Ocean Breeze

13-Keegan

John's mother was going on and on about her spa day. I let there voices drown out pushing my food around my plate and allowing myself to think of Ryan and how amazing weekend away would be.

"Keegy, dear." John's voice brought me back to reality.

"Sorry what was that?"

"Father and I are going to the country club for a day of golfing Saturday. Mother asked if you would like to join her and Aunt Susan at brunch."

"Uh-um I was actually invited to the beach for the weekend with some coworkers". What the hell was I doing.

"Oh you hadn't mentioned it but I think it'd be great for you to get out and make some friends" John added grabbing my hand taking it in his own. "How long will you be gone?"

"I think we would be returning Monday but I haven't ironed out all the details yet." I wasn't even sure I was going to iron out the details but I felt a sense of relief knowing John wasn't going to push me to stay home with him all weekend.

—-

I had packed my bag, loaded it into the car but couldn't bring myself to pull out of the driveway. I knew I shouldn't go. I knew it was a terrible choice. It was all I wanted to do though. A text came through on my phone from John Love ya Keegy. If you decide to stay home maybe we can reconnect tonight-xoxo.

I felt sick to my stomach at the thought of reconnecting with John. Even though the situation with Ryan was far from perfect I had realized things could be so much better than what they were with John. Ryan and I could sit in a closet sorting paint supplies for hours making meaningless small talk and I could barely get through dinner and a night alone with my own husband. I felt like I could be myself with Ryan and I felt like she accepted every part of me. I put the key into the ignition and I backed out and headed towards Ryan's house.

When I pulled up she was loading her jeep. She looked back at me and waved me passed her and into the garage.

"Good morning sunshine. You look great." She exclaimed.

"What happened to not hitting on me? That lasted all of two seconds." I said sarcastically with a smile. I walked around the side of the jeep. "There's no doors.."

"Of course not! You can't take a drive to the beach cooped up in a car."

"You realize people will see us don't you?"

Ryan walked over to me and pulled off her hoodie and hat handing them to me. She replaced her hat with a bandana that was hanging out of the back pocket of her shorts. the hoodie had her sweet smell and I breathed it in deeply before slipping it over my head. Ryan hopped up into the jeep after tossing my bag in the back. "Let's roll shawty."

I couldn't help but laugh at her joking. I jumped into the jeep. I was tense as we made our way through town trying to keep my head down and hoping to go unnoticed. I relaxed and leaned back into my seat once we cleared the city limits. Ryan turned the radio up and started singing along. She kept looking my way trying to coax me into joining her. I finally gave in when the chorus came on, belting it out with her. She took one hand off the wheel and grabbed mine waving it back and forth in the air. She was just so carefree. It was refreshing and freeing to witness. We listened to a mix of music from Fleetwood Mac to Young Thug to Thomas Rhett.

After 2 and half hours of driving I could smell the salty air surround us. Another 30 minutes passed and we pulled up in front of a secluded villa. Ivey was growing up the sides and palms grew all around it.

"So what do you think?" Ryan asked while grabbing our bags out of the back.

"It's incredible. I mean it's flat out adorable. I can't believe the owner doesn't just live here instead or renting it out."