Living Lies (7 page)

“Dan the Man! Dan the Man!” The cheers echoed across the noisy, smoky nightclub.

A group of bulky guys blocked the exit. Danny lowered his head and gave a faint groan.

“Hey guys.”

The primal male greeting was that of low grunts, expanded chests, body slamming, all combined with a bit of wrestling. These guys were more “in your face” than Danny’s other friends and Melanie liked them better for it.

“Melanie, these are my rugby mates, Kyle, Reed, Tony, Roy, Fletch, Wally and Hank. Guys, this is Melanie. We were just leaving.”

“What happened to Carolyn?” As the words were escaping Roy’s – or was it Tony’s? – lips one of the other mates slapped him across the head.

“You don’t ask that with
her
standing there.” The teammates started arguing among themselves and Danny and Melanie slipped away, but not before hearing the rest of the conversation.

“I heard he called out another girl’s name when he was banging Carolyn.”

The howling drunken laughter abruptly died when Danny spun around and grabbed Tony or Kyle – they all looked alike to Melanie – by the shirt and shoved him hard against the wall.

Melanie stepped back as the rest of the team rushed in, yelling at Danny to get off Tony. They pulled at his shoulders while Danny shook them off, undeterred, getting right into Tony’s panicked face. “Watch your fucking mouth!”

Danny pushed Tony into the rest of the group and grabbed Melanie’s hand, swinging her around and out the open doors into the chilly night air.

Melanie jogged to keep up.
What had she just heard?

“Danny, slow down.”

She pulled at his hand and dug her heels into the asphalt. He let out a deep breath. They walked, slowly, to the Jeep where he leaned on the passenger door, his hands stuffed deep into his pockets.

“What just happened?”

Danny gave her a quick glance then studied something across the parking lot. Melanie glanced behind her to see what he was looking at – the line waiting to get into Jungle Jim’s. She turned back to him.

“Danny?”

A wary smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

“Is there any chance of avoiding this conversation?”

“Not likely.”

He tugged at his ear lobe. “I might have had a couple of fantasies about you.”

Melanie blushed, his words and his eyes that had a way of undressing her. X-ray vision drilling beneath her 50 percent rayon blouse, Melanie chewed on her bottom lip.

Danny pulled his eyes up to meet hers, shrugging with a cagey grin.

“I was packing for Denver when Carolyn dropped by my place. We were messing around and at the very wrong moment I said ‘Melanie.’” Melanie knew this was awkward for him despite his cool demeanor.

“Carolyn was justifiably pissed and I was embarrassed. It just slipped … I never meant to hurt her. Tony’s my roommate, and he heard everything. I’m sorry, Mel.”

She stretched on tiptoes to put her lips on his. His warm breath filled her mouth followed eagerly by his tongue.

Danny drove to her apartment in record time and was undressing her before she got the door open, shedding a trail of clothing.

“Danny,” she tried to speak but all she kept saying was his name. His mouth on her neck, distracting, along her collarbone, distracting … she couldn’t form her thoughts.

“Danny, I need to tell you something.”

They were on her small bed, he was undressed to his unbuttoned jeans, when she tried again.

“Hmm?” He continued kissing her, his warm, strong body pressing her into the mattress.

“I’ve never done this before,” she whispered.

It took almost a full minute before he stopped. He lifted himself up enough to look into her eyes.

“
We’ve
never done this or
you’ve
never?”

“Both.”

He stared, processing her confession, the lust clearing from his eyes.

“Jesus, Mel!”

The words burned like she’d been slapped in the face. She bit the inside of her lip to keep from crying.

“You’re a virgin and you thought
this
would be the best time to tell me?”

Melanie knew it was a comment made out of frustration, but it stung. She crawled out from under him and quickly covered up with his T-shirt, which he had tossed over the footboard.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know how to tell you. I tried.”

Danny sat back against the wall.

“God, Mel. Just give me a second,” he said, clearly irritated.

He blew out a long breath and closed his eyes.

Melanie stood next to her bed, waiting nervously for Danny’s response. She had no idea where the rest of her clothes had been thrown but she knew this night was over and moved to get dressed. The rejection flooded through her and it was all she could do to keep her chin from trembling.

“Mel?” His voice gentle now.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say something sooner.”

“No, no.” He rose from the bed to wrap his arms around her. “You surprised me, that’s all.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s me, I’m sorry.” He pressed her harder into his chest. “So, you’re a virgin?”

He said it like he’d never met one and Melanie pulled away to look into his moonlit face. He bent and kissed her tenderly.

“How about we hold off on this and I’ll plan something special, romantic. We’ll get a room and champagne.” His smile was back, reaching his eyes. She felt the laugh in his chest but kindly he brushed the hair from her eyes.

Instantly, he was forgiven and she knew she was making the right decision. “I don’t want to hold off. I haven’t been waiting for the right place, I’ve been waiting for you.”

Cupping her face in his hands he put his lips to hers, kissing her slowly, less frantic and more passionately than before. His breath was uneven and his mouth trembled slightly. Every touch was deliberate, gentle, and Melanie had no choice but to let go.

They didn’t fall asleep until after dawn.

Waking first, Melanie looked over at Danny, sleeping with his head on her pillow.

Danny Ashe
, she admired, and wondered how this had happened.
If I wasn’t in love with him before,
Melanie thought,
I am now.

She had always found it irresponsible for girls to be so gullible to think they’ve found love between the sheets. But now being her turn, she understood.

She loved the way his sun-kissed hair lined his face. His breathing was slow and soothing. Melanie put her face on his chest and drifted back to sleep.

It was almost noon when they stood at her door, kissing goodbye. Today was the first day of rugby practice and he had 15 minutes to be on the field.

“I hate to leave,” he said, squeezing both her hands at her door.

“I’ll see you later though, right?”

“Try keeping me away.” He kissed her again his crooked smile beamed knowingly.

“Go,” she urged, blushing and pushing his shoulder.

Melanie was floating back to her room when the front door opened. She was about to reprimand him when Carla’s voice rang out.

CHAPTER 5

“Melly, we’re home.”

Melanie shrieked, running and jumping into the arms of her best friend.

There was so much to tell Carla. But she had arrived with Jenny.

“Hey, how was your trip?” She asked, dying from the restraint it took to bottle up her emotions.

“Oh my,” Carla sighed. “I have so much to tell you.”

Melanie followed as Carla dragged her oversized luggage to the corner of their bedroom.

“First, you’ll never guess who was racing down the stairs when Jen and I were coming up.”

Melanie turned to make her bed. She didn’t want Carla to read her expression.

“Who?”

“That rugby guy you’ve had a crush on, what’s his name?”

“Danny.” Melanie grinned, she loved saying his name.

“That’s right, he must have a girlfriend in this building. He looked disheveled, if you know what I mean.”

Melanie knew exactly what Carla meant.

“But let me tell you about my vacation.” Carla plopped down on her bed and pulled Melanie with her. Carla radiated a glow as she spoke. “Ted came down to Louisiana a couple of days after Christmas and we spent a glorious three days with my family. Can you believe I’m saying that? Mother behaved like an angel. I was so proud of her.” Carla was excited and her Southern drawl was more pronounced.

It was a typical Carla trick used to complement her tale.

“Then we flew to Boston. I was so nervous, but Ted held my hand the entire flight. Isn’t that sweet?” It was rhetorical. Carla continued, “Mel, you should see his home, it’s so grand and his parents were fabulous. They accepted me right from the start. At dinner one evening, Mrs. Bradley asked me to call her Helen,” Carla raised her eyebrows, impressed. “Anyway, Helen tells me how she’s always been fascinated by the ‘proper ladies of the South.’ So, I kicked up the accent a bit and explained how Mother is engulfed in high society. Helen loved it.” Carla detailed every moment of her stay with the Bradleys.

“Then the other night Ted and I were cuddling by the fire while the snow piled up outside and Ted started telling me how much his parents like me and how much he loves me.”

Melanie waited for Carla to explode.

“He says that he can’t imagine a more perfect woman for him and then, Mel, – I was entirely shocked – he knelt down with ring in hand and asked me to marry him!” Carla screamed, waving her left hand.

Melanie screamed, grabbing her friend’s hand to get a look at the diamonds. She didn’t know much about diamonds or carats but the square one in the center looked huge.

“Carla!”

“I know!” Hugging and jumping around the room they celebrated. “I couldn’t wait to tell you.”

Her drawl turned dreamlike as she admired her finger. “Oh, it was so romantic, his grandmother’s ring, even. A perfect fairy tale proposal.”

“What the hell’s going on in here?” Trish asked, smiling with a bored looking Jen by her side.

“I’m getting married!” Carla screeched, and the high-pitched screaming began again. She fluttered her hands in a gesture meant to calm her nerves. Carla was big on presentation and her engagement was going to make an impact.

“Three nights ago the Bradleys held a huge ball with the who’s who of Boston, easily 100 guests,” Carla said, one eyebrow arched. “Ted stood on the steps of the grand staircase and began by clinking his champagne flute. Right there in front of God and everyone, he starts speaking about how he and I met and how he’s grown to love me, and then…” she looked around, her brown eyes moist, “Ted announced our engagement. I was overwhelmed, I cried right there and then the toasts started and Helen gave me a peck on the cheek welcoming me into the Bradley family. It was magical.” As Carla relived her proposal Trish’s stomach gurgled.

“You said toast and I’m hungry.”

Carla collapsed on a nearby chair. “Oh, my Lord, I’m famished, too. How about I tell the rest over a bagel sandwich?”

“You’re back home now, you can cut the act, Scarlett,” Trish snorted, while Melanie pulled Carla up by one arm.

It was a cool, sweater-perfect afternoon as Carla talked nonstop the half block to a frozen yogurt and bagel shop. The place was charged with the energy from the resurgence of students. The girls elbowed their way to a booth that was about to be deserted.

“Carla, don’t you think you’re way too young to be considering marriage? I mean, really, you’re only 21,” Trish said from across the table.

Melanie’s glaring eyes locked with Trish’s wide “what’d I say” stare.

“I was just asking,” Trish said, twisting her porcelain face to grimace at Melanie.

“I love him, Trish. He’s my prince.”

Yikes, do I sound like that?

“There’s no such thing,” Trish mumbled but then dropped the subject.

Jenny, who’d remained mostly silent, spoke up. “Ryan and I have decided it’s time to reinstate our commitment. We’re backpacking across Europe this summer.”

Melanie gritted her teeth. Ryan was Jenny’s high school sweetheart and a complete jerk. He was a senior at Texas Tech, and their freshman year he dumped her to date other people. They lived in a dorm room at the time and Jenny’s begging over the phone had curdled Melanie’s stomach. It took months for Jenny to wrangle a compromise with Ryan – they’d each date other people with the assumption they’d reconnect after graduation. Melanie had to control her gag reflex each time Jenny uttered Ryan’s name.

In a concerted effort not to be outdone by him, Jen’s promiscuity was unleashed. She accepted his decision, defiantly, on her back.

Through the four years, Melanie didn’t like it but stayed quiet as Trish and Jenny traipsed strange men in and out of their rooms.

“What, no more boys?” Trish asked.

“Nope, I’m done.” Jenny lit up a cigarette.

“You can’t smoke here, Jen, they serve
yogurt
.” Carla drilled incredulously, as if the combination of nicotine and bacteria could incite chemical warfare.

Jenny crushed out her smoke. “Ryan loved my new body and I am not about to gain an ounce.”

“You look beautiful, but smoking is so nasty,” Mother Carla preached.

Jenny shrugged. “It’s not like I’m addicted. I could quit if I wanted.”

Passing over Melanie, Carla and Jenny wanted to know about Trish’s escapades in Chicago. It was always something with Trish, unabashed and brave as she was.

Speaking rapidly and skipping over the nonessentials, Trish highlighted her vacation, giving the CliffsNotes version.

Trish’s mom had scolded, sobbed and reprimanded her regarding her breast implants as well as her short red hairdo.

“Fortunately, she didn’t see the tattoo,” Trish chuckled. “I’ll save that for summer. But she forced me to dye my hair and swear never to cut it again. Does it look all right?”

“Better,” Carla said, too quickly, and Trish shot a nasty look her way.

“Anyway, it’s your turn, Mel.” Trish grinned slyly.

“Did you do something this year?” Jenny snipped. “I did notice you moved the cereal boxes to the other cupboard.”

When Melanie faltered Trish took the initiative, with a song to her words, her high-pitched voice sang, “substantial enough to rival Carla’s holiday.”

“Really? I don’t believe it.”

“So give,” Carla insisted.

Melanie was pink before the first word was spoken. Biting on her bottom lip she stared into Carla’s doe eyes.

“You remember seeing Danny run out of the building this morning,” Melanie said, blushing so fiercely she matched the red vinyl booth.

“Yeah.”

“Who?”

“The dude Mel’s been hot after for ages,” Trish said, turning to Melanie, “See, I pay attention.”

“Who?”

“Come on, Mel, spill.” Carla was at the edge of her seat.

“He was with me.” Her toes curling in her tennis shoes, she waited breathlessly anticipating the reaction.

Stunned, Carla could only manage one-word questions, “What?” “How?”

“He just showed up last week and...” she looked at Carla and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know.”

“Oh my. Did you sleep with him?” Carla’s brown eyes opened wide, accusingly.

“Carla!” Melanie turned a deeper red.

“I think I can answer that,” Trish said raising her left index finger. “I found clothes, everything from shoes to black underwear that I didn’t even know Melanie owned, leading from the front door to her room last night. I folded them nice and neat and left them in a pile outside her door.”

“Melanie!”

“So, how was it?” Trish asked.

Melanie wanted to shrink into her sweater. “Amazing.”

“Did he tell you he loved you?” Trish asked, snidely.

“No.”

“No proposals?” Trish sarcastically, letting her opinion known.

“Great, now who am I going to spend my weekends with?” Jenny complained.

“Nice, Jen, because it’s all about you,” Trish said. “Besides, who am I going to spend my weekends with now that you’re ditching me for Ryan?”

“I was just kidding. Really, it’s awesome for you. Ryan and I have been together for years and it’s tough to maintain a relationship unless you are truly right for each other.”

Carla rolled her eyes.

The little restaurant had emptied by the time the girls finished their two-hour lunch.

Walking the short distance to their apartment, Trish draped her long arm across Melanie’s shoulder. “If you want to talk or need anything, you come and see me, OK?”

“Thanks.” Melanie hugged Trish. “I love you.”

“You love everyone today.” They laughed because it was true.

“It’s for me,” Carla yelled when the doorbell rang.

“No way. It’s for me,”

“Jesus, you two,” Trish said, opening the door. It was Ted.

Ted was six feet tall with cropped dark brown hair. He smiled broadly as he entered the apartment and greeted Carla with a hug and a peck on the lips.

In flannel pajamas and slippers, Jenny collapsed on the couch with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. In case she wasn’t obvious enough she added a heavy, pathetic sigh.

“Jen, stop eating that!” Trish said, grabbing the Cherry Garcia.

Melanie looked up to see Danny standing in the doorway. A faded jean jacket hung loosely across his broad shoulders and his blond hair was long and shaggy, just the way she liked it.

“Hi, gorgeous,” Danny said. “These are for you.”

He handed her a bouquet wrapped in brown paper.

Roses.

His brown eyes sparkled and he looked at her as if they were alone in the room. With barely a moment to smile, Danny’s lips were pressed against hers. His kisses were intoxicating and the apartment around her was forgotten. The flowers being pulled from her grasp brought Melanie back into the room, where her friends stood gaping in silence.

Melanie introduced Danny to her roommates and to Ted.

Ted broke the tension, and walked over with outstretched hand. “Ted Bradley.”

“Dan Ashe.” The two men shook hands.

“Dan Ashe, the rugby player?”

Danny nodded.

“Ted is our student body president,” Carla announced proudly, holding on to Ted’s left arm.

“Yeah, I recognized the name. Nice to meet you.”

“So, were you two going to dinner?” Ted asked, looking from Danny to Melanie. “We were going to the Fisherman’s Market. Best seafood in town. How about you join us, my treat?” Ted offered.

Carla’s small mouth scrunched tightly. Melanie knew the look.

“Thanks, but we kind of have other plans,” Melanie lied.

Ted’s broad smile vanished and instantly she swam in guilt.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” his disappointment seemingly genuine. “Is it something you can cancel?”

Was it the look in his eyes, the tone in his voice? Melanie wasn’t sure what quality Ted possessed, but she felt compelled to please him. She didn’t want to intrude on Carla but how could she resist Ted’s plea?