Isaac

My flight from Ghana gets in late, and by the time I arrive at Malcolm Estate, Gran is fast asleep. We had planned to eat dinner together. I warm up a plate of delicious-looking leftovers and shovel the food down. The food tastes amazing. I've sorely missed Gran's cooking.

Staggering to bed, I pass out with my clothes still on.

The next morning, I am stiff from my cramped flight home. A hot shower loosens my muscles. While in the shower, I make a mental note to check in on the repairs to her house later today. I dress and jump on the SilentHawk. Once the contest is over, David's making me give it back, so I'm using it right up until the last possible minute. I do love my new car, but sometimes a car feels so closed in. I like the freedom of the SilentHawk, with the sun on my back and breeze on my face.

As I ride to Solaire, my thoughts turn toward Beth. And Sophie. It seems so long since I've seen either of them, although it's less than two weeks. Every time my thoughts turn in that direction, I realize what a mess I've made of things. Beth will never forgive me if I break up with Sophie while she's still recovering from the dog attack, and I can't continue to lead Sophie on. I think that will only make things worse. It seems we are at a standstill.

I arrive at Solaire and go inside. As I walk by the break room, I glance over and notice Beth is standing there, facing away from me. I stop in my tracks, floored by her beauty. That's the girl I want. It's the only girl I want. Ever since I met her, I think I've known it.

I walk toward her.

"Peter!" she says as she turns to me with a bright smile. Her smile turns to confusion as she registers it's me. My heart sinks and I feel sick to my stomach. What the hell? Peter's here?

"Oh, hello, Isaac. How was your trip?" Beth asks.

"Fine." Until now. "So, you're expecting Peter?"

"Yes. He's been working with me on my video edits," she says.

That makes sense. What doesn't make sense is Beth's bright smile. I know I've made some mistakes with Beth, but I thought I had time to fix them. Would she move on so quickly to Peter? You don't get over someone you've loved your whole life so quickly.

"Gran's been asking about you," I say. "She asked me to invite you over for dinner tonight."

"I would love to, but ..."

"Beth, love. You wouldn't believe it. I pulled a few strings and snagged us Coldplay tickets for tonight," Peter says, handing them to her. "Great seats, too. Near the front."

Beth, love? Seems to me like there's a lot more going on here than just video edits.

"Peter, you remember Isaac, don't you?"

"Sure! You were in Africa, right? How's your girlfriend doing?"

I force myself to smile, but I don't feel it inside.

"Recovering," I say.

"Beth, I have tremendous news. I heard back from my mortgage lender and I have a preapproval on the house. Do you think I could swing by and check it out sometime this week?"

"You'll need to ask Isaac about that," Beth says, looking uncomfortable. "He and his grandmother are renting Malcolm Estate so they can finish up the repairs on her house."

This news rocks me to the core. Peter is planning to buy Beth's house? He's making his intentions clear then. No doubt he knows she loves that house. He might even be using it as leverage to draw her in.

"You're selling?" I ask Beth.

"Father and Mariah told me after you left for Africa. The sale won't go through until the end of the summer, though, possibly even later, right Peter? I did tell you it might only be available for the summer."

"I'm in no rush," Peter says. "If you and your grandmother need a few extra months in there to finish up the repairs on her house, just let me know. Although, I don't want to wait too long." He says, gazing down at Beth and stroking her hand.

She's blushing, dammit! How could so much change in just two short weeks?

The tension in the room is thick. I clear my throat.

"I'll leave you two alone. I need to catch up with David."

I turn my back on them and stalk out.

"Isaac, wait," I hear Beth say. "Did you need to talk to me about something?"

"Not anymore."

I flee to the sanctuary of David's office, fuming the entire way. What had Peter been to her in the past? What was he to her now? Had she really forgotten me so quickly, swept away by Coldplay tickets and who knows what else? I need to talk to her so badly, need to tell her about my time in Africa. If only Sophie hadn't been attacked by that German Shepherd. I could have let her know we weren't dating earlier and reconnected with Beth before I left. It looks like I'm too late. Beth has already moved on.

When I get to his office, David is staring listlessly out the window. He looks tired and rundown, not at all like my happy-go-lucky friend.

"How was the trip?" David asks.

"It's good to be back."

"I bet. I don't envy you that flight home."

"You shouldn't. My back is still sore. Is it just me? Is it just me, or is the airline food getting crappier with every flight?"

"I don't think it's just you," David says. "So, you and Beth, eh? She told me about your little fling in college."

Fling? That doesn't sound like a word Beth would use. Maybe that's just David's interpretation.

"Yeah, we were together. I saw her in the break room with Peter. Just how serious are those two?"

"Just how serious are you and Sophie?" David asks.

Touché.

"I don't know," David says. "My family has known Peter's family forever. Our parents are friends. His dad and stepmom are well respected on Nantucket Island. His dad has a reputation for being a tough negotiator, but he's a good guy. I don't personally know Peter that well, but when he approached me and volunteered to shoot the videos for the competition at no charge, of course I jumped on it. It was generous of him."

"Why would he do it for free?"

"I don't know. His parents donate their time to various causes. Maybe he's just doing something similar."

"If Beth is getting serious with him, don't you think it would be a good idea to figure out his intentions?"

"I don't know Peter, but I do know Beth. I don't think you need to be too concerned about it."

"What do you mean?"

David looks at me funny.

"Have you talked to Beth since you got back?"

"Yes. She and Peter are going to a Coldplay concert tonight. Why?"

"Well, first off, you should probably know Karrie wants a divorce," David says.

"What?" I'm shocked. I was his best man at his wedding. To this day, I've never met two people more perfect for each other, other than maybe me and Beth, of course. "I'm sorry, David. What happened?"

"I don't know for sure. I've been blindsided by the whole thing. You know I proposed to Beth years ago, right?"

I nod. Where is he going with this?

"I was talking to Beth about my divorce, and she told me the reason she wouldn't marry me back then was because she was still in love with you. Then I asked if she is still in love with you, and she wouldn't answer. She said just because you're in love with someone doesn't mean you can have him. Beth is obviously still crazy about you. It should be easy enough for you to sweep her off her feet and away from Peter."

"Really?" I say, my mind churning with the revelation. "You think I still have a shot with her?"

"I do," David says, frowning. "You'll have to figure out the whole Sophie thing, though. Girls get sensitive about you dating their best friends. I just wish I felt like I had a chance with my wife. I've tried to persuade her with every tactic I know, but she is determined to go through with the divorce. We're telling the kids this weekend, and I don't think I can stand the thought of their little eyes looking up at me and knowing I failed them."

"Sorry, David. That sucks. Is there anything I can do?"

He shrugs.

"Nothing I can think of other than keeping your fingers crossed we come out of this in one piece."

"Well, you know I'm here to support you however I can, right?"

"I appreciate that, buddy. So tell me all about your trip to Africa."

______________

If you enjoyed this chapter, please hit that star and vote!

Hmm, interesting interaction between Isaac and Peter, eh? What do you think about David's advice for Isaac? 

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