chapter three: bridget
Bridget
I had flipped through the newspaper earlier that morning and happened to skim past the horoscopes. I never really believed in that sort of thing, but it was fun just to read and see how things actually worked out. Mine was something like, “Today feels like a new beginning for you. Your surroundings are blooming, as well as your relationships. As time passes, you may begin to feel overwhelmed. Keep your head on straight!” I laughed it off.
After Zac had said he loved me, though, I kept thinking back to that tiny bit of advice. I wasn’t sure what it meant now that something had actually happened to make me feel like something new had sparked in my life. I wasn’t sure if I should keep that stupid horoscope in the back on my head or just forget about it. Hell, I was in love. Someone loved me. Of course I was overwhelmed!
When we got to Zac’s parents’ house, I could feel a welcoming presence. His mother and father greeted me with hugs. They seemed to take me in as one of their own. I finally got to meet his siblings, as well.
The first one I met was Mack, Zac’s younger brother. He reminded me a lot of Zac in the face and body and the way Zac looked when he was a kid. Next, I was introduced to two of his younger sisters. Jessica and Avery were gorgeous. They looked a lot alike, except Jessica’s eyes were blue, and Avery’s hair was shorter. Jessica’s boyfriend, Adam, was also a newcomer, so I knew I wasn’t totally alone in this kind of situation. Zac’s oldest brother Isaac and his wife Emily, who was six months pregnant, were also very kind. I thought I was finished meeting everyone once I got to Zoë, who was running around in her bathing suit. She had Zac’s personality, that being absolutely out of control, yet very polite. She was the cutest thing I had ever seen.
I started having a good time the minute I got there. The more I got to know everyone, the more I felt like I had known these people all of my life. The grilling had started, and the smell of the hamburgers was making my stomach growl. A volleyball net was set up, so Zac and I played against his younger brother and sisters for a while, and then his sisters and I decided to lounge by the pool until the rest of the food was prepared.
“Taylor’s here,” I heard Avery say to Jessica.
Jessica leaned forward, removing her sunglasses. I was in between the two girls, so I couldn’t help but look in the direction they were staring. That’s when I saw him. He had a boy sitting on top of his shoulders. His hair was short but beginning to become shaggy, and he definitely possessed the eyes of his mother. His body was slim, and his arms were muscular and strong as he lifted the boy over his head and landed him solidly on the ground. He was attractive, but Zac had warned me of his attitude. He had also let me know that he and Taylor had problems getting along. I had totally forgotten about it until the moment I saw him walk through the gate.
Jessica got up to greet him, but Avery stayed behind with me. Zac took Jessica’s seat, and quickly reached over to grab my hand, as if to let Taylor know that I was off limits.
“That’s Taylor,” Zac said quietly. I only nodded.
Jessica and Taylor were making their way back towards us. I felt Zac gripping at my hand tighter. I looked over at Zac, beads of sweat forming on his temples. When I glanced up again, Taylor and his sister were standing side by side, looking over at the two of us.
“Hey little brother,” Taylor said, acknowledging Zac first. I wasn’t sure if Zac said anything back to him. His view had then switched over to me. We made eye contact. I felt like I couldn’t look away.
I could feel myself blushing. Maybe he would think I was sunburned instead. I lay there in my bikini, but all of a sudden, I felt naked. I wondered what he thought of me, and if what he was thinking was a good or a bad thing. Then I felt foolish. Why did I even care?
“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” Taylor asked his brother.
Zac cleared his throat and didn’t sound thrilled. “Taylor, this is Bridget, my girlfriend. Bridget, this is Taylor, my older brother.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said softly, extending my hand.
He accepted. “Likewise.” The feel of his hands were smooth, but his handshake was strong.
So far, he seemed friendly, but I didn’t know what Zac knew. I wasn’t related to him and hadn’t lived with him. I’d only known him for a few minutes. From what I had heard, he had really hurt Zac in the past. It was hard for Zac to move on from things. That’s why I didn’t go after him when we first met. I knew he was still troubled over Kate. I, on the other hand, liked to chase my prey. We were good for each other. He was calm in most situations, while I didn’t know how to react to most of them.
The rest of the day went along nicely. Taylor and Zac barely spoke two words to each other the whole time. I kept nudging Zac to say something to him, but he refused. Zac and I spent most of the late afternoon swimming and playing basketball in the pool with Mack and Zoë. I had teamed up with his little sister, wading her around on my shoulders so she could shoot hoops. We ended up losing, but it was fun anyway.
My hair was still damp, and my bathing suit seemed to soak my clothes as night fell. I didn’t mind though. The heat of the night was all around me. Mrs. Hanson had lit torches to keep the mosquitoes away, but it didn’t really help much. I was always the kid at camp who won the bug bite competition.
Mr. Hanson, Isaac, and Taylor were tending to the fireworks and getting them ready to light when I heard a yelp and a splash from the pool. Out of the corner of my eye, I had seen the littlest boy (the one that had come with Taylor) fall in. I jumped out of my lawn chair, knocking it over with force, and ran to the help him. He was flailing his arms and legs. I dove into the pool.
By this time, everyone’s attention was directed on me. I grabbed the little boy, clutching him to chest, and bringing him above the water’s surface. Taylor had run to the edge of the pool frantically, his mother behind him, along with his siblings. The child was coughing violently, choking on sobs, and reaching for Taylor, who accepted him graciously.
He held the boy to his chest. “Thank you so much,” he praised. He kept repeating it over and over again. I could still see the fear in his eyes. By this time, I had it figured out that the boy was his son. It made my heart flutter even faster.
I nodded. Zac wrapped his arms around my waist. My clothes were soaked, so Jessica brought me a towel and a change of clothes, since I was about her size. For the rest of the night, everyone else except Taylor blessed me for saving his son. I came to the conclusion that he was still in shock. He barely let go of him all night.
It came time for Isaac and Mr. Hanson to light up the fireworks. Zac helped out as well, since Taylor just decided to stay back and recover from the incident that happened earlier. While the guys got ready to create a fabulous show for the family, Taylor took Zac’s seat next to me, but he remained silent. I glanced over at him. He looked like he was searching for something to say to me. I didn’t press. I just smiled politely.
“What you did really means a lot,” he said softly. I barely heard him, but I was able to make it out.
I pulled my legs to my chest. “I was a lifeguard for three summers straight,” I said with a slight shrug. “So no thanks are required.”
Taylor stifled a small laugh. “Well, I don’t know; it just amazed me, really.” He paused and pushed his hair back behind his ears. “I lost my wife a few years ago. I don’t think I could even manage if I lost Ezra.” I thought I saw tears building in his eyes, but he held them back, as if he were being forced.
“I’m sorry,” I said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Zac hadn’t even mentioned that.
He nodded. “It’s alright. I just don’t know how I could repay you for doing something like that.”
I shook my head. “Seriously, it’s fine. Trust me.”
Taylor looked at me. I saw the glistening of his tears on his cheeks. He wiped them away quickly as if I hadn’t seen them yet. “Thank you again, Bridget.” Sighing, he added, “You know, Zac’s did good this time.”
And with that being said, the first explosion of colors lit up the sky.