winked at me.
I shook my head. “I forgot how much of a smartass you are.”
“I don’t think that’s ever going to change. Now, what’s her name?”
“Kayleigh.”
“How long have you two been dating?”
“We’re not dating, just friends.”
Lana raised her eyebrows at me. “Really? Start from the beginning,” she told me.
After swearing her to secrecy, I told her everything. From meeting at the beach, being in classes together and finally Kayleigh asking me for help building her sexual confidence.”
“And you haven’t slept with her?”
“No, but something did happen,” I told her about the bathroom incident and the resulting phone sex.
“So she’s upset with you about that?”
“No, there’s more.”
I went into detail about the bet we’d made and how I won.
“No wonder she’s mad at you Major. You’re an idiot.”
“I don’t get it. What did I do wrong?”
“You betrayed her trust.”
“How?”
“She trusted you with something that was hard for her to do, and you used that to win a stupid bet like it meant nothing. Like she meant nothing.”
I thought about that for a minute. “Fuck. How do I fix it?”
“Before I give you advice, I want to know why it’s so important to you.”
“She’s different. She treats me like a regular guy, not like the heir to a multi-million dollar company and I like that. She’s made me see things differently. Growing up, everyone I knew had money like we did. Private schools, country clubs, we never had to worry about anything. She’s at school on a full-ride athletic scholarship and is terrified to lose it or she won’t be able to stay in school. It’s just made me think about someone other than myself.”
“Wow, I never thought I’d see the day that Major Davenport stopped being a spoiled rich kid. Congratulations Major, you’re growing up.”
“She doesn’t know,” I said.
“Know what?”
That my last name is Davenport, who my family is, that I have a shit ton of money-- none of it.”
“Why haven’t you told her?”
“I wanted her to like me for who I am, not how much money I have.”
“Do you think she’s that kind of person?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t had good luck in that department.”
“You need to tell her the whole truth. Lying to her isn’t going to help anything. She’ll find out eventually, and it’ll make everything worse. You also need to show her you’re sorry for betraying her trust, and find a way to build that trust back up.”
“But how do I do that?”
“You’re going to have to figure that out on your own. You know her better than I do, but if you need help I’m just a call or a text away.”
“Thanks, Lana.”
“Try not to do anything stupid like that again. Okay?”
“I’ll try but I’m not making any promises,” I told her, and she laughed at me.
We finished our coffees and left Cana’s. I hadn’t been home in a month, and since I was so close, I decided to stop in. I punched in the code at the gate and drove up to the front door. I got out and was greeted by Miss Martha.
“Major,” she said, and pulled me into a hug. “What brings you here?”
“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by and see if mom and dad were home.”
“I’m sorry to tell you they’re not. Your dad had a business trip to Paris and you know how much your mom likes Paris.”
I smiled at that. Other than here, it was mom’s favorite place.
“No problem. Do you mind if I hang around here for a while?”
“This is still your home Major, you can do as you please,” she said smiling.
I smiled back and wandered around for a while trying to figure out what I needed. I found myself in my room staring at a picture of me surfing when I was about ten. I remember at that age all I wanted to do was to become a professional surfer and travel from ocean to ocean. Honestly, sometimes I’d still like to do that.
I decided that surfing might help clear my head, so I found a pair of swim trunks and headed to the beach at the back of the house. I grabbed a board on my way and hit the waves.
An hour later, I was showered and feeling somewhat better. I found Miss Martha in the kitchen. She was older and had more life experience than I did, so I decided to ask for her advice.
“Miss Martha, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, Major. What can I help you with?”
“Has anyone ever