In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) (2 page)

I totally aced that audition and after my performance, Jake stood at his seat clapping loudly with the script he had just lent me rolled up under one arm. The lights came on again, revealing the movement of his strong arms. He had the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to his biceps so I could definitely notice as they tensed.

I walked down the steps and his long legs strolled up my way. He stood in front of me, his icy eyes looking down into mine, along with that killer smile. “That was amazing. I loved the way you just made your accent disappear for the role and truly immersed yourself into your character. It felt really natural.”

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe and I wondered why. A strange feeling swept over me, my pores raising, like a paralysis. Then I realised –
gasps
–
no shit no!
I had the
hots
for Jake! But who didn’t? All the girls hounded after him, but strange enough he never paid them any mind. Then I wondered if he had liked me as he was always overtly friendly.
Naaaa!

“Trini?” He brought me back from my reverie.

“Huh?” I gaped.

“Would you be interested in being the lead for my independent short film? It’s yours.”

“Wha- what? You joking, right? Yes!” I almost screamed.

“Although I would like to do a few one on one classes with you before we officially start. Do you think you would be available a couple of days after school, or even a Saturday?”

Whoa! Did this dude just seriously ask me to spend time away from Heath?

“Sure. I am.”

“Good, it’s settled. I’ll call you.”

I gawked at him for a second until I noticed Heath a few feet away from me. “Okay, well until then Ja– Mr. Cavanaugh.” I gave him a small wave and halfway ran toward Heath.

“Oh my God, Pieces, that was an incredible performance, mate.” Heath chirped. He always called me Pieces, as in Reese’s Pieces, or Reesie, instead of Reese. I thought it was cute, although I hated that damn Reese’s Puffs snack.
Peanut Butter and chocolate – yuck!

“Really?”

“Yes. Did he ask you to be a part of his short?”

“Yes. Actually he asked me to be the lead.”

“You’re kidding me, aren’t you? That is magnificent. I am the male lead!”

I screamed in excitement and hugged Heath so tightly, I don’t think he could have breathed.

“Well it’s not every day you get to kiss your best friend.” He joked and walked off.

“Wait what?” I pulled him back by his arm and paused in astonishment.

“We are love interests silly. What’s the big deal?”

Oh-em-gee!
This can’t be happening! Me? Heath? Kiss? Fuck yeah! Holy shit, I need composure. He might see my giddiness.

“Oh.” I said.

I woke up underneath my thick dark purple comforter to the sound of my very annoying alarm clock and my equally annoying neighbour who cuts his grass every two days! I sat up on my King sized bed, forcing my eyes open. It was Saturday, the day I was supposed to meet with Jake for our one on one classes. Anything to get away from Caroline’s dreaded visit. She would come over one weekend a month and today was that day
– just my luck!

I looked at my heavy dark purple drapes, hardly able to tell the time of day by just looking at the window. The sun still found a way to force itself through. My room was pretty dark and cosy. I thrived on all things dark. Dark room, dark clothes, dark books – anything! All of my bedcovers and throw pillows were a rich dark purple and black. My rug was the same. The only form of light contrast my room had was that of my closet, window seat, bedside table and study desk – which were all white. 

I swung my feet off the bed and pressed it onto my fluffy dark rug. My AC was on full blast – I usually have it like that when I’m wrapped up in my comforter. I took my phone up from my bedside table and checked my Facebook notifications. I then put it back down and walked across the room toward my bathroom door.

I looked at my tired face in the mirror above the sink, widening my hazel-green eyes. My hair was a mess. I took up my toothbrush and spread Colgate onto the bristles. I then began to brush my teeth all the while staring at my reflection. After I was done, I rinsed my mouth with Listerine. I stayed there just admiring my reflection and talking to myself, something I did on a regular – and no, not in a narcissistic way, but in a way of gratitude and contemplation. Gratitude towards life and how far I had come to be standing there, and just contemplating on life, sometimes reality didn’t feel very much like reality, especially since I left Trinidad.

I stripped down and threw my clothes into the laundry basket near the shower stall. I stepped in, turned on the shower and let down my hair as warm water sprouted down my back. I found myself singing the Knick Knack nursery rhyme as I showered. To be honest, I did that a lot – sang stupid songs loudly. And as embarrassing as I thought it was, Heath thought it was cute.

When I was finished in the shower, I put on my black skinny jeans, white sweater and black combat boots. I brushed out the waves in my hair and wrapped it into a messy bun, put on some eyeliner and grabbed my phone. I stepped out into the hall.

Our apartment was nice. Heath’s room was a few feet down the hall on the opposite side. The walls were painted in a light blue and lined with white framed pictures of Heath and me, the dark floorboards were spotless and polished and the row of dark brown ceiling lamps created a soft glow of light throughout the hall.

I jogged down the short flight of steps to see a shirtless Heath sitting on the brown cushioned stool at the breakfast bar eating a bowl of cereal.

I paused for a moment – just wishing I could run my hands down the length of his torso. He wasn’t very built, but I still loved the way he looked. He took notice of me and turned, flashing his warm Aussie smile.
God, I could melt just watching it. 

“Hey Reesie, where yah off to?”

“Ja- I mean, um, Mr. Cavanaugh. He wants to prepare me for the role. Do a few one on one classes.”
Ugh, I almost called him Jake. I called him Jake when we were alone, but in front of other people, I refer to him as Mr. Cavanaugh. I didn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea, you know?

“You don’t need preparation, you’re fantastic!”

“Oh please, being paired with you, I need all the preparation I can get.”

He flashed those pearly whites at me and rose up from the stool, moved towards the sink and placed his empty bowl into it. He then walked up to me, his brown hair dangling in front his eyes, he pulled it back with one hand and then hugged me. I caught myself sniffing his body wash as he embraced me.
Oh God, Cucumber Melon!
Then of course we were interrupted by a knock on the door.
It was the bitch!

“Good luck. Here.” He smiled at me and gave me the keys to his Camaro.

“Thanks Heath, I’ll see you later.”

“Later, Pieces.” He poked me playfully and I stuck my tongue out at him.

I walked towards the front door which was near the monotonously tan living room.

I swung the front door open and Caroline stood there with a broad smile. Gosh, she sickened the living daylights out of me with her façade.
Passive Aggressive bitch!

“Hey Reese! Going somewhere?”             

“Yup, bye.” I dashed out the door before she could say anything else.

I ran outside and up to Heath’s beautiful car.
God I loved that thing
. I could see the hate on Caroline’s face as I did. I waved over to my annoying bald neighbour as he continuously mowed his already very low lawn, jumped in the driver’s seat and revved the engine. I knew Caroline hated that I always got to use Heath’s car. And that right there, made me feel so damn special!

I rolled down the top of the car and cruised down the long, winding stretch of road ahead of me. I came up to a traffic light and this really hot guy that I saw around the area often was crossing the road. He winked at me as he passed by and I pretended to ignore him. I tried calling Jake for directions, but he didn’t pick up. I vaguely remembered the directions he had given me and after a few wrong turns and advice from an elderly woman, I finally found his place.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
Is he sure he is a teacher? I know his indie films do well but God damn!
Thank God he didn’t marry Lena, she would have taken it all away. I liked Lena but she was something else – like who the hell would cheat on Jake? He is not only extremely hot but he has like the most beautiful personality ever, and now I see he is either fantastically rich or at least pretty well off. The house was absolutely impeccable.

Set far back from the curb on lush green lawn, stood the massive two storey contemporary home with a design of rich dark wood, patterned stone walls and tinted glass panels. It wasn’t fenced and his Prius stood at the front of the garage door. I pulled up the stony driveway and parked behind his Prius totally in awe of it all. My eyes darted from the pretty plants that lined the driveway to the stony path leading toward the porch.

I climbed the short flight of steps of the porch and knocked on the glass panelled double doors. After a moment of waiting around, I noticed there was a doorbell and rang it.

A sleepy Jake in nothing but pajama pants and tussled hair opened the door. “Trini?” He asked quizzically.

“Jake?” My eyes nearly popped out of my head. I usually saw Jake in either suits or leather jackets but never have I ever seen him half naked and good Lord was he anything short of muscular. He had pecks, abs and that sexy V shaped muscle leading to his
you-know-what
. What do you call that again? Oh right - obliques. I scanned all that in a millisecond.

“Wha- Oh shoot! The sessions, I totally forgot.” He palmed his forehead in exasperation.

“Do you need to reschedule? It’s okay, we can do it another time if you like.”

“Na, it’s alright. Come on in.”

He stepped aside for me to enter and closed the door behind me when I did. I inhaled the sweet scent of vanilla as I made timid steps on the dark wood floors. The walls of his dimly lit hallway were painted in a tranquil wine colour and lined with beige, framed mirrors, and a wooden table sitting neatly alongside adorned a huge, beige lamp. The place was so quiet, apart from the very faint sound of a TV coming from upstairs.

At the end of the hallway, there were two archways parallel to each other and a curved staircase leading to the second floor. He led me to the archway to the left and as I followed idly, I glimpsed at the sliding glass wall behind the staircase leading to the deck and pool in his backyard.

“Uh, come, sit.” He showed me to his spacious living room. A 60 inch TV was mounted on the only patterned, stone wall where a row of bright ceiling lights shone down. The other walls were in an off-white colour and had paintings on either side. He led me to one of the beige Lawson-style loveseats. “Sorry you had to see me like this.” He said as he readjusted his dark throw pillows, in attempt to make room for me to sit.             

“It’s okay, I don’t mind.” He smirked at me.
Okay maybe I shouldn’t have said that. Made me sound like a total creeper.

“Um.” He scratched his head. “Did you have breakfast, need anything to eat? I was now about to make some pancakes.”

“I actually haven’t eaten breakfast. Caroline showed up.”

“Oh, I see.” He chuckled. “Well you can come with me in the kitchen, you can sit at the breakfast bar while I whip up some pancakes, eggs and bacon. Sound cool?”

“Yup.”

He led me to his open concept U-shaped kitchen and it was just as nice, housing flat-panel cabinets, dark appliances and a double bowl sink with a white backsplash.

“Your house is freaking amazing! How come you never mentioned it?” I asked him as I sat on the black cushioned stool at the breakfast bar.

“Ha, am I supposed to just say, ‘oh hey Trini, I have a super cool house, wanna come see’?” I laughed so hard at that I think I looked pretty dorky. He watched me with his ice blue eyes and bit on his lip – as he usually does. “Hey, you mind if I put on some music. I like to listen while I cook.”

“Doesn’t bother me, I love music.”

“Cool.” He walked up to his iPod on the kitchen counter near the TV and turned on his music.
Feel So Close by Calvin Harris
filled up the room. It was one of my favourites.

I just sat at the breakfast bar observing him as he made his way over to his stove. And suddenly, he was even sexier to me now than he has ever been – not because he was bareback – but seeing him in his element just made him all the more desirable. How is this possible? I was never into him before. Funny, I began to feel like I was cheating on Heath.
How sad!

He pulled out his frying pan from one of the cupboards below the counter and lit the stove. He poured the oil and after it heated up, he fried the bacon. He then moved onto the eggs. When he was done, he got out another frying pan and prepared it. When it was ready, he started pouring the pancake mix.

I admired him as he flipped the pancakes. His perfectly formed arms and shoulders made me feel a little intimidated – and turned on.
A highly attractive man in his kitchen making breakfast for me? I must be dreaming!
He made at least ten pancakes and cleaned up after. He then set down a plate with the food in front of me. It smelled so good.

“Orange juice, coffee or tea?” He asked.

“I’d go with orange juice.”

“Cool.” He set down his plate next to mine and poured two glasses of orange juice. He then sat beside me. I paused for a moment, daydreaming, until he said, “Well, you can eat now.”

“Oh.” I chuckled and took a bite. Felt like I died and went to a pillowy pancake heaven. Man, they were delicious.
And what the fuck did he do to these eggs? Holy shit, they were good! Even better than Heath’s.

And I Drove You Crazy by Banks
began to play on his iPod. I was so shocked. “Whoa, you listen to Banks?” I asked him.

“Yeah, she is the Queen. You’ve got taste, nice.”

“Wow, why the heck would Lena choose not to be with you, she’s nuts. You’re freaking amazing. Even your cooking is beyond amazing.” I think I said too much. I bit hard on my fork in embarrassment. I could feel his eyes cold on me; his impassive facial expression. He then raised his brows.

“I wondered the same about Heath.”

“Huh?” My fork fell and I watched him.
Did he just – wait, what?

“Come on, I’m thirty-five years old, I’m not blind. You’re in love with him. He’s stupid, he can’t see it and even though he got to know the amazing person you are, he still chose her. Stupid if you ask me.”

“Mr. Cavan–”

“Mr? What happened to Jake?” He teased. I smiled.

“Please don’t say anything, okay?”

“Secret’s safe with me, Trini.”

“Thanks for totally embarrassing me though.” I flushed.

“Odd that you never told me, you seem to tell me everything else.”

“I know, I didn’t tell anyone, not even my damn diary.”

“Falling in love with your best friend – the ultimate cliché.” He smiled and took a sip of his orange juice, his eyes still on me.

“I know right. Corny love story that never has a happy ending. Ugh!” I smiled pulling my hair back. I could feel his eyes still on me as I tried to disregard him and eat.

“Don’t worry, you’ll find someone worth your while who sees you above everyone else.”

Wow. That was absolutely sweet of him to say but Heath was the main reason I was single. Even though Caroline was in the picture, I had hoped that she would fuck up her chances and I’d finally get him to myself and let him know the truth. Was it crazy? I knew it was, but I wanted him bad enough and in my mind, if I stuck it out, he’d eventually see me in that light and finally be with me. I couldn’t see myself with anyone but Heath even if I tried.