Three years later…

I sit in front of the oncologist with sweaty palms and a bouncing foot, waiting for the test results. This round I didn’t tell Valerie I’d scheduled the PET scan or the follow-up because every six months when this takes place, she lies awake the whole night before and worries. She never says it’s what she’s doing but I know my wife and I can tell by the sound of her breathing that she’s not asleep.

“Mr. Suarez,” the doctor says in heavily accented English, “your scan is clear and your blood work looks good too. This is a good sign. Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.”

I haven’t changed the way I eat, and I don’t exercise any more or any less than I did before I got sick. I’ve just finally found my passion and that’s the only difference that I know of. Having Valerie and Thea in my life has changed me. I thought I was living before, but now I know the truth: I wasn’t even close.

There isn’t an hour that goes by where I don’t feel something. Love, happiness, excitement, warmth, sometimes anger or hurt, but the difference is I’m not just feeling it all, I’m living it all.

Ron has turned out to be the douchebag father I thought he was, so I end up being the male role model for Thea. It’s both challenging and rewarding in a way I never knew possible, and I think she and I have a pretty good relationship. My biggest fear is that she’ll end up in love with a dickweed like her dad. She hasn’t been asked out on a date yet that we know of so we haven’t had to contend with that, but I’m not looking forward to it.

I stand from my chair and shake hands with Dr. Shah. “See you in six months, Doc,” I say with a wave and a smile, quickly leaving his office in search of Val.

As I approach her office I hear the clicking of her fingers on the keys of her computer. She must be charting or answering emails. I stand inside the doorway staring at her. Her shiny honey-colored hair is pulled up in a clip at the back of her head and the black librarian glasses she wears now when she reads are perched on the end of her nose. Damn, she’s sexy even in a lab coat and glasses. In the background, older country music plays softly and she’s humming along. I’m not even sure she realizes she’s doing it.

Knowing I have to get back to work, I clear my throat to alert her to my presence. Startled, she jumps a little. “Javie! You know I hate to be scared,” she laughs as she tells me, rising from her seat and strolling toward me.

“Yeah, I know, but I was standing there forever waiting for you to notice me.”

“You were not,” she argues and rises on her toes to kiss me. I deepen the kiss taking it farther than is polite for people that are standing in an open doorway.

When we break the kiss, she shuts the door behind me. “Okay, what did Dr. Shah say?”

“How did you know?” I’m shocked. Unless the doctor said something, I made sure there was no way she could find out ahead of time.

“I’m not stupid. First of all, you were due. Second of all, you’ve been nervous and withdrawn for days. The only reason I didn’t say anything was because I figured you had your reasons not to tell me. I’ve just been waiting for you to come to me. So…what’s the verdict?”

“Clear. All the tests came back clear.” I can’t hide the excitement I’m feeling inside at being able to share this news with her.

“I figured it would be, but I didn’t want to jinx us.”

“You and Thea want to celebrate tonight?”

“Ron called and wants her at his house tonight. She’s going, reluctantly. We can call her though. She’ll want to know this.”

“Okay, then if it’s going to be an adults-only evening, get dressed up. We’re going to the Spanish American Club. I’m ready to dance.”

Her whole face lights up. If you asked her what her favorite thing is she wouldn’t be able to choose between dancing and sex, and I think I’m in the mood for both tonight.

Valerie

It’s possible I’ll do backflips down the street to get home today. Knowing Javier got another clear scan makes me happier than I’ve ever been and I’m pretty damn happy these days. We got married at his parents’ house on short notice after he was declared cancer-free for a year and I knew then our future was bright. That doesn’t mean that I don’t get a bit nervous every six months when it’s time for another scan though.

After the second year cancer-free, he took me and Thea on a vacation to Jamaica. It was so much fun, something none of us will ever forget. I can’t figure out how he’ll top those two things since this is year three, but I’m sure he’ll come up with something. It doesn’t matter to me and Thea because we’re too busy enjoying having him healthy and in our lives.

I’m grateful for the experiences I had while in the Navy—even as horrific as some of them were—and everything Ron put me through because it gave me a whole other level of appreciation for the life I’m living now. Not a day goes by that I’m not thankful for my husband, my daughter, my in-laws, my own family, and for all the friends that rallied behind me and helped me get through the dark times in my life. Now it’s time to call and tell everyone else who’s waiting to hear Javier’s good news.

Thea

It’s been three days since Javier went to the doctor and got a clean bill of health, and we’ve all been happier than normal, but those two are killing me. Mom’s giggle carries down the hallway to my room yet again and I smile to myself.

“Javie, cut it out. You know I hate to be tickled!” she squeals. “Oh my, that’s not a tickle.” The tone of her voice changes from silly to serious.

“No, that’s not meant to be a tickle, cariño,” Javier tells her, his voice low and quiet, but not so quiet I can’t hear it.

Gross. They’re about to make out on the couch, I bet. I’ve walked in on that more times than I can count. I roll my eyes. Seriously, if I have to sit here listening to Mom and Javier whisper to each other like teenagers for much longer, I’m going to barf. My friends with steady boyfriends aren’t even this bad. I close my door, turn on my music and finish getting ready.

We’re going to Javier’s parents’ house tonight for what he thinks is the regular Saturday dinner, but it’s really a surprise birthday party for him and now a three-year-cancer-free party too. Three years is longer than he went last time in remission so it’s a huge milestone. When I realized how relieved he and Mom were after the last PET scan, I called Abuela and asked if we could include this too.

When I told Aunt Summer on the phone what we were doing, she told me that they may surprise everyone too. Uncle Mike and Javier have become good friends so she thought he’d like that. I know my mom will love it so I didn’t tell her either. She deserves a few good surprises in her life too and her family is good at giving them now.

Grandma and Grandpa Wade, Uncle Thomas, Uncle Mike, and Aunt Summer all flew in and surprised Mom when she and Javier got married. Two hours before the ceremony, which took place at Abuelo’s house, they all showed up and it was spectacular! I’ve never seen Mom as happy as she was that day with everyone there. I was a little surprised at how well both sets of grandparents got along, but it made everything that much easier. It was awesome.

Normally I don’t wear makeup and cute clothes to go over there, but all of Javier’s friends and their families will be there tonight, which means Carlo Rivers-Brown will be there too.

I love going to Javier’s parents’ house. They’ve welcomed me with open arms since the first moment they met me and nothing has changed since. You’d think I was born into this family with the way they hug and kiss all over me. When I made the varsity soccer team as a freshman last year, they all showed up to cheer me on at every single game. At first I was a little embarrassed until I realized all the girls on the team were envious. You see, with this enormous family comes a ton of cousins and most of them seem to be boys, at least the ones close to my age. Two of them happen to be the most popular in our school and they hang out with Carlo making it easier for me to be around him. I’ve had a crush on him for three years.

It’s awesome for me that the cousins are as cool as the rest of the family because the first day of freshman year they pulled me and Minnie to their lunch table and offered to give me a ride home every day. With the way high school works, that made me and Minnie instantly popular by association. We’re invited to all the parties and group outings. It’s been fun and I’ve made sure to keep my nose clean so Mom and Javier don’t say no when the opportunities to go out arise.

I don’t spend much time with my dad anymore because he’s so stinking selfish. He wouldn’t even notice if I was getting into trouble unless the police showed up at his door to tell him. Even then I’m not sure he’d do much about it unless it interfered with his plans for the night. I’m certain my lack of attendance at his apartment makes his wife happy. She’s one of the most unpleasant people I’ve ever met and she really doesn’t like me. Though I don’t know how long she’ll last anyway because I heard Dad whispering on the phone with Sheila again last week when I was there.

When I first met Sheila I thought she was fun and nice. She was introduced to me as Dad’s friend. She taught me how to put on makeup and took me shopping. She was like a grown-up girlfriend for me to hang out with.

It wasn’t until my dad had to do some real parenting that I saw Sheila’s true colors. She’s only out to have fun and get attention. If a situation is no longer fun or she’s not getting 100 percent of the attention, she’ll find it somewhere else—usually from a guy with a big bank account. Needless to say, my dad has bounced back and forth to her since I first met her. I’m pretty sure she’s the only woman he’s ever really loved and still does. I think it’s sad and I can’t deal with the drama so I stay with Mom and Javier. Besides, we moved in with Javier at his log cabin once Mom and Dad sold our house, and I got the other master bedroom. It’s a total dream to have all this space and my own bathroom.

Once I finish putting on my makeup I have to text Tío Mateo and tell him we’re leaving, then I have to get the lovebirds off the couch to go. That ought to be interesting considering they seem awfully comfortable out there.

I don’t want to be late or Abuela will get antsy. I love her but she’s a little high-strung at times, and occasions like these bring it out for sure. “Mom, we need to go. Tía Rosa promised to teach me how to make her tamales if we get there early enough. You know she won’t wait for me if we’re late.” I yell out to them and then I smile to myself in the mirror as I slide my lip gloss on, listening to them move around the living room, putting on shoes and turning off the television.

When I come out of my room, Mom and Javier stop and stare at me. I may have gone overboard getting ready, which may make them suspicious, but there was no way I was walking into a party that Carlo was going to be at looking anything less than my best.

I can’t help but smile when Javier asks me, “How come you’re so dressed up, Mollete?” Muffin.

When we first moved in, Javier picked up on Mom calling me Muffin all the time and started with the Spanish version. I love that he and his family have these constant Spanglish conversations with each other and us too. It’s helping me learn Spanish easier. I also think it’s super sweet that he calls Mom bella all the time and me mollete. It feels special.

“Eduardo told me a couple of the boys from the football team may come with him tonight. I’m not letting them see me all ratty. Geez.” Rolling my eyes, I turn away so they can’t tease me.

“If they’re friends with Eduardo, they’re too old for you.”

I almost bust up laughing at the stern fatherly expression on his face.

“Mi madre es casi cuatro años mayor que tú.” My mother is almost four years older than you. I point out the obvious and floor him with my conversational Spanish.

His laughter is deep and warm and it always makes me happy to hear that sound. I know it’s one of Mom’s favorite things about him because she gets a dreamy look on her face every time he does it.

“Your Spanish is getting really good, but that argument isn’t going to fly. I was a teenage boy once so there is no way you’re allowed to date one who’s two years older.”

“Javier…” I want to argue, because if I can get Carlo to ask me out, there’s no way I’m saying no, but it’s Javie’s birthday so I’m not going to be a pain in the butt.

My mom grabs the keys from the counter and tosses them to Javier. “Let’s go so she can learn how to make the freaking tamales.” We all head to the car.

Twenty minutes later we’re walking through the door at Abuela’s house to a shout of “Surprise!” and then instantly the band starts playing happy birthday, naturally singing the Spanish version to him. When Mom sees Uncle Mike and Aunt Summer, she squeals and pushes past everyone to get to them. I knew she’d love it.

The rest of the night passes in a blur of food, family and fun, but it’s not until the last song of the night that Carlo finally drags his butt over and asks me to dance. I thought it wasn’t going to happen. I hung out with him and Eduardo and Eduardo’s girlfriend, Serena, most of the night, and when I’d walk away I’d catch him checking me out, but he kept a certain distance between us and it was driving me crazy.

As we dance the awkward swaying dance of high school boys everywhere, I make sure to commit the cologne he’s wearing to memory because it’s seriously amazing. “You look really hot tonight, Thea,” he tells me in a way that’s almost shy. Carlo is never shy. He has a million friends, is student body president and everyone likes him. The regular nerds, the anime nerds, band kids, artists, jocks, mathletes, druggies, social climbers, and the rednecks all love him, so he’s never had any reason to be shy.

“Thanks, you look good too,” I say back, feeling stupid instantly as the blush spreads across my cheeks. We continue to sway in silence once again and I’m praying to every possible god there might be that he’ll ask me on a date. I’m dying for him to be my first kiss—to the point that I’ve imagined it a million times.

The song ends and he turns and walks away with barely a thanks, leaving me so disappointed I want to cry. I thought he was interested. I always catch him staring at me and the whole shy thing he had going on reinforced that thought. Last week when Jackson Reed was standing too close to me after school, Carlo looked like he was ready to throat-punch him. I guess I’m not very good at reading the signals yet. Maybe he only looks at me like a little sister or something. I’d like to help him see in me the something more I see in him. I want him to find the passion that I see all around me, all around him. Just like my mom and Javier, Judson and Quinn, Dex and Marina, and Uncle Mike and Aunt Summer. Hell, even Javier’s parents have it.

I’m standing here, still on the makeshift dance floor, contemplating all of this when Javier approaches with a big smile and hooks me around the neck in the crook of his elbow, and draws me in for a hug.

“Abuela tells me the party was your idea.” He kisses the top of my hair and I squeeze him around the middle.

“Yeah, I thought you deserved it.”

“Thanks, mollete, I had a great time. I love you, kiddo. If I was given 100 kids to choose from I’d choose you every time.”

“Javie,” I whisper as the tears spring to my eyes. I don’t think anyone has ever said anything that nice to me. “I love you too and I appreciate you showing Mom and me what a real man should be like. Our lives are way better with you in it.”

“Come on, let’s head home. We can hang out with Mike and Summer at the house.”

I nod and take one last look toward Carlo and notice he’s watching this play out so I smile and give him a little wave before I turn and leave the party with my family. Maybe he’ll figure it out before he leaves for the Naval Academy. As for me, I’m going to try not to worry about it and enjoy my family while I wait him out.

The End

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Also by Tiffani Lynn, Finn’s Shot - Eden’s Odyssey Book One

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Finn’s Shot

Chapter One: Finn

I smile to myself as I step out of the double doors and away from the empty arena. I took my time leaving tonight, hoping to be able to walk to my truck without a horde of hockey hookers following me like the pied piper of fake boobs and stilettos. It looks like I waited long enough. If I were Irish I’d do a damn jig to celebrate, but I’m Canadian and we’re far more reserved than that.

It’s not that I haven’t enjoyed my share of puck bunnies over the years, but the groupie scene gets old after a while. I’m mature enough now that I need more substance. Just getting my rocks off doesn’t quite cut it, so I don’t bother with those women unless I’m desperate. It’s been awhile, but not so long that I need to go that route.

I sling my duffle bag onto the back seat of my truck, shut the door, and press the button on my keys to lock it up. After the tell-tale beep of the lock, I stride to a bar about three blocks down. I’m not going to stay anonymous in this suit for long, but I forgot to bring a change of clothes. It’s a league rule we arrive and depart from the arenas in a suit and tie. With my height and build, wearing a suit makes it hard to remain inconspicuous in a bar, especially near our home ice.

Buddy’s Bar is one of my favorites and I drop in every chance I get. I don’t drink much, especially during the season, but I like the staff, the kind of clientele they draw, and the enormous televisions all turned to different hockey games during the season. Also, in the off season it’s just a nice place to relax.

As I approach, a petite woman with long blonde curly hair catches my attention. She’s standing on the street corner in front of Buddy’s like she plans to cross, yet hasn’t moved. In fact, she’s like a statue as people crowd behind her and step out all around her.

Why isn’t she moving?

As my gaze runs the length of her, I freeze. A black, thigh length, pea coat is wrapped around her and tied with a red sash in the front, leaving her toned and shapely legs visible. The last thing I notice is the sexy high heels on her little feet. Something about this woman has me like a duck in an oil slick, completely stuck in place. She continues to stare straight ahead as the windy Chicago air toys with the ends of her hair, lifting and twisting the strands. It’s hypnotizing to watch.

Almost as if she knows I’m staring at her, she turns her head toward me, her eyes locking on mine. Her lips part, but she doesn’t say anything. Her eyes sweep me from head to toe and then meet mine again. I smile at her, unable to help myself. Her features are delicate with a small and slightly upturned nose, plump rose-colored lips, skin a soft alabaster, and cheeks pink from the cool air. She’s simply stunning. Classy and beautiful in a way I haven’t seen in a long time.

Her face lights up with a playful smile and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. She looks back to the street. Neither of us say a word but the connection is instant, and I know I can’t let her leave.

“Wait!” I shout, surprising myself. “Wait!”

She pauses and glances back as I approach from the side.

“Hey. Are you busy now?” I ask.

I should probably introduce myself, but I can’t seem to make my mouth say what I believe needs to be said. She shakes her head but doesn’t actually speak. She just gifts me with another dazzling smile.

“Want to join me for a drink?” I blurt, suddenly feeling like an adolescent boy rather than the grown man I am. I reach my hand out toward her like I expect her to say yes.

Her eyes search mine with the hint of smile in them and finally she nods and places her hand in mine, which is tiny and surprisingly warm. I grin at her and gently pull her inside Buddy’s.

Once seated, I wave the barkeep down to us and say, “Molson bottle tonight for me, Frank, and for the lady….” I turn waiting for her response. She grins and before she can reply, Frank answers for her with a chuckle, “Diet and rum with a twist of lime? Hey, Darcy. Good to see you.”

“Yes. Hey, Frankie. Good to see you too. Sorry I haven’t been in for a while.” The old guy chuckles again and wanders off to get our drinks. Twisting the upper half of my body as I lean against the bar, I shake my head and smile. “Regular here… Darcy?”

“Not anymore. I’m too busy. Been coming here for years though. Even with all the bars in the area, this one’s still my favorite.”

“I see. So what do you do that has you so busy?”

She smiles an I’ve-got-a-secret smile while looking at her clasped hands on the bar and responds, “Hmmm. Let’s not go there. Let’s avoid the usual small talk bullshit and come up with the most bizarre questions possible to ask the other person.”

One side of my mouth kicks up, as I consider her proposal. This could be very interesting. Why the hell not? No telling what she’ll say, and she’s already surprised me enough that I want to see what’s next. “Sure, that sounds good. I’m Finn by the way.”

She giggles a little and says, “Nice to meet you, Finn. I’ll go first, since this was my idea. Would you rather be attacked by a mountain lion or a bear?”

Not what I expected her to ask. What does that even mean? My surprise is obvious as my eyebrows rise to my hairline. “What?”

“Mountain lion or bear?”

“Can I answer neither one?”

The playful smile firmly in place, she shakes her head. This woman smiles a lot and I find it refreshing.

“I guess a mountain lion, because I’ll be taller. I’ll have a better chance that way.”

She busts up laughing, the sound infectious. What a bizarre question.

“How tall are you exactly?” she asks.

“Six foot six.”

“I guess that’s why I have to crane my neck back to look up at you since I’m only five foot six.” She grins and holds her hand out, palm up, ushering me to take the next question.

“What makes you laugh the most? Slap stick, sarcasm, or subtle humor?” I ask, unable to come up with something as bizarre as the mountain lion vs. bear one she threw at me.

“Slap stick when I’m watching a movie. I watched the Three Stooges non-stop as a kid and couldn’t stop laughing. Sarcasm in conversation, I guess. Subtle humor goes over my head, more often than not.” Without even blinking, she rolls right into the next one. “Whips or chains?” she asks with a naughty grin. I practically spit my drink out. I really wasn’t expecting her to go that route. It’s rare that a woman will surprise me, but she’s succeeded already.

“Um…”

She busts up laughing before she shares her own answer to the question. “My preference is chains. Rather be chained up than whipped. Pain is not my thing”

My eyes are enormous as I get the impression she isn’t kidding. We go back and forth for an hour with more goofy questions, and it’s the best and strangest conversation I’ve had in a while. Her forward nature, mixed with high self-confidence, and a body that won’t quit, leads me to yell down the bar to Frank and request the check. Before I can get a word out, she invites, “Come back to my place?”

Under normal circumstances, forward women turn me off. As a hockey player, women tend to throw themselves at me and expect a response. It’s not something I care for anymore, but there’s something different about Darcy, and she hasn’t mentioned the hockey player thing. I’m not sure if she knows who I am. She doesn’t come across as sleazy or cheap. She’s fun and charming and hasn’t acted like anyone I’ve met.

“Sure. Sounds good. You want to ride with me or do you have your own car?”

“My place is walking distance from here. You can move your car to my street, but parking is limited so we’ll be lucky to find a spot. It’s up to you.”

“I can just leave it where it is now.” I almost mention it’s at the arena, but I decide I don’t want to reveal my profession if I don’t have to. Let’s see how this evening turns out without hockey player status.

“Alright, follow me.”

As we pass through the glass doors of the bar entrance, I follow closely behind her until she reaches back and slides her small hand in mine and pulls me up next to her. Her head doesn’t even reach my shoulder. She doesn’t say a word as we walk through the deserted streets; the only sound is the cadence of our footsteps. Ten minutes later, we’re riding an elevator up to the top of a nice downtown apartment building. It’s not fancy by any means, but it’s nicer than most and seems quiet.

As she pushes her way into the apartment, pausing to flick on lights in the place, an explosion of color smacks me in the face. I’m not expecting it, so it’s more shocking than it should be. The walls are sunshine yellow and there are colorful paintings all over the place. Her bright, multi-colored furniture is all solid patterns. This is the exact opposite of my black and white apartment. What the hell have I gotten myself into?

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