The film had been in the top three for the last few weeks. Saul told me we should expect this weekend would be the last big one, in terms of earnings. The Fourth of July weekend would introduce the summer blockbuster movies.
When I finally ran down, Tami kissed me.
“You know that I love you,” she began.
I was surprised that even though I knew what she was about to tell me, it still hurt. You don’t go as long as we had knowing that ‘someday’ you would be together for this not to get you in the gut. I had to remind myself of what had transpired in the last two years. I’d given up on my claim on Tami. She’d rejected or hurt me too many times. That didn’t mean that I didn’t want her to be a close friend. I had to convince myself that I didn’t want more than that.
“You found someone,” I said to make it easier on her.
She looked at me curiously.
“He talked to you,” she said, putting it together.
“He didn’t want to hurt our friendship,” I admitted.
“That was why you didn’t want to go out with the four of us last time I was home.”
I nodded.
“Then I take it you’re okay with us going out. I told him we couldn’t until I talked to you.”
“He’s a great guy. I hope you two are happy with each other,” I said.
Tami blinked at me. I’m sure she didn’t expect that.
“Uh … okay. The four of us are going out tonight. Why don’t you get a date and join us?” Tami asked.
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“Why? We’re all friends.”
“Think about it. I’ve slept with you and Sarah, plus the two of you are just starting to date. No one wants their girl’s ex to go on a date with them.”
Tami rubbed her forehead.
“I can see your point. Maybe next time,” she suggested.
After she left, I sort of went to a dark place. It was less than a year ago that I’d asked her to be my girlfriend, and now she was dating one of my best friends. I found it hard to believe that he was a better match for her.
◊◊◊
I spent the night in with the boys so Peggy could go out with some of her college friends. Mom and Dad had a date night, too, so it was just Duke, Little David, and Coby with me. It was nice to have daddy-time alone with the boys.
That was great until they all fell asleep on me by nine. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d sat home on a Saturday night and watched streaming video. Apparently, I was more tired than I thought because I nodded off. I woke when I heard a baby cry.
I walked out to my living room and found Tami and Tim sitting there on my couch.
“Sorry, I just woke up. I don’t think I’m ready for a threesome yet,” I teased. “But if you’ll give me a few minutes …”
I think Tim’s brain melted. Tami just gave me a dirty look. I ignored them and found Coby was the one causing a fuss. I picked him up, and he’d started to calm down when I heard the door open, and Peggy came up the stairs. What happened to knocking?
“He’s the worst babysitter ever,” Tami observed.
Peggy rolled her eyes at me.
“Help me take the boys into the house,” Peggy said.
I followed Peggy up to the third floor of the house and put Coby to bed.
“What did I walk into?” Peggy asked.
“Tami wanted to show off her new boyfriend,” I said. “I’d rather not go back.”
Watching Peggy’s butt as she bent over the cribs got me aroused, and she knew how to fix that. I wondered what Tim and Tami would think when I didn’t return.
◊◊◊
Chapter 17 – Circles of Trust Sunday June 26
Duke wasn’t happy. I’d left him in the apartment overnight while I spent time with Peggy. He was okay by the time I ran him and came home, but he was also out of shape. Apparently, Peggy didn’t run him as hard as I did.
When I came home, Dad told me we were flying out today. I’d thought Monday was our travel day. I soon had another person—Zoe—mad at me. We’d planned to be together all afternoon.
I packed my essentials and added a few things I wanted to bring with me. Everyone came to our house at eleven. Phil’s mom, Vickie, brought him. Greg made the mistake of telling Kyle that we were going on a trip. Kyle thought he should get to go. I could foresee that in a few years, it would be a kid’s week.
“Where are you going, and why does Phil need a passport?” Vickie asked.
“It’s a surprise, and we needed to go where Phil’s age wouldn’t be a problem,” I said with a straight face.
It was good that Phil’s head was attached, or it would have fallen off with how fast it snapped around. Vickie saw and just shook her head.
“I guess he’ll come back in one piece,” she reasoned.
“He’ll come back a changed man,” Uncle John offered.
I had no doubt that Uncle John would spend time with him to make him a better person, but Phil didn’t need to know that.
“He’s had all his shots, right?” Greg asked.
“Mo-om,” Phil complained.
It was great not being the little one anymore. Phil was a godsend.
◊◊◊
On the car ride to Chicago, Dad and Uncle John teased Greg and Phil about where we were going. I played dumb.
“Remember last time?” I moaned. “We ended up going to that doctor for all those blood tests. I hope we don’t have to do that again.”
“Did you really have to get blood tests?” Phil asked.
“We weren’t sure David was really a Dawson,” Uncle John teased.
“That was a disappointment. Mr. Thigpen has a pool,” I complained.
“Who’s Mr. Thigpen?” Phil asked.
“The mailman,” Greg explained.
“Do we have to get blood tests this time?” Phil worried.
“Let’s hope not,” was all Dad would say.
I waited until we were in the air before I started to really tease Phil. He got the middle seat between Greg and me. I grumbled about sitting in coach, but to be on a guys’ trip, it was worth it. Once we were in the air, I pulled out some stuff I’d printed off the internet.
“Guys, I overheard where we’re going,” I whispered to my two brothers.
“I knew it; I could tell you knew by the way you were acting,” Greg hissed.
“So, where are we going?” Phil asked.
“They rented a cabin at a resort, and it has all kinds of fun activities. This is going to be great,” I shared.
Greg raised an eyebrow because he didn’t believe me. I just ignored him as I sorted out the pages I’d printed off. I handed the top one to Phil.
“CNP, Canada Naturist Park. It says it’s on 80 acres, and they have trails and a swimming pool with a clubhouse. ‘We maintain our park in its natural state so we may enjoy it in our natural state,’” Phil read aloud. “So, this is some kind of nature trip. That sounds like fun.”
“I need some serious downtime. This sounds like a way to kick back and relax,” I said.
Greg took the paper from Phil and read it. He saw I had pictures.
“Let me see those,” Greg demanded.
I handed over the pictures. The first few showed the resort and all the facilities. Then there were several photos of hiking trails. Greg barked out a laugh when he saw the picture of the nude people playing volleyball. He finally figured out what ‘naturist’ meant. They were all in their fifties or older. I’d made sure all the photos only showed older people.
“What?” Phil asked.
“This is worse than last time,” Greg complained.
He handed the pictures to Phil.
“I plan on getting an all-over tan,” I said.
“But … but … no way!” Phil said, a little too loudly.
“What are you doing to Phil?” Dad asked Greg and me.
“Dad, this can’t be true. David said you told him where we’re going,” Phil said.
“David, you promised not to tell them. This is a surprise your uncle and I came up with,” Dad chastised me.