SimLit Legacy Stories by Sharon

I was feeling a bit melancholy after sending Eli away. Although it hurt to send the others home, Eli was the one that hurt the most. I sneaked away to have a cry and was relieved that nobody came wanting my attention for a while. Sure, this was a competition, but people’s real feelings were at stake here. I’d always tried to be considerate of people’s feelings and would never want to intentionally hurt anyone.

I finally managed to compose myself, and there was Laban with a big, goofy grin waiting for me. He grabbed my hands and, laughing, pulled me over to the beer keg. “Keg stand time!” he proclaimed.

I did a double-take and gaped at him. “Huh?”

He grinned. “What better way to kick the blues than to have a little fun?” he said. “C’mon. You’ll feel better.”

I started to giggle. “Why do I get the impression this isn’t for my benefit alone?”

Laban pretended to look wounded, then laughed. “Curses! She knows me too well,” he said. “It mostly is for your benefit, but I’m taking it upon myself to show you how a real keg stand is done. You won’t see me falling on my face like Blondie over there did.”

The giggles turned to an all-out laughing attack. “Big talk, fairy boy,” I teased. So, the challenge was on.

And as it turned out, Laban proved himself admirably.

I was still laughing when we were done. Laban’s grin widened, but he raised an eyebrow questioningly. “What’s so funny?” he asked.

“This. These keg stands bring back some funny memories,” I said.

“Want to tell me?”

I laughed again. “See, my two besties, Lenora and Christie, are the sisters I never had. We were inseparable growing up. We studied hard in college, but we also liked to have fun. One night, we threw a party, and it turned into a drinking challenge. Let’s just say, the beer keg was the main attraction. We were all quite inebriated, that is, except for Lenora. Being the Irishwoman she is, she could drink us all under the table and still can. Christie must have driven the porcelain bus a thousand miles that night while I passed out on the front lawn. The next morning, Christie and I felt as though we’d gone through Armageddon, but there was Lenora, happily cooking breakfast for everyone. If she wasn’t my bestie, I’d have to hate her.”

Laban roared with laughter. “Those are some fond memories. It’s great that you have good friends like that. I do remember seeing Lenora’s season. My sisters are big fans of hers. They say nobody can write a romance novel like she can.”

I smiled. “Lenora’s one of a kind. Well, Christie is, too. They’re the best friends anyone could ever have.”

He squeezed my hand and nodded. We stood there in companionable silence for a while. It felt nice, and I was glad Laban didn’t bring up the subject of his loving me. I knew where my heart was leading me, but I had to be so very sure. I didn’t want to get hurt again, nor did I want to hurt anyone else.

We were all getting cabin fever, so I took my remaining boys back to the beach. We’d all had a great time there before, and I figured the relaxing setting would be a great place for me to think things over. Declan and I had a great conversation. I expected him to start flirting again, but surprisingly, he was rather reserved this time.

Laban and I fell easily into conversation as we always had. I was reminded once again how comfortable Laban and I were with each other. We had an undeniable connection, and my heart raced with pleasure every time I heard his voice. I knew he loved me from the way he always looked at me, and my soul was responding in kind. The more time I spent with him, the stronger and surer I felt about where this was heading.

Pierce came over, and again, I felt as though he was checking up on me. He didn’t look happy that I was deep in conversation with Laban. For someone who said wasn’t an octopus, he could have fooled me. Perhaps it was all getting to me, but I was getting annoyed at Pierce showing up while I was talking to someone else. Why did he always pick those times to want to talk to me when he could have sought me out at other times without interrupting?

When we got home, I went to the date room to make my decision.

I think Declan and I both knew what was coming. I loved being around him. He knew how to have a good time, and I loved his fun, carefree outlook. This was another one that hurt a lot to send away.

The next day was surreal. We were down to it now with only two of my boys left. I knew I had one more elimination to go. As hard as it was going to be to say goodbye to one of them, I knew it had to be done. I couldn’t argue with myself anymore. I knew exactly who I wanted and loved, and I would tell him tonight.

I asked Pierce to come outside with me so we could talk. He followed me silently, then turned to me with a heavy sigh. “From the look on your face, you’ve got some bad news for me, don’t you?” he asked.

“I’m afraid so, Pierce. I’m sorry…so, so sorry,” I said softly. “I didn’t want to put it off any longer because it wouldn’t be fair to any of us to drag things out. I care about you so much, but–”

“But I’m not the one you want,” he said.

I shook my head sadly. “I’m so sorry.”

Without a word, he headed to the swimming pool and started doing laps as though his life depended on it. I jumped in and tried to keep up. When he was done, he jumped out and shook water off his hair. I got out and stood beside him. “Pierce, talk to me,” I said.

“What more is there to say, Ileah?” he asked.

I pulled him close for a hug, and he started to cry. “I suppose there’s nothing I can do to make you change your mind, is there?” he asked thickly.

“It wouldn’t be fair to either of us if I tried to fake something I don’t feel. Pierce, believe me, I never wanted to hurt you,” I said, emotion thickening my own voice.

“I know…I know,” he said, pulling away and dragging the back of his hand over his cheeks. “Well, he’d better take care of you or I’ll come knocking.”

A slight smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. “Of that, I have no doubt. Have a happy life, okay, Pierce?”

“I’ll try,” he said, then turned toward the house.

I walked slowly toward the house myself so I could find Laban. I hated hurting Pierce like that, but I knew I’d made the right decision.

I didn’t find him inside, so I quickly changed out of my wet suit and headed back outside. I found him standing by the massage table. “I should have guessed I’d find you here,” I grinned.

He grinned back. “I like hanging out here and offering you a massage when you arrive. I aim to please, milady.”

“Could we talk for a minute?” I asked.

He nodded, his expression turning into an unreadable mask. “Best get it over with quickly,” he said stoically.

I framed his beloved face in my hands and felt his arms slide around me, despite the stoicism he was trying to keep in place. “I love you, Laban. I love you with every ounce of my being.”

He blinked, a confused frown furrowing his brow. “What?”

“I said, I love you, Laban. I’ve known this for a while now but couldn’t tell you until tonight. I-I hope you still feel the same about me,” I said.

He whooped, lifted me easily, and spun me around until I was giddy with laughter. “Oh, I do, Ileah! I do with all my heart. I guess I thought…well…”

“There is nobody who could ever hold a candle to you,” I whispered before our lips met in a passionate kiss that seared its way down to my toes.

“Well then, in that case, allow me to give you the night of your life,” Laban said.

Laban gave me the best massage I’d ever had in all my life. If I thought he had magic fingers before, that was nothing compared to the talents he displayed this time.

I led him to my room and wasted no time in kissing him thoroughly.

He gave my shoulders another rub, then turned to take my hands.

Laban pulled me into his arms and held me close. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Ileah. I love you so much!”

“I love you…forever,” I whispered, closing my eyes and breathing him in.

We fell onto the bed, and Laban positioned himself above me. “Are you sure, Ileah?” he asked, both of us breathing hard.

“I have never been more sure of anything in my life,” I said. “I’m yours forever, Laban. Now, love me.”

Passion met passion as his lips covered mine. I gave myself completely to the man I love and lost total track of time.

Afterward, we lay there, just basking in the afterglow. Laban brushed a lock of hair from my face and kissed my forehead. “So beautiful,” he whispered before pulling me snugly against his chest. I uttered a blissful sigh and fell asleep with the sound of the surf in the distance, cradled in the arms of my forever love.