Chapter 12: If These Walls Could Talk
Chapter 12:
Luis walked through the door of the bar
where the party was being thrown in his honor. He noticed that so many
of his buddies had shown up and that meant a lot to him. He didn't
have long to think about much because Hank spotted him and yelled to the
crowd that the guest of honor had arrived. They all turned around and
started cheering and being loud. Luis laughed and took the beer that
was offered to him and walked over to join his friends.
Ethan walked into the bar and remembered that it was Luis' bachelor
party tonight. He felt stupid forgetting it, but he did have other things
occupying his mind lately. He decided that this would be a great
opportunity to try to have some fun without thinking of Theresa…although it
would be hard seeing as Luis and Miguel were both there. He took a
deep breath and let it out and walked over to the rowdy bunch of guys.
"Hey Luis," Ethan said sticking out his hand to shake Luis'.
"Ethan! You made it. Have a beer." Luis greeted him cheerfully and
handed the mug to Ethan.
"Thanks." He wasn't sure whether Luis knew about their breakup or not,
but he decided that now wasn't the best time to bring it up.
"How're you doing?" Luis asked with a look of concern. Theresa had
filled him in briefly about their situation, but she didn't go into great
detail. He knew how much Ethan loved his little sister and he felt
sorry for him.
"Did Theresa talk to you?" Luis just nodded his head. "I'm…dealing
with it. Let's focus on you! You only have two more days until Sheridan
makes an honest man out of you." Ethan tried his best to perk up. He
was so happy for Luis and Sheridan. Even though she wasn't really his
aunt, they were still as close as ever and he and Luis had managed to
become pretty good friends.
At the mention of Sheridan's name, Luis' face lit up. It always did
when she came up and everyone could see it. Luis made his way around to
all of his buddies. He found Mac and some of the others and they were
drinking and talking when Hank interrupted.
"Okay, okay! Listen up everyone!" Hank said loudly as to be heard in
the noisy bar. "Luis, you've been my best friend my entire life, and
now that you're getting married, I couldn't let you go without a proper
send off. So, we all chipped in and got you something VERY special!"
The crowd of men started laughing and Luis looked around at them. He
knew what they were up to. "So, is everyone ready for the
entertainment?" The guys were hollering and making all sorts of noise.
"Hank, you didn't." Luis was smirking, but he knew his friend all too
well and he knew that any minute a stripper was going to walk through
that door.
"I certainly did. Why wouldn't I? You have less than two days before
you give up life as a bachelor. Now, bring on the entertainment!"
Luis finished off his beer and he heard the music start up. He found a
seat at the bar and saw the dancer make her way to the stage. It was
bad enough that they got him a stripper because he wasn't really into
that, but he would be damned if they were going to drag him to the front
to watch. All of the single guys, and some of the not-so-single guys
seemed to forget Luis was the man of the hour and hurried to the stage
to see the show. Luis laughed as that was fine with him. He saw Hank
at the front waving dollar bills in his mouth and he almost fell off the
barstool he was laughing so hard. That was Hank though. He was an
idiot, but he was still his best friend. He thought about how Hank had
pursued Sheridan so hard in the beginning and it came between them, but
Hank realized he was fighting a losing battle and that Luis and Sheridan
were meant to be. After that, he gave them his blessing and he and
Luis picked right up on their friendship.
Luis noticed that Ethan wasn't paying much attention to anything except
his beer. Ethan very rarely drank much, yet he was putting the sauce
away tonight. Luis was about to go talk to him, but Mac and Hank came
over to him.
"Hey Luis, you're missing out on a GREAT show!" Hank said giddily. He
was drunk and he liked to watch strippers. Mac just laughed.
"Is that so? Well, you look like you're enjoying it, so why don't you
go back up front?" Luis said, amused.
"Come on buddy. We got this for you. Don't tell me that naked women
don't get to you anymore!" Hank kept goading him on.
Luis put his hand on Hank's shoulder. "Sorry Hank. There is only one
woman for me, and that's Sheridan," he said with a big grin.
"Man, you are so whipped," Hank retorted.
"Maybe so, but who wouldn't be for her?"
Hank rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, yeah! Well, if you don't mind, I'm
going to go enjoy the rest of the show! Come on, Mac. You still like
strippers right?" Hank walked away with Mac in tow and Luis sat and
talked to Miguel for awhile.
After the "entertainment" left, people started to leave. They all
congratulated Luis and wished him the best. Sam put Hank into a cab
because he was making a fool of himself and was in no condition to drive
home. Luis saw Ethan get up to leave and he made his way over to him.
"Ethan, where are you going?" Luis asked.
"I'm leaving."
"You're not driving anywhere. You've had way too much to drink tonight."
"I know. I'll call a cab, but I really need some air right now," Ethan
said with a slur.
"Are you sure? Because we can get you a ride."
"Yeah, don't worry about it. I'll see you tomorrow at the rehearsal."
Ethan slapped Luis on the shoulder and staggered out of the bar.
"Hey bro, I'm taking off," Miguel said behind Luis.
Luis turned around. "Are you going home?" Miguel looked around to
make sure that Chief Bennett wasn't within earshot.
"No, I'm meeting Kay at the beach," he said with a grin. Luis shook
his head and tried not to laugh.
"Really? Does Sam know about this?" Luis raised his eyebrows and he
watched as Miguel nervously shook his head.
"Well, you'd better not let him find out," Luis warned.
"I know. I really have to go though. Kay is waiting. I'll see ya
tomorrow."
"Bye little brother. Play safe!" Miguel rolled his eyes and laughed
as he walked out of the bar.
Luis shook it off. He found out far too much concerning his younger
siblings sex lives this week. He looked at his watch and he really
wanted to go home to be with Sheridan. He saw Sam approaching him.
"Hey Luis. My brother is an idiot. Did you know that?" he asked with
an impish grin.
"I've known for a long time, but I wouldn't trade him. This was a
great party…thanks for throwing it."
"No problem. Did you see where my son went?" Sam asked as he looked
around for Ethan.
"Yeah, I saw him leave a little while ago. He didn't look too hot
tonight. He's taking this breakup with Theresa really hard."
"I know. He didn't drive did he?"
"No, he said he was going for a walk and that he would call a cab."
"Good. So, are you taking off?"
"Yeah, there's something I need to do when I get home." Luis thought
about her and tried to mask his grin, but he was sure Sam saw it.
"I see," he said knowingly. "Well, tell Sheridan I said 'hi'." Luis
laughed.
"Ok. See ya, Sam."
"Bye Luis."
He watched Luis walk out of the door and he picked up his cell phone
and waited for her to answer.
"Hey Sheridan. It's Sam. Luis just left."
Theresa had just left the Russell's because she felt like she was
intruding on their family time. She told Whitney she'd see her tomorrow.
It was another beautiful summer night in Harmony and she was walking
along the pier gazing out at the water. She stopped and leaned up against
a post allowing herself to get lost in her thoughts. She still felt
horrible for breaking up with Ethan, but the way she saw it, what other
choice did she have? Theresa was shaken from her reverie by the sound
of her cell phone ringing. 'Wonder who that could be.'
"Hello?" There was silence on the other end. "Hello?" She hated
stupid people like this that called and didn't say anything. She was about
to hang up when she heard someone.
"Theresa?"
"Ethan?" It didn't sound like him at all.
"Yeah. How are you?" She didn't get it. Why was he calling and
acting like things were fine and why did his voice sound so strange?
"Fine. Where are you?" she asked.
"Walking on the pier." Theresa looked around to see if she could see
him, but she didn't.
"Where on the pier? I'm on the pier." She didn't know if it was such
a good idea if she saw him, but she needed to get over that because
they would be at the same place for a majority of the weekend due to the
wedding. She then heard loud footsteps behind her and she whirled
around to come face to face with him.
"Hiiii Theresa!" he said still talking on his phone. Theresa noticed
that he was completely wasted. 'He never drinks that much.' He looked
awful. He had dark circles under his eyes and he hadn't shaved.
"Ethan, you can hang up your phone now."
"Oh." Ethan hung up his phone and looked at her. She could see the
hurt in his eyes and she was sure it mirrored her own.
"What are you doing out here?" She was forcing herself to make
conversation. It was so awkward.
"Getting some air. Just left Luis' bachelor party! WOO! Good
times…strippers, booze, no girlfriends to break your heart…" his voice was
bitter but trailed off at the end.
Those words stung Theresa's heart and she tried to tell herself that he
was drunk and that he wouldn't have said them otherwise. "I see." She
felt his pain. She had pain of her own, but knowing she caused his was
eating away at her. Theresa closed her eyes and willed the tears to go
away.
Ethan saw the look on her face and he felt horrible. "Theresa, I'm
sorry," he said softly. "I just…I just had too much to drink tonight and
I'm upset."
"It's okay. Is that why you got drunk tonight?" Ethan nodded.
"Maybe I should just go. I'll see you tomorrow at the rehearsal."
Ethan turned around and started to walk away.
"Ethan wait!" Theresa wasn't sure what she wanted to say, but she knew
she wasn't ready to see him leave yet. "Do you want to talk about this?"
Ethan shook his head. "I can't talk about it anymore tonight. It's
all I've thought about all week and I don't want to get into it right
now."
"Okay. I understand. Well, can I at least…give you a ride home? I
don't want you driving like this."
Ethan felt a faint smile forming on his lips. "Yeah, I'd really
appreciate that. I guess I did have a few too many tonight."
Theresa gave him a half smile. "I think so. Let's go." She walked in
the direction of her car and Ethan followed.
Neither of them spoke on the way to the car, but the silence wasn't
uncomfortable. In fact, it felt natural, almost as if nothing had changed
between them. Theresa scolded herself mentally for thinking that
nothing had changed because so much had and it was her doing.
The car ride was virtually silent too. Ethan was still a little out of
it, but he was certain that he would remember feeling the way he did.
He couldn't quite pinpoint it, but seeing her on the pier tonight was
hope for him. They were almost to Ethan's apartment when he spoke.
"Theresa."
She was startled by his voice because she was so lost in the mental
battle she was fighting in her head. "Yeah?" she asked glancing over at
him.
"I know that you need space right now…and I want to give that to you.
I just want you to know that I'm not giving up on you or on us. So,
don't for one minute think that I am, or else you'll just have to deal
with me." Ethan was really trying to be serious, but his tone was still
a little slurred do to the alcohol. Theresa felt the corners of her
mouth pulling upwards. Those were the exact words she needed to hear.
Theresa pulled into Ethan's apartment complex. She turned to face him
and saw his blue eyes gleaming back at her. "Thank you." Ethan smiled
at her.
"Thanks for the ride home, sweetie." He hadn't meant to call her that,
it was just habit.
Theresa blushed upon hearing those words. "You're welcome. Get some
sleep."
"I will. Night." Ethan got out of the car and started to walk away.
Theresa noticed his keys laying in the front seat so she rolled down
her window.
"Ethan!" she yelled. He spun around and saw her waving his keys out
the window.
"Whoops!" He took the keys from Theresa and their hands brushed
briefly. "Thanks, I might need those." Theresa smiled lightly and nodded.
He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight," he whispered against
her skin which caused her breath to catch in her throat.
"Goodnight."
Ethan turned and walked to his apartment and felt a big smile on his
face. Theresa let out the breath she had been holding and she too had a
smile on her face. Maybe there was hope for them after all. Theresa
drove away from Ethan's and for the first time all week she felt pretty
good.
Sheridan was putting the finishing touches on her surprise and couldn't
wait for Luis to come home. She looked in the mirror and smiled. He
was in for a surprise tonight. 'I can't believe I'm doing this,' she
thought. She heard the key turning in the door and ran back into the
bedroom before he saw her.
Luis walked into the apartment and saw candles burning all over the
room. He threw his keys down and saw a note from Sheridan on the counter.
L-
Go to the stereo and press play.
-S
Luis smiled and went to do as instructed. He leaned down to turn on
the stereo. He pressed play and when he turned around he saw Sheridan's
feet encased in black strappy heels with cherry red toenails. His eyes
wandered up her bare legs and noticed that she was wearing his tan
police shirt, which was entirely too big for her, and his police hat. Her
lips were as red as her nails and she was standing with one hand on her
hip and the other hand was extended with Luis' handcuffs dangling from
her index finger. Luis was shocked. A boyish grin spread across his
face and he stood up. "Sheridan," he began, a little embarrassed.
Sheridan put her finger to her lips signaling for him to be quiet. The
opening bars of the song began playing and Sheridan started dancing
provocatively to it. She took off the hat and threw it behind her.
I've been really tryin', baby
Tryin' to hold back these feelings for so long
And if you feel, like I feel baby
Come on, oh come on,
Let's get it on
Lets get it on
Let's get it on
Let's get it on
Luis was speechless. She pushed him down on the couch and continued
her dance. She turned her back to him and slowly unbuttoned the shirt
she was wearing and pushed it off of one shoulder. She gazed over her
shoulder at Luis who was staring intently at her. She had a smile
playing on her lips as she proceeded to dance.
We're all sensitive people
With so much love to give, understand me sugar
Since we got to be
Lets say, I love you
Sheridan allowed the shirt to slowly drop from both shoulders and she
jokingly whipped it around her head once and tossed it at Luis. She
almost burst out laughing, but she managed to hold it in. The look on his
face was priceless. Luis, meanwhile, sat wide eyed watching her and
his heart was pounding in his chest. He noticed that she had a cheap
'Sheriff' star pin hooked to her black lace bra and he was thoroughly
enjoying this show.
There's nothin' wrong with me
Lovin' you---
And givin' yourself to me can never be wrong
If the love is true
Sheridan sauntered her way over to him and pulled him to his feet. She
ran her hands down his chest and walked around him slowly and
deliberately. Luis couldn't believe that Sheridan was doing this. He'd never
seen her do anything like it before…not that he minded, but he was
floored by this surprise. The blood was racing through his body and it felt
as though it was 100 degrees in the apartment.
Don't you know how sweet and wonderful, life can be
I'm askin' you baby, to get it on with me
I ain't gonna worry, I ain't gonna push
So come on, come on, come on, come on baby
Stop beatin' round the bush....
Let's get it on
Let's get it on
Let's get it on
Let's get it on
"Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
Sheridan gently ran her hand across his face and outlined his lips with
her finger. She pulled him in and kissed him with a brute force. Luis
eagerly responded and wrapped one arm around her waist and the other
hand was behind her head with his fingers running through her blonde
curls. She pulled back and looked into his eyes. She noticed the look
that he was giving her and it sent chills up her spine. She had
accomplished her goal. Luis was breathless from the kiss they just shared and
he saw the way her eyes looked back at him. It started another fire
within him.
"How was the party?" she said in a husky whisper.
Luis laughed dryly. "Not anywhere near as exciting as this," he
replied with a mischievous grin.
Sheridan smiled seductively at him and kissed his neck. Luis felt her
hot breath against his skin and he inhaled deeply. "Do you have any
idea what you do to me, Sheridan?"
Sheridan looked up at him and smiled devilishly. "It's Officer
Sheridan tonight, and I'm nowhere near done with you yet!" Luis raised his
eyebrows and grinned from ear to ear.
"Sherry, I don't know what I did to deserve this…but I'm very
grateful!" Sheridan smiled playfully and reached behind him to pick up the
handcuffs that she tossed onto the couch. She dangled them in front if his
face and started to back up towards the direction of the bedroom. Luis
felt his jaw drop. He couldn't help it.
"Are you gonna join me Ponch, or stand with your mouth hanging open all
night?" she teased. She watched the sexy grin spread across his
handsome face and she felt her knees almost buckle.
"GOD I LOVE YOU!" Luis said loudly as he ran towards her and chased her
into the bedroom while Sheridan squealed with laughter.
To Be Continued...
