Never Say Die- Chapter 13

 

Chapter 13

 

            About a week later, just when we were getting back into the swing of everyday life and wishing we were still on vacation, my dad called to let me know that he had a job for me. It was a banker in Seattle and he actually just needed me to have the contract signed and bring it back to him because he was swamped with work. I sighed as I hung up the phone, I didn't want to leave Rhys for an entire weekend but I opened the phone and started to dial his number, he picked up on the first ring.

            “Hey babe what's up?”

            I sighed sadly “I have to go out of town for work this weekend.”

            “Where are you going?”

            “Seattle, it'll be nice to go home though.”

            “Do you want me to come with you?” he asked, I hadn't thought of that, and I wondered if it was a good idea, but the thought of leaving him here with Veronica made my mind up, besides it was a weekend trip so he wouldn't miss any classes.

            “Sure, you'll be by yourself while I work for a little bit but otherwise we can hang out and I'll show you around.”

            “Sounds good just let me know where I need to be and I'll be there.” he said.

            “I'll try to get a late flight on Friday night, handle my business Saturday morning and have the rest of the weekend to do whatever.”

            A trip alone could be just what we need, I decided after hanging up the phone, especially after that crap in Vegas. I opened my laptop, pulled up a travel site and looked for a nice bed and breakfast just outside of town. I found a really cute one near the University of Washington, the rooms were decorated in an old Victorian style and it was in the college district so he'd be surrounded by other people his age if he got bored while I was working.

            I went ahead and booked a room for two nights and made the flight reservations before calling him back with the information. He sounded really excited to be going with me and I was excited to have him coming too, it would be our first time being completely alone.

            “Hey Flan!” I called down the hall when I got off the phone with Rhys.

            “Hey what?” She called back and I smiled as I stood up to walk down to her room.

I went and sat on her bed with a huge grin on my face, “Rhys and I are going to Seattle for the weekend.”

            “You're not running off to get married or anything without me are you?” she asked, looking very serious and I couldn't help laughing.

            “Of course not, If we were going to do something crazy like that we'd have done it in Vegas, and besides, you'd have seen it if I we were. I'm actually going to collect a contract and he asked if I wanted him to come with. I figured a weekend alone together could be a good thing.”

            She nodded, “Yeah, it'll give you more time to do whatever you've been doing that's had you all sparkle eyed and happy since we got back from Vegas.” Oh man I'd left myself wide open for that one.

            “Come on Flan it's not what you think.”

            “Oh it's not? Then explain this happy bubble of euphoria you've been walking around in since the day we left.”

            “We're not having sex.” I started and stopped, not sure what to say next.

            “You're doing something, I'm your best friend Say just spit it out. I know you haven't considered yourself ready for that step yet so I'm willing to accept that you're telling the truth but there's not many other things you could have done that put a look like that on your face.”

I sighed, “We didn't have sex, we just got a little carried away and messed around.” I looked at the floor as the flush crossed my cheeks. I've sure been blushing a lot since I met Rhys I thought.

            “And since you've never dated a guy before that was your first sexual experience.” She said knowingly and I nodded.

            “My baby is all grown up.” she sighed sadly and I threw a pillow at her.

            “You're such a dork Flan.” I laughed and she joined in.

            “Just don't push yourself to do anything that you're not ready for.” she said seriously looking me in the eyes.

            “I know, it all happened so fast though, that show was incredible and by the time it was over...if he hadn't stopped to ask me if I was okay with the direction we were headed in I'm not sure I would have cared if he'd actually tried to have sex with me, It was the most intense feeling I've ever felt.”

            “You mean he didn't try to have sex with you at all?” she asked incredulously.

            “No, even with the messing around he asked if I was okay with it first. I have to admit it was a pretty good alternative and he seemed pretty happy with it too.”

            “Wow, he really is a nicer guy than I gave him credit for. Not many guys would just settle for that and not expect more in the end.”

            “I know but he understands how I feel about sex and wants to wait until we're both ready for it.”

            “Wow you've got yourself one special guy, no wonder all the girls at school hated you.” she laughed and I raised an eyebrow.

            “Hated? As in past tense?” I asked.

            “Oh yeah, ever since word got out that Veronica tried to get with Rhys behind your back, most of them think she's pretty despicable and they're all on your side now. You've become the most popular girl at school and you don't even go there.”

            I stared at her in surprise, “Wow, that's really not what I was going for, I just wanted her to leave us alone.”

            “You definitely got your wish, her nose got her benched for the rest of the football season, you put a crack in her cheekbone too. She spent a little time in the hospital getting fixed up after we got back.” my stomach twisted and I suddenly felt sick, I hadn't meant to break her nose in the first place, it had just happened. Now I'd killed the rest of the semester for her, she would lose her spot as captain at least if she didn't lose her spot on the team due to the weeks she would need to heal.

            “Do not feel bad Saydie, any other girl would have probably done the same thing in your position, you're just a little stronger than they are, that's all.” she patted me on the leg in a reassuring way and looked me very seriously in the eyes. “Promise me you're not going to feel all guilty about this, she deserved what she got, even her coach said so.” I nodded before standing up and heading back to my own room.

            “I guess you're right, I'll have to work on how much power I put behind it if I ever have to hit her again.”

            “That’s my girl.” Flan grinned from outside her door as I went to pull my suitcase back out of my closet and start packing again.

 

           

            Once again I fell asleep on the plane on our way to Seattle and when I woke up Rhys had his laptop out and was writing something in a word program.

            “What are you working on?” I asked and leaned over to get a better look. He started to close it so that I couldn't see.

            “Nothing, just writing some stuff that came to my head while I was sitting here.” I could see the flush spread across his face and moved back over in my seat.

            “Okay.” was all I said before turning to look out the window.

            I heard him sigh, “Don't be like that Saydie, it's just a little embarrassing.”

            I turned back to him surprised, “You think I'm mad at you? If you don't want to show me you don't have to.” I said, not upset in the slightest and hoped that it showed on my face.

            “I do want to show you, I just don't know what you're going to think.”

            “Do you think I'd laugh at you or something?” I asked curiously.

            “I don't know, you might. I'm not really that great when it comes to putting what I feel on paper and I don't want you to think it's cheesy.” I'd never thought of him as a literary kind of guy and found that I was touched that he'd thought to write about his feelings at all.

            I smiled gently at him, “When you're ready for me to read it I'll be here, until then, no worries okay?” I knew he wasn't going to believe that I was really alright about it and as I suspected he would he opened the laptop again and turned it toward me.

            “Just read it, but if you laugh I'm never showing you anything I write again.” he said seriously, looking nervous at the same time. I pulled the computer toward me and started to read what I discovered to be a poem that he had titled simply, “I LOVE YOU”.

 

“If there were no sun or sky

And there was only you and I

The earth itself it would not be

But for only you and me

Made for more it would not do

That is the love I have for you

Twas this not your love for me

Then I could not endure to be

For life for me does not exist

Outside your sweet and gentle kiss

My heart, my soul, my life is thine

If you will be forever mine.”

 

            Tears burned my eyes as I got to the end and looked up at him smiling, “You really wrote this about me?”

            He nodded, smiling sheepishly. “Do you like it? Be honest.”
            “Nobody has ever written anything about me before, I absolutely love it!” I leaned over to press my lips to his, “It's beautiful, thank you.” He lifted the arm rest between us to wrap his arm around me and pull me to him.

            “It's a great start to our weekend together.” I said and snuggled closer for the rest of the flight.

            The weather in Seattle was actually nice, it was dark when we arrived but fairly warm for the fall and the rest of the weekend was supposed to be sunny and in the sixties.

            The bed and breakfast was just like the pictures on their website and I was pleased as we settled into our room on the first floor with a sliding door and small patio outside. While Rhys was in the shower, I stepped out on the patio to call Mr. Roberts and finalize our appointment to meet in the morning at nine.

            I was in bed watching TV when Rhys got done and he came to cuddle up next to me while I flipped through the channels.

            “So what are we doing while we're here?” he asked as I settled for a show on the Travel Channel that I liked to watch once in a while.

            “Is there anything particular you'd like to do?” I turned to look at him.

            “I've always wanted to go where they throw the fish.” he grinned.

            “That's at Pike Place Market, we can definitely do that. Then maybe take a boat over to the Indian village for dinner and a show. When you get off the boat they serve these clams in a broth that's out of this world.” Just thinking about it was making my mouth water and he laughed.

            “Sounds like you have this trip all planned out already.”

            “Well the village is something I've always enjoyed and it would be nice to share it with you, they do a buffet dinner with Salmon that they roast open faced around a fire and then there's this great show that tells a story about the tribes history and culture.”

            “Well I guess it's a good thing that I like Indians and fish then.” he teased.

            “If you really like seafood there's a great restaurant on the water called 'The Crab Pot' that serves some amazing local seafood.”

            “That sounds good, let's figure it out tomorrow though, I’m pretty tired.”

            “Yeah me too.” I said, setting the sleep timer on the TV and curling up against him as he wrapped an arm around me.

            “I love you.” I told him.

            “I love you too.” he replied sleepily and a few short minutes later he was snoring softly as I smiled to myself at the sound.

 

            The meeting was about as quick as I thought it would be. I'd left Rhys sleeping while I dressed and went to meet the town car that I'd rented for the weekend. We met at an office building downtown that had a spectacular clock hanging on the front and Mr. Roberts office had an amazing view of the city from its glass walls.

            We shook hands, introducing ourselves before he invited me to be seated and offered me a drink. I declined wanting to get down to business and get back to Rhys.

            “Alright Mr. Roberts you understand how the contract works right? You'll have ten years to pay back your debt otherwise your soul will be the forfeit.” he nodded solemnly.

            “Believe me I wouldn't be doing this if I had any other choice, but I just can't lose my business just when things are starting to look up.” I looked him over deciding that he must be a very dedicated man.

            “Alright then, feel free to take your time and read over the terms, if you're satisfied, sign at the bottom and our business will be done.” I said with a smile, trying to keep my voice as light as possible.

            “With such a pleasant and lovely lady such as yourself making the proposal I almost wish this contract was longer so that I could appreciate your beauty for just a short time more.”

            “Mr. Roberts I am flattered but I assure you that you don't want me here any longer than necessary.” I smiled and let my eyes turn red as I pulled a special pen from my purse and set it down on the desk. He seemed to get my point and went back to reading the papers.

            “Please use this pen when you're ready to sign.” I told him.

            “Is this a special contract signing pen?” he asked curiously.

            “You could say that.” I smirked knowingly as he picked it up in his right hand and poised it on the contract. Generally, I’d be disturbed by what was about to happen but when it came to people who were just looking for personal gain, I felt that they deserved what was coming.

            He frowned when he'd signed his name and then realized that the ink hadn't shown up.

            “I think your pen is empty.” he said, starting to pull one out of the holder on the desk and then he yanked his hand back in pain and dropped the pen I'd given him.

            “It's not broken, it just took a moment for your blood to show up that's all.” I nodded toward the contract and his name shone in bright red letters that appeared as if he was signing his name all over again. He stared at the paper in amazement and then looked at his palm, there was a small spot where the blood was flowing, and he pulled out a handkerchief to squeeze it in his hand.

            “I supposed I should have expected that.” he said as if chastising himself.

            “When working with the man, always expect a price.” I told him, “I believe our business is now concluded and I sincerely hope that I will not need to see you again Mr. Roberts.” He reached out with his left hand to shake mine before walking me to the door.

            “Well, thank you Miss Mason, it was a pleasure doing business with you.” he said cordially and I smiled at him.

            “As it was with you Mr. Roberts, good day.” I headed toward the elevator, excited to get back to Rhys and start our weekend in Seattle.

            When I got back to the room Rhys was still asleep and I'd barely been gone an hour. I climbed on the bed and gently kissed his cheek, he opened one eye and looked up at me.

            “Are you leaving already?” He asked sleepily and I smiled at him.

            “I've already been gone and back.” he glanced over at the clock.

            “Really?”

            I nodded, “Yep I’m all done and all yours.”

            “Well in that case...” He trailed off as he pulled me into his arms and pressed his lips to mine, I giggled and wrapped my arms around him.

            “What would you like for breakfast?” I asked between kisses.

            “You.” was all he said as the kisses became more passionate but I just wasn't in the mood to mess around for some reason, maybe because I just made a man sign a contract in his own blood.

            I pulled gently away from him and smiled sheepishly, “How about we go to Beth's Cafe and check out their 12 egg omelet?” I suggested.

            “I don't know about 12 eggs but I could go for an omelet.” he replied, distracted from his previous desire for my body.

            “Why don't you hop in the shower then, I'll change and we can go?” he nodded his agreement and with one last kiss he was out of the bed and closing the bathroom door behind him.

            Today it was overcast and looked like it might sprinkle a little bit so I pulled out a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and one of Rhys's hooded sweatshirts with “Property of Wharton Varsity Football” written on the front. When he came out of the bathroom in only his towel, the contract signing was forgotten and suddenly I was the one fighting back the urge to throw him on the bed and take advantage of him. He was beautiful in that towel and it hugged his butt just right...

            “Nice shirt.” he said, suddenly startling me from my fantasy.

            “Oh thanks, I borrowed it from my boyfriend.” I smiled slyly at him and he laughed.

            “Just make sure your boyfriend gets it back.” he winked and went back into the bathroom with his clothes to get dressed.

When he came back out all he had to do was put on his shoes and jacket before we were off. The town car was waiting right where I'd left it and whisked us off to Aurora Avenue and Beth's Cafe.

            “Wow they only come in 6 or 12 egg sizes?” Rhys marveled as he looked over the omelets on the menu. I smiled and nodded at him, this place was famous for its 12 egg omelets served with toast and all-you-can-eat hash browns, they’d even been featured on the Food Network.

            “How about we split a 6 egg Southwestern Exposure and a plate of fruit?” I suggested as he looked over the ingredients of the omelet- chili, salsa, sour cream and cheddar cheese.

I could see his agreement before he even nodded, “Sure we can do that.”

            Our waitress came and took our order, bringing out the fruit plate shortly after. We chatted about what we were going to do that day while we picked at the fruit pieces and occasionally fed them to each other. I could feel the sidelong glances we were getting from other people in the restaurant but I ignored them and tried to just enjoy my time alone with him.

            We decided that today we would check out Pike's Place Market and have dinner at the Space Needle, then tomorrow we could check out the waterfront and do the Indian show for lunch before we had to head back to the airport and go home. I called and made dinner reservations at the Space Needle while we were still waiting for the omelet and then purchased the tickets for the dinner show online using my phone.

            Our food arrived just as I was finishing up and we dug right in, it was delicious and our plates were empty in a short amount of time. Rhys contemplated getting a second helping of hash browns but then decided against it as he finished his orange juice and sat back in his seat.

            “You know Halloween is coming up.” he said casually and I looked up at him.

            “Yeah, did you want me to take you trick-or-treating?” I teased.

            “Only if you're my treat.” he winked at me and I laughed. “Seriously though, every year the team hosts a fundraiser, it was Todd's idea actually, we have this big costume ball, auction off team members and cheerleaders then donate the money to foster care programs, child abuse prevention programs and orphanages. There's also a donation drive for clothes and toys, I was wondering if you'd be interested in coming, you could wear a costume and nobody would ever know you were there.”

            As I mulled over the idea another thought came to me and even I was surprised by it. “What if I auctioned myself off?” he looked at me in shock as if I'd just spoken to him in Klingon.

            When he found his voice he half-smiled at me, “What if I don't want you to go on a date with anyone else?”

            I smiled back, “We could always cheat, you just bid as high as you need to in order to win me and I'll back the money. It's for a good cause right? So why not? It isn't like I can't afford to do something good especially for the kids.” He looked at me in awe.

            “You'd really do that?” he asked in disbelief.

            “Of course I would, just as quickly as I would bid every last penny I have to ensure that nobody else gets to go on a date with you.” I smiled lovingly at him and squeezed his hand, he grinned back happily.

            “I can let them know if that's really what you want to do.” he said, with an unsure look on his face.

            “It'll be fine, just tell them.” I laughed and he nodded.

            “Alright I'll tell the committee on Monday.” he said and I smiled again.

            “It'll be fun you'll see, we'll take each other on the best date ever.” I said assuringly and he gave me a sly grin.

            “Oh I know we will.” he replied chuckling quietly to himself while I silently appreciated the pride I felt at doing something so involved with humans and for such a good cause.