Miles Away

I walked up the steps to the main floor of the house and was surprised that there were only five guys sitting around. Jeff was on the sofa with a controller in one hand, beer in the other. “Hey Ava, how was dinner?” he asked as he got up and gave me a quick hug.

“It was fantastic, the food was really amazing.” I said to him as he pointed to a love seat.

“Sit down, get comfy.” Jeff said as Mike returned and handed me a bottle of beer and sat down next to me.

“Ok, so you know Jeff. That guy right there that looks like he is twelve is James. We call him Reemer.” Mike said pointing to JVR. James stood up and shook my hand.

“Mike, I was born and raised in Philly. I think I should know my team by now and a few of the impostors. You know BizNasty is even funnier looking in person.” I said crinkling my nose in the direction of Paul Bissionette who was playing Claude Giroux in beer pong on the deck. Carcillo laughed uncontrollably as Mike put his arm around me.

“Oh I like this one Mike. She is gonna fit in well with the girls in Philly.” Dan finally sputtered out.

“Ok, guys, this is Ava” he hollered and the five guys said hi. We watched the guys play video games for a little while as more and more people started to arrive. Around ten-thirty or so we hit the club a few blocks down from Jeff’s place. The doormen let us right into the club. Jeff was like a mini celebrity in the town. We sat down at the bar. I was the only girl who had come with them and that was a little bit awkward.

“You will get to meet a few more of my close friends this week. Jeff’s wife is coming back from visiting family tomorrow. He always gets out of it. I have no idea how. Watch how this place transforms when she is here. Pam runs things. Anyway, Danny, and Andrej are supposed to be in town for the weekend which is nice. More of a family atmosphere as opposed to this.” I nodded at him. Within seconds, Paul grabbed my hand, pulling me on to the dance floor. Mike laughed and came out to save me a few minutes later.

The music was loud and the beat resonated in my ears as we danced closely, his hands all over my hips and backside. We finally sat down for another beer and was joined by Reemer and Hartnell who apparently had just got into Sea Isle. “Hi, I’m Scott, and you are…” he said kissing my hand.

I tried to hold in the laugh. “Ava Keenan. Nice to meet you.” I said, smiling.

“So this guy convinced you to go out with him. I’m shocked Richie. You must have really been on your game.” Mike just laughed him off. We sat for another hour or so talking before he asked if I was ready to leave. I was already a few shots and a six-pack of beer in and knew I was getting drunker by the minute. All those years of not drinking were catching up with me.

“Ok, so I can call a cab for us to go back into Wildwood or you can stay here. It’s entirely up to you. I promise I won’t bite.” He said with a stupid grin.

“I’ll stay." I grabbed his hand and we walked towards Jeff’s house. We grabbed drinks before heading towards the bedroom Mike was staying in. He gave me a t-shirt to throw on and I slid the sundress off and the t-shirt on, then unclipped my bra and threw it on the table beside the bed before climbing in. Mike was just staring at me mouth wide open.

“Come on, like you have never seen a bra before. Stop it.” I said and he laughed as he got undressed, opting just for the pair of boxers he had on. He lifted the covers and laid down, rolling on his side to face me.

“So” he said just staring at me. “I will behave and just kiss you goodnight.” He leaned over me and kissed me gently before pulling me into him.

His breathing evened out and he fell asleep quickly. I laid there for a while just thinking. I knew to enjoy this while it lasted as he wasn’t going to be around much longer. In a way, it was just my luck. I meet a nice guy just as his job transfers him out of town.

Waking up next to him was different. He held me close the entire night. I woke up and forgot he was there and attempted to stand up, startling him. He stood up next to me and yawned. “How did you sleep?” he asked .

“Good, I have such a migraine headache though. Exactly why I don’t drink much. He laughed at me and disappeared for a minute, returning with two aspirin and a bottle of water and handing them to me.

“ I think Jeff’s wife is here and my godson. Let’s get dressed.” I put back on what I had on last night and we went downstairs. A beautiful redhead was standing with a little blonde boy at her feet . She was visibly pregnant. “Ava, this is Pam, Jeff’s wife and this lil guy is Mikey, my fabulous godson. You will my other godson later on this week." Little Mikey ran right into Mike’s arms. I couldn’t help but notice how good he was with kids.

“Hey girl, how are you?” Pam asked and immediately I relaxed. We talked for a while and she was really down to earth. Not like these stuck up WAGS most people picture. She told me I would love the other wives as well. We talked about Columbus and how she wasn’t looking forward to leaving Philly. “So you should go get clothes and come back and hit the beach with us.” She said offering me a warm smile.

“I have to get back and pick up my kids. I have two sons, a seven year old and a five year old.” I said and I could see the surprise on her face.

“Wow, you don’t even look old enough.” She laughed. “So bring them with you. If you are around this weekend there will be plenty of kids for them to play with too. Jeff and I are doing family weekend. Danny and his wife Raina will be here and they have six kids. I think Andrej and Danielle will be here with their daughter Andreja too.”

Mike came into the room. “I got Jeff up. He is in the shower. Biz is still passed out in the hallway but I couldn’t get him to budge. Carcillo and Claude are in the guestrooms. Jeff said to let you know the maid is coming at noon to clean up so not to touch a thing.” Pam just laughed at Mike and gave him a hug.

We sat down and drank a cup of coffee and minutes later Jeff came tearing down the steps. “Hey baby I missed you. I was a good boy, what do I get?” he asked smirking. Little Mikey screeched Dada and Jeff scooped him up. “Hey little man. Want to go to the beach?” The toddler responded by clapping. It was adorable to watch how happy he was that they were home.

Mike and I headed out not long after that, him wanting me to grab the boys and clothes and hang out for the day with him in Sea Isle. I agreed but only if he agreed to let me buy dinner which he begrudgingly agreed to. We drove back to Wildwood, the entire time his hand resting on my thigh.

Notes