Page 53 of Love Never Happens with your Brother’s Best Friend

In the kitchen, Rita and I talk about the day ahead. The sun’s out and the weather is warm. I don’t care what we do as long as we’re together. I just want to have some fun, after the stress of the cameras and reporter madness, before getting back to training and playing football.

I suggest we go and have lunch somewhere swanky, but Rita said that wouldn’t be very relaxing at all. She didn’t want to go anywhere with a dress code or a place she felt obliged to wear makeup. And also, the closest swanky restaurant was miles away at a beach resort. We would probably spend more time on the road than at the swanky place. Not the best use of our time, we decided. So, we raid the fridge and pack a picnic.

I suggest that we take my car, but Rita said it would be more fun to cycle. I leave Rita packing the cheese and tomato sandwiches in daypacks, while I go out to the barn to ask Dylan if I can borrow one of his bikes. He disappears for a moment then wheels out a sturdy-framed mountain bike for me with big thick tires.

“This one should be a good fit for you.”

“Yup, looks great.” I climb on and ride a circle around the yard. “Even the brakes work.”

“Sorry, bud,” Dylan says with mock regret. “I’m too busy to come along with you and Rita on your romantic bike ride picnic.”

“Well, Dylan. You’re not invited.” I climb off the bike. “Thanks for the bike, but three’s a crowd today.”

“I guessed as much,” says Dylan play-punching me. “I’ll see you later. Have fun.”

I scoot upstairs to change out of jeans and into some shorts. I grab a towel, then go back downstairs to the kitchen, expecting to see Rita, but she’s not there. I leave my towel on the kitchen table, then check the hallway. No one’s around. I quickly open the top drawer and take out the ring box which I manage to tuck in my pocket a split-second before Rita comes in.

“Hey, I can’t believe that you’re ready before me,” she says encircling my waist in her arms.

“Why are you so surprised?” I turn, awkwardly, to hug her, conscious of the ring box in my pocket. “I’m super speedy.”

“I don’t know.” Rita smiles up at me. “I just thought I would be waiting for you, rather than the other way around.” She releases her hold and walks to the sink where she fills up the water bottles. “Were you looking for something?”

“No. What makes you say that?” I slowly take the small velvet covered cube out of my shorts with one hand while reaching for my towel with the other.

“There’s nothing in that drawer,” Rita says over her shoulder.

“Oh, right,” I say, nervously. “Ha. No. I was just being nosy.” I hide the ring box in the folds of the towel then bundle it into one of the daypacks.

Rita laughs at me. “Come on, let’s get going.” She picks up the other daypack and slings it on her shoulder. “Do you want to go to the swimming hole?” She says, her eyes shining. “We can stay all day.”

“Sounds blissful.”

We jump on the bikes and cruise down side streets, avoiding the town center where reporters and cameras could still be lying in wait. We pedal around the quieter streets to the outskirts, where a farm track leads to the park access road. I’m pretty sure no one spotted me on the bike. If anyone was out looking for me, they would surely be looking for my car.

The access road narrows to a bumpy dirt track flanked by wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs, which leads to the river. We used to ride this route as kids. I know it like the back of my hand and could almost navigate blindfolded. The sun beats down and I am eager for a swim. Rita is ahead of me. She jumps off her bike and leans it up against a tree. I chain the bikes together, just in case, then we walk hand in hand to the riverbank.

It’s so peaceful. We sit side by side for a few moments just listening and absorbing nature. I notice how many white daisies there are, like a flower map of the stars, in the lush green grass. This is the exact place where I kissed Rita the day before. My heart fills with anticipation as I pull Rita to me. I lean in for more of the bliss I remember. But, although she kisses me back, it’s not the kind of kiss I’m expecting. I was going in for full, swoony, mouth-on-mouth contact while she responds with a bird-like peck. The kind of kiss reserved for aged aunts, not for the love of your life. I’m disappointed and perplexed.

“Everything okay?” I inquire gently.

“Absolutely! Gosh yes. Here we are at the river. It’s a beautiful day.” Rita jumps up and takes off her t-shirt. “And I’m getting in.”

“Alright, me too!” I race to the water’s edge, peeling my shirt over my head. I toss it on the ground and dive in. Rita dives in too and we splash around enjoying the cool refreshing river. I hold Rita, treading water, and kiss her, then she playfully pushes my head under and swims away. She’s on the bank before I catch her. I watch as she wrings out her hair and laughs.

I float on my back in the middle of the flow looking straight up at the endless blue sky. What if I stay here? What if I don’t go back to Boston? Would I miss playing football? Absolutely. But there are other things I could be good at too. Football has been my life so far. Maybe it’s time for a change. I definitely don’t want to be the old guy on the team. It’s a hard sport. Injuries happen. And an old body has less bounce-back and takes longer to heal. I’m not too old yet, but in a few years, I will be. Isn’t it better to quit when you’re at your peak? It will be hard to walk away. And I’ll need to serve out my contract. I look at Rita. She’s relaxing on her towel and blows me a kiss. There’s no real decision I need to make. My mind is made up by how I feel. I want to be with her. And if Rita is here, then that’s where I’ll be too.

I swim back to the bank and climb out. Rita has unpacked the picnic and has laid out the containers of chips and sandwiches on the blanket. She looks so happy and incredibly pretty. I sit down next to her and reach for my bag. My heart pounds because the time has come. I’m going to tell her how I feel, ask her to marry me, and give her the ring. I need her to know we’re together for keeps. That’s my dream now.

As I unzip my daypack, my plans for a romantic proposal are dashed by shouts in the distance followed by the arrival of two adults and four raucous children. The parents wave hello and comment on the lovely day and peaceful spot.

“Hey, there,” says Rita passing me a sandwich. “Yes. It is.” I nod a greeting and try to smile.

The man, then says in a loud whisper to his wife, “Don’t look now, Brenda, but I think that’s Brodie Kent. No! I said not to look.”

Rita and I pretend not to have overheard the couple’s conversation. We look at each other and shrug. What can we do? The kids squeal, jump in the water with inflatable toys, and splash around, squealing. I’m not hungry anymore. The romantic moment has gone. I’m on edge. I wish the family would go away, but like us, they have a picnic and look as if they will be here all day. And who could blame them? It’s a beautiful spot. But still, I’m trying not to be annoyed. I don’t want to ruin these few precious hours with Rita by being uptight. So, I put the ring out of my mind and relax back on the grass, stretching my arms over my head.

Chapter 27

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