Live in the Moment

The morning after the wedding I’d woken up at 6am in my suite with Keith asleep on the opposite side of my bed. He’d gotten hammered last night and felt too embarrassed to ask Nicole for help so I’d taken him back to my room. Jason and Nelly would’ve been doing their thing in the honeymoon suite, so I’m sure Keith didn’t want to be anywhere near that crime scene. Keith and I actually have a strong older-sister, younger-brother sort of relationship. As well as Jason, I could tell them both anything. Jason of course knew just that little bit more, but Keith still holds a place in my life that could never be filled with another.

The alarm had woken me with a jolt, and my reflexes kicked in making me hit the clock possibly too hard. I’d gotten in around 2:30am, after saying goodnight to Sidney, having a few dances with Jason and Nelly and finally dragging Keith up to my room to sleep. So in total I was going to go a day with roughly four hours of sleep.

Perfect.

Regardless, I pulled myself out of bed- after convincing myself that it was worth the trouble of actually going home. Sitting up, I pushed myself out of the covers and walked towards the curtained window to pull them back. The sun was only beginning to rise, soft streaks of yellow traveled the sky chasing away the black of night and awakening the already busy tropical birds. Another day, another adventure.

Yawning, I pushed my hand through my hair. My pajamas consisted of a pair of old faded navy-blue boxers (that could have been Jason’s when we were in university), and a black spaghetti-string tank top. Then I did a few stretches for my back, cracking away the kinks and found myself fully awake.

So I began with the basics; shower, get dressed into a pair of tan short-shorts with a black form fitting tank top and a maroon red sleeveless button down top, brush teeth, fix face aka make-up, and then begin my packing ritual. By the time I’d gathered the little number of possessions I’d taken with me for the 2 day Mexico wedding, Keith was beginning to stir on his side of the bed.

“So you’re up?” I commented as I began to fold my previous days pair of jeans.

“And hung over.” he groaned out, and rolled over while pulling the covers over his head. “I think I made an ass out of myself again...”

I hadn’t seen much of anybody at the wedding last night, it had been mostly me and Sidney. The entire time had been full of mild conversation, and comfortable silence. I actually enjoyed the endeavor more than I probably should have.

“What’d you do this time, bud?” I just kept packing my stuff away.

“Something about... I dunno, but a shitton of alcohol. That’s about it. Hopefully Nic doesn’t think I’m too much more of an idiot.” he poked his head out from under the covers to meet my gaze. “How’d hooking up with the hockey player go?”

I chuckled lightly, “Talking, lots of talking.”

Keith’s face scrunched up in question, “Well that’s no fun.” but then he laughed. “But I can bet Nelly and Jace had the best time out of all of us.”

I laughed too. “No doubt!”

While I walked around the room picking up my toothbrush, heels, anything that still needed to fit into my compact suitcase Keith’s eyes followed me.

“Serious question. How long has it been since you’ve been on a date?”
Here comes the serious Keith, the one that doesn’t surface all too often, but is quite the change. And also a very nice guy to talk to.

“Highschool.”

“Jason taking you to prom doesn’t count.” he said sarcastically.

I paused to actually think. Of course I’d had guy friends... Alright, when I was in middle school Jason and Keith had been the only people I’d spent my time with. Sure I played sports, like football, hockey, and even various events in track and field such as shot put, javelin and even steeple chase. Heck, if there was a sports team I was on it regardless. I’d had lots of friends because I got along with everyone. I’d even had crushes on guys, and for a short period in time... even on this one girl. -But that’s besides the point! I’ve been out to dinner with Jason, and even Keith a few times. But never actually with someone new. Sure, I’d gone to a few parties and kissed some guys, maybe even hooked up with a few in university. But never an actual, steady going, REAL relationship.

“You haven’t actually been on one, have you?” the sincerity in the voice made me think it wasn’t entirely Keith I was speaking to.

“You got me.” I shrugged, “But you also know that sports were too important to me in highschool and university. I was too busy for you and Jason at times.”

“I think this guy is good for you. You need someone in your life other than Jason and me.” he laughed lightly. “You can have a whole different type of sleep over.”

“Well, y’know... I’d love for it to go somewhere. But you can’t start planning another wedding just yet.”

He laughed. “When ya’ leaving for the plane?”

“At 8, cause it leaves at 9.”

I’d finished packing and just zipped the case closed as Keith pulled himself out from the covers only to curl back up again.

“It’s 7:30 now...” he groaned out.

“Meaning I should get going.”

“You should go walk by the guys door a few times and see if he gets the message.” Keith wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, “Cause you and I didn’t get all hot and heavy even though you woke up with me in your bed.”

Now the serious Keith is gone. I laughed, but I gave him a roll of the eyes as I checked myself in the mirror. Back in Pennsylvania the weather would be warm, maybe not as hot as Mexico, but warm. Once satisfied with my appearance I grabbed the room key from the dresser, and walked toward the door with my suitcase in hand.

“I’m gonna go return the key to the front desk, you should go back to your room before the maids find you.”

I looked back to still see him smirking, but slowly the smirk turned into a bright smile.
“I’ll see ya’ around babe. Call me when you get to your apartment. I should be back in LA around 5 today.”

I nodded, completely disregarding the ‘babe’ pet name. “Sure thing, and tell Jason, if you see him. That I had to go, and I’ll bother him again after his honeymoon.”

Keith just smiled. “ ‘Course.”

When I left the room, I closed the door behind me. Then I followed the hallways and the path through the gardens until I reached the main building to the resort. There a nice tanned woman smiled as she watched me approach.

“Did you enjoy your stay?” she greeted a little too happily for so early in the morning.

But I nodded anyways as I handed her the key. “Yes, it was wonderful. But sadly life back home is calling me back.”

“Well, you’re welcome back anytime.” she smiled and nodded towards the door.

“Thanks.” and with that I ordered up a taxi, and took my ride to the airport to take my flight back to America.

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After my time spent with Andrea on the balcony, I’d watched her walk back towards the party with a sort of urge. I can’t quite describe it, but part of me has found an interest in this girl. And I want to learn more about her. Andrea had danced a few songs with Keith, Jason and Nelly. Keith, looking to be more drunk that a person ever should be, had ended up clinging to Andrea’s arm like it was the end of the world, and she only smiled as she held him up and began her walk to the resort rooms.

The way that Andrea made it sound was as though her, Jason and Keith have this really close family-type relationship. If it was explained any other way it might seem a little too close. But Andrea also made it sound like she doesn’t have much of a family. She’d hardly spoken of her home in Canada, only mentioning that her parents are divorced and both still living in the greater Toronto area. Along with a younger brother that’s studying at a university in Toronto. It just sounds like the family is very spread out away from each other regardless of
geographic closeness.

As a kid I’d always been busy. My dad always expected a lot, and my mother would just go with the flow. But I suppose that’s just normal. My younger sister had taken after the favored hockey genes and taken a liking to playing as a goalie for her own team. Growing up for that short amount of time in Cole Harbor had been... easily forgotten. My childhood had gone by exceptionally fast.

I knew that Andrea would be getting up early this morning to catch her flight, but I figured it didn't hurt to just wake up a little earlier to get a final look around the place. So I’d woken up for 7:00am and took a walk around the grounds. Even through the resorts gardens these larger rodent type animals roamed about the same way squirrels would back in the states. The only difference, they’re about the size of a raccoon.

Around 7:45 when I’d started my walk back to my suite I caught a glimpse of a woman
dressed in light tan shorts that clung to a pair of toned muscular legs as they walked off in the direction of the main building, she also wore a maroon sleeveless top that displayed muscular arms. I recognized the woman the second I realized her long brown hair.

Remember when I was saying top three most beautiful women I’ve ever met? Make that top two.

Damn...

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The flight home went smoothly. I’d gotten my single suitcase, and retrieved my Jeep Wrangler from the airport parking lot without any problems. And then drove home to my relatively modern apartment. When I had been looking for a place in Brookville my main concern had been the area around it; like gyms, parks, etc... What seemed as a bonus to me was that the owners of the building allowed for small pets. The building also had a small weight room, and swimming pool in the lower levels.

It only took one trip up the elevator to the 3rd floor with my suitcase, so I walked down the hallway to number 33 and just as I unlocked the door the one behind me opened as well.
“Sam!” called the bright red head into her apartment, completely unaware of me still standing in my doorway.

The bright red hair of a shorter woman stood out from our dull surroundings, she dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans and layered tank tops of black, red and orange. When she turned around she met my eyes with a pair of deep brown ones lined with a thin wing of black eyeliner. Her skin a pale white, and a neck full of necklaces.

“You must be the new neighbor.” she smiled, and offered her hand. “I’m Kylee.”

I took her hand and smiled back at the bright woman. “Andrea, but call me Andy.”

“Cool.” she smiled, “I’d love for you to meet my girlfriend, but she’s taking a ton of time fixing her hair.”

Seconds later an equally as short woman with short light brown hair came out from around the door dressed in a strapless light-pink knee-length dress. Her skin a slightly darker tan than Kylee, but a bright smile burst upon her face when she noticed me.

“I’m Sam.”

“This is Andy.” Kylee introduced me.

“Nice to meet you.” Sam smiled, “You should come over for dinner sometime.”

I nodded with a smile. “That’d be awesome, thanks.”

They both smiled, and Kylee placed her right arm over Sam’s waist. “We’re going to the movies, but we’ll see you later Andy.”

“Alright, no problem.” I gave them a light wave as I entered my apartment, and closed the door behind me.

Now let me make something clear. I’ve never had a problem with peoples choice in sexual orientation. And as I said before, I’d gone through a somewhat small phase where I’d been attracted to a woman. I’d even hit a point where it didn’t even matter what gender a person was, if I liked them then I liked them. It isn’t all that difficult to walk down the street, see a cute guy or a pretty girl. But that doesn’t make you a strait up lesbian or even bisexual. Whatever people do in their personal life is their own business, not mine, or anyone else. If anything my new neighbors, Kylee and Sam look happier than a lot of people I’ve seen in relationships. But again, that doesn’t have anything to do with anything. As long as they’re happy. Then that’s good enough.

When I entered the apartment to see the beginnings of boxes being unpacked, I sighed to myself. I always hated moving. Mostly because when you’re moving you get to see just how much useless crap one can accumulate over a period in time. I tended to find that home is truly home the moment you can just walk in, see a pile and know exactly what is in that pile. That reminds me, my organization skills are horrifying. Piles of clothing usually appear throughout my bedroom, be it clean or dirty clothes, it really doesn’t matter. I suppose this habit began as a teenager, but who really knows anymore? For someone claiming to have gone through boot camp where they’d required each person to have a clean and proper living space, and then looking at the hell hole I commonly lived it. You’d think they would have failed me that very moment.

But, here I am, having moved across the country to my first stationing as a pilot to the American Navy. The plan is that I go through training to begin my flight times on a F-22 Raptor. From there I will be stationed on a aircraft carrier and spend my time either on land or patrolling the eastern coast. I find it particularly exciting. But I’m looking forward the most to my first flight in my own plane.

The apartment I bought is perfect for one or two people; the bedroom being moderate in size, the kitchen being open to the living room, a bathroom beside the kitchen also moderate in size, and the living room spacious with room for a tv, sofa and coffee table. Also, there is a pair of sliding glass doors to a small balcony. For one person this is more than enough.
Closing the door behind me, I kicked off my shoes and bent down to retrieve my suitcase.
The rest of my day consisted of putting together my bedroom. First the bedframe, mattress, dragging in my single dresser and looking through the various boxes to locate my sheets, pillows and clothes. I’d forgotten the label the boxes before packing everything into them, so by the time I’d found what I was looking for everything had been scattered everywhere. My first day at the airbase would be a week today, so I have a week to unpack and prepare myself.

Before I even noticed it the sky had turned black and I hadn’t eaten a thing since the wedding the night before. I’d settled for ordering a pizza. When my doorbell was rung, I’d paid the delivery guy, and then returned to my sofa with the box in hand, that’s when I received my first text message. At the first sounds of my phone vibrating I reached for it on the small coffee table from where I sat on my sofa.

How’s Pennsylvania so far? - Sidney

Part of me hadn’t expected him to even remember to text me, I guess that’s also the part of me that has always been okay with being alone. But my other half made my heart flip in my chest.

Well, the pizza’s good! - Andy

I replied as I took a bite from the first slice I’d grabbed. Only moments later my phone vibrated once more.

Hm what type of pizza? - Sidney

Hawaiian - Andy

I might just have to drive out to Brookeville to get a slice. - Sidney

It might be done by then :p - Andy

Then how about dinner sometime? - Sidney

How about you help me unpack a bit and you got a deal. - Andy

Deal, how about Wednesday at 3:00pm, so I can help you with your boxes? -Sidney

That’d be perfect. - Andy

For the next several hours, Sidney and I texted back and forth until we’d both decided it was time to go to bed. But before I crawled into bed I scrolled through my phones contacts till I landed on Keith, and dialed his number. The phone hadn’t even rung twice before I was greeted by a very familiar voice.

“Hello Andy!” he exclaimed. “How’ya doin’ babe?”

I yawned. “Tired, very tired.”

“Tell me about it, I still feel like I’m hungover.” he laughed a little.

“Well that’s cause you tried to show off, stupid.” I laughed too.

“I don’t know how I’m going to survive over here without you Andy. You’ve always got my back.”

“I’ll be sure to visit sometime.” My heart clenched a little. It’s really only hitting me now how much I relied on Jason and Keith. “You and Jace are my family. I can’t stay away for too long, or you might get yourself into more trouble than you can handle.”

“I’m making it a rule now. You have to come back for Christmas, and Thanksgiving every year.” Keith started to choke up on the phone. “I’m just... Really gonna miss you. Jason will too. We both love you so much.”

The real impact of just being alone is now becoming real. I’ve been away from my parents and brother for so long that I don’t feel much, but Jason and Keith have always been with me. The two of them are my brothers, my closest family. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes.
“Keith, you’re making me cry.” I laughed lightly as I rubbed at my eyes as I held the phone to my ear.

“It’s gotta be late in Pennsylvania by now, and you said you’re tired. Go to bed Andy. And call me anytime, alright?” Keith sniffled lightly.

“Goodnight Keith.”

“G’night Andrea.”
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“Yo, Crosby, catch!” Somebody yelled as I entered the gym change room.

Only seconds later I was promptly greeted by a wet towel to the face. Instantly I turned towards the direction from which the towel was thrown to be greeted by a very wet, and naked James Neal.

“Dude, not everyone likes to see your junk.” I tossed the towel back at him.

“Seriously?” he quirked an eyebrow, but then secured the towel around his waist, then he took a seat on one of the benches where he took a swig of water from a clear bottle. “You must have had a terrible time, but I hope at least the food was good?”

“The food was great, but now I have some serious calories to burn off.” I laughed at the thought, I wouldn’t be leaving the gym till the end of the day, and even then I’ll still have to work on losing some. “But what makes you think I had a bad time?”

I sat down and began to unpack my workout clothes.

“Cause when you can’t catch my crotch towel, that means you’re thinking. And the only thing that makes you think that hard is either hockey or a girl; hockey hasn’t started just yet, so I’m betting it’s a girl that’s the problem.” James’ reasoning actually sort of made sense... for a few seconds. “So what’s her name?”

“Andy.”

“Oh, maybe I spoke too soon. Guy’s are cool too.” James held up his hands while he shook his head.

I smoothly slipped my left shoe off my foot and chucked it at Neal’s head, which he ducked.
“Shut up, her name is Andrea, but she likes the name Andy.”

“Hmm, okay. Tell me about her.”

“She’s a pilot for the Navy, and she’s moved from Los Angeles all the way across the country to Brookeville for a position at a base. She’s funny, smart, understanding, and damn,” I could just picture that smile, and those toned legs that walked in my opposite direction back in Mexico. “She’s one pretty woman.”

“It’s pretty rare to see you this head-over-heels for a girl. You got a date or something, coming up?”

“Actually, yeah. I offered to help with some stuff at her apartment, but then I’m taking her out to dinner.”

“Woo, already at the ‘help-out at the apartment stage’?” Neal wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“It’s really not like that.”

“Well, whatever it’s like. Don’t screw it up. If this girl can already be doing this to you, I wanna meet her.”

I think I might actually have a chance with her. And I don't want to let it slip away.

Notes

Sorry about the long wait... Believe me i feel like crap every time i do this! But the next chapter will be out a lot sooner. I promise!

So rate, and comment! And tell me what you think so far?

-Nix