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Byline chapter 6

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Copyright © 2021 Peregrine
All rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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I ended up going to the burger place I had gone to with Abbey the night she wanted me to show off my new assets. I was wearing a pair of jeans, a polo shirt and a pair of flats. I had not buttoned the top 3 buttons of my shirt. My hair was down just touching my shoulders.
I was seated and was looking at the menu when the waiter came over.

“Hi. Can I get you something to drink?” he said. I looked up from the menu. It was the same waiter who gave me his number the night I left my bag here.

“I’ll have a water, please. Oh, can I order a milkshake now?”

“Now is good. What would you like?”

“A chocolate shake please.”

He wrote down my drink order and gave me the once over before he left saying,” I’ll be right back with your water.”
I knew where he had been looking. Heck, I had done the same thing many times. I reached up to button my shirt. Then I remembered Abbey’s words from that night. ‘He can dream and I’ll let him.’ I left the buttons alone, brought my hand down and continued reading the menu.
My waiter came back with my water and I place my burger and fries order. It wasn’t long before he returned with my order and milkshake. I ate in relative peace. When I finished, I asked for the check. I gave him the company credit card.

“Here you go,” he said as he returned with my card. I signed and handed his part back to him. “Don’t forget your purse this time,” he said flashing a smile.

“Thanks again for getting it for me that night,” I said.

“You didn’t call,” he said.

What am I supposed to do now? I can’t tell him I didn’t call because I’m a guy. At one time, I might have been okay going out with a guy but I’m not ready to do that again. I came up with an excuse.

“I’ve been at a long training session for work besides, I have a boyfriend. I don’t think he would be happy if I had called.” I smiled my best apologetic smile I could. Andrea did tell me to say I had a boyfriend. I got my bag and stood up. “Have a nice night.” I didn’t rush to get to the door but I didn’t dawdle either. Outside I continued walking without looking back. I was beginning to believe Andrea was right about guys trying to hit on me. I began to wonder, to do this article correctly, am I going to have to go out with guys?

~~0~~

“Hi sis,” Abbey said as I opened the door to my apartment. “You ready to go?”

“I’ll be ready in a minute. Make yourself comfortable. Sit down.”

We were going to Penn’s landing this Saturday morning. We were going to another concert there that evening. I had asked Abbey what I should wear. She had suggested I wear exercise leggings, a sports bra and an exercise top. I figured she knew what she was talking about so I complied. I walked out to the living room and did a little spin.

“How do I look?”

“Wow! You’re rocking that outfit, sis. Training is paying off. Let’s go.”

We took the short ride to Penn’s Landing and walked around taking in the sights and looking to see what was being sold at the stands. We passed by the roller rink and I saw a familiar look in her eyes.

“Let’s skate for a while.” I shook my head.

“I’d rather not,” I said.

“We haven’t skated in a long time,” Abbey said.

“The last time I skated I fell, remember?”

“You were having fun until then.”

“No thanks. I’ll sit and watch this time.”

“It was fun skating with my brother before. I want to skate with my sister. Please? It won’t be fun without you. No falling this time. I promise.”

“Yeah, just like last time.”

“You wouldn’t have fallen if it wasn’t for that bee scaring me.” Abbey hates bees.

“It wasn’t a bee. You just thought there was a bee.”

“Whatever. Please, Casey.”

“Fine,” I said. I sighed. “Don’t let go of me this time.”

“I won’t. Promise.” She grabbed my arm and dragged me over to rent skates.

~~0~~

“You’re doing good. Remember what you did last time.” Abbey was holding onto my hands as I tried to maintain my balance.

“I only remember one thing about the last time,” I said. “I fell.”

“Forget the falling part. Keep one foot on the ground and push off with the other.”

I really think she thought I could do this. I would never be the skater Abbey was. She loved skating. I was always happy to watch her. She was really good on rollerblades. She was outstanding on ice skates. We were staying by the boards and I was trying to do what she was telling me. I was beginning to have a rhythm of sorts going. I had a bit of confidence.

“Let me try this on my own for a bit. You go skate around.”

“Are you sure? I promised you I wouldn’t let you fall.”

“I’ll be okay as long as I’m near the boards. If I fall, it won’t be your fault. I’ll still blame you though.”

She laughed. “Okay, I’ll be checking on you.”

She sped away. I could see the joy on her face as she was able to do a spin in the center of the rink. True to her word, Abbey came by periodically to see how I was doing. Something about having the boards nearby gave me some confidence. I wasn’t going fast but I was staying up. On one of my trips around, some kids were talking by the boards just standing there. I didn’t think they were going to move for me. My newly found confidence convinced me I could leave the boards enough to get around them. I left the boards staying with my rhythm and went around them. I did it! You could tell by the smile on my face I was pleased with myself. Abbey noticed also and came skating over.

“Way to go Casey. Take my hands and let’s go out further.” Abbey took my hands and led me further from the boards.

“I don’t know about this,” I said as we got further away from the boards. Still, I was doing pretty good keeping my rhythm. I looked up and smiled at Abbey. She smiled back.

“Try it without me.”

“No, Abbey. Don’t let go.”

“You’re doing great. I’ll be right here. Just keep your rhythm going.”

I slowly let go of Abbey’s hands and… I didn’t fall! Abbey kept giving me encouragement as I continued to make my way following Abbey. She was skating backward when three teenagers darted too close behind her. She saw them at the last minute from the corner of her eye and barely avoided being hit by them. The sudden activity startled me. I began to lose my rhythm and my forward progress. I felt myself falling.

“Abbey!” I yelled. I struggled to keep my balance.

“I got you, Casey,” She yelled. She lunged to grab my arm just as I completely lost my balance. I grabbed her arm as my feet went out from under me. I went down. With the death grip I had on Abbey’s arm, I dragged her down with me. We both ended up in a heap in the rink. Just like the last time.

“Not again,” I said. Abbey started laughing sitting on the ground next to me. “You’re a lousy teacher.” I managed to say. I started laughing with her.

It seems that when we are both on the ground, wearing skates, we have trouble getting up. Abbey would get up and I would drag her down while trying to hold on to her to get myself up. Our laughing fit didn’t help our coordination. We decided to sit there until our laughter subsided.

“You two sound like you’re having a good time down there. If we’re not interrupting, can we maybe lend you a hand?”

We both looked up. Abbey caught her breath. From the look on her face, I don’t think Abbey could believe her eyes. I followed the sound of the voice. Standing above us were two, very good-looking, guys. They were identical except for their clothes. They were wearing jeans with different colored shirts. Both appeared tall, from where we were sitting on the ground. Both were clean shaved with a definite 5 o’clock shadow. That was something I never had. They had clean-cut looks with dark hair just long enough not to be rebellious. Their bodies appeared athletic. Their exposed arms showed they have been to the gym but were not muscle-bound. Abbey would later tell me she felt as if she was seeing her Ken doll come to life.

“Can we lend a hand? Maybe help you up?” came the voice again.

That second question broke the spell on Abbey.

“Yes, that would be great. Thanks.”

I watched as one of our rescuers helped Abbey to her feet. When she was just about standing, one of her skates went out from under her. She fell forward against his chest letting him catch her.

“Careful, you seem a bit unsteady.” He straightened her up and held onto her. “Better now?”

“Yes, thanks,” Abbey said.

I groaned at the sight. I was sure she did that on purpose.

“Are you okay?” the other guy asked me. “Here take my hand.”

He took my hand and put his arm around my waist as I got back on my skates.

“Thanks,” I said.

“You girls want to go sit down for a minute?” said the first guy.

“He means on the bench, not the floor” the other guy clarified.

“I think they knew that Dave.”

“I just wanted to make sure they understood you, Gil.”

“They’re intelligent girls. They got my meaning.”

“You could have let go and let her drop to the floor again.”

“Now why would I do that?”

They continued on for another 30 seconds. I finally spoke up.

“The bench is fine, guys. I think my skate came loose.”

“Sorry, let’s get you over there.”

They helped us across the rink to the bench. It turned out they both were about 6 feet tall. I felt small with his arm around me. We sat on the bench. My skate had loosened a bit. I unlaced it and started to tighten the laces.

“Can I help with that,” he asked?

“Sure.” I let him take the laces.

He began to pull on the laces and looked up at me. “Let me know if it’s too tight.”

“That’s good,” I said.

He tied the lace and repeated the process on the other skate.

“There you go. You’re all ready to get back out there. I’m Dave,” he said to me. He pointed over to the guy helping my sister. “That’s Gil. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re identical twins, like you two.”

“Oh, we’re not…”

“Identical twins,” Abbey interrupted. I glared at her.

“You’re fraternal twins?” said Gil. “I would have sworn you were identical. If it wasn’t that your hair is longer, I couldn’t tell you apart.”

“I’m Abbey. That’s my sister Casey.” Abbey looked at Gil then at me. “I’m the better looking one,” she said.

“Are not!” I shot back. I don’t know why I said that. It was just a reflex.

Gil started laughing. “We do the same thing. Dave’s never gotten over that I’m better looking.”

“Here we go,” Dave said.

“Ready to get back out there, Abbey?” asked Gil.

“Sure.” Abbey sounded a little too enthusiastic to me.

“How about you, Casey?” said Dave. I must have looked unsure. “I won’t let you fall. Promise.”

“That’s not the first time I’ve heard that today,” I said. Dave took my extended hand and helped me out to the rink.

~~0~~

We spent a pleasant hour skating with the guys. They never left our side. Abbey and Gil were skating all over the place. The two of them were pretty equal skaters. I felt bad for Dave.

“Dave, why don’t you go skate with the two experts. I feel like I’m holding you back.”

“I’m not complaining. I’m having a good time with you.”

Why does he have to be so nice? As we skated together, Dave kept giving me tips on keeping my balance. He was a much better teacher than Abbey. By the end of the hour, I was skating without any help, well, almost.

We all had our fill of skating. The four of us returned our rented skates and retrieved our shoes.

“Thanks for the company guys. It’s been a lot of fun,” said Abbey.

“Thanks for helping us out and for the skating lesson,” I said to Dave. “We have to get going.”

The brothers looked at each other. It was like a silent communication went between them.

“I saw a restaurant about a block or two from here. Would you be interested in going to dinner?”

I wasn’t sure about this. This was starting to feel like me going on a date. I was trying to think of a way to say no when Abbey jumped right in saying, “Sure, that sounds great. We haven’t eaten since brunch.”

I shot Abbey a look.

“Abbey,” I said. “I need to use the restroom.”

“Okay,” she said.

“Abs!”

“Oh, right. We’ll be right back.”

I grabbed her arm and rushed to the ladies' room.

“What’s gotten into you?” I said once we were inside.

“What are you talking about?”

“Why did you tell them we were twins?”

“It seemed like the right thing to say at the moment.”

“And what was it with that
slip and falling into him when he was helping you up?”

“I didn’t see you pulling away when he put his arm around your waist.”

“He was helping me up.”

“Sure he was, all around the rink.”

“He didn’t want me to fall.”

“Yeah, right.” She paused for a second. “I think I really like him.“

“What about your lawyer guy? What was his name, Glen?”

‘That’s been over for months.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

"It’s okay. Too much of an age difference. We’re still friends. Look, all you have to do is stay with him. Be nice to him, while I get to know his brother.”

“Abbey, I’m a guy,” I whispered.

“So what. Don’t you consider yourself bisexual?” You had that little fling with Matt.”

Matt was one of my group of friends I mentioned before. There were a few months when we were attracted to each other. I’m still not sure if I’m more into girls or guys.

“That was years ago. And Matt knew I was a guy. Dave thinks I’m a girl.”

“What the worst that can happen. So you might have to kiss a guy. You’ve done it before. Just this one time. Please? I’ve helped you out with your assignment.”

“Yeah, you gave me boobs,” I said.

“Come on, please?”

“Alright, this one time. I’m not happy about this though.”

She hugged me.

“Thank you, Casey. You’re the best sister in the world.”

“If we’re paying for our own dinner, you’re paying for mine. And you owe me big time,” I said. I followed her out to find the guys.

~~~0~~~

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Thanks for reading. Comments welcome.

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Cover picture Credits
Photo by Daria Sannikova from Pexels
Photo by Valeriia Miller from Pexels
Photo Composite by Peregrine

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