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Chapter 16
"I was smitten, Faith. I mean, I had never met anyone like her! And she just waltzed into my life and back out, leaving me shocked and surprised-"
"-Isn't that the same thing?"
"-and then, she shows up in I'll Never Break Your Heart, and it seemed like fate. I was sure that God was telling me something. I could easily overlook her…mild drinking habits, because she loved me. You know? It was amazing.
Christmas was so much more fun knowing I was getting married…then you just had to go and send that letter…"
His last remark was said in a teasing manner, and she laughed and shrugged.
"How was I to know you'd get it?"
"Exactly. But I did. And I was suddenly shy around Leighanne, I couldn't concentrate, I was dismissed as Oscar the Grouch by AJ…"
"Not anymore, though?"
"Not since we got here…something was pulling me here. Can you believe we needed time off, and they just happened to pick Maui?"
"Fate?"
"Of course! What else has been intervening since I got your letter? Although, I must say, you have not once been in one of your pissy moods, not since I've known you."
"You have that effect on me, I guess."
"I'm glad. I mean, it shocked my socks off-"
"Shocked your socks off?" She was laughing.
"Yeah…anyway, you'd have to have been there to see how miserable I was. Your letter was so-so personal, Faith. All these letters I get are like, I love you so much, I really think you're the cutest Backstreet Boy will you write me back with some hair? But yours, yours was different…"
"I have a little more experience of writing, I should think, than a 10-year old." Her tone was dry, and he ignored it.
"It flattered me, like the average letter, you wished me well with
Leighanne, which I get…eh, sometimes…but you gave me advise and you told me about yourself and your friends and family…you told me what your plans were…I felt like you were my pen pal…only I couldn't write back, because you refused to enclose your return address."
"I told you…I didn't expect you to get it…and how was I to know if it was your real address?"
"Can't answer that. But you could have at least put a return address…what if you had an invalid address?"
"I guess I would expect them to throw it away. I wasn't picturing you reading it when I wrote it. I was more using it as a diary I guess, pretending it was you…"
"Awww, how sentimental."
"I hate sarcasm."
"So sorry. Shall we order?"
"Of course."
"She'll be here any minute," Derek said to his companion. "You'll like her. Faith is an amazing girl. She needs someone like you…she's been hurt a couple times, but I know you won't hurt her." He fixed his guest with a stare that basically said, 'right?'
His friend swallowed and was just about to answer when the door to Derek's condo burst open and Faith entered.
"Derek!" she cried. "I have the best news!"
"Faithie, calm down for a minute," Derek requested, taking her arm and turning her to face the young man behind him. She smiled at him, and turned back to Derek.
"I really have to tell you…" she began.
"This is Christian Schroeder, Faith," he said, ignoring her. She frowned, then wiped the scowl off her face and turned to Christian.
"Hi, Christian," she said lightly, then once more turned to Derek.
"Derek…" she began.
"Faith, stop," he demanded, not unkindly. "Whatever you have to tell me it can wait until later. I have company that I would like you to spend some time with."
Faith was incomprehensive. "Spend some time with…?" she repeated.
Christian nodded. "I'd like to take you to a play on the west beach tomorrow."
Faith was stupefied. She couldn't think of what to say. Tomorrow…she was supposed to be with Brian. Then realization struck. Her uncle was trying to hook her up with Christian. He obviously hadn't been informed of Brian's presence on the island.
"Derek, I really need to talk to you," she hissed.
"Later," he growled back. "Christian is an inspiring artist, Faith," he said louder. "I know how you are with artists."
So Christian was an artist. Did Derek actually think that he could compare to Brian in any way?
"How…interesting," she said, through clenched teeth. Christian smiled uneasily. She didn't blame him. If she were face to face with herself right then, she'd be feeling queasy too. "What kind of artist are you?"
"He's into pop, Faith," Derek stepped in. She turned a cold stare on him, and he shut up.
"Can I hear you sing?" she asked Christian. 'Just so I can see how much better Brian is than you?'
"Oh, uh…sure," he stammered. "I'll sing for you tomorrow."
She tried her best to look disappointed. Examining him critically, she found Christian to be a small, nervous character. He had wavy black hair, and Faith had to stop there, because his eyes were small and pinched and lacked the warmth that Brian's held. She missed Brian, standing here with her uncle and this shy, twittering man. She knew if Brian were here, he'd be telling jokes and sharing stories of life on the road with the Backstreet Boys. He and Derek would talk forever, and Brian would sit next to Faith, their hands tangled together between their knees. Her eyes misted slightly.
"I do have to go, Mr. Manti," Christian spoke up. "Faith-"
"Call me Derek, boy!" Derek exclaimed, slapping him on the back, his green eyes dancing. Christian's eyes bugged out of his head and he jerked forward, almost into Faith. She backed up automatically.
"Faith, can I pick you up here tomorrow at three?" Christian asked. She opened her mouth to tell him she was busy, but a gaze of Derek's made her choose the otherwise. She nodded slightly and managed a small smile.
Christian hurried out the door, and Faith turned to Derek, her eyes flashing.
"Why did you do that?" she asked, her voice low.
"Faith, I'm tired of your relationships. Christian is a great guy-"
"I told you I didn't want you to hook me up with anyone!"
"You need to show me some respect, Faith."
"Show me some then!" She was shouting now, and having trouble controlling her anger. "I told you, Derek…" Her voice broke, because she knew that even if she did this one favor for her uncle, he would keep forcing Christian and her closer. And that wasn't something she could control. He did so much for her.
"I know, honey," he said, gentler now. "But it's just one thing, you never know what could come out of it."
"I don't want anything to come out of it," she said hollowly. "I don't need anything to come out of it." She had Brian; she didn't need Christian.
"Just once I would like to see you in a semi healthy relationship," he said. "I could die happy if you gave in to someone who will love you and care for you like you need."
"I'm not as needy as you think," she retorted. "And look at the guy, Derek!
He practically fell over when you cuffed him on the back."
"So? Brian's not exactly an Arnold."
"Brian…" she stopped. Why argue about it? "Brian doesn't have to be 'an Arnold'."
"Why does Christian then?" he shot back. She stared at him.
"I'm going to go," she said quietly. On her way out, she heard him say,
"Be here at three!"
"What would he do if I didn't?" she muttered to herself.
Brian yawned and picked up the phone. He mumbled a hello and waited.
"Brian?"
He immediately sat up straight. Did Faith sound stressed, or was it just him?
"Why are you calling so late?" he questioned. "Did something happen?"
"Kinda-sorta," she answered. "I have to cancel tomorrow…"
His heart sank, and he frowned. "Okay…" he said, uncertain.
"I kind of forgot I had to go with Destiny somewhere," she said. She sounded strange, and he frowned deeper.
"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned. He thought he heard her breath catch.
"You're so perfect," she murmured.
"So are you…are you okay?" he reiterated.
"Yeah," she said quietly. "Can we just talk for awhile?"
"No problem," he said gently, hoping to ease her uneasiness and whatever had caused it. "So what's up?"
She laughed softly and began talking. He listened to her words, as she talked
about anything and everything, and he closed his eyes and let her voice wash
over him.
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