Page 36 of My Anchor (Trio Series 1)

It is finally summer once again and we are taking a trip to Six Flags like a bunch of thirteen-year-olds. Brinn has driven over to come with us, us being Shana, Cristal, Dez, and Rick. I'm ready for a fun filled day of sun and rides. Rick and I are still fooling around I'm really not sure about Dez and Cristal. She keeps telling me they are just friends but I see the way he looks at her and it is anything but friendship.

It’s a few hours drive there so we came down the night before and got a hotel room so we could hit the rides hard in the morning. I am a die hard coaster rider hopefully I will have a partner.

“How are you doing sweetheart?” Brinn asks me while we are eating our continental breakfast waiting for everyone to finish getting ready.

“I'm good mom,” I say with a small smile.

“You miss him, don't you? Now I never did meet the guy but I could tell how much you cared for him through what Cristal told me.” She takes a bite of her muffin and continues. “Have you talked to him at all?”

“No, I haven't seen or heard from him since that day. Relationships are too damn hard and they hurt so much, it’s just not what I want.” I lie.

“Did I ever tell you about the boy I met before I had Cristal?” I shake my head. I really don't know much about Cristal's dad. Let alone the guy before him. “Well I was seventeen and he was eighteen, a friend of Cristal's father actually. I was new in school and he wasted no time befriending me. That whole year we were inseparable then he thought I was flirting with his friends and got mad, quit talking to me for a week. Yes, childish I know but that is what we were, kids. Well, Cristal's father swooped in while we were having our spat and then I wound up pregnant. Needless to say, things between us were over and I stayed with Cristal's dad.” She sighs. “What I'm trying to say is you need to figure everything out before you move on. Make sure it is over before it really is over.”

“Are you saying Rick…” I question.

“Oh no dear Rick is a great guy, but just not your guy. Just talk to him before it is too late and he moves on.” Before he moves on… I never once thought of him being with someone else. It actually makes me sick. What would he think of me with Rick?

“I don't know mom I really think it could be over for good. I never once thought of us finding our way back to each other again. I'm sure he has already moved on anyway, as have I.” I am lying to myself and to mom but really to think of the possibility of being with Lee again gives me false hope that I really don't think I can live with.

“It’s not over until it is dear.” That makes real sense. “How do you feel about him?”

“Rick?” she shakes her head.

“No. Lee. How do you feel about Lee?” About Lee… I'm quiet for a bit then decide to answer truthfully.

“I love him, mom. We have had some issues but when I would shut down he was understanding. When I would break down he was there to pull me back, holding me in one place when my mind was trying to make me go everywhere else. He was my…” I say the last looking at the bracelet he gave me barely holding my tears in that are threating to spill out.

“Your anchor?” a nod is all I can manage and the tears drop. “Then you need to talk to him, just at least once more sweet girl. Please, for me? Give an old woman a happy ending for one of her girls.” This makes me smile.

“You aren't old and hey Cristal is on her way to a happy ending. You have seen Dez haven't you?” I ask her wiping my tears away. This makes her balk a little. What is that about?

“He seems like a nice boy but I don't know about him and my baby girl. Reminds me too much of her father.” That sounded a little judgmental.

“You never do talk much about him.”

“Stories for another time. Are you ready to go? Maybe the slowpokes are done getting ready by now.” Put a pin in it for later I guess.

“Yes, I'm ready to get my coaster on.”

I have hit every coaster the place has to offer and surprisingly Dez is just as much of a coaster fan as I am. We are waiting on a picnic table eating funnel cakes. The line is long for the tube ride everyone else is going on and we decided we needed a break. So I take my opportunity to grill the man.

“What’s going on with you and Cris?” I ask, catching him off guard.

“You know I have been waiting all day for you to ask me that but it still caught me by surprise.” I give him a look that says ‘well’.

“Out with it boy.”

“Boy? What are you like four years younger than me?” He laughs. “Well, what’s going with us? I really don't know. Why don't you ask her?” I take a sip of my lemonade.

“She won't tell me shit. So out with it.”

“I'm crazy about the girl but something is holding her back. She just wants to be friends, and I would rather be her friend than not have in her my life at all.” Sappy, but sweet.

“Has she told you anything about her past?” I test the waters, unsure of what she has said to him.

“I did her tattoo, remember? I know something happened but no she hasn't said anything as to how it got there. I can only imagine. I get sick just thinking of someone hurting her in that way. I will kill the person if I ever see them.” Too late for that, I think to myself.

“Well just give it time. The girl has been through a lot. More than either me or Shane has, but I don't think I have to tell you she is totally worth it.” I get a grin out of him.

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