Page 17 of Learning to Love

Sam finishes chewing, swallows and takes a sip of his wine. Corey looks into the distance, as if he’s wishing to be as far away from this place as possible.

But Sam’s right here, right now, and he’s furious. "Corey was talking shit, yet again, about my relationship with Ellie. I won't have it, more so not in your house."

Sam's words make me feel small. Corey is such an important part of his life. Most weeks he sees him more than me. On one hand, I would hate to be the reason he'd lose a friend and sailing partner. On the other hand, what if Corey's planting doubts in Sam's mind about me, about us?

Tayla looks Corey straight in the eye, leveling a challenge. "Well mate, you can fuck right off. You don't come to our house, eat our food, and dick us about with your I'm-better-than-you attitude."

Corey seems to realize he's been out of line, rubbing his chin and gazing downwards. "Sorry, ladies. I've had a very difficult day, and I'm still sore. Probably best to go home and have a rest. We have a big day again tomorrow. The food’s really delicious, though.” He gets up from the table.

Sam gets up with him, shaking his head at his friend.

We walk to the door, and I'm still shell-shocked by what happened. It was supposed to be the start of a great friendship, at least that's what I'd imagined. Now it's painfully obvious Corey wants me out of Sam's life.

Sam sidles up next to me and pulls me around the corner, away from everyone. “I’m his ride, but I don’t have to be. I’ll tell him to call an Uber.”

It’s tempting. Knowing what Corey thinks about me, I don’t want Sam cozied up with the other man for any amount of time. But I won’t put a further rift between them. That certainly wouldn’t win him over. “No. It’s okay. Take him home. Try to mend things. If you can.” I kiss him on the cheek, squeeze him tight. “I’ll see you later.”

Sam embraces me and kisses me again, only for the second time tonight. He whispers in my ear, "I'm sorry. I can't stay tonight. More training early in the morning. We'll speak tomorrow, then I'll see you on Saturday. We need to plan something nice together."

As Sam's car pulls away from our driveway, I blow him a kiss, and he smiles back at me. I wonder if Corey will succeed at breaking us apart, or will we go the distance. A shiver runs right through me, and I close the front door, and help Tayla tidy up.

Chapter 8

Ellie

By the time Saturday morning comes around, I haven’t seen Sam for a few days, but it feels like an eternity. The more he goes away, the more I miss him. I guess that’s the curse of the one left behind. He goes away on his adventures at sea, and I always stay back. A bit like moving to Matakana in the country, and all my friends staying behind in the hustle and bustle of Auckland. I'm also terrified about him thinking I'm too needy. A hot sports star's needy girlfriend. Sounds … frightening. In his shoes, I'd run a mile.

In school I learned about the myth of Odysseus and Penelope, and how she weaved when he was away, and I thought to myself, how ridiculous. why would she wait for him? Now I can see why.Love. Penelope loved Odysseus so much, she waited for him. I wonder if I’m strong enough to do the same.

I’ve kept our relationship quiet so far. Tayla is the only one in my tight knit circle who knows I’m dating Sam. I haven’t even told my parents yet that I’m seeing somebody. It’s only been a couple of months, but with Christmas in a few weeks, I’m curious what will happen. Will Sam visit his family, and I’ll visit mine, and then we’ll see each other at New Year’s?

Sam told me to get ready for a hike and swim today, so I’m wearing a two-piece swimsuit under shorts, a tank top, sneakers, and a whole heap of sunscreen. I have no inkling of where he wants to take us today. Tayla thinks it’s one of the West Coast beaches, with their wild untamed beauty. Unfortunately, the area is off limits for dogs because the native birds sett up their nests there, so my sweet Daisy stays behind today.

Sam’s car pulls into our driveway, and I slip away before Daisy wakes up the whole neighborhood. I get into his car, drop my backpack, and lean in for a kiss. In a second our kiss deepens, and it feels like his hands touch as much of me as they can. I’ve missed him so much. I sigh and lean back in my seat.

He takes hold of my hand. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too. Glad to see your hand is better.” I trail kisses on his hand and calloused palm. “Where are we going today?”

He takes off his sunglasses and looks at me with the heat of a thousand suns. That smile of his lights up my day. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

We’re on our way, and I take the time to really look at him. He’s still the same Sam, scruffy cropped auburn hair and five o’clock stubble. He’s dressed all in black—shorts, t-shirt, cap and sneakers. We haven’t talked about what happened with Corey since that disastrous dinner on Wednesday, and I know they went sailing together on Thursday and Friday while the boat was being fixed.

“How’s Corey?” I ask, unable not to. I place a hand on Sam’s leg, as if to remind myself I’m indeednotjealous of the guy who’s known him for longer and spends much more time with him. Oh, and hates my guts for some reason or another.

“He’s well. Had a good time training together. No news really.”

Sam delivers the information so evenly, without an ounce of emotion, that I’m left with so many questions. Did they reach a truce? Did Corey succeed in changing his mind, making him care less? I don’t detect any change in his demeanor towards me, so I guess it’s good news for me. I don’t want to battle with Corey. He’s such a big part of Sam’s life that we need to get on if Sam and I are going to make this work. Important as it is, though, I don’t want to think about how to get closer to Corey right now.

Sam starts the journey out West. Tayla was right. She’ll be pleased when she finds out.

We make small talk about my work, his team, what the weather has in store for us, then he makes a sharp turn down an unsealed road.

“Gosh, thank goodness we’re in your car. My car wouldn’t have made it one mile down this road,” I joke as pebbles and dust rise around us, almost completely obliterating visibility.

Sam looks so calm and collected, like he's gliding on water. We reach the end of the road, and I see a walkway through the native rainforest. Large ferns, Cabbage trees, and giant Kauri trees over twenty-five feet tall, loom over us.

We grab our backpacks and leave the car behind. This trail is unfamiliar to me, but I don't feel any fear walking by Sam's side. As we walk, we listen for bird calls local to New Zealand. It's cool but humid under the vast canopy. Sam moves with ease, his long limbs stepping over rocks and logs. I struggle a bit, but his steadying hand is always there to help me.

---