Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
CHAPTER SIX
Rowan
I forgot to pick my dirty underwear up from the bathroom floor before I left to pick Cam up.
Shit. If she comes home with me later, I’ll have to make sure I go in my bathroom before she does so I can stash them in the hamper. She won’t be able to miss the neon Guinness sign in my living room or the dogs playing poker picture in my kitchen, but I can’t have her thinking I’m a total slob.
Slowing to a stop at a red light, I tap my thumb on the steering wheel as I listen to an Eminem song. I’ve waited a long time for an entire evening alone with Cam, and I’m not screwing this up. Dom is pissed we’re going out, but so far it’s just silent glare pissed, not screaming in my face pissed. I’m the one who should be pissed over my best friend not thinking I’m good enough for someone he cares about.
When I get to Cam’s house, I park in the driveway and walk up to the door, balancing the gifts I brought. I use my elbow to ring the doorbell and she answers right away.
“Whoa,” I say in a low voice. “You look incredible.”
She laughs. “You’ve seen me in jeans and a sweatshirt lots of times, but thank you. I’m very intrigued about what you have planned for tonight.”
I told her our plans were a surprise and that she should wear casual, comfortable clothes. She did. But she still looks amazing in her fitted, faded jeans and lightweight gray sweatshirt. Her hair is loose around her shoulders and she has a bag in hand.
“For you,” I say, passing her a box holding a dozen long-stemmed roses.
She steps aside. “Sorry, I should have just let you in when you got here.”
I come into the house and she closes the door behind me. When she takes the box and peeks inside, her whole face lights up with a smile.
“Oh wow, Rowan. These are gorgeous. No one’s ever gotten me flowers before. Thank you.”
How has no one ever gotten her flowers before? I make a mental note to bring them before every date.
She takes the box into the kitchen and sets it on her kitchen table. “I won’t make you wait for me to arrange them in a vase. I’m sure that’ll take a bit.”
“Are the boys here?”
She shakes her head. “They’re staying the night with Tess and Dom.”
Hell yes. She’s prepared for this date to last until tomorrow morning, just like I am. Still, I was hoping to see Tate and Sam.
“These are for them.” I pass her two boxes.
I can almost swear her eyes are a little watery as she meets my gaze, surprised. “What’s this?”
“Remember when we all went to that bakery after we went zip-lining and out for lunch? They both loved the caramel apples they got, so I brought them some.”
I set the boxes on the table and when I look at her, she glances away, wiping the corner of one eye.
“Sorry, I just...that was really thoughtful. Thank you. They’ll be so happy.”
She won’t meet my eyes. I think because she’s self-conscious over being teary-eyed. I try to lighten the moment.
“I figured separate boxes would be best since I’ve seen them body slam each other when they have to share something.”
She nods and laughs. “It’s true. Especially sweets.”
I don’t want to look at my watch, but we have a dinner reservation, so I ask, “Are you ready?”
“I am. Please tell me there will be food on this date because I’m starving.”
“We’re going to two places tonight and they both have food. One of them even has Sweet Tarts.”
She gasps. “Are you serious? That’s my favorite candy.”
“I know. But you’ll take Lemonheads if Sweet Tarts aren’t available.”
She lowers her brows, smiling but confused. “How do you know that?”
“Movie nights at Dom and Tess’s. You’re also a blanket hog.”
“Bullshit,” she says lightly, grabbing a jacket from a hook next to the front door. “Don’t believe Tess and her bitching.”
“I’ve experienced it myself. There I was, trying not to get too close to this gorgeous woman I’m sharing a blanket with who doesn’t want to date me, and you gave me like six inches of blanket.”
“Hey, Halloween is a scary movie. I needed to burrow.”
We walk out the front door and she locks it behind us. She looks at me and smiles as we walk to my car, and I feel lighter. It’s been many years since I took a woman on an actual date like this before sleeping with her. I meet most of the women I date in bars and restaurants after games.
I like this with Cam. There’ll be some nervous energy tonight, but we already know each other. It feels familiar and exciting at the same time.
“So I’ve always wondered if there’s a story behind your car,” she says as I open the door to my 1977 Ford Bronco.