Chapter Nine
The park was great: expansive green space, trails with miles and miles of ocean view. Lisa lived only a few minutes away, and Jake was glad she’d brought him here.
Stewart was pushing the stroller, and he reached into it, pulling out water bottles, passing one to Jake. “Glad we brought these. I don’t remember a summer starting off as hot as this one.”
Jake’s shirt was soaked through on the back, and he had to agree. “Thanks, I needed this.” He greedily swallowed from the bottle.
“Has it rained at all back home?” Stewart asked, drinking half a bottle himself.
Jake shook his head and wiped his forehead with an arm. “Not at all. We’ve had nothing but the snow melt-off from spring. The local farms are up in arms about it, but what do you do? The county’s talking about implementing an extreme water conservation plan if we don’t get rain soon.”
Lisa made sure Lucy was okay inside the stroller. She had a small fan clamped to the top of it, blowing cool air on the little girl, who looked happy to be outside. “Jacob, that sounds a little dire, doesn’t it?”
“They’ll do what they have to. I’ve heard some horror stories. An older customer of mine remembers a summer that felt like this, and they ended up getting widespread fires across the upper East Coast.” Jake took in the views and smiled. It was wonderful being with his sister and her family. Getting to see the ocean was a pleasant bonus.
“Well, let’s hope that doesn’t happen. We have an important wedding in less than two months now,” Lisa said. “Speaking of which, when do you need us there? The parties are the weekend before?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I guess the bachelor party plans are too intricate to take place over the course of one night, so Peter made it the prior weekend. He says it’ll be a ton of fun.” Jake still didn’t know what the plans were, but either way, he knew Peter wouldn’t do anything too out of hand.
“We’re looking forward to it. We’re actually taking the full week off so we don’t have to do any back and forth. Staying at the new resort. You know, the one you helped build. There better not be any plumbing issues, or I know who I’m calling.” Lisa gave him a playful punch to the arm, and he grinned at her.
“That’s great. I’m so happy you’re coming to mine, Stewart. You’re going to have fun with the guys. They’re an eclectic mix, but great.”
“Then I should fit in just fine.” Stewart ran a hand over his head, and Jake caught him locking eyes with Lisa.
“If you want eclectic, listen to Stew’s workout playlist.” Lisa let out a throaty laugh, and all three of them chuckled at that.
They kept moving on the path, finally entering a treed area, the shadows giving them reprieve from the beating sun.
“Lisa, are you going back to work when Lucy’s a bit older?” Jake asked his sister.
“I’m still running the temp agency and can do that from home. I did hire an awesome recent Human Resource grad, and she’s doing a fantastic job, so I’m happy to continue letting her take the lead on the day-to-day. She can email or call any time, but her numbers are going up, so it’s working out really well.” Lisa looked happy pushing that stroller, gazing lovingly at her husband.
Jake was thrilled to see her this way. “Couldn’t be happier for you. How about you, Stewart? How’s the banking life?”
Lisa answered for him. “He just got his Advisor designation. Years of hard work and studying, but he’s taking a step up, while being able to work less as well.”
“Is all of that true?” Jake asked Stewart, giving him a chance to speak, since Lisa tended to do most of the talking.
“It sure is, and I’m finding it much more interesting. Instead of managing people, I manage people’s money. Much less daily drama,” Stewart said.
Jake chimed in: “Unless you lose their money, right?”
“I’m still working for the bank, so there’s less risky ventures attached to it. But yes, people are very attached to their life savings.” Stewart stuck his foot onto a wooden bench to tie his shoe.
“I know the feeling. We have everything tied up in this house we’re building. It worries me constantly.” Jake didn’t like to talk about finances with anyone, but it was his sister, the one person he’d known his whole life, who had stuck by his side through everything.
She looked concerned. “Are you guys going to be okay?”
“I think so. The studio has a new competitor, and Summer is losing students. The store’s still doing really well, so I’m not overly concerned, but additional costs keep sneaking up on us.” Jake let out a long sigh. “Sometimes I wonder if I didn’t bite off more than I can chew.”
“I’ve seen the pictures you sent. That place is going to be your dream house. Imagine it all set up at Christmas, pitter-pattering of tiny feet on the hardwood as you and Summer try to sleep past 6AM. You are going to have kids, right? Lucy is the best thing that’s ever happened to us.” Lisa was cooing over her baby, and Jake could see the love pouring out of her.
“It’ll be our dream house. As for the kids, we’re not sure.” Jake drank some more water, finishing the bottle.
“What do you mean, we?” she asked. “I know for a fact you want kids. You always have.”
“I know. Summer isn’t sure yet.” Jake peeked up at his sister. She was opinionated, but she also loved Summer like a sister.
“Then I guess that’s your choice. I think she’ll come around. It took me a while, right, Stewie?” Lisa stepped over to her husband and slid an arm around his waist. He kissed her quickly and nodded.
Stewart was beaming too. “She fought me for years about the idea. Then, one day, she looked me straight in the eyes and said, ‘Let’s do it.’ I knew what she meant, and the rest was history.”
“You’re probably right. Enough about me; I don’t want to be that guy who comes and burdens you with all his issues. Now what do you say we head into town and find somewhere with a cold ice cream? My treat.” Jake was having a great time, but he wished Summer was here with him. She always had a way of making him feel complete. He wondered what she was up to right at that moment.
*
“Twenty bucks for a drop-in class. That’s a little steep, isn’t it?” Trina asked in the dressing room.
They were inside Mountain Spin, and Summer was glad they were taking the afternoon course. They’d stayed up far too late and had way too much wine to go any earlier. Her head still hurt as she sat down on the bench.
The dressing room was nice, with soft tones of light wood, white floor tile, and gray accents. The entrance had been simple: rows for shoes, a few things for sale, like headbands and water bottles, all with the company logo on them. Summer saw Trina take it all in, filing away ideas to discuss over dinner at the Pinecone later.
“What do you charge for a drop-in?” Trina asked, though Summer was sure she had this information.
“Twelve dollars,” Summer whispered, looking around, hoping she didn’t see any familiar faces. Class was going to start in ten minutes, and the dressing room was quite busy.
“Then I think it’s time to raise that,” Trina suggested.
“Really? Aren’t we trying to entice new people to come?” Summer asked. She was in her workout gear, a pink and black ensemble, and she stretched in the dressing room as they talked.
“That’s why they’ll sign up for the ninety-nine-dollar plan, because of the crazy value it brings.” Trina stretched beside her, and Summer cringed as she saw a familiar face.
“Hey, Summer. Here to try the spin class out?” Cara asked. She was a regular at yoga, and Summer had still seen her around the past couple weeks, so she was loyal at least.
“Yeah. I figured it couldn’t hurt to use some different muscles,” Summer said, smiling at Cara. “Do you come here often?”
Cara thought about it. “This is my fourth class. It kicks my butt every time. Good luck.” And with that, Cara headed to her locker.
“Time to see what it’s all about,” Trina said. She claimed to do very little exercise, but she still had a great figure. Summer didn’t know how it was possible.
They left the changing room, and Summer bumped into a tall man, who apologized profusely and walked away toward the main spin room. “There are a lot of men here too,” Summer said from the corner of her mouth.
“There are indeed. That’s interesting.” Trina led the way to the room, where thirty stationary bikes were set up in three rows of ten. At the front of the room was a single bike, facing the class. Large speakers hung from each corner of the room, and Summer spotted a few colorful lights mounted around the space.
They found two lone bikes and hopped on. Summer took herself through a few slow spins on the pedals, trying to get a feel for it. The last time she’d done a spin class was back in New York, and she’d vowed to never do it again. It had more to do with the competition than a hatred for the class itself. She’d actually partially enjoyed that part of it.
“This is going to hurt,” Trina said, and Summer nodded, her head still a little fuzzy.
The class kept filling up, until there wasn’t a single empty seat. Summer groaned, and the instructor came from the hallway. It was the same tall, lean brunette that had checked them in at the entrance. She’d been cold, eyeing Summer a little too sideways for her liking.
“Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to your three o’clock ‘spin it to win it’ class. I’m Jan, and I’ll be leading this forty-five-minute adventure.” She got onto her stationary bike, and Summer instantly disliked the woman. She couldn’t put a finger on it, but she was putting off some strange vibes. She tried to give the woman the benefit of the doubt but struggled.
Jan was striking, her long hair pulled back into a ponytail; her lengthy arms showed off well-trained muscles. “Let’s get loose.” She led them through some warm-up exercises, and Summer wanted to laugh at how simple this was.
Then the lights dimmed, the colorful strobes kicked in, and the music began to pound through the speakers. Jan began to encourage them with inspirational quotes, yelling them through her headset mic and into the speakers with the music.
The next half hour was a blur of sweat, pain, and electronica. By the end of it, Summer was lapping on an empty water bottle, folded over her handlebars. Trina was right beside her, doing the exact same thing. The music ended, and the lights came back to normal.
Jan hopped off her bike, looking as fresh as she had before the class had started. Summer recognized a few more people from her yoga classes, and a couple of them waved at her. She tried to cover her face, embarrassed at how out of shape she must appear.
“For someone that runs and does yoga constantly, you look as bad as I do,” Trina said between heavy breaths. “Now I remember why I don’t exercise.”
“Thanks for reminding me.” Summer got off the bike, proud her legs stayed steady. Trina, on the other hand, needed a helping hand to keep from falling flat on her face.
They laughed as Summer hugged her sweaty friend. “I am so getting the lobster tonight,” Trina said, and they laughed again.
“Summer Phillips?” someone asked, and she and Trina broke their embrace.
Summer looked up to see Jan five feet away. “Yes. That’s me. You must be Jan Lewis?”
“Indeed.” Jan looked her up and down, and smiled a tight-lipped grin. “First spin class?”
Summer blew some errant hair over her eyes and fought to take the high road. “In a long time. I’m more of a yoga and running kind of girl. You’d think they would translate, but…”
“I’m glad you came… with your…?” Jan looked at Trina.
“Her friend, Trina.” Trina stuck out her hand, and Jan shook it.
“Have a good day. Make sure to drink a lot of water. We hope to see you again,” Jan said the scripted monotone lines and left them alone among the bikes.
*
“What a cow,” Trina said as she lifted her water glass, taking a deep swallow. Summer copied her. One thing Jan was right about was the water. It had only been three hours, but Summer was already getting sore in the legs.
“I’m not sure she’s a cow, but she did seem to have a cold shoulder.” Summer looked at the drink menu and decided to stick with water for the evening.
“I don’t have time for people like that. Are we still good with the plans?” Trina asked, ready to grab her laptop out in the Pinecone.
Summer waved it away. “We can go over it again later. Let’s enjoy dinner. Trina, did you know this was where Jake and I went on our second date?”
Trina shook her head and smiled as the waiter brought over some seed-covered rolls and butter. “I didn’t, and don’t judge me tonight. I feel the need for a few carbs.” She grabbed a bun and ripped it apart, spreading melted butter on one half. “How was it?”
“The date? Fantastic. I actually slept over at his place.” Summer idly picked a few sunflower seeds off a bun and ate them.
Trina raised an eyebrow. “Really? That I did not know.”
“No.” Summer threw a seed at her friend. “It wasn’t like that. We watched a movie. I kept thinking he was going to try to sleep with me, and part of me wanted him to make the move, but he didn’t, and we snuggled watching You’ve Got Mail.”
“Love that movie. Is there anything better than a cozy bookstore on the Upper West Side?” Trina looked away thoughtfully, feigning a daydream.
“No, there isn’t. Anyway. The date was wonderful, but we had to leave early because his alarm went off at the hardware store. I knew it already…” Summer cut herself off.
“Knew what already?” Trina asked.
“I knew I loved him. I know it’s crazy, but I did. He was so handsome. Funny, but a little brooding, and I could tell he was passionate and caring. His eyes had this intensity, but in a good way. A great way.” Summer took another sip of water, holding the glass.
“How do you feel now?” Trina shoved the last bite of her bun in her mouth.
“About Jake? I feel like that times a hundred. Every day with him is special. I know it sounds corny, but I honestly can’t imagine my life without him.” Summer flipped through the menu, searching for something to eat.
“Then it’s a good thing you’re getting married to the man. Chris and I are super solid, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt like I’d be lost without him.” Trina grabbed her menu too. “What’s good?”
Summer ignored the last question. “You two are great together. I think you feel that way because you’re both so successful and not co-dependent. You’d miss him fiercely if he wasn’t around.”
“You’re right, Sum. I really would. Plus, it helps that he’s well-off and extremely handsome. You didn’t answer me. What’s good here?” Trina asked again.
Summer suggested the fish, and they had another great night discussing life and love before calling it a day. They decided to go over the last marketing plans in the morning before Trina checked out, and had an early night.
As Summer lay awake in the guest room of the cabin, she couldn’t help but miss Jake and wish they were spending the weekend together.