Page 86 of Blade
15 Years Later
“Look at us. Relaxing in Hawaii like we don’t have a care in the world.” Robert leaned back in the cushy lounge chair and gazed into the South Pacific Ocean. “Did you ever think we’d still be so close after all these years?”
“Of course, bro.” Manny sipped a fruity mixed drink served in a coconut. “You’re my number one man.”
“Back atcha.” Robert air toasted his best friend with a Corona. “We’ve been through it all. Together. I can always rely on you through thick and thin. In case I don’t say it enough, thanks for always being there, Manny.”
“You too. Other people come and go, but friendships like ours last above and beyond the pitfalls. That’s what best buds are for.” Manny looked into the distance, less-than-pleasant thoughts muddying his dark eyes. “We’ve been through a crisis or two, that’s for damn sure.”
A heaviness like the weight of an elephant fell on Robert’s chest. He knew exactly what Manny was referring to. Divorce. It was a bitch. “Hopefully, all the bad shit is behind us and everything from now on will be nothing but rainbows and sunshine.”
“Damn right.” Manny leaned over and squeezed Robert’s forearm for emphasis.
Two beautiful native ladies dressed in authentic hula garments walked through the pristine white sand to hand them fresh drinks.
“Thank you,” Manny said, a wide smile brightening his face.
Robert simply nodded and threw a twenty on the little serving tray one of them carried.
“Ahh,” Manny sighed. “This is the life. I don’t think it can get any better than sitting here in paradise next to you, brother.”
“Excuse me? What was that?” Hope asked, playfully, as she headed toward Manny from the shoreline. She picked up a towel and pressed it to her neck to soak up the dripping water. “Sitting next to your best friend is better than sitting next to your wife on your anniversary?”
“Um.” Manny smiled, innocently. “No. No one compares to you, baby.” He shot a glance in Robert’s direction. “Sorry, bro.” He tugged on Hope’s arm and pulled her down for a kiss that showcased how much they loved one another.
Robert watched the two, a smile on his lips and warmth in his heart for his favorite couple. Manny and Hope had dated briefly when they first met, split up, and then reconnected five years ago after Manny went through a horrible divorce. They were still enjoying marital bliss, so it felt a little weird joining them on their anniversary vacation. But they credited Robert with bringing them back together, so they insisted.
A gorgeous blond, with legs to die for, emerged from the ocean, stealing Robert’s attention. Water glided over her sculpted body while her turquoise bikini shimmered under the summer sun. She looked like a mermaid walking on land. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and he was captivated. “Hello, gorgeous.”
“Hello, yourself.” Amber leaned over, cupped his face in her hands and kissed him breathless.
After 14 years of marriage, she still rocked his world.
“You’re looking very handsome with that deep suntan,” she commented, eyeing him salaciously.
“Look who’s talking.” He waggled his eyebrows and grinned as his gaze traveled over her perfect body.
She gave him another quick peck, a smile on her sweetheart lips, and then pulled a coverup over her head.
Disappointed at being robbed of the sexy view, Robert clucked his tongue. “You’re no fun.”
“Neither is skin cancer.” She adjusted the umbrella so it blocked the sun before sitting in the lounge chair next to him.
Hope laughed at her friend’s comment. “Always the doctor.”
“It’s true,” Amber replied. “You two shouldn’t be in the blaring sun either.” She looked down at Robert’s knee. “And you shouldn’t be getting sun on that. I don’t care if it’s mature. The skin will always be vulnerable.”
Robert fingered the thick white scar that ended his football career at 37. He knew he was lucky to have so many years in the sport, but he still mourned the finality of it. Coach probably took it the hardest. The man had tears in his eyes when Robert announced his retirement.
“They’ll never be another one like you in the NFL,” Coach had said at the time, and continues to say the same thing to this day. At 69 years old, the man is still doing what he loves with no sign of slowing down.
Robert’s dad, on the other hand, took Robert’s retirement completely in stride. He actually looked relieved, which shocked the hell out of Robert.
“I’m just glad that you can still walk. You took a tremendous fall,” his dad had said. “Your health and well-being are all I care about.”
They subsequently bonded over golf, of all things, which alleviated Robert’s fear of what would happen to their relationship once his football career was over. On a whim, his dad had invited Robert, Tommy, and Angel to play a round at the local golf course, something none of them ever tried before. Angel immediately excelled at the sport, Tommy showed no interest and goofed off the entire time, but Robert took a liking to it. Now he plays golf with his dad once a week.
Amber, of course, had the exact same reaction to Robert’s retirement as his dad. She only worried about the repercussions of his injury and what football had put his body through. If it wasn’t for her expert and state-of-the-art innovative treatment, his leg may not have healed so well. Not only did he tear his ACL in the game that did him in, but he fractured his fibula as well.
Robert was somewhat prepared for the end of his career, but it still destroyed him. It wasn’t the injury that crushed his spirits, it was not knowing what to do with the rest of his life that plagued him. But the offers started pouring in. He ended up taking a position as a broadcaster on a major sports network, which enabled him to spend more time at home, and he cherished every moment. In addition to that sweet gig, he picked up a ton of additional endorsements.
Biscuit was now the resident old lady in the house and content to sleep most of the day. At 19 pounds, Panther, the once tiny kitten, really grew into his name and barely slowed down. It was probably the addition of two new kitties five years ago that rejuvenated the maniac. Yep. They had four cats now and were officially crazy cat people.
Naturally, their growing family necessitated a larger home. Amber never got the ten-thousand-square-foot mansion she joked about, but their sizable estate was close, and it had a huge inground pool. She didn’t get the yacht either, but they had a 35-foot boat. They never opened an animal sanctuary, but they did donate a large sum of money to the rescue where they adopted the cats from, which provided an expansive piece of property so it could accommodate more homeless dogs and cats. And he never gave Amber the half dozen kids he promised her. Marty was 11, Victoria was 9, Mia was 6, and Jack was 3. But they still had plenty of time left, and he planned on playing catch-up as soon as they got back to the hotel suite.
