"Coralie, honey, come here. You need more sunblock." She sat a few feet away from Trevor and I, giggling and building a sand castle with her sister. I gestured at Coralie to come over to our blanket in the sand. "You too, Scarlett. Come here." The three year old came toddling over to us, swinging a plastic shovel around.
"Easy with that thing, killer," Trevor chuckled. He sat beside me, staring out at the ocean as if he were watching a movie. He turned his attention to me as I slathered both of the girls in sunblock. "Whatcha girls buildin'?" He pointed at the pile of plastic shovels and buckets in the sand.
"A sand castle, dad," Coralie said in an exasperated tone. "Duh." She rolled her eyes at him. She was only ten years old; too young for the attitude, but we knew she was only joking.
"Hey, watch the tone, missy," Trevor pointed a finger at her, lowering his sunglasses on his nose to make eye contact with her. "I might have to throw you in the ocean!" He pulled her gently towards him, tickling her in the side. She shrieked with laughter, trying to escape his grasp. I couldn't help but smile as he pulled Scarlett towards him, as well, holding them both by his side as he tickled them.
"Can we go in the water?" Coralie asked us as she managed to wiggle her way out of Trevor's grasp. I nodded at her.
"Just stay with Scarlett, okay? And stay where we can see you. Don't go too far." She quickly grabbed Scarlett's hand, jogging towards the water as she dragged her sister along behind her.
"Look how much fun they're having. Aren't you glad we came out to the city for the weekend?" I nudged Trevor in the side, and leaned my head against his shoulder. Somehow, I had convinced Trevor to take the girls and I into the city for my birthday, despite how much he disliked it.
"I guess," he grunted. "Still hate it out here. I'm glad they're havin' fun, though."
"You know you're having fun; admit it." I scrunched my nose at him.
"Only because you three are with me. The trips out here by myself are all bullshit."
"Maybe you should sell the strip club," I suggested, "Less trips that way."
"Maybe." He leaned back onto his elbows in the sand. "So what do ya say about dropping the girls off with Michael or Frank for the evening and you and I can go get some dinner?"
My eyes lit up at his suggestion. "Do you have any ideas?"
"Pearl's Seafood?" He pointed at Paradise Pier off in the distance, pushing his sunglasses up on the bridge of his nose. I nodded enthusiastically.
"Lemme make a few calls."
I sat quietly, listening to Trevor chatter away on the phone, first with Michael, and then Franklin. I was excited at the prospect of having a nice dinner, just the two of us. It had been a while since we had been able to anything like that. Living out in Paleto Bay, we were too far from my family and most of our friends to ask them to babysit, and with how overprotective Trevor was with the girls, finding a babysitter he trusted wasn't easy.
"Good news," Trevor spoke up, pulling me out of my thoughts, "Frank's gonna watch them for us. And I got us a reservation."
I clapped my hands together, smiling sweetly at him. "You're the best."
"And the most handsome," he added.
"And so humble," I laughed. Suddenly, a thought registered in my mind, and I spat out, "Oh, I don't have anything nice to wear to dinner!"
"Good thing I packed your red dress when you weren't looking." He grinned at me.
"Oh, Trev, that dress is so small on me," I groaned.
"That's the point," he wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively. I ignored his comment, wrapping my arms around his waist as I scooted closer to him. "What, no reaction whatsoever?" He sounded disappointed. "What's the fun in teasing you if you don't even react?"
"You're a pain," I joked, planting a kiss on his stubbly cheek.
"I had a reservation," Trevor stated, squaring his shoulder and standing up confidently. "Should be under Philips." I looked up at him, observing his stance and the way he interacted with the hostess. He was proud of himself, for sure. He didn't do things like this too often; planning weekend getaways, making lunch reservations at expensive restaurants. It was all so unlike him, but then again, he'd do anything for his family. The hostess led the two of us to a small table at the far end of the restaurant, pressed up against a wall of large windows that overlooked the ocean.
"This is really nice, Trev. Really," I held his hand across the table.
"Goddamn, you are gorgeous," he told me, stroking the back of my hand with his thumb.
"You're too much." I took a strand of hair in my free hand, twirling it around my fingers. Admittedly, I felt pretty good about how I looked that night. Trevor packed my red dress for good reason; I looked pretty nice in it. I had put on a fresh face of makeup in Franklin's bathroom mirror when we dropped off the girls at his house, and the salt water had given my hair the perfect beachy waves.
"I mean it, Janie. You look incredible. I don't even know what you're doin' with a dirty old man like me."
"Stop it. You're neither of those things."
He looked down at his menu and smiled to himself, tapping his fingers against the hard surface of the table.
The waitress came around and Trevor ordered for me; a glass of wine and the lobster. Of course he would order me the most expensive thing on the menu. He looked quite pleased with himself.
"So, gorgeous, are you havin' a good time out here?" He looked unsure of himself as he spoke, as if he was expecting a negative response.
I smiled, putting down my wine glass in front of me. "I am, Trevor. Thank you."
I looked out the window at the sun setting over the water. This truly was a perfect trip. I had never been spoiled by any other man the way I was with Trevor. He would do anything to make me happy. "Trev," I said, thinking aloud, "I've always wondered… Why me? Why go through all of this effort for me? You said you'd never get married and here we are. You said you'd never have kids and we have two now. I know that's not what you planned on. So why me?"
"Ah, cupcake, you can't be serious?" He looked at me with his eyebrows raised, waiting for a response. I shrugged, looking down at my plate. "You are gorgeous. I know I say it a lot but you really are. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I don't know what you see in me, but I hit it outta the park with you. And you're real. You've always been real with me; no bullshit, no fake personality. Everybody out here is full of shit. All they care about is money and fame and what kind plastic surgery they're gonna get next. But not you."
I smiled sweetly at him. For someone so rough around the edges, Trevor was such a softie inside. He looked vulnerable as he finished speaking, as if he was looking for reassurance that what he had just said was alright.
"But not me," I repeated quietly. I decided to change the subject, as I could see him becoming uncomfortable. "My parents called yesterday. They're coming for dinner next Saturday."
Trevor cleared his throat in disgust. "Must we always do this, Jane? They come over, we fight with them, they leave. I mean, if that's what you want, I'll keep doing it, but doesn't it make you unhappy?"
I sighed. I knew he was right. "They're my parents, Trev." I took a bite of my toast before continuing. "I just... I can't give up on them."
"You're too sweet to be with a heartless bastard like me, you know that?"
I smiled sweetly at him. I hoped for the best at dinner next weekend, but expected the worst. The last time my parents had come for dinner, my father and Trevor had ended up in a screaming match, with my mother and me on the sidelines in tears. My parents had never come to accept Trevor as my husband or the father of our children.
"We wanted more for you," they would always say. When I was a kid and I pictured having my own family someday, this was definitely never what I pictured; living out in Paleto Bay with two kids, and married to an older man, and a criminal at that. I had grown up in Rockford Hills; the child of a world class plastic surgeon and an interior designer for the stars. I knew my parents were disappointed in the way my life had gone; they were certainly not shy about telling me so. My sister, Marjorie, was the golden child. She was a successful lawyer, engaged to a talented surgeon named Dan, and had just moved into a big house in Chumash.
Still, I didn't regret anything about how my life had gone. We had moved out to Paleto Bay when I was pregnant with Coralie. Trevor had moaned about leaving Sandy Shores, but had grown to love our little three bedroom home with a big yard; set far back, away from any neighbors. It overlooked the beach behind us; close enough that I could watch the girls play in the sand from the kitchen window. It was perfect. I just wanted to have a nice dinner with my parents and my family where no one yelled for once.
"I'm sorry," I said, sounding disappointed, "I know you don't like family get-togethers, but-"
He held up his hands to signal for me to stop talking. "Hey, it's okay. They're your family. They were part of the deal when I married you." He looked down at the table, avoiding eye contact when he spoke up again. "I just… I'm never gonna fit in with them, cupcake."
"Trev," I rushed to comfort him, taking his rough, calloused hands in mine, "I don't want you to be like them. I mean, they're my family and I love them. But I love you because… well, because you're you." I smiled at him. He looked satisfied with my response as he paid the bill for our meal.
"Shall we go get the little ankle-biters?" He extended an arm out in front of him as he stood, gesturing for me to lead the way out. "They haven't been here to irritate us the entire night; they must be getting antsy."
"You're terrible," I laughed.
"Dad, do you want any more green bean casserole?"
My father nodded at me, taking the casserole dish from me. It had been a week since I had told Trevor that my parents would be coming for dinner tonight, and I had hoped that he would be on his best behavior. So far, things had been tense, with my parents throwing snide comments Trevor's way, and Trevor trying to hold back his sarcastic remarks.
"You know, Jane, Marjorie and Dan just moved into their new house in Chumash. It's gorgeous."
"I know, dad, I talked to her the other day," I said with frustration. This was a regular occurrence; my parents would brag about my younger sister Marjorie and her incredible accomplishments in an attempt to make me jealous.
"I just don't understand why you choose to live out here, Janie," my mother spoke up. "Everyone out here seems so…"
"So what, mom? Not rich?" I cut her off.
She cleared her throat awkwardly, looking at Coralie and Scarlett across the table. "So, Coralie, how are dance classes?"
"Awesome!" Coralie bounced around in her seat excitedly. "I'm getting so good at it!" I smiled down at my plate as I took another bite of my dinner. Coralie had started taking dance classes when she was six, and had completely fallen in love with it over the past four years.
"So, Trevor, how is the uh... whatever it is you're doing these days?" You could practically hear the disdain in my father's voice when he said Trevor's name.
"Oh, I've been mostly picking up people who've jumped bail. It's pretty simple work, but it pays well." We had decided the first time that Trevor met my parents that of all his ventures, this was the least questionable. After all, it wasn't illegal. The ways in which he collected his targets weren't always legal, but my parents didn't have to know that part.
"Well enough to support my daughter and grandchildren?" My father rebutted.
"Dad," I warned. Trevor gave me a reassuring look before turning his focus to my father.
"You don't need to worry about that; we do pretty well for ourselves here."
I snickered at Trevor's response; if only my parents knew just how much money Trevor had stashed away in the bank. "Dad, we're fine on money. Seriously. Trevor takes good care of us."
My father snorted in response. "I certainly hope so."
I looked over at my mother, who was sitting quietly, not wanting to get involved.
"Sir, with all due respect," Trevor began, trying to sound as polite and dignified as possible, "I work damn hard to make sure that Janie and the girls are comfortable and well taken care of. I would never let anything bad happen to them."
"Well, I certainly hope you've gotten some help for yourself, as well." My father's voice was cold and spiteful.
"Richard!" my mother hissed at him. Both she and I knew what was coming. Coralie looked back and forth between all of us, trying to get a grasp on the situation that was unfolding. Trevor dropped his fork on his plate. It clattered loudly and made me jump. I looked over at him; his eyes had grown dark and angry-looking.
"You wanna run that by me again? I'm not sure I quite picked up what you were puttin' down," Trevor snarled.
"Well," my father spoke a bit louder this time, "You know, with your anger and all. I've seen it first-hand. I wouldn't want to see you turn that on Janie or the girls; God knows I don't want any of them getting hurt."
I swallowed hard when I saw Trevor square his shoulders, sitting up a bit straighter in his seat.
"Coralie," I said quietly, "Why don't you bring Scarlett up to her room and play with her?" I wanted the girls out of the way for this.
"Now, I'm fuckin' sure I didn't just hear you accuse me of putting my hands on any of my girls… Right?"
My father shrugged nonchalantly, as if they were having a casual conversation. "This is exactly what I mean, Trevor. What happens when Jane disagrees with you someday, or one of the girls pushes their luck with you?"
Trevor stood up suddenly, gesticulating wildly as he began yelling. "Jane and I disagree all the goddamn time! I ain't gonna fuckin' hurt her because of it! And those girls are happy! I would never lay a hand on them and I'm gonna make sure they have a better father figure than Jane had!"
That was all it took for my father to mirror Trevor's body language. He jumped to his feet, coming face to face with Trevor, who seemed to tower over him. My father was not intimidated. He exploded with spiteful sounding laughter at Trevor's words.
"Something fuckin' funny to you?" Trevor shouted.
"I've never trusted you with my girl, you know that? I should've stepped in before you ever had the chance to marry her and take her away from us!" My father said, jabbing Trevor in the chest with his finger. I became enraged at my father's words as he spoke, and I found myself rising to my feet and stalking towards the two of them.
"I think you mean my girl," Trevor growled.
"Shut up, Trevor," I snapped. My eyes darted rapidly between him and my father as I continued, "Can you both stop talking about me like I'm some sort of possession? Nobody took me away from you, dad! I chose to come here!"
My father ignored me completely, stepping closer to Trevor. "You've never deserved her. She could've married a doctor or a lawyer; someone with a shred of class and respect for her!" My father's voice was becoming louder as he tried to prove a point. I looked over at my mother, who looked as anxious as I felt.
"God, you're just like Michael, that fat snake," Trevor shook his head, "Always so fuckin' judgmental!"
"Mark my words," my father growled, "If you hurt any of those girls, I'll kill you."
Trevor threw his head back as he howled with laughter. "Oh, you're gonna kill me? Aw," he mocked, "I'd better watch out! He's comin' for me!" He turned to me with a sarcastic grin on his face. "Janie, you never told me your old man here was such a menace! He's really got me shakin' in my boots; really! Please, spare me!"
I was irate by that point; Trevor was openly making a mockery of the situation. He knew how much I hated when they fought, and I had tried so hard to make it a nice night for everyone. How could he be so careless about my feelings?
"You're pathetic. Really, you are," my father muttered.
Trevor's face dropped suddenly into a deadpan expression. "Get out." Trevor's voice was quiet and foreboding.
"Excuse me?" My father tested him.
"Get the hell out of my house!" I had been waiting for that to come out of Trevor's mouth the entire time. I knew it would. "Who the fuck do you think you are, coming into my house and disrespecting me in front of my wife and my kids?! Get the fuck out!"
My mother jumped to her feet, grabbing my father's arm and pulling him away from Trevor. "Richard, enough! Let's go!" She reached for her purse on the sofa as she tugged my father towards the door.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled as she hastily pushed my father out the door ahead of her. He fought back against her, trying to reenter the house. "Richard, wait in the damn car!" She slammed the door in his face, and took a deep breath as her eyes darted between Trevor and I. "I'm sorry, you guys."
Trevor sighed, trying to compose himself. "I'm not angry at you. You just… you know I'd never put my hands on Jane, or the girls, right?"
She nodded at him, hesitantly reaching out a hand to touch his arm. She turned her attention to me as she spoke again. "I'll see you soon, Janie. Tell the girls we said goodbye." She looked disappointed as she left, closing the door behind her. I knew this was not how she had wanted dinner to go.
Trevor and I stood in silence for a moment, before I spoke up. "What the hell was that?"
"He thought I was gonna hit you or somethin'! I couldn't just let him say that shit, cupcake!"
"You couldn't have just held your tongue until they left?" I knew I was being unfair to Trevor; I would've been just as angry had I been in his place.
He paused, opening his mouth to speak before closing it, unsure of what to say. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Really, I am. I overreacted. I'm sorry I ruined dinner. I'm sorry for everything."
"I just wanted a nice dinner with my family, Trevor. Is that too much to ask?"
He looked defeated; his shoulders slumped and he looked down at his feet. "No, it's not. I'm sorry, gorgeous. Can you forgive me?"
I took a step closer to him, staring him down for a moment before wrapping my arms around his waist. "Of course." His hands slid down my sides to rest on my waist. I let out a sigh as he planted a kiss on the top of my head. "Do you wanna put the girls to bed while I clean up the kitchen?"
He nodded obediently. "I really am sorry."
"I know, babe. It's okay," I said with a weak smile. The night had not gone the way I wished it would have, but I couldn't completely blame Trevor. My father was absolutely out of line, and Trevor was right; he was a better father figure to Coralie and Scarlett than my father was to me. He had been absent for most of my childhood. He always had his head buried in his work, and when he wasn't busy with that, he was usually in his study, alone, with a drink in his hand.
As I scrubbed the pots and pans with hot, soapy water, I smiled to myself. My father was wrong about Trevor. He wasn't a monster like my parents thought. Trevor had always been sweet to me, and as I heard him shouting and laughing loudly with the girls upstairs, I knew what kind of a man he was. This was why I had left Rockford Hills; I was in search of something real; something good. Something like this.