One Day

Part 3 - My Song for You

The next night is a repeat of the night before. Jace picks me up on his motorcycle and after we grab something to eat, we ride around town, sometimes taking backroads that I've never been on, before he drops me back off at my house for the night.

It's Wednesday and our routine is becoming my new norm. After a bite to eat, we go for a ride towards the lake.

The air changes as we ride closer to the lake and he slows as we turn right into a driveway. It's almost 11pm and all the lights are off at the house we pull up to. He stops the bike and I take my cue to hop off the back as he turns it off and leans it onto its kickstand. I slide my helmet over my head and am pulling the tangles out of the hair with my hands when he takes his helmet off.

"I hope you know these people," I say as I nod towards the house. "And I hope they aren't home. Otherwise, we probably just woke them up pulling into their driveway."

He laughs, "Yeah, they are long time family friends and they are more than likely home." He says as he walks towards a path that leads around the house obviously not caring if we woke anyone up.

"Are they not going to care that we are here?" I whisper trying to keep my voice down. If the motorcycle didn't wake them, I didn't want our voices to interrupt their sleep.

He laughs again, "Just come on." We walk down the path that leads towards the lake and step onto a small wooden dock. I had spent so many days and nights on the lake with my dad that this feels right at home. We remove our jackets and lay them next to our helmets on a nearby picnic table before sitting next to each other on the end of the dock with our legs dangling over the edge.

"So, do you come here often? Is that why they won't question you being here so late?" I ask as I stare out over the water. My mind is focused on our hands that are barely touching between us.

"Yeah, I'm here quite a bit. I actually used to work for Ty a few years ago and still help him out when he needs me. My mom says he's the best worst thing to ever happen to me. He taught me a lot of the things I know – both good and bad."

Footsteps behind us make us both turn at the same time. "I hear you down here talking about me," a middle-aged man with a slick bald head is walking towards us. He reaches out his hand as he sits down on the other side of me. "My guess is your Layla? I'm Ty," he says as he shakes my hand. "I've heard a lot about you here lately," a sly smile pulls at his lips. "Actually, he won't quit talking about you." He winks at me as he releases my hand.

Jace shakes his head. "So, this is Ty," he says sarcastically. "He will embarrass you every chance he gets."

I laugh and glance between the two of them as they catch up with each other. From the sounds of it, they talk at least every day. It reminds me a more of a father-son relationship than a friendship. I can feel his warmth each time he leans closer to me to talk to Ty.

"Well, it's late and I've got an early morning," Ty says as he stands up. "Just wanted to come down and see about this pretty girl he keeps talking about and give him a hard time."

I smile. "I hope we didn't wake you," I say looking up at him. "You have a beautiful home and property."

"Thanks," he says. "You're welcome here anytime. The door is always open. Jace knows that and takes full advantage of it."

"Thank you. I may take you up on that. That screened-in porch up there looks awfully inviting," I say as I nod towards the porch that wraps all the way around the front of the house.

"Like I said, anytime," he says. "I'll see you kids later." He waves as he walks back towards the house. I hear the screen door slam shut.

We both turn back towards the lake and watch the moonlight dance across the water.

"My dad and I spent so much time at the lake," I say as I think back to growing up on the water with a fishing pole in my hand. "On the nights that one of his fishing buddies couldn't be in a tournament with him, I would be his sidekick. I wasn't much help but I loved laying across the back of the boat watching the water." A tear escapes my eye. "I guess I took that time with him for granted."

"I can't really picture you being much of a fisherman," Jace says glancing over at me. His stare makes my heart flutter just a bit. "I see you being more of a 'let me get my tan on' girl."

I laugh, "Well, you are right on both counts. I love to fish but I enjoy the sun just as much. There were times that my dad would get so annoyed at me because I was more concerned about my tan than the fish. I think he was giving me a hard time more than anything, though. We enjoyed each other's company even if I was mostly tanning instead of fishing."

He doesn't respond but he hasn't taken his eyes off me so I continue talking, "So, you've been talking about me to Ty?

He sighs and looks back towards the water, "He just likes to embarrass me every chance he can get. But, yes, you have come up a few times." I see a small smile playing on his lips and I can't help but smile knowing that he has been talking about me, about us.

"And what have you been saying about me?" My curiosity gets the best of me.

He leans back until he is lying flat on the dock looking up at the sky. I lean back on my arm and turn towards him.

"What song makes you think of me?" I'm surprised by the change in subject and it takes me a second to catch up. I look down at him and am met with curious eyes watching me.

"That's a hard one. I need time to think about it," I say avoiding the question. "What about you?"

He smiles. "I'll get back to you on that one," he says with a wink.

Thanks for reading One Day! I try to post each weekday and look forward to where this story takes us as it is a work in progress.

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