Chapter 466: Beach House

Tuesday, February 14th, Afternoon

The noise of whatever was going on downstairs woke her up. She tossed and turned a few minutes before putting one of her pillows over her head. The frustration of trying to sleep with what sounded like a small construction project was going on.

Finally, she gave up the ghost and threw off the covers. Candi slipped out of bed; her feet made contact with the floor, and she could feel it through the heavy socks on her feet. She looked at the light slipping through the curtains. Standing up, Candi adjusted her Calvin Lien underwear and sports bra; she grabbed a pair of Chastity Davis Specials sunglasses. Once she had the sunglasses settled, Candi left her room.

The work seemed to get louder as she walked to the bridge. Candi looked down to watch uniformed people walking around; they looked like caterers. She watched as they came and went for a few minutes. Candi noted a few people were checking her out.

Shaking her head, Candi left the bridge and headed downstairs. Looking around, she found Fawn standing to the side. Candi nodded and walked over to Fawn.

"I'm glad you dressed for the occasion," Fawn said.

"They woke me up; what's going on?" Candi asked.

"Setting up for the party," Fawn said.

"I figured that; who are they?" Candi asked.

Fawn pointed towards one of them, "Caterer," Fawn said, pointed to another, "Bar service," and finally she pointed to another, "The DJ."

"It's just an engagement party. Do we need all this stuff?" Candi asked.

"It's what Dani wants, and she booked it all," Fawn said, "I'm just directing traffic."

"Ugh!" Candi said.

"I feel you; I've barely slept myself," Fawn said.

Candi shook her head, "I'll be on the roof,' she said and went back to her room.

She changed into one of her bikinis, put on her sandals, grabbed a button-down shirt, her Duke University hat, smartphone, towel, sunscreen, and a book. Once she finished, Candi headed upstairs to the rooftop deck. Candi found a lounger and got comfortable.

Taking her time, Candi spread sunscreen onto her skin. Once she was satisfied, she leaned back, put her earbuds in, and started to play her playlist. Anthony's voice began to fill her ears as she listened to Californication. Candi picked up her book and opened it to where she left off. The book was titled Go Up for Glory by Bill Russell; this was the third time she enjoyed his take on his life.

Candi considered herself a bit of a heretic regarding the GOAT argument. Candi thought, unlike other people, that Bill Russell was the GOAT. Russell played thirteen seasons, the last three as player-coach, won the NBA Championship eleven times, all-star twelve times, and five times league MVP. That didn't mention two NCAA Championship and a 1956 Olympic gold medal.

"Hey Candi," Doctor Flynn Keegan said, coming out onto the roof deck.

"Hi, Flynn," Candi said.

Flynn came over and sat down on the neighboring lounger. "What brings you out here?" he asked.

"The noise," Candi said.

"Oh, Dani and Marcel's engagement party," Flynn said, "Aldan offered to plan his services."

"They turned him down?" Candi asked.

"Yeah, it would've been great," Flynn said.

Candi chuckled, "Well, here we are," she said.

"Still reading about Bill Russell?" Flynn asked.

"Third time through," Candi said.

"Need to diversify your reading," Flynn said.

"Yeah, well, I have narrow likes," Candi said.

"So, are we going to talk about it?" Flynn asked.

"Talk about what, Flynn?" Candi asked.

"Your dad, since you, Madyson, and Fawn came back from Tree Hill. You've been broodier than usual," Flynn said.

"Broodier than usual?" Candi asked.

"You seem distracted," Flynn said.

"Yeah, well, I have a lot on my mind," Candi said.

"Hold on one," Flynn said, stood up, and headed back inside the house. A moment later, Flynn walked back out and carried two bottles. Flynn returned to his lounger and offered Candi one of the bottles.

Candi nodded, took the bottle, and took a healthy pull.

"Now we can talk since we have the appropriate adult beverage," Flynn said.

"My dad needs heart surgery, and he's being stubborn about it," Candi said.

"Men are like that; we both know that's super true," Flynn said.

"Yeah, especially my dad," Candi said and took a pull from her bottle.

"Are you going to be taking time off for his surgery?" Flynn asked.

"I've talked with Doctor Hagberg about taking two weeks off for his surgery," Candi said.

"I think he and your siblings will appreciate it," Flynn said.

Candi nodded and took another pull from her bottle. "Yeah," she said.

"I hope Aldan and me don't scare the straights tonight," Flynn said.

"I think you'll be fine, Flynn," Candi said.

"I hope you're right," Flynn said.

"I wonder why Dani wants to have her engagement party here?" Candi asked.

"You can't be serious, Candi?" Flynn asked.

"I am serious," Candi said.

"Look at this view; wouldn't you want to have a party with this view?" Flynn asked.

"Possible," Candi said, shrugged, and took another pull of her bottle.

"Have you thought about what you want to wear tonight?" Flynn asked.

"No, I don't even know what the dress code is for tonight," Candi said.

"I bet Madyson and/or Kaelyn will want to borrow something," Flynn said.

"Always," Candi said, "Maybe, I should set up a side business where I rent out dresses."

Flynn chuckled, "Maybe, you should," he said.

"I'll consider it," Candi said.

"If you weren't here, where would you see yourself?" Flynn asked.

"Probably somewhere on the East Coast doing the same thing," Candi said, "You?"

"Probably doing Doctors' Without Borders or something like that," Flynn said.

Candi nodded, "I'd probably consider doing that when my program ends. I've always considered doing that," she said.

"So, how did you end up here?" Flynn asked.

"It's a long winding story, and you don't have enough of this for me to tell you," Candi said, holding up her bottle. Flynn laughed.