LEE
18 years earlier
After our day at the beach, I brought her home, to officially meet Mom for the first time.She was ecstatic and told Ellie all about how my face lit up anytime she would call, or a letter would come in the mail, and I would hide myself in my room while I read in privacy.Thankfully, she left out anything having to do with my ex-girlfriend, who she never really liked anyways.
I think Mom was more excited to see that Ellie did exist beyond the paper trail that I had been following for three years.I know she saw her from the car years ago and knew she wasreal,and she was supportive of my feelings in the beginning, but I think she resented that I was so attached to this girl that lived all the way on the other side of the country.She just wanted me to be a kid and experience all the things in high school that kids usually experience with other peoplein personwhich is why she tolerated my relationship with Maggie for so long.But I knew she did so through gritted teeth; Maggie always annoyed her with her high maintenance, try so hard, popular girl vibe.Ellie was the complete opposite, I mean she was also a cheerleader, but she wasn’t the same type; she didn’t need to be in-your-face popular or seen as the sexiest girl alive –she accomplished that last part just fine with her casual tank top and jean shorts look.
Ellie stayed for dinner that night, and Mom made my favorite things: lasagna and garlic bread.It was nice sitting at the table with everyone enjoying each other’s company and getting along, talking about our days.I looked over at Ellie; she was laughing at something that my sister had said, and I could see it all.This is how I want to raise my future family.
I packed a duffle bag and made sure Mom was okay with me spending some more time at Steff’s house before we headed back to the apartment.I know she was hesitant to even let me out of the house while Ellie was here because she thought I was irresponsible.Yes, I’m eighteen and I’m no longer in high school, but I haven’t done much with myself since graduating, and I think she’s been disappointed in my lack of drive.
I graduated a few months early so I could get the heck out of that school; I was always getting into trouble anyways.I’m sure the office staff was glad to see me go.But I didn’t have any clear-cut career plans for my future.Dad set me up with an interview for a construction company and I got the job, but I was able to negotiate some vacation time so that I could spend time with Ellie this summer.I hoped that was enough for Mom to see that I’m trying, and Ellie makes me want to try even harder to make something of myself.When I looked at her to ask if it was okay to leave, she smiled and gave me the go-ahead with a nod.
Steff was hanging out with Sarah, so we didn’t have to rush or anything and I took a detour on our way, stopping at one of my favorite thinking spots.It’s an overgrown parking lot,if you can call it that anymore,with a footpath that leads to a quiet beach.
“This is where I come when I just need to be alone and want to get out of my house.No one ever comes here and it’s like I have a personal beach to myself.”
We sat there, on the trunk of the car, watching the sunset through the trees, her hand in mine.It was another perfect moment, and I was about to lean in for a kiss when a big, wet raindrop fell on my face.I looked up, blinking at the clouds just in time for the skies to open up and pour down on us.We hopped off the car and climbed into the backseat, completely drenched, and laughing at each other.I took off my soaked shirt and draped it over the headrest, she did the same, revealing a lace trimmed bra that clasped in the front.We kicked off our shoes and threw them in the front seats and I took her in my arms.It didn’t take long for us to become tangled up in the backseat and we steamed up the windows in that secluded parking lot while the rain hit the rooftop and I fell deeper in love.
* * *
We were nearing the end of her first week here and I took her to lunch at Buckey’s because I was craving a burger, and I knew they had phenomenal salads which would be right up her alley.What I wasn’t expecting was that we would run into Dane and Ezra.
I wasn’t one of Dane’s favorite people at the moment because about a month before Ellie got here, I broke up with Maggie and told her it was for good this time.Dane was one of my best friends and he was dating Maggie’s best friend, Liz.They had been in an on again, off again relationship since shortly after Maggie and I started dating.In that time, he became pretty close with the rest of the gang, which was great until I chose Ellie over Maggie, and then he became somewhat protective of her.Up until the last time we spoke, he would just tell me how heartbroken I left her and how she couldn’t stop talking about me to Liz.I hadn’t actually talked to any of them in over a week because my world was consumed by everything Ellie.
As soon as we made eye contact though, Dane was in my face, and I stood to match his height.Ezra was right there in an instant, pushing himself between me and Dane but not before he had the chance to punch me in the jaw.I heard Ellie gasp, and I looked over the table at her just as she stood to catch me from stumbling over my chair.
“What the hell is wrong with you?”I heard her say to Dane.
“What’s it to you?Are you his little pen pal?I’d suggest you stay out of this one.”Dane spat.
Ezra's head whipped around with a jolt as he turned quickly from Dane to Ellie, blurting out, “What!So, this is the famous Ellie, is it?”He reached his hand out for Ellie to shake while the other hand was still pushing Dane back.“I’ve been dying to see who could possibly winthebattle of Leeover Maggie anddamn, I have to say it was a good choice, man.”He winked at Ellie before looking over at me.Ezra was always the one to make remarks that came out of the blue.It was his way of lightening the mood in an otherwise tense situation.
Ellie was looking at me too, her eyes holding back a million questions.
“I don’t care how good looking she is, Maggie didn’t deserve the way you left her.”Dane said.
“Dane!Dane let’s not forget that this is Lee, here.Our best friend, remember?The one you’ve known a hell of a lot longer than Maggie and Liz.”Ezra told him.
“I understand why you’re mad at me, and I do…” I rubbed my jaw, cracking it back into place, “I do deserve some hate.But can you really blame me for diving in with everything on the table for the girl you’ve been trying to get me to forget for three years?”My eyes drifted back to Ellie and so did Dane’s, while I thought now was as good a time as any for a formal introduction.“Dane, Ezra, can you please,nicely, meet the love of my life, Ellie?”I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, bringing her in closer to me and smiled at them.
Dane relaxed a little and took a step back, giving me some space.His eyes softened while he sucked in a breath, and after a tense silent moment before he blew out the breath he’d been holding, “God I’m gonna be in deep shit with Liz for this but … it’s nice to finally meet you, Ellie.”Dane shakes her hand and turns back to me, no longer holding anger in his eyes.“I’m sorry dude, I shouldn’t have punched you like that.”
“It’s fine, man.I’ll be fine.”I told him.“It’s nothing a little ice pack can’t fix and I’m glad you’re finally talking to me again.”
Dane, Ezra and I had been friends for as long as I can remember.There had never been a fight or argument, or a girl come between us that we couldn’t work through, and I think this was the worst one yet.Even when one of us got the others in trouble and even when that trouble brought the police knocking on my parents’ door, we stuck it out.So, the fact that they could be here, meeting Ellie for the first time, and not be angry at me, that meant a lot.
We all sat at our table, the four of us, sipping on drinks and they got to know Ellie as more than just my pen pal.She laughed at their ridiculous jokes and to us, she just fit right in, without the need to be impressed by anyone.She excused herself to use the restroom and as soon as she was out of earshot, Ezra kicked my foot under the table, “Fuck dude, I had no idea she was that hot!”
“I can tell, now, why you’re so into her.”Dane said, his eyes still on Ellie as she walked away from our table.
I massaged the back of my neck and couldn’t help but smile at their comments.
“I think you’re in deep, man.”Ezra said.
“Yup, wrap him up with a bow.Damn, I’ve never seen you like this, you’re actually blushing, bro.You were never like this with Maggie.Dane said.
“I can’t help it.She just … she’s perfect, guys.I really think she’s the one.Everything is different when I’m with her –I’mdifferent when I’m with her.She brings out the best version of me, and I can see…” I sighed, “I can see a future with her.”I told them, still smiling at the thought of her, until I noticed both of their bodies tense up.Ezra tapped Dane’s arm and Dane shot up, clearing his throat.
