Thanks everyone. I think I'm keeping up with replying to reviews individually but in case I missed some, just wanted you to know I appreciate all the feedback!
Wheeler walks down the boardwalk feeling defeated. There are couples all around him; having dinner, holding hands, laughing, kissing, the girls watching as their boyfriends try to win them prizes at games…couples and large groups of friends. Wheeler stands out being the only person on the boardwalk who is alone. Or maybe he blends in. No one seems to even notice him; everyone is too caught up in their own excitement.
He glances to his left and his attention is grabbed immediately. He sees Linka and Kwame having dinner, she's facing the window, Kwame's back is to it. Wheeler feels like someone has punched him in the stomach when he witnesses Kwame reach across the table and cover Linka's hand with his.
Son of a bitch!
Wheeler balls his hands up into fists.
How could he? My best friend is going after Linka! And she's smiling. She never smiles at me like that. If that were me, she'd pull away and shoot me down. Tell me it wasn't right. Call me a flirt and roll her eyes. But she's not pulling away. She's staying there and she's smiling.
Wheeler wants to turn away, stop torturing himself, but he can't. He wants to see what happens next.
What does Kwame have that I don't?
He already knows. Part of him always wished he was more like Kwame, maybe then he'd be better suited for Linka.
Kwame is smarter, more level headed, a born leader. He's caring and compassionate…not nearly as self centered as I am. And always serious, never immature and goofing off like me. All work and no play. It's what Linka would want in a guy. Kwame is the male version of her.
Wheeler sighs, realizing what he's lost and that he only has himself to blame. If only he'd seen it sooner. He could have tried harder to be more like Kwame; to be the man that Linka wanted him to be. The signs were all there. He just chose to ignore them and hoped that maybe she'd accept him and all his flaws. Big mistake.
I'm happy for them…they deserve each other. They're perfect for each other. He's everything she wants...and nothing like me.
Wheeler is trying to convince himself that he's ok with this…that he can get over it and move on…until Linka gets up, sits next to Kwame, and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
Shit.
Wheeler turns to leave. He can't take it anymore. It's bad enough he's going to have to witness this relationship unfold once they're all back together on Hope Island.
I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time in my room.
He only hopes it is that simple. Will he be able to avoid them? Will that lessen his pain? Or will he have to leave for good?
Wheeler is leaning over the railing of the pier, looking down into the white foam of the ocean as it swirls around the wooden pillars.
"Don't do it!" A voice says from behind him.
He's unaware that the voice is talking to him until he feels arms wrapped around his midsection.
"Huh?"
He turns around to see that it's Savannah who is hugging him.
"Oh…hi."
She pins him between her body and the railing as she leans into him to greet him with a kiss. Wheeler wishes that the railing behind him would give way and he'd fall into the ocean. No such luck though.
"I know you're probably upset that you had to cancel our date, but that's no reason to jump," she teases. "Which reminds me…what are you doing here? I thought you said there was a break in the case?"
"Oh…uh…it fell through."
"So you came down here to look for me? You could have just called."
"Uh…no, not really. I figured you'd already made new plans," he lies, not wanting to tell her that she wasn't the girl he came here looking for.
"You figured correctly. This is John," she says as she releases Wheeler when another guy approaches and she takes the beverage that John is holding out to her.
"Uh, hi. Nice to meet you," Wheeler says, holding out his hand to John. The bigger guy sizes Wheeler up and ignores his extended hand.
Linka was right. Savannah has no shortage of boy toys.
"Well, I better let you guys get back to your…date," Wheeler says, hoping they'll go away and leave him alone.
"Ok…call me later if you're bored," she says with a wink.
HA! Not likely!
To Be Continued...