Once in a Lifetime Page 3

  Peter realized his thoughts were about to run away with him, and he stopped. After tomorrow morning, he most likely wouldn’t see Rangi again. It would be best not to get lost in his daydreaming, especially since it wouldn’t be going anywhere.

  “So, what are the other jobs you do? Besides driving?” he asked, sitting on the freshly made bed to fish his toiletry bag out of his carry-on. The mattress felt pretty damn comfortable for a pull-out couch, and he’d never looked forward to a night of sleep more in his life.

  “I help my mum at my folks’ café down by the lake in the evenings, mostly running the till and bussing tables, and I also do heaps of landscaping work this time of year. Maintaining the yards on all the vacation homes around here keeps me busy during the holiday season. I do the rideshare whenever I can in between.”

  Peter gazed at Rangi with admiration. He himself had led a life of privilege, using the money his father had left to get through college. There was no doubt Peter had busted his ass to earn his degrees, but he’d never had to work three jobs just to survive. There had to be a reason Rangi had to do so much.

  “Seems pretty hectic,” Peter said.

  “It can be,” Rangi replied with a shrug, obviously trying to play it off, “but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes.”

  “Why do you push yourself so hard?” Peter asked.

  Rangi cast his gaze down. A sad smile touched his lips for a moment. “My family needs my help. I’d work ten jobs if I could. My dad started getting sick three years ago and was diagnosed with MS, so I quit school and moved back in to help with the bills.” He centered his gaze on Peter again, his eyes full of emotion. “My family means everything to me. I’d do anything for them, you know?”

  The raw vulnerability in Rangi’s voice had Peter up off the couch in a matter of seconds. He wrapped him in a hug without another thought. Rangi froze in his arms, seemingly caught off guard, but then melted into the embrace. They stood quietly for a moment, just holding each other. Peter tried to convey as much strength and understanding as he could. He’d never had the family experience Rangi spoke of, but losing his father at such a tender age had devastated him and he could certainly relate to wishing he could do all he was able for the ones he loved.

  Taking in a deep breath, Peter pulled back and looked up at Rangi. His lips parted slightly as he searched Peter’s face. Peter had his arms looped around Rangi’s neck and tugged him forward gently, his sole intent in that moment to claim a kiss. If this trip was going to be about once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, he decided he was not going to miss out on any that presented themselves, even if his time might be short with Rangi.

  Rangi’s eyes were heavy lidded as he moved his head closer to Peter. Their lips hovered inches apart, and Peter’s heart fluttered wildly in his chest. When was the last time he had just gone for something and not scientifically weighed the pros and cons and risks? He was pretty sure the answer was never.

  Rangi’s hands slid from around Peter’s back to squeeze at his hips, but just as he was about to close the distance between their mouths, Rangi stopped and blinked. He dropped his hands and took a step back. Peter let his arms slide away, bereft.

  “I’m sorry,” Peter began, tugging awkwardly at the hem of his shirt.

  “It’s all good, bro,” Rangi said softly, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck. It was a gesture Peter had seen him do before, and he found it endlessly charming. “It’s just….” He sighed, dragging his gaze up. “I’ve seen a lot of friends fall in with tourists, and it never really ends well.”

  Peter chewed at his bottom lip, considering. He didn’t want to cross any lines, but he also didn’t want to miss out on something potentially magical, even if it was for just a few days. “It doesn’t have to end badly if we don’t let it.”

  “It’s a nice thought,” Rangi said, “but you won’t be here long. A few weeks at most, you said so yourself.” He took half a step forward, bringing his hand up like he was about to brush a lock of hair from Peter’s forehead, but stopped short and let it fall back to his side. “I just don’t want either of us to get hurt.”

  “I wouldn’t want that either,” Peter replied. He forced a smile when Rangi nodded.

  They stood silently for a beat; then Rangi said, “Listen, I’ve got to pop back to the house to help Mum finish her baking, but please use whatever you need.”

  “Thanks again,” Peter said sincerely. “You have no idea how much I appreciate your hospitality. I’m gonna jump in the shower, then crash. I’ll figure out a plan in the morning for the hotel.”

  Rangi gave Peter a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, then turned and left. Peter stood alone in the empty apartment, feeling embarrassed for trying the kiss. He could see where Rangi was coming from; watching your friends get their hearts broken by a tourist’s fling would turn anyone off from getting involved with a visitor like him. But Peter hadn’t even been looking for anything close to a fling, and he definitely hadn’t anticipated meeting Rangi—the only reason he had come all the way to New Zealand was to see 38P. He couldn’t deny, though, how strongly he was being drawn to Rangi. It was something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel for a long, long time.

  Sighing, Peter pulled his glasses off and rubbed a hand roughly down his face. He had to come to terms with the fact that it wasn’t going to go anywhere. It was probably for the best either way. He grabbed his toiletries bag and the towel Rangi had set out for him and headed for the bathroom. A nice hot shower and a night of sleep should really help to put things in perspective. He hoped.

  After showering and dressing in a clean sleep shirt and cotton shorts, Peter was greeted by a deep, dreamless sleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. He was out for a solid ten hours, a first for him since his high school days, and he only vaguely remembered getting up once in the early predawn hours to stumble to the restroom to relieve himself. The rest of the night was filled with the hard-won, blissful slumber of the truly jet-lagged and sleep-deprived.

  THE NEXT morning, Rangi woke gradually to bright summer sunlight peeking through the blinds. He had stayed in the main house for a while after it got dark the night before, helping his mum finish the baking. Together they had iced the cookies she’d made to pass out to family and wrapped up the rewena paraoa bread to sell at the café once it opened after Christmas. He hadn’t gotten back to his flat until almost midnight and had readied himself for bed without the lights on so he wouldn’t wake Peter.

  Still half-asleep, Rangi curled his arm around something warm pressed to his chest. He nuzzled into a soft head of hair sharing his pillow and breathed in the scent of citrus and coconut. The reasoning side of his brain tried reminding him he hadn’t gone to sleep with anyone in his bed, but he didn’t bother to listen. It was so nice to hold someone like this. A gentle wave of arousal flushed through him when a supple rear end pushed back against his crotch, and he couldn’t help but rock his hips forward a little. A barely audible moan hit Rangi’s ears with the movement, and he was instantly awake.

  He opened his eyes wide to find Peter nestled to his chest. His body fit perfectly against Rangi’s, like they were two halves coming together to make a whole. It felt so right. But he still meant what he’d said to Peter yesterday; hookups with a person who lived halfway across the world never ended well and someone always got hurt. Even if that someone smelled amazing and had a smile that could melt your heart.

  Rangi sighed and got out of bed quietly. Peter was still fast asleep, stirring only a little when Rangi moved away from him. He went to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. Last night his mum had asked about Peter, curious about the foreigner with the bright blue eyes. He’d explained he was only helping him out after what happened to his car and hotel—just trying to be a good person, like his mum had always instilled in her children, nothing more. Ever the matchmaker, she’d told him to invite him their Christmas Eve beach cookout—Peter shouldn’t have to be alone on his birthday after all. Rangi had roll
ed his eyes but promised he would. Mum didn’t take no for an answer.

  Thinking about his mum and his birthdays as a kid, Rangi had an idea. He grinned to himself as he rummaged around in his cabinets for the ingredients for fairy bread. The coffeepot started gurgling and filling with aromatic dark roast while Rangi buttered two pieces of bread and shook out a generous shower of rainbow sprinkles onto each slice. He looked up over the bar-style countertop when he heard Peter start to wake up.

  Peter stretched on his bed, then sat up, blinking his eyes open slowly. His hair was sticking up in all directions like he’d been made love to all night long instead of the actual, more innocent reality. He looked around the room, seeming to realize he was not on the sleeper sofa.

  His head snapped toward Rangi, eyes wide. “Oh, shit, I’m sorry. I was up in the middle of the night and must have gotten back in the wrong bed. I don’t even remember doing it. After what we talked about yesterday….” He ran his hands through his hair, trying to smooth it back down. “I didn’t mean to.”

  Rangi knew Peter hadn’t crawled into his bed on purpose, but it was kind of cute to see him freak out. “You want some coffee?”

  Peter smiled, relieved. “God, yes.” He padded barefoot to the kitchen after grabbing his glasses off the table. Coming around the counter, he accepted the steaming mug Rangi handed him. He leaned back against the sink across from where Rangi stood and took a sip of his coffee.

  With a flourish, Rangi presented the plate of fairy bread he’d made. “Happy birthday.”

  “What’s this?” Peter asked, setting his coffee aside.

  “My mum used to make this for breakfast on our birthday when we were kids. It’s fairy bread.”

  Fascination was clear on Peter’s face as he took a bite. Rainbow nonpareils stuck to Peter’s bottom lip, and Rangi had a mad desire to kiss the candy bits right off his mouth. He stayed put on his side of the tiny kitchen, but it was a close thing. Peter’s tongue darted out to lick away those remaining pieces, which did not help his case much either.

  “Pretty good!” Peter swallowed. Then softer, he said, “Thank you, Rangi. My great aunt never did anything special like that for my birthday growing up.”

  Rangi took a drink of his coffee. “Your parents didn’t do anything either?” His curious nature was coming out again.

  Peter shook his head and adjusted his glasses, even though they didn’t look like they needed adjusting. “My mom took off shortly after I was born, and my dad died in a car accident when I was twelve.”

  “I’m sorry.” Rangi rubbed a hand across the back of his neck, dipping his head down. His nosiness had brought up painful memories for Peter, and he felt bad for being the cause of it with his questions.

  “There’s nothing to be sorry for. That’s life.” Peter gave Rangi a sympathetic smile. “Honoring my dad’s memory is the whole reason I came all the way here. I made a promise to him that I would see the comet, no matter what. So, this trip isn’t about being sad for what I lost; it’s my way of remembering him. I know he would have loved this trip, even with all the bumps I’ve had along the way.”

  The mug Rangi held warmed his hands just as Peter’s words warmed his heart. He knew firsthand how important it was to hold on to the cherished memories of your loved ones. Papa still had his good days, but the MS took more and more as the years went on and the bad days seemed to outnumber them now. Rangi wanted to make the most of the time they had together. He admired Peter endlessly for following through on his promise, for looking for the positive light in such a tragic darkness.

  “Hopefully the rest of your time here runs a little more smoothly. Chur, bro,” Rangi said, raising his cup in a toast.

  Peter raised his mug as well. “Here’s hoping.” They both took a drink and were quiet for a moment. “I guess I’ll be spending most of the morning trying to get a hold of some hotels to see if any of them have rooms available.”

  “If you want to stay another day, you’re more than welcome,” Rangi said. “We’re going down to the beach today. It’s a Christmas Eve tradition for my family. You can come with us.”

  “You’re sure you don’t mind?” Peter asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Not at all. My mum was already planning on packing extra food for you anyhow.” Rangi drained the rest of his coffee, hiding his grin behind his mug when Peter looked at him, stunned.

  “Well, how could I say no, then?”

  After dressing, Rangi and Peter made their way to the main house to help the family pack up the items for the day at the lakeshore, much to his mum’s delight. Chilly bins were loaded with ice, L&P sodas, fruit salad, meat for grilling, and fresh Christmas pavlova. Meat pies and warm tarts were nestled into insulated bags. Everyone, including Rangi’s parents, his sister and her kids, and his three brothers, packed the cars chocka with enough supplies and food to entertain a small army, then drove their little caravan down to the beach.

  Heaps of people were already there when they pulled up, all enjoying the sunshine and warm summer air. Some were fishing, some were paddling in wakas on the lake, and some were just simply lying out on blankets. It was the perfect weather for a day out, and Rangi was happy he was able to spend it with his family and Peter.

  After unloading the cars, Peter helped Rangi put out the folding tables and collapsible camp chairs they’d brought along; then they both walked Papa to a seat under a nice, shady tree next to the table. Maia and Kai ran up and down the lakeside in their togs, squealing when they dipped their toes in the cold water, while Rangi’s brothers got the grill going. Soon their little patch of the beach was set up and filled with the mouthwatering scent of cooking burgers and lamb kebabs.

  Rangi and his sister readied the table for lunch with paper plates, utensils, and napkins while Peter played with his niece and nephew. He was showing them how to skip rocks across the gleaming teal-colored water.

  “Peter seems like a really nice guy,” Hoana said, putting a big serving spoon in the bowl of fruit salad she’d just set out.

  Rangi pulled his gaze away from Peter, realizing he’d probably been staring at him for a while now. “He is. He won’t be here long, though.”

  “And that’s stopping you from making a move?” Hoana asked, coming right out with it like she had a knack of doing. A lopsided smile curled her lips as she waited for Rangi’s retort.

  “Not even—ow! Who said I was planning on making a move in the first place?” He frowned at her.

  She scoffed. “I see the way you’ve been looking at him, Rangi. You’ve not been doing a very good job of hiding it.”

  Rangi shook his head and sighed. He pulled condiments from the chilly bin and put them in the middle of the table for the burgers. “I don’t want to start something that will end up hurting us both when he leaves. You know these tourists; they’re here for a bit and then you never hear from them again.”

  Hoana bumped her hip against his playfully. “I just want to see you happy, bro. Even if it’s just for a little while. You work so hard for us. You deserve something to take your mind away from your jobs and Papa and the bills. You smile less now, if you haven’t noticed.”

  Rangi looked at her frankly. “And what happens when he leaves? Won’t I smile even less then?”

  Hoana leaned her head on his arm as they both watched Peter chuckle heartily when Kai waded into the water and splashed him where he stood on the pebbled coast. “What makes you think he is the kind of man who would break all ties with you when he went back to America?” She giggled to see Maia join in on the splashing fun. “You’re not that easy to forget, you know.”

  Rangi considered her words. He hadn’t realized his stress had been so obvious. He’d been so focused on helping support his family, he hadn’t really left any time for himself. It doesn’t have to end badly if we don’t let it. Peter’s words echoed in his head. But he still felt so conflicted. Each day, though, left less time with him. If it came down to Peter’s last day here and Rangi still hadn’t
decided to make that leap, he knew he’d regret it and would be upset with himself for missing the opportunity.

  Before he could think much further on it, Mum came back from the car with a takeaway container loaded with vanilla cupcakes. “Rangi, call Peter over,” she shouted as she walked toward him. “I have a surprise for him!”

  Rangi did so, and Peter and the kids came trotting up the beach, along with Rangi’s brothers holding plates with the cooked meats. Peter’s smile was broad and beautiful when he saw Rangi’s mum pull a cupcake out of the container and pop a candle into the white frosting covered with chopped strawberries and kiwifruit; they were festive in the most deliciously tropical way.

  “For me?” he asked, coming to stand beside Rangi.

  “Of course, silly,” Mum said. She lit the candle and handed it to Peter. Then she led them all to sing “Ra Whanau Ki A Koe,” the Māori version of “Happy Birthday.” Hoana and Mum harmonized beautifully while Papa and Rangi’s brothers sang off-key purposely.

  Tears glistened at the corners of Peter’s eyes as he stood holding the cupcake while they sang to him. A lump formed in Rangi’s throat and he swallowed as he watched him. He couldn’t imagine not being surrounded by the type of love he had known his whole life, the kind of family love Peter had been denied. There was a genuine gratitude plain on Peter’s face as he bent down to let Maia and Kai help him blow out the candle, and Rangi felt himself fall hard and fast.

  After an overly filling, delicious Christmas Eve lunch, Rangi invited Peter to join him for a walk. They had spent almost the whole day at the beach, and the sun was starting its downward path to the horizon. Rangi could tell Peter was eager to see his comet, and his excitement grew, too, the lower the sun sank, even though he had only found out about it just yesterday.