Distance Page 6

  Excitement flooded me. “That sounds absolutely perfect! I can get Tom to cover my next two shifts since hours are in high demand. When do we leave?”

  Mom chuckled. I could tell she was just as excited. She always worked pretty hard and didn’t take a lot of time off. This would be good for both of us.

  “Let me call Letti at the hospital and see if she can get an intern to take over my shifts. If it works out, we can leave tomorrow; that is, if you want to.”

  “Umm, yes, tomorrow is perfect!”

  “Why don’t you go start dinner while I take care of that and finalize our plans. I also have to settle the last minute reservations.”

  I nodded and skipped into the kitchen to figure out dinner.

  I HAD JUST finished making chicken salads for both of us and setting the table when she walked in the kitchen. “So what’s the verdict, Mom?”

  A big smile lit up her face and I swelled with excitement. “Letti got Miranda to cover for me, so we can leave first thing in the morning. After dinner, we can start packing. What time do you want to leave?”

  I did a little happy dance and Mom giggled. “I want to leave as early as possible. I’m so ready to get out of town. How about we leave tonight? I can be packed in an hour!”

  “Calm down, Lexi. There will be plenty of time to enjoy ourselves. We’re leaving in the morning after I rest. I did just get off work. How about we leave around eight?”

  “Fine, but I will still be ready tonight and waiting with bells on in the morning, beware.”

  “You’re obviously excited about this trip. It’s a good thing we’re able to do it. I’m glad we get to spend some time together before you go off to college.”

  I watched my mom tear up a little as she talked about me leaving her. Feeling bad, I walked over and hugged her. “I love you, Mom. Don’t worry; we’ll keep in touch, that’s a promise.”

  She smiled and we sat down and ate dinner. I rushed and practically inhaled my salad. After washing my bowl off and putting it in the dishwasher, I ran to my room to pack.

  It turned out Tom was more than happy to cover my shifts. It was a huge relief. I knew Elena was at work but it was the only time I could tell her before leaving.

  Me: I’m going to Key West in the morning.

  Elena: What??? With who?

  Me: Mom is taking me for a week.

  Elena: Ugh, not fair at all! Damn job! Wait, what about your job?

  Me: Tom is covering for me. I’ll get a nice tan for you since you work too much to hit the beach now. :)

  Elena: Whatever! Have fun bitch

  Me: TTYL

  It surprised me that she could text me at all, but then again, it was only seven. The club was probably slow right now. I checked my phone one last time, but there were no texts or calls from Mason.

  I tore my closet apart while trying to stuff as much as possible into my suitcase. It wasn’t working, so I resigned to taking my suitcase and a separate bag for my shoes. I’m not normally vain, but it was a vacation on an island. I didn’t know what I would need.

  In the end, no less than three bikinis had made it and even two nighttime outfits. I told Elena that I didn’t want to club by myself, but who knew what would happen? It was three days of pure fun with no responsibilities.

  Even though I was going with my mom, I knew she would let me do what I wanted. One, I was eighteen now and two, she was cool like that.

  Mom knocked on my doorframe and I looked up. She peered around the room and busted up laughing.

  “Why’re you laughing? I didn’t know what to wear.”

  “Your room looks like def. con one. It’s a mess. I can’t believe you’re packing that much stuff.”

  “Yeah, well, I wanted to be prepared. This is a vacation, Mom! We never take vacations. I can’t wait!”

  Every year, I ended up on vacation with Elena’s family because my mom was always working. I think we went camping when I was ten, but that was the last time we did anything away from home. Sure, we had day trips to the beach since it wasn’t very far away, but nothing on this scale.

  “I just wanted to tell you goodnight. I need a shower, to get packed, and a good night’s rest before we can head out in the morning. Don’t stay up too late, sweetie.”

  “I won’t stay up too much longer. There’s a book I’m going to read on my Kindle for a while after I get packed and then it’s lights out for me.”

  Mom nodded and in a few seconds I heard her door shut. We were going to Key West! I couldn’t believe it. Even though we are only a day’s drive from there, I’d never been. I wanted to take a road trip this summer, but with Elena and me working, it wasn’t going to happen. The road trip to college would have to be enough for us.

  Once all my stuff was jammed into my suitcase, I sat my stuff by my bedroom door. It looked as if it was going to topple over at any moment. I even had to sit on it as I zipped it just to get everything I wanted to take. As soon as I was ready for bed, I shut my excitement off and tried to focus on my romance book.

  Reading this particular book started to become a problem. Every time they talked about the male character, all I could picture was Mason. He was constantly on my mind and everything they did in the story, I would imagine it was us.

  First, it was passionate kisses, and then I started to think about what Mason would look like without his shirt on. That sexy V that would show just above his pants leading to his lower half was making my imagination run wild with all kinds of images. After the man pushed the heroine up against the wall, holding her hands above her head and kissing her senseless, I sighed.

  Being just friends was what I wanted. I couldn’t think like that. Giving up, I put my Kindle down and shut out the lights. Lying there in the dark did nothing for my libido. I never craved Jameson like this. Don’t get me wrong, Jameson was a great kisser, but those kisses or anything else with him didn’t consume my thoughts.

  Something was seriously wrong with me. I hadn’t even kissed Mason. We only went out a few times and he never called me. I needed to stop obsessing. It took a while, but I finally grew tired and my thoughts faded as I fell asleep.

  I was pumped this morning when my alarm went off. I was so excited that I was practically combustible. Even Mom was all smiles. This trip promised to be the perfect escape from reality. I didn’t have to worry about Jameson or Mason.

  The best part of the trip on the way down was Mom letting me pick out the music. We listened to a little punk, pop, bubble gum goth, country, and alternative. Yes, I had strange taste in music.

  We finally got there and my mouth dropped open. We were staying at an amazing four-star resort across the street from the beach. I couldn’t wait to get to the ocean.

  The room was a suite, complete with all cherry furniture and two beds. It screamed money and I couldn’t believe Mom had been saving for this. It was perfect. I gave Mom a big hug and then left her to get settled. I wanted to watch the sunset before the night was over. Over the ocean, sun rises and sunsets were always amazing views not to be missed.

  When I got to the beach, I was just in time to watch the sunset. Sitting far enough from the water line, I put my towel down. The view was stunning. Pinks, oranges, and every color blending in between, I was in awe of just how beautiful Mother Nature was.

  That moment was priceless and I savored it. I sat there, mesmerized as the sun lowered and darkness shrouded me. With a sigh, I reluctantly got up and headed back to the room.

  Mom wasn’t there, probably down at the pool or the bar, I assumed. As soon as I was unpacked, I was at a loss for what to do. Deciding to pace myself, I grabbed my Kindle and sat outside in a chair on the balcony.

  There was a gentle warm breeze, making it the perfect spot to kick back and read. Trying to get back into the book I was reading proved difficult. Just like last night, the scenes of writhing bodies slick with sweat and kisses trailing down her neck made me envision Mason.

  Ugh, it was so frustrating. I wanted to b
e friends with him, dammit. He wasn’t part of the plan, especially after my fiasco with Jameson. I couldn’t let my heart break like that again. My walls were supposed to be solid.

  I had to remind myself that it didn’t matter; he never even called me back. This obsession was just silly. Maybe I should talk to Mom and hash it out with her again. It might make me feel better.

  As soon as I slipped on my flip-flops, I grabbed my key card and went in search of her. It didn’t take me long to find her. She was exactly where I expected her to be; sitting by the pool at the tiki bar.

  When she looked up and saw me, a smile lit up her face. I wrapped my arm around her in a half hug before speaking.

  “Are you having fun, Mom?”

  “I’m in Key West, having a drink, poolside. What do you think, Lexi?” she said as she pointed to her drink.

  Her grin was contagious. I sat down next to her and she ordered me a virgin strawberry daiquiri. “So, what are you up to? Did you enjoy your time at the beach?”

  “The beach was beautiful during the sunset. But anyways, I thought maybe we could talk. I need advice.”

  “Sure, what’s on your mind?”

  “I know we already talked about Mason, but I can’t stop thinking about him. It’s driving me crazy!” I shouted. I was so frustrated.

  “I know it’s not what you wanted to hear, but I’m just so glad that you’re no longer with Jameson. I never liked that boy. You deserve better. Now tell me more about Mason.”

  “He’s really hot and a lot nicer of a guy than Jameson was. I just don’t understand why he won’t call me. I feel like we had fun the last couple of times we hung out. Why are guys so complicated?”

  Mom smiled. “Ah, you like this Mason guy. There’s a reason they say men are from Mars, women are from Venus. Guys are a whole other species as far as us women are concerned. You’ll get used to it.”

  “I don’t want to like Mason, but I do. I’ve spent the last couple of days trying to tell myself it wouldn’t work, but it won’t make my thoughts go away.”

  “It might not work out, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know. Not knowing is worse than trying and failing. Then at least you can say you followed your heart.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “That’s a lot of sage advice, Mom. Say I decide to give in, he probably doesn’t like me anyways. If he did, he’d have called me by now.”

  “The only way to find out is to call him. Make the first move, Lexi. This isn’t the olden days, you know.”

  She smiled at me and I knew she was right. I had to do this, for me. “I guess I’m going to go up to our room and give it a try. Wish me luck!”

  “Good luck, sweetie, I hope everything works out like you want it to.”

  With renewed determination, I finished my drink and headed back upstairs. I was all smiles until I actually sat down on my bed. As soon as I fished out my phone and got ready to call him, nerves set in. Chickening out, I opted to text him.

  Me: Hey, how are you?

  I was so lame. It did however surprise me when I got an immediate response.

  Mason: I’m good, how R U?

  Me: My mom took me to Key West, so I’m pretty good.

  Mason: I’m actually jealous of you. I wish I was on the beach. Instead, my grandma is sick, so my family is helping her out.

  Aww, could he get any sexier? He was melting my heart.

  Me: Sorry to hear that.

  Mason: How long are you soaking up the sun?

  Me: Just for the week.

  Mason: Do you want 2 do something when you get back?

  I was grinning like a fool. He did want to see me. Would he want to be more than friends, or would we leave the boundaries I placed intact?

  Me: Just name it, I’d <3 to!

  Mason: Have a great time and let me know when U R home and we’ll get together.

  Me: That sounds great.

  Mason: Goodnight, Lexi

  Me: Goodnight, Mason

  For once, Mom was wise in her old years. She was right and I would have spent the entire vacation fretting over Mason if I hadn’t talked to him.

  Satisfied, I ordered room service and then got ready for bed. I was pretty tired and wanted to get an early start tomorrow. By the time I placed my head on the pillow, a blissful sleep took over.

  Today was going to be all about me. Mom told me to go have fun and that’s exactly what I planned to do. She had given me three hundred dollars and instructed me to spend it on myself. So here I was, in Key West, with money burning a hole in my pocket.

  The taxi driver let me off on Duval Street, the shopping mecca of the island. Not sure what to do first, I started down the right side, looking in the windows.

  I was in desperate need of a makeover. That just set in motion a whole chain of events. Mason and Elena were going to be shocked at how different I looked.

  First thing I did was to get a haircut. I cut about 4 inches off my auburn locks. It fell in natural waves just past my shoulders. I beamed in the mirror when the hair stylist showed off my new cut.

  Then I went next door and treated myself to a manicure and pedicure. My color choice was a deep wine and it looked classy when it was finally on and finished.

  I loved the new look, and felt more relaxed than ever. Retail therapy really was the best. I was having too much fun to stop.

  Before I knew it, my hands were full of bags and I stood in front of a tattoo/piercing shop. I wanted to get a piercing. My navel was already pierced and I was thinking of getting a Monroe piercing. I’d always loved them.

  Before I could chicken out, I stepped inside the shop. The sound of buzzing filled the air and I instantly knew someone was getting a tattoo in one of the rooms beyond the front of the shop. A guy with gaged ears and ink running down his arms in sleeves greeted me.

  “Hey, what can I do for you?”

  “I want to get a Monroe piercing, on the left side.”

  “Sure, I’ve got a few minutes before my next appointment. It’ll be thirty dollars for the piercing and the price of the actual piece varies. If you want to pick one out, they are in the left tray on the top shelf.”

  I perused the selection and settled on a steel one with a diamond jewel of some sort in it. “I want the one in the bottom left corner.”

  “Alright, come on back and let’s get started.”

  I was a little nervous, but not nearly as much as when Elena and I went in for our belly piercings. Now I sort of knew what to expect. He sat me down on a table and began preparing. Then he wiped the spot with alcohol and dotted the location to make sure I was okay with the placement. Before he got started, he placed some kind of clamp to hold the spot in place.

  “You’re going to feel pain for about ten seconds and then it will be finished. Are you ready?”

  I nodded and smiled at him. Then I steeled myself for that jolt of pain that was to follow. Once it was completed I had watery eyes, but he assured me that was normal. As soon as he brought the mirror out, I got to see the piercing. It was cute! I really liked it.

  The guy swabbed it with some ointment and gave me directions on how to keep it clean. I paid at the front counter before thanking him and leaving.

  Getting my piercing gave me some sort of adrenalin high and I was itching to do something else extreme. That was a sure sign that I needed to get back to my room. Mom would kill me if I did anything crazier than I already did.

  Fetching a taxi, I reached our resort in ten minutes. Giving the driver some money, I thanked him and grabbed all of my new purchases.

  WHEN I GOT into the room, Mom was snuggled up on the balcony reading a book, much like I did last night. Dropping my bags, I went out there to let her know I was back.

  “Hey, Mom, did you have a good day?”

  “I did, I went snorkeling. It was a lot of fun, you would have loved it.”

  I frowned. “Maybe we should have gone together.”

  She chuckled. “I think shopping was more fun. Your hair looks ni
ce.”

  I was about to thank her when she frowned and I steeled myself for what was coming next. “Lexi May, what is that thing in your face?”

  Uh-oh, I hope she liked it and wouldn’t freak out. “So yeah, I got a Monroe piercing. Isn’t it cute?”

  “You have metal on your face. I’m shocked.”

  “Well it’s already done, but at least I didn’t get a tattoo.” I failed to add the “yet’ to accompany that statement.

  She never gave me a hard time when I had my navel pierced, so I didn’t expect one now. Her opinion was that I was old enough to make my own decisions even if they weren’t ones she would have chosen.

  “I don’t like it, but I suppose that doesn’t matter at this point,” she said, frowning. “Oh, and you left your phone today. It has been going off like crazy.”

  “Oh crap, I completely forgot to bring it. I’m going to go in and check my messages.”

  She nodded and I left the balcony in favor of my bed. Once I was relaxing against the headboard, I grabbed my phone. There were four texts from Mason and two from Elena.

  I checked Elena’s first.

  Elena: How’s Key West?

  Elena: Text me when you get back, I have something to tell you

  Curious, I debated on texting her, but wanted to see what Mason’s said first.

  Mason: I hope you’re having fun today.

  Mason: Just thinking about you

  Mason: There’s something I want to ask you, give me a shout when you have a chance.

  Mason: Oh, and I’m sorry for all the text messages, I promise I’m not a stalker J

  Smiling, I decided to hurry up and talk to Elena so I had time to text Mason afterword.

  Me: You’ll never guess what I did today! Key West is a blast. Wish you were here! <3

  Elena: Okay, you go first and then I’ll go second. Trust me you will want 2 hear what I have to say.

  Me: I got to go on a shopping spree and wound up with some bad ass outfits! But that’s not the thing I wanted 2 tell u. I got a Monroe piercing today!