Forever His & His Ghost

Chapter 15: A Walk on the Beach and an Old Friend

       The rest of our junior year went much like the beginning, even after the Christmas hiccup with his family. Rosa and Trey were still in town, but they left me alone and I barely seen either of them. My mom was pretty lax with the time I spent with Jaxon, she didn't say much if I stayed the night with him, she always said it was better than us sneaking out and she knew I was safe with him. It also helped that when I wasn't home, I couldn't get beat by my sister, so the rest of the Junior year went by with very little bruises, thank goodness. I thought Jaxon would try to push me away realizing that we only had another year before things changed, but we only got closer.

       A week before summer break, mom and dad presented me with a trip to LA. Turns out they hadn't sold the condo, they only used it for timeshares, bringing in a pretty good side income. My gift was for me, Preston, Marie and if I wanted to bring Jaxon I could. Honestly, I couldn't wait to go back and spend two weeks on the beach, I didn't care if I did anything but sleep on the balcony under the ocean breeze and spend the day either by the pool or in the water.

     The Saturday after our last day of school for our junior year, Jaxon picked me up super early. We were going on a picnic, and I was so excited, I loved it when he had his romantic moments. Oh, who am I kidding, he was totally my Prince Charming.

      The morning sun came up over the mountains and slowly started to kiss our skin, as we were stretched out on a blanket in our look out spot where we shared our first kiss. He was on his back with his legs crossed, one arm behind his head, and the other on my back rubbing small circles, as I laid my head on his chest and threw my leg over him. His eyes were closed, and I swear that smile was permanently engraved on that beautiful face.

     "Jaxon?" I whispered and put my chin on his chest so I could stare at his face. He only hummed in response never losing rhythm of circles he was drawing on my back. "Want to go to LA with me for two weeks?"

     His hand stopped and he opened one eye to look down at me, "Are you serious?"

     I nodded my head and gave him a smile. "Mom and dad surprised me with an early birthday present. They didn't sale the condo, so we will be staying there, and it's right on the beach. And it's just me, you, Marie and Preston going."

     "When?" His eyes were closed again, but his face was stoic, and I couldn't read what he was thinking.

     "Fly out Monday."

     I felt him freeze under me, "Skyla honey can you change the dates?"

    "No, mom and dad have the condo on time share, and those are the only dates available this year. If you can't or don't want to go, it's okay. I understand."

     He took a deep breath, "It's not that. Have a few things I have to do beginning of the week, but how about you leave me all the info, and if I get everything done, I will be there."

      I couldn't help the little bit of pain that hammered at my heart, but I knew he had a life, he had things to do that don't always revolve around me, I couldn't hold it against him. "Sounds good. I will text you the info." He just nodded and we spent the rest of the morning in total silence.

     The rest of the weekend was kind of silent to be honest.

      "Marie, can you believe we are doing this?" We squealed holding hands and jumping around and around in circles in front of the airport, while the LA sun shone down on us.

      "Sheesh girls, come on." Preston shewed flagging down a cab.

      "Oh, come on bub, you got to be excited about being back in the city." I took a deep breath and almost gagged. "You know all the pollution and everything."

      We all three laughed climbing in the cab and giving him our destination. The ride was silent, and I kept my forehead on the glass. I was so looking forward to this trip, but it didn't feel right without Jaxon. It didn't help that I hadn't seen him since he dropped me off Saturday afternoon. I had never gone this long without seeing him, and he had not called and only texted twice. Something wasn't right, but I am probably just overthinking it, I know he had some things to take care of, that must have been what he was doing.

      "We are here." Preston said jumping out and offering his hand to Marie. I just rolled my eyes grabbing my bag and paying the cabby. "Home sweet home." Preston smiled opening the condo door.

       It was just like I remembered, the furniture all the same, the only thing missing was our personal items. I drug my suitcase to my old room in silence and flopped down on the bed in front of the large floor to ceiling window that faced the ocean. I missed this place, I sighed, no I missed Jaxon.

     "Oh my gosh, you grew up here. I am so jealous!" Marie screamed as she jumped on the bed beside me, almost bouncing me off.

     "Pretty sweet huh?" I asked, staring at the ceiling.

     "It is, but why is Jaxon not here?" I knew she was going to ask that.

     I sat up and ran my fingers through my hair, "Well he said that he had some things to do, and he would come if he got them done. But the thing is, I haven't seen him since Saturday afternoon, and he has only texted twice and called once." I flopped back again, "I think there is something wrong and I am losing him."

     "Maybe he is bored, have you given it up yet?" I smacked her shoulder and she giggled. "Girl that boy is head over heels for you, you could probably keep them legs together for the rest of your life and you would still have him whooped." I slapped her again and she just laughed. I knew I wanted him to be my first, the time just had to be right, and it hasn't been there yet.

     "Marie, I just want it to be right, you know? And so far with all the drama, it seems it hasn't been right."

     "I get it." She sat up and walked to the door, before turning to face me. "Just promise me, you won't let him break you. Promise me, you will stay afloat, no man is worth being broken for." She gave me a wink and left.

     "He is," I mumbled to myself.

     I opened my eyes to the room filled with darkness. I looked around remembering I am in LA. I must have fell asleep. I picked my phone up and nothing, should I, or shouldn't I? Going against my better judgement I picked the phone up and snapped a quick selfie of me smiling.

ME: Here's to wishing you were with me, I love you.

      I hit send with my message and picture. I checked and waited another five minutes for him to reply after it showed it delivered. And nothing. I tossed the phone on the bed and walked downstairs where I found Marie and Preston curled up on the couch watching something on TV.

      "What's for dinner?" I asked while walking to the kitchen.

    "Chinese, I ordered from Won Cho's." Preston said over his shoulder.

     I found the paper box that was mine, a set of chopsticks and took a seat in the lounger in the living room. "My favorite." I smiled digging in.

     "I know." Preston chuckled. He was quiet for a moment. "He wants to see you."

      I dropped the chopsticks; I knew who he was talking about. "I have enough boy drama right now; Isaac is not part of the deal. I can't do it."

      "That's what I told him, he said you have three days, if you don't come to see or talk to him in three days, then he is coming after you." He gives me his look. "And you and I both know he will."

      I gulped, "Okay, tell him I will come see him tomorrow evening." Preston nodded and we spent the rest of the evening watching, Baywatch. Yea, not my brother's finest moment with a pretty girl tucked under his arm, but who cares, I guess. She didn't argue, so who was I to.

     The night went by and no reply to my text, the next morning came, no reply, by afternoon I was getting desperate, I called. He just sent my call straight to voicemail. I was pissed, no I was beyond that, what ever that was. I slipped a pair of cut offs on, a white tank top, left my shoes behind and made my way to the sand. My favorite part is where the water meets the sand. I hadn't even realized how far I had walked down the beach until I heard my name being hollered. I stopped for a minute and turned to look where it was coming from and then facepalmed suddenly remembering, there was a reason Isaac was the boy next door.

       "Hi Isaac." I can be civil. I know I can. I do miss my friend.

      "How are you?" He asked as he jogged over to me. I took a minute to take him in. Getting almost two years older has done his body good. His white button up shirt was unbuttoned hanging loosely against his bronze abs. The khaki shorts framed his legs perfectly. His hair was a bit longer now and the curls were really showing themselves. His eyes seemed to be a brighter blue and even his smile seemed to shine brighter.

       I snapped out of it, "I am good. So how is Hollywood's newest Playboy."

      He scratched the back of his neck, "Yea about that. I figured that's why you didn't call me or come to the opening or return any of my texts."

     I pointed my finger in his rock-hard chest, "We decided we would wait for each other. And I move away, not even gone six months and you are already all over the front page of the paper as, boy next door, turned Hollywood Playboy overnight, or something like that."

     He laughed and then I did too, before he caught his breath. "There's my Skyla I know and love."

    "I've been better." I finally admitted.

    "Why what's up? Who do I need to whoop?"

     I plopped my butt down in the sand pulling my knees to my chest and he took a seat next to me, "You want to know, truly?" He just nodded and I proceeded to tell him about Jaxon. I left out most the drama, well other than telling him from Saturday till now.

     "Skyla, can I be honest?" I nodded for him to continue. "You have always been my best friend, honestly I thought we would end up together for life," he knocked into my shoulder causing me to give him a small smile. "But sounds like you love this guy, and from what you say he does you too. But don't let him play games with your heart. Don't let him break the person you are, you truly have no idea how precious you are." I probably should have felt uncomfortable him talking to me like that, but I didn't, it felt like old times, all the time me and him just spent talking about nothing and everything. "So, I am going to change the subject." He gets quiet for a moment staring out over the ocean as the sun had just gone down and just a slight show of the orange hue was left lingering on the water's edge. "The night that picture was taken was one of the worse nights of my life. We had been to a party, and you know me, I was never a drinker, but I cave easy to peer pressure. So, I drank, I drank way too much. I don't even know who that girl is, nor do I remember that picture being taken. I tried to track her down, but just as she showed up, she was gone without a trace. I promise there hasn't been anyone else. And I know you are involved with someone, but I am still holding out, you will come back to me." He laughed nervously.

      "You are a heck of a guy Isaac. And a year ago, I might have seen myself doing that, but to be honest my heart and soul belong to someone else. But I know your other half is out there waiting somewhere."

     He glanced over our shoulder and then gave me a smile, and I smiled back. "Well, I got to go, holler at me before you leave." I nodded as he kissed my cheek, which I found weird but just brushed it off, and he got up and left.

     I sat there staring out into the ocean waves, thinking where my life has taken me over the last two years, and where will I end up. Should I take Isaac up on his offer, should I fight for Jaxon and whatever is going on in his life right now? I shook my head placing my forehead on my knees and practiced my breathing techniques. When I lifted my head up, I noticed the lights in the beach condo's starting to turn off and I got up and made my way back to ours.

      When I crept through the back door, I couldn't help but smile at Marie and Preston curled up on the couch asleep, with Preston holding Marie like she was the most fragile thing in the world. How cool would that be, if she was my sister-n-law?

      I eased upstairs and checked my phone, nothing, no text, no call, no social media posts, nothing. I turned my phone off and tucked it in the bottom of my luggage bag. Fine, if he doesn't want to talk, then I am not going to make him. He is the one who came after me in the first place.