The Rental

𝙇𝙀𝙄𝘼

   Two Weeks Ago

   "What?"

   My chest tightened, my palms moistening in response to the sound of my hammering heart. If we weren't outdoors I probably would've fainted due to the lack of airflow in my lungs right now.

   "Last minute decision, babe. I'm backing out of my commitment to UPenn. They gave my dad-" With a grunt, he hit the green ball that flew at him from the machine across the court with thundering strength. "-hell, but, he managed to get it done."

   "So you're transferring where?" I questioned, sitting up from my lawn chair. Despite the fall nearing, the Hampton's humidity is causing my thighs exposed from my tennis skirt to stick together. I tried to focus on that instead of the panic attack I'm going to have any minute now.

   "That's the thing-" another grunt followed by another backhand hit. "My other D1 offer was for UCLA."

   "As in LA." I said more to myself than him.

   He ignored my comment and continued to hit the balls flying at him with insane speed. For a second I pictured the machine malfunctioning and shooting ones so fast that they plummeted him right in the face.

   "Rowan."

   He grunted, his straight blonde hair rustling with each movement. "Yeah babe?"

Rowan Anderson. Graduated 5th overall in my senior class, and hand picked by my parents who met his parents here, in the Hamptons. We were introduced at 16, and the rest was history. Of course I was unsettled at the idea of being set up with a guy of my parents choice, because there's nothing I hate more than blindly following what they say,

But overtime I grew to like him.

For a split second, I couldn't help but wonder if it stopped there. I shut the thought down as fast as it came; as I usually do when it crosses my mind and forced a neutral expression.

   "Can you stop for a sec?" I stood, my Golden Goose superstar's hitting the tennis court. Sweat lined his forehead as he struggled to keep up with the workout.

   "Let me finish this first."

   Like I often do, I gripped the hem of my skirt and waited patiently for him to finish. Eventually he did, walking over to me with his worn racket dangling at his side.

   He panted then put his free hand on his hip.

   "Rowan, how am I supposed to get out of my commitment to UPenn? I can't just change my mind and my plans two weeks before school starts. My parents would never let me do that."

   His silence boiled something inside of me. Probably my blood. Or my temper. I can't tell which.

   "Hello?" I snapped. "You there?"

   "Well, I-" he sighed and wiped his forehead with his towel. "I didn't really expect you to."

   The faint smell of sweat and rubber hit my nostrils as I took a harsh inhale. A few girls waved to Rowan first as they passed, then greeted me with a tight lipped smile. I ignored them.

   "What do you mean?"

   "I wouldn't put you in that sort of predicament. Your parents went to UPenn. That's your dream school. I would never be selfish enough to ask you to go somewhere else."

   "So you knew I wouldn't be able to go with you. You considered it, and you still didn't care. Okay." I calmed the shake in my voice, turning around and reaching for my purse that sat on the chair.

   "Leia. Stop."

   I ignored him and threw it over my shoulder. In attempt to work his charisma on me, he gripped my shoulders gently and turned me back to him. "Please. Let's talk about this."

   "I want you to come with me." He continued. "I do. But I feel selfish asking you to do so."

   UPenn is not my dream. Neither is governmental studies and my future as a campaign manager. I don't know what or where my dream is, all I know is that these are my parent's dreams. And I don't have a say in the matter.

   "Rowan, the only selfish thing you're doing is making that choice for me by not telling me sooner. How long have you been considering UCLA?"

   He pressed his lips into a thin line.

   "I'm trying really hard not to walk away right now, Rowan." The tears building behind my eyes angered me even further because I can't control them. I refuse to let them out, though.

   "I was scared to bring it up to you. You're going to ridicule me." He took a deep breath and threw his racket on the floor. "Let me explain myself, okay?"

   I bit my lip.

   "Remember when I called you a few months ago, that night I went out?"

   Hard to keep track of your late night drunk calls. They happen often.

   "When I told you about that bike I bought from the auction?" He specified in response to the confusion etched on my face.

   "What about that?"

   It came back to me now. I was home alone that night, as my parents were in another country for work. As well known political figures, their jobs require a lot of travel, so being alone was something I had gotten used to.

   Rowan had planned a date with me which consisted of a night together watching my favorite movies. He bailed on me to go out.

   His call came in around 3 am after I'd fell asleep crying. He was drunk off his ass. It was loud. I could barely hear him over the ruckus, but I remember some nonsense about buying a motorcycle.

   I didn't think he was serious, because why would a professional athlete risk his future career by riding one of those? Especially if he doesn't know how to ride one?

   "What does that have to do with this?"

   "See, why'd you say it like that?" He questioned. "I'm trying to give you a serious explanation."

   "Okay. Continue."

   "My boy Greyson is from Los Angeles. Aka the heart of street racing in the United States. It's extremely competitive and the bets go up to 150 grand over there. He knows some guys that are well known for fixing up bikes, and they're willing to give me a good deal on- what are you doing? Why are you walking away?"

   A few heads turned in our direction as Rowan yelled after me. I was already at the gate to let myself out of the court when he ran up beside me.

   "Stop causing a show. I'm literally trying to explain myself and you can't even listen to me. I knew you would do this."

   "You're telling me nonsense, Rowan! What does this have to do with switching schools?"

   "It has everything to do with switching schools. This is what I want to do. I want to learn how to ride and I want to compete. I've been in love with bikes and professional racers since I was a little boy. You would know that if you gave a shit about what I have to say." He ran a hand through his hair. "You're it for me, Leia. You're the woman I want to marry. But you continue to break my heart whenever you disregard me like this. Yes the decision is last minute, but I'm doing what's best for my dreams."

   His dreams. Not mine. Because I don't have any.

   "So what does this mean? We're on opposing coasts, then what? We maintain our relationship via FaceTime and temporary visits for four years? I can't do that. I'll go crazy."

   Cupping my face, he placed a soft kiss on my lips, twirling one of my pigtails in his hand as we pulled apart.

   "Or you could consider coming with me."