Page 36 of All In
Tink.
I wait. Nothing.
I toss another one.
Tink.
Nothing.
I try again.
Tink.
This time, I decide to wait and see if anything happens. I look around to the darkened back yards that surround me, making sure none of the neighbors are watching. My breaths are heavy with adrenaline. I look down at my palm and stare at the two pebbles I have left, turning them as I think.
If she doesn’t answer after these two, I will walk away. Forever.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I throw my arm back and toss the next pebble with a little more force this time.
TINK.
Finally, the curtain shifts, and my stomach erupts with nerves. A silhouette comes into view, so I take a few steps backward. The curtains open, followed by the window, and it’s her.
She balances herself with her hands on the window seal. “Sam?”
I can’t help but smile because, my God, this actually worked. And she looks stunning. I haven’t seen her since Dexter’s. She never changes.
“What in the world are you doing?” she yells down in a whisper.
“Maria, please come outside so we can talk.”
“Sam, I can’t,” she looks at her ring. “I’m getting married tomorrow.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here. Please,” I plead, “you owe me an explanation.”
Looking down at me, her eyebrows pinch together. “You’re right. I do. Give me five minutes and meet me in the shed. It’s unlocked.” With that, she shuts the window and disappears.
I turn around and make my way to the shed that rests at the back of the yard. With a shaking hand, I grab the handle to the door, and it creaks open. On heavy feet, I step in, and the smell of grass and mildew assaults my nose. I know exactly where the light is, so I look ahead and the string hangs from thelight bulb on the ceiling. I tug it, and light fills the space. It looks the exact same from what I remember. And it’s the memories that are making me unsteady on my feet. This used to be Maria’s and my make-out spot. We would sneak in here sometimes … okay, a lot of times … and with roaming hormonal teenage hands, we would get lost in each other.
The sound of her approaching pulls me from my thoughts. She steps in and closes the door behind her, immediately filling the small space with a thick humidity. I watch her every movement and try to memorize it all since I don’t know if this will be the last time I see her. Her hair is in a high ponytail, she’s wearing a white t-shirt and navy-blue pajama shorts, no make-up. She’s never looked more beautiful.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been in here.” It comes out rough and husky. I know she is thinking about the past just as much as me.
A sly smile creeps on her face, and her cheeks turn pink. “Those were some good times.”
We both stand there glancing around the space, trying not to look at one another. Neither of us sure where to start. Since I’m the one that showed up at her window, I guess I should say something.
“What happened, Maria?” I ask, the question coming out in a whisper. “Please tell me the truth.”
She looks down at the steel floor, not wanting to make eye contact.
She shakes her head and turns on her heels. “I can’t do this.” But before she walks away, I grab her wrist and pull her to me. Under my grasp is the watch I gave her.
She still wears it.
I wipe the thought from my head as my hands land on her arms, and I hold her tightly, but not too tight. Inches separate us, tears begin rolling down her cheeks.
“Fine. You don’t have to tell me because I think I already know. But I have a few things to say.” She nods, and I let go of my grasp. With a sniff, she uses her hand to hastily brush away her tears. “Don’t do this, Maria. Please don’t. I loveyou and I know you love me.” She sucks in a breath as her eyes pierce me, full of pain, her brows furrowed.
