Ch. 12

A short while later, we pulled into Ruby's winding driveway and Jake surveyed the property with appreciation. "This is really nice," he commented as he took in the fantastic view.

"Pretty impressive, huh? It's great having a best friend whose parents are loaded."

"I bet," he agreed. "What do they do for a living?" he asked, turning his eyes toward me.

"They both sell real estate."

"They're making this kind of money in Lakeside?" He looked completely bewildered.

"Not just here. They own their own company in Atlanta."

Jake nodded his head in understanding and continued to take in the enormous plot of land overlooking the lake. Several familiar cars were already parked when he pulled his truck into an empty spot.

Shutting off the engine, he turned to me with a grin. "Wait right there." He hopped out of the old Ford and came around to my side, opening the door for me. I gave him a big smile as my stomach began a series of somersaults.

As we made our way up the beige and gray stone walkway, I admired the creeping ivy climbing up the front of the stately older house. Ruby had been my best friend for years, yet I always felt like I was visiting a fancy beach-side resort every time I came to her home. It was that beautiful. We walked onto the porch and I rang the doorbell, patiently waiting for someone to answer. Moments later, the knotty pine door opened, revealing a beaming Ruby, dressed in her new bikini and a long flowing sarong.

"You made it!" she screeched, enveloping me in a cloud of her mother's Chanel No. 5.

Laughing, I untangled myself from her arms. "I said I would be here." We stood smiling at each other, relishing in the close camaraderie we felt. "Ruby," I began, taking a deep breath. "You remember Jake?" I knew very well that she did. No teenage girl in the world would be able to forget his dreamlike perfection.

"Yes, Jake. It's nice to see you again." Ruby smiled graciously, always the perfect hostess. "Welcome to my house."

"Hi, Ruby. Thank you for having me," Jake responded in his polite southern drawl.

Ruby stood transfixed for a moment longer than she should have and I thought I noticed a slight blush color her cheeks. I shook my head in amazement, it was really unlike Ruby to be rattled by a guy. Before I could make a confirmation, she straightened her shoulders and regained her composure. "Come this way."

Ruby led us through the spacious home toward french doors that opened onto a large cedar deck that boasted an elaborate Polynesian cabana and six man hot tub. Off the deck sat an imposing in-ground pool, showcasing a rock cave with a fountain and water slide.  I heard Jake let a quiet whistle under his breath and couldn't help but smile. It wasn't often I got to witness a first reaction to Ruby's house. It seemed everyone in our small town had been at the Sinclairs' at one point or another growing up.

"I hope you're hungry." Ruby smiled and gestured toward a long table-clothed buffet that sat on the deck.

"I'm starving," I answered, wasting no time diving into the generous spread. We heard a doorbell ring in the distance and Ruby excused herself to greet another guest. "Are you hungry?" I asked Jake as I began to pile a mound of sugared strawberries onto my thick plastic plate.

"Always. Thank you." He smiled as I handed him a plate of his own. "I just cannot get over this estate. I didn't think real people actually lived this way."

I knew exactly what he meant. "I'd say it's not fair, but the Sinclairs' work hard for what they have. Ruby spends a lot of time alone because her parents are so busy all the time. I would love to live in a house like this with all of it's amenities, but I wouldn't trade it for having my family around." I thought I saw a look of approval flash in Jake's eyes, but what I said was true. No amount of money would be worth having to spend most of my time alone. Sometimes I felt as if Ruby was closer with my parents then her own, and the very idea stung. It was one thing to make a living to provide for your family, but completely another to spend all your time doing it.

"I agree with you," Jake observed. "But once you have all of these luxuries, it would be hard to give up."

We filled our plates and made our way toward a large patio table with a beautiful citronella candle in the center. I looked around at the festivities in place and couldn't help but wonder how the night would end. Would Jake try to kiss me again? God, I hoped so.

"Maybe we shouldn't eat so much," Jake suggested as we sat down. "That pool looks amazing and I can't wait to dive in. I don't want to have to worry about saving your life because you stuffed your face full of food and ended up with a cramp."

"Hey!" I laughed and swatted at him. "What about you? Maybe you'll end up the damsel in distress and I your knight in shining armor?" I knew that was a crock. The thought of saving a floundering Jake practically had me snorting unattractively.

Jake shook his head as he took a bite of pasta salad. "Not a chance. I worked as a lifeguard at the university during the school year. It's fair to say I'm pretty confident in the water."

I bet you are, I mused. "So, Mr. Lifeguard, have you ever saved any lives?" I playfully teased.

Suddenly, Jake's face clouded over unexpectedly and I instantly regretted asking the question. His shoulders slumped and his demeanor changed, and I knew something was very wrong. "You never remember the lives you save, only the one you didn't," he confided, quietly.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as a prickly sensation came over me. "Someone drowned while you were working?" I whispered, shocked by his revelation. Jake looked away and was silent for a moment, and I wondered if he was going to answer me. Finally, he nodded his head, lowering his lashes.

"It was my first year at UH and the pool was unusually crowded," he began softly. He avoided making eye contact and instead stared in the direction toward the lake.  "It was free swim and people were playing games and splashing around--you know, having a good time. Exams were finally over and everyone just wanted to let off some steam. I didn't see her at first because of all of the commotion, and it wasn't until her friends started calling out for help that I realized there was even a problem." He paused and I could tell it was hard for him to talk about. His usually bright eyes were full of regret and I and wanted more than anything to reach over and hug him, to chase the bad memories away.

"When I made it over to her I could see she was having a seizure, and her friends were struggling to keep her head above water. I managed to drag her to the side of the pool where the other guards helped pull her out. She wasn't breathing so we started CPR, but she never regained consciousness--even after the paramedics arrived."

Jake continued to avoid my gaze and finally I reached out and touched his hand. At last, he turned toward me and released a sad smile. "I'll never forget the look she gave me when I first reached her. I felt like we made eye contact, but I don't know if she actually saw me or not. It was just before she stopped breathing. Her vacant eyes still haunt me..." his voice trailed off.

I stared at Jake, not knowing how to comfort him. "I'm so sorry," was all I could manage.

He glanced back at me and then gave a wistful sigh. "That's life, right?" He shrugged. "Everyone dies eventually."

I knew he was deeply burdened by what happened, but was trying to make light of it. I smiled back at him. "Jake, you did the best you could. You know that, right?"

And just like that, the cloud passed and a smile took over his handsome features. "So, do you like to swim?" he asked, changing the subject.

I gave a nervous laugh and wished he hadn't asked that question. "I'm, um, not the strongest swimmer," I confessed, not willing to admit what a huge chicken I actually was. I was able to swim but had never even jumped into a pool, and had no intention of ever doing so.

"Addison, are you afraid of the water?" Jake challenged, an amused smile playing on his lips.

Hesitating for just a moment, I chose my words carefully. "I guess you could say that I'm extra cautious in the water." I looked down at my plate and moved some strawberries around with my fork, hoping we would move on to a more comfortable topic. Just then, a group of friends came over and I began introductions. I noticed several appreciative glances from the girls as the guys regarded Jake with skepticism. Ruby made her way over eventually, with her date Tommy on her arm.

"Jake, I would like to introduce you to Tommy," she said and stepped aside so they could shake hands. "Maybe we can double date sometime?" Ruby suggested with a smile.

I gave my best friend a discreet snarl.

"I'm sure Jake gets lonely around here not knowing anyone," she offered sweetly, the poster child for innocence personified.

"That's very kind of you, Ruby. It sounds like a great idea, that is, if Addison doesn't mind . . ." He gave her a smile and I noticed the small dimple in his cheek appear, causing Ruby to practically swoon.

"Oh, Addison doesn't mind," she said, enunciating my formal name. "We're best friends. We do everything together! Now, who's ready to swim?" she asked, turning toward the crowd.

I laughed at her audacity and shook my head. I could never stay mad at her for long. Ruby and Tommy meandered off, searching for participants in a pending game of water basketball and I gave Jake an embarrassed smile. "Sorry. She can be a little overwhelming at times."

"It's fine." He laughed. "She's sweet. Are you ready to swim?"

It's now or never...

I nodded and hesitated slightly before pulling the dress I wore over my head. I had never felt so self-conscious about my body before! I took a deep breath and glanced over at Jake who threw me an approving smile. The butterflies instantly returned to my stomach, making it difficult to breath. Slowly, he began to remove his black t-shirt, revealing an impressive six-pack underneath. Seriously--none of the guys we knew had washboard stomachs like that. When Jake removed the rest of his clothing my heart about stopped. The only time I'd seen a body like that was on MTV! His swim trunks hung low on his hips, my God were they low, revealing those manly pelvic muscles I had never actually witnessed before in real life. I tried hard not to drool and distracted my self by hanging my dress on the back of the patio chair.

I noticed Ruby gawking ridiculously from across the large yard and silently promised to kill her later. She caught my eye and mouthed, 'Holy hell'!

Real discreet, Ruby, I thought, when suddenly I realized she wasn't the only one staring. Several of my female friends gaped open-mouthed at the sight of half-naked Jake, and before I could help it, an intense bout of self-doubt threatened to consume me. Without warning, Ruby's warning about southern hospitality filtered through my head. I clung to the fact that Jake was there with me and no one else. Not with Ruby, or any other beautiful girl for that matter.

He likes you, I reasoned, but my stubborn teenage angst persevered. If you're going to get through this night without running for the hills, you'd better get a grip! I turned toward Jake and found him watching me, his intense blue eyes penetrating mine. An exhilarating tingle crawled across my skin and I felt myself tremble slightly. The look on his face said it all.

Jake wanted me...

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