Page 9 of With Every Breath

“There’s always next time.” I reached my hand out to help him up.

“Are you saying there’ll be a next time?” He stood and brushed his hands on his shorts.

“This was fun.” I walked over to where I’d left my sneakers and began changing my shoes. “Nice date, Nirvana boy.”

“I have a name.” He laughed.

“I know. I like Nirvana boy better.” I smiled.

“Well, the date isn’t over yet. Dates involve eating and an activity. We did the activity. Let’s eat.” He motioned for me to follow as he walked over to a set of stairs.

“We’re eating here?” I crinkled my brow.

“Sort of,” he called as we climbed the steps. “We’re eating here.” He pushed open the door to the roof, revealing a picnic set up on a blanket. “It’s the best view in the area.”

“Wow,” I murmured as I looked around. The sun was setting over the ocean, and the sky was turning a beautiful shade of purple and orange.

Right in the middle of the roof was a red and black flannel blanket. A brown paper bag and small cooler were set in the middle. “Have a seat.” He motioned to the blanket. I curled my legs under me as Dex began removing containers from the bag. “I wasn’t sure what you would like, so I got turkey and ham. You can pick, and I’ll eat whichever you don’t choose.” He held out two sandwiches.

“Turkey.” I grinned as I reached for the oversized sandwich. They were from Kaufman’s, a local deli that I love. In addition to the sandwiches, Dex had fruit and chips. “What’s in there?” I pointed to the last container.

“Dessert.” He lifted the container reverently. “Eat up and maybe I’ll share,” he teased as he took a giant bite of his sandwich.

We ate and enjoyed the view, surrounded by the sounds of the city. It was nice, and not at all what I expected.

As I finished off the strawberries, I stared down the mystery box of dessert. “Ok, give. What’s in there?” I pouted.

“How do you feel about triple chocolate cake?” Dex lifted the lid to reveal the biggest piece of cake I’ve ever seen. The frosting alone had to be an inch thick.

“I feel like you might be my most favorite person in the world.” I licked my lips as I stared at the thing that might be my kryptonite. I loved chocolate, and my dad used to buy me cake like this on the days that my treatments didn’t make me sick.

ooooooooo

Dex

I can’t for the life of me understand this girl. She seems like she’s having a good time, like she likes being here, but she’s so closed up.

I held the chocolate cake in front of her and offered her a spoon. “Why don’t you date?” I started to pull the cake away when she attempted to get a bite.

“That’s mean.” She stuck her lip out.

“Answer the question, and I’ll give you some.” I moved the cake closer. “Why don’t you date?”

“I hurt people, and people hurt me, so I take that chance away from them.” She shrugged as I held the cake steady, and she scooped a bite onto her fork.

“If you never take that chance, how will you know if your soulmate is out there?” I crinkled my forehead.

“I don’t believe in that stuff,” she muttered.

“Who hurt you so bad that you won’t open your heart?” My own heart ached for her. She seemed so free most of the time, and now I see it’s been an act.

“No one,” she grumbled as she took another bite of cake. I’d set it between us and forgotten about it. Listening to her was holding my full attention. I’d been watching her play since she was a freshman. I’d admired from afar. I learned from a friend that she always came to practice early. I finally worked up the nerve to talk to her, and she’s nothing like what I expected. “Not the answer you were looking for, is it?” She talked around the bite she’d just stuffed into her mouth.

“Not what I was expecting.” I shrugged one shoulder as I stared out at the darkening sky.

“I can be your friend, but that’s it.” She leaned against me. It was tentative at first. It was as if she thought she was doing something wrong. Her body slowly relaxed against my side as her head lowered to rest on my shoulder. We stayed there just staring at the stars as they appeared one at a time. She was quiet, and then barely above a whisper she warned, “I have more baggage than a jumbo jet. I don’t let people in. If you can’t accept that, then we can’t even be friends.” Sadness filled her voice, and I knew I needed to be her friend, not just for me, but for her. Something told me that her views on love would change, I just had to wait them out. I needed to show her I wasn’t going anywhere.

“I’ll be your friend. I’ll be whatever you need me to be, and one day… you’ll let me in,” I whispered as the last bit of sunlight disappeared.