In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) (23 page)

“Specialty we like to call Bhaigan choka and sada roti.” I exaggerated.

As we ate, we engaged in different topics, talking about it all – even skimming through details of the whole Jake debacle. Salimah was completely shocked that I was with a teacher, let alone seeing anyone – she only spoke to me for a couple minutes for my birthday, but beyond that, we hadn’t communicated much since the school year began. Heath and Adrien volunteered to clear the table and wash the dishes while Salimah and I went into my room to have a complete and thorough catch-up.

I yanked the curtains apart, and opened my windows, allowing the cool breeze to enter my room. Salimah sat on the edge of my bed with her foot tucked under her butt as I sat on my window seat, hugging the cylindrical throw pillow.

“Why didn’t you tell me about Mr. Cavanaugh sooner?” Salimah broke the silence between us.

“I was totally warped up in it all, to be honest.” I replied as I stared out of my window. The loud incessant buzzing of the neighbour’s brush cutter as he cut his lawn allowed us the privacy to talk. “He pursued me and…”

“What happened?” She interjected. I faced her.

“Girl, I really don’t know. On my birthday he told me he loved me, then the next day he took my car, told me he’d be back, and when he was…he just broke up with me. Claiming his ex is back.”

“Wait! You have a car?” Her face contorted in confusion.

“That’s the thing –
he
bought me the car. A brand new 2015 BMW!”

“What?” Her eyes rounded in disbelief. “So…er. I don’t get it.” Her shoulders slumped.

“Neither do I. He insisted I keep the car as well, so really it’s just… it makes no damn sense.”

“I just can’t believe this. And my God isn’t he like superbly hot!”

“I know right.” I scowled. “I really don’t know what happened to him. Sometimes I see him, when I look into his eyes, and then he just turns cold. I don’t know if it’s wishful thinking or not…”

“And how are you feeling?”

“I really don’t know. I feel so broken and lost sometimes, but then Heath…” I broke into a smile.

“He is a sweetheart.” She responded favourably. “I really like him. What happened to the Reese who couldn’t shut up about him? You finally have him and you’re not even as excited as you were last year when he would just look in your direction.”

“I know.” I frowned. “That’s the messed up part. Last night, he told me the most beautiful thing – ever. I love him so much, but in the same breath, I’m hurting.” I clutched the pillow in my arms even tighter.

“Don’t let this thing with Mr. Cavanaugh destroy something potentially beautiful.”

She was so right! And I couldn’t agree more. I just wished my heart would listen to my head.
Let go!
Enjoy this new chapter in life. Stop dwelling on the ‘
shoulda  coulda woulda’,
it only adds to the depression and robs us of the now.

We spent our day being lazy, hanging out in the community savannah, watching a game of cricket – a sport that Heath loved. I found out it rather mind-numbing but it was something he could relate to being Australian and all. And it also allowed him and Adrien to bond more as Adrien loved the sport too.

After our day at the savannah, we went home to get ready to head out. Heath couldn’t come all the way to Trinidad and not enjoy the spoils of the nightlife which – first order of business – meant heading to Ariapita Avenue. The Avenue – as we s lovingly called it – was located in the capital city; Port-of-Spain. It was one of the liveliest places in the entire country. Nonstop partying – all night long. An entire strip of road dedicated to dancing, grub and alcohol. What was there not to love?

Sal and I sat in the backseat of the car, chatting away as Adrien pulled onto Ariapita Avenue. Heath was sitting in the front seat, gaping at it all. The loads of cars that lined the roadside or parked on all the once empty lots and roadsides.

Sal and I were dressed similarly in a sexy strapless dress and strappy heels. I had a choker around my neck, and my hair in a high bun.

We cruised down the road in the flowing traffic, looking for a place to park. Something that’s always almost near to impossible. Doubles men, Gyro men and more lined the streets selling their highly anticipated street foods. Loud music blasted from all different directions, from each club, bar or lounge – Soca, Dancehall, EDM and rap. A swirling mix of bass and vocals.  The air was vibrant and people stumbled here and there looking for the best place to party with the most ‘vibes’. Car horns. Lights. People toting their alcohol around with them or eating from the street vendors. Boys on carriage bicycles riding people to their destinations.

Trinidad was beautiful and the way we came together to have fun or ‘lime’, made me appreciate my country even more. Watching the admiration on Heath’s face just filled me with so much pride. “What do you think?” I leaned forward, sticking my head between him and Adrien.

“It’s everything you said it would be, and we haven’t even begun to party yet.”

“Exactly! I could only imagine your reaction to Tobago!” I smiled. “Sal, look like Coco Lounge pumping.” I said pointing at the long line of people on the pavement leading up to Coco Lounge, one of the nightclubs. I could hear
Like Ah Boss by Machel Montano
playing loudly.

“Alyuh go ahead na, I’ll find a park.” Adrien suggested.

“Okay, babe.” Sal replied. “Come on, let’s go.” She continued and opened the door. We then all got out of the car, leaving Adrien to find a parking spot. We crossed the road and joined the line to enter Coco Lounge. “Will he be okay?” Heath asked, standing behind me.

“Yeah, of course.” I replied, looking back at him. I then slipped my fingers in his.

“Reese.” Salimah whispered. And I leaned in closer to her. “Look what that girl wearing.” She stifled a grin and I did the same as we eyed a girl ahead of us wearing on a pair of super-short shorts. All of her ass was outside, and a horrible red weave was sitting on top of her head. It looked rabid, like it would attack you if you got too close. I just shook my head and ignored the urge to judge the copious amounts of fashion fails of my fellow patrons.

We finally got in and entered the deck area. It was crowded, some people were seated on the lounge chairs while others surrounded their tables or were dancing away to the hype beat of the Soca music. Lights flickered about and waitresses passed around with trays of Jell-O shots, offering everyone.

We then went inside the club itself and it was just as packed as outside. I could hardly see anything except when the strobe lights would flicker around, illuminating the outlines of shadowy bodies on the dancefloor. We pushed through to the bar, my fingers intertwined with Heath’s so that I wouldn’t lose him.

We ordered three bottles of Raspberry Cîroc and fruit punch to start the night. We were given a bucket of ice and four wine glasses as well. We got our drinks and squeezed our way back through the crowd, and back outside on the deck. We got a table and placed our drinks on top of it.

Adrien finally found us and we cracked open the first bottle of Cîroc, filled up our glasses and put them up. “I missed you guys so much and it’s an absolute dream come true to finally have us all together, having fun. To friendship and family.” I toasted and we all clinked glasses and began to drink, occasionally swiping a few Jell-O shots from the waitress.

I began to dance on Heath – Trini style. And so did Sal and Adrien. We were on our third bottle of Cîroc when I decided that I needed water. I was tired and a bit sweaty from all the gyrating.

I walked up to the bar outside on the deck that was near the entrance and sat on a stool, waiting for the bartender to take notice of me. When he did, I ordered my drink and waited, occasionally glancing back at the people entering the club as
Fall in Love by Popcaan
started playing.

“Reese?” I heard someone call out my name with a tone of disbelief. When I turned my head it was Kai.
Mother of God!
“Kai?” My eyes nearly popped out of my head.

“Kai?” I heard a familiar voice called out and I turned my head to him. It was Jake’s friend Joey, who owns Club Athens. In Pasadena.
What the fuck!
“I found them.” He proceeded to talk to Kai, without taking any notice of me. “They are on their way over here now.” And just as the words came out of his mouth, I saw Jake strolling up from afar with a short, chocolate skinned Rastafarian girl.
No! I paled.
He kissed the girl and she then walked off, meeting up with a group of friends. I’m guessing that’s Kin. “Jake.” Kai called out to him, he then turned back to Joey. “This is the girl I was telling you about, Joe.” Just then Joey took notice of me and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Reese?” He mouthed and I gave him a confused look.

“Kai?” Joey called out, but it was too late, Jake had already reached up to us and was about to introduce himself, but froze up when he saw me.

“Reese this is my cousin Jake, Jake this is Reese. The trini girl I told you that I met.”

“Kai… what the fuck, man?” Jake’s nostrils flared up.

“Kai? As in your cousin Kai? Didn’t you tell me he was gay?!” I shouted at Jake.

“Wait… you two know each other.” Kai eyeballed between Jake and me. “Wait… you told her I was gay? Hold the fuck up… is this… NO! This can’t be! What the fuck! This is the girl?” He glanced at Jake, Joey and me. Joey nodded. I was so confused and wanted no part of this. Nor did I want Heath to get wind of whatever the fuck was going on either.

Unfortunately, at that moment, Heath was strolling towards me, but slowed down when he saw Joey and Jake. “Great, the whole gang is here.” Jake rolled his eyes.

“What is going on?” Heath asked, finally joining the awkward circle of friendship.

“I have no idea.” I grabbed my water and hopped off the stool. Ready to bolt past them all when Jake pulled me back by my arm.

“Reese, what are you doing here?”

“Dude, this is my country, what are
you
doing here? What the fuck is going on? And Kai?”

“I was in Jamaica with Kin, we just came here to meet her friends and let loose. Why do you know Kai?”

“Why don’t you ask him that yourself.” I rolled my eyes, yanking my arm from his hold and stomped away, pulling Heath by his wrist. As we headed towards our table, Kin stepped out in front of me, putting her hand to my chest.

“Whoops! De fuck you doing with my man?” She crossed her arms and sized me.

“Excuse me? No one was with your sorry as man. I’m with
my
man, over there.” I pointed at Heath and brushed past her.

As I reached back to our table with Heath, Sal and Adrien looked at me both raising questionable brows. “Was that Mr. Cavanaugh?” Sal asked in disbelief.

“Apparently.” Heath grimaced.

“This night just got a whole lot of weird.” I sighed and slumped back into my chair, taking three Jell-O shots back to back.

“What’s going on Reese?” Heath asked.

“I, honest to God, don’t know.” I assured him. Salimah kept shooting me subliminal stares, as if asking for the 4-1-1. But I, myself, wanted to know the 4-1-1. I felt so clueless. Everything was happening around me so fast and I didn’t know how to gain control of it. I wasn’t happening to life, life was happening to me.

The DJ pulled back the Popcaan song upon my request and I grabbed hold of Heath, gyrating slowly and intensely on him. My head was spinning from the alcohol but I was trying so much to disregard the presence of Jake and friends.
What were they doing here? And was Kai baiting me all along? What kind of Jerry Springer shit did I land into?

After my requested song was done, I went inside, pushing my way through the crowd in attempts to get to the toilet. There was a long mirror in the hallway towards it and after I finished up inside I stopped to admire myself, just to make sure I looked good.
Junction by Popcaan
began to play.

As I stared at my reflection, trying to make sense of this crazy night, Jake’s reflection appeared, startling me in the process. I spun around towards him. We both froze. This song was a memory; the very song I played at his house before we made out for the first time. And the way his face looked, I could tell he was acknowledging the very same thing. I looked at him apologetically, the memories of what once was toying with my emotions, compelling me to just run up to him and hold him, and never let go. But of course, he just stared at me enigmatically.

I just shook my head and walked past him. And as I did, I felt his fingers slip over my arm and pull me, straight into him. He jacked me against the wall, pining my wrists over my head, and kissed me. I felt myself almost falling into its trap, as soon as I felt myself fading away into its spellbinding hold, I pulled away and slapped him – hard across the face. “What the fuck are you doing?” I wiped my mouth away in disgust and bolted.

I walked up to my friends completely infuriated. They could tell something was wrong but I wasn’t about to let them know what had just happened. Instead, I just told them that I was ready to go. Heath knew me better though. He knew it had something to do with Jake, and as much as I wished that wasn’t true, it was.
Sigh!