths stood agape.

I intervened quickly. “Um, well, it’s been a wonderful night. They’re such a cute couple. But we really should get going. Nice meeting you.”

Dragging a chuckling Nate, I left him alone for a second to gather the rest of our gang, only to discover him downing another glass of champagne when I returned.

“Are you insane?” I yell-whispered.

“Nope.” He belched loudly. “Well, maybe.”

As we toddled down Main Street, I formulated a plan. “Okay, there’s still an hour until curfew. I’m going to buy a twelve pack—of water,” I clarified when excitement spread across Sean’s face. “Then you guys can hydrate yourselves as you walk off your buzz. Now, stay until I return.”

Kyle barked in obedience, and I entered the store, rolling my eyes.

Five minutes later, I marched out holding plenty of water, aspirin, and breath mints for everyone.

Nate raced down the street. “Nanny nanny boo boo, you can’t catch me.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mumbled, squaring my shoulders and studying my five-inch heels. “Well, these hurt something fierce anyway.” I slipped them off my feet. “Tammy, distribute the goods among yourselves while I drag a naughty Nate back to the boat. I’ll meet you back there in an hour. Don’t be late.”

She nodded and slurred, “Yesss.”

I sprinted ahead, shoes in one hand and bottled water, a mint, and two aspirins in the other.

When halfway caught up to him, he turned around, ran to me, slapping my shoulder, and yelling, “Tag! You’re it!”

He veered east of Main Street into Marquette Park, and I faked tiredness. “Please, stop. You know I’m not as fast as you.”

Standing at the edge of the island’s harbor, he pumped his arms in the air. “Victory is mine!”

I acted like I’d push him into the water, but instead handed him his water.

“No, thanks. I’m good.”

His voice was loud.

“Um, no, you’re not. Sip and take these.” I forced the two Aspirin in his other hand, and for whatever reason, he listened.

He lifted me in a bear hug, then plopped me down on the bench behind us.

“What was that for?”

He slapped me hard on the back, then laid his head down in my lap and closed his eyes. “You wanna know my number one thing?”

The thought made me itch.

“Sure.” I swallowed hard, my throat tight.

“Drum roll, please.” He pounded his hands on top of his khakis with charismatic flair. “Tell Olga I’m in love her. I mean, with her.”

My heart jumped, and dizziness washed over me. I focused on breathing in and out, the scent of lilac bushes filling my nostrils.

Before I could respond, light snoring escaped his lips.

Unbelievable! Perfect timing again!

A lump rose in my throat, and I tossed his mint in my mouth, sucking on the peppermint thoughtfully. Now I
knew
he loved me, although a drunken confession wasn’t exactly an ideal circumstance for bearing one’s soul. Still, why didn’t he just say it before and ask me to be his girlfriend? Looking around Fort Mackinac, adjacent to the park, I discovered my answer.

I’d built a metaphorical wall around myself, extending far beyond just this past year since Conner’s accident. It had always been difficult for me to tell the people I cared about that I loved them. Thinking back to my and Tammy’s convo earlier, I pondered the emotional cage I referred to. At the time, I thought I was only talking about Conner, but now I realized it was more.

If I was honest with myself, over the last few months I’d driven myself crazy with not telling Nate how I really felt about him. Every day, I made a pro and con list in my head. Was the risk of loving someone again worth the pain or not? Of course, I pushed Nate away many times. No wonder he kept his number one a secret. He was probably scared I’d run away, like I often did to prevent potential disaster.

But wasn’t that what caused my great regret? I had my chance to tell Conner I loved him, and I let it slip away. The statue of Father Jacques Marquette, for whom the park was named after, stood on his high pedestal, judging me. I made the sign of the cross and vowed not to make the same mistake twice.