And again the next week. The girls were hungry, we went for Thai food, and while we waited, Cassie was flirty, and handsy, and all kinds of suggestive.
At the end of the night, she asked if I wanted to come over once the kids went to bed.
Whoa.
I said no thanks, but I was happy to help the girls get together.
Cassie said I was a dick.
Then she added that she didn’t want the girls to have playdates again. A few days later, Izzy told Abby she didn’t want to hang out with her anymore because her mommy didn’t like her daddy.
Abby decided she didn’t want to run into Izzy again at gymnastics, so she stopped taking classes over the summer, and was, admittedly, a little bummed about both the classes and Izzy de-friending her.
Maybe it was my mistake, or maybe it was a tangled mess of hurt feelings.
But I don’t want to fuck up again, especially now that Abby has found Gym Buddies and is having a blast there.
Dating and single dad-dom aren’t easy to balance. Hell, some days, finding an opening in the secondary is easier than figuring out modern dating.
So, I’m not sure if I should tell Abby I’m seeing someone tonight.
Weirdly, I kind of want to.
But it’s probably too soon.
“Seeing the guys at the gym, then we’ve got game film at the stadium and a team workout,” I say. I give her a kiss, we say goodbye, then I take off for the gym.
I run at a light jog to Fillmore, wincing only briefly when my hamstring protests. I should have stretched better.
Once I reach the gym, I hit the mats on the floors first, stretching out my creaks and sore muscles. Not everyone’s here today, but it looks like we’ve got a foursome. Cooper warms up on the treadmill. Jason racks weights.
When Shane fills his water bottle, he strolls past me, arching a brow, his blue eyes doubtful. “Tell me something, mate. Is it tough getting old?”
Kids today. They think they’re so clever. “Yes, Shakespeare. Something you’ll find out eventually too,” I point out, though it’s a way off for the Brit. I’ve got ten years on the guy.
“Not for a long time. Nor for Jason, for that matter,” Shane quips, gesturing to the boy-next-door twenty-five-year-old quarterback for the Hawks, the city’s rival team.
“Hey! Don’t pull me into your chest-beating battles, Shane,” Jason says as he sits on the bench.
I stretch my back. “Let’s not forget I have something neither of you have.” I waggle my right hand, showing off my two rings to those whippersnappers. “When you win your first World Series, Shakespeare, drinks are on me. Until then, I’ll enjoy these benefits of age. Same for you, Jay.”
The QB nods solemnly. “Of course, Harlan. I’m all about honoring my elders,” he deadpans.
I roll my eyes. Sheesh. Can’t win. “You two ducklings are in rare form today.”
“Why do you wear those to the gym? Your rings. Don’t they, I dunno, get in the way when you work out?” Jason asks me as he lifts the bar, almost like he’s mocking me for wearing them.
But I have my reasons.
Damn good ones.
I catch Cooper’s eye as he steps off the treadmill and makes his way to us. “Coop, can you please remind the kids why we wear our rings to the gym?”
My good friend flashes a smile, showing off his twin rings too as he scratches his jaw. “Gee. Could it be because we have them . . . and they don’t?”
I sit up and smack palms with my quarterback.
As Cooper and I move to join Shane and Jason in the weight area, the conversation quickly segues to evening plans. Tuesday is usually date night in the NFL—since game weekends are tough for going out.
“I’ve got a busy night of hanging out with my three favorite people—the wife and kids,” Cooper says, a proud, married dad.
Shane’s blue eyes glint. “I have fantastic plans with a fetching woman.”
I turn to Jason. “And you, kiddo?”
The All-American guy shrugs sheepishly as he presses the bar. “I met a cute guy the other week. I’m seeing him again.”
I nod approvingly. “Good for you. Anything serious there?”
He smiles, resetting the bar as he sits up. “We’ll see. We’re going to work out and get boba at a new place in Hayes Valley.”
“That is a maddeningly adorable date,” Shane says.
“And it will probably also give you shredded abs if it’s your second workout of the day,” I add.
Jason wiggles his brow as he switches to free weights. “Shredded is the way to go. But that’s not why I do workout dates.”
Cooper turns to Jason. “This is a thing now? Workout dates?”
The young guy laughs. “Dude, yes.”
“Like, for everyone?”
Another laugh. “Yes, for everyone,” Jason says.
I clap Cooper’s shoulder, shaking my head in amusement. “Even I knew that.”
“Yeah, because you’re single,” Cooper points out.
“And because I’m not out of touch! Also, please don’t tell me you’re one of those lame-ass married dudes who can’t be bothered to take his wife on a date.”
“I take Violet on dates. We go to coffee shops, and we like karaoke,” he says a little defensively as he grabs some weights.
“I like karaoke too, but workout dates are fun. It gives you something to do other than twiddling your thumbs over a cup of joe,” Jason puts in.
Shane nods sagely. “Exactly. Coffee is so last century. But I prefer concerts and clubs.”
Cooper turns to me. “And do you, Mister So in Touch, have plans for a date tonight?”
“I sure do,” I say with a grin, sliding into lunges to stretch my hammies some more.
“Bet Harlan nicks your idea, Jay, and brings her here to hit the Stairmaster,” Shane deadpans.
“Yes, that’s me. I have zero creativity,” I say with a roll of my eyes. “But it’s not a workout date, so don’t worry, Jason. I won’t be stealing your plans.”
“By all means, steal them. Workout dates are awesome,” he says.
“I’m gonna take your word on that, duckling. I’m more of a get-out-of-the-gym type of guy.”
Jason stops his biceps curls and sets down the weights. “One hundred bucks says you wind up doing workout dates sooner rather than later, Harlan.”
“Ooh. The kid throws down,” Cooper hoots. “You in, King of the Jungle?”
It’s not in my nature to turn down a challenge. I cross the distance and shake with Jason. “You’re on.”
“I can’t wait for you to say you were right,” he says as we place our bets.
“So young. So cocky,” I muse.
Cooper chuckles. “We’ll take the blame for that. Now, back to you. Who is she, tonight’s non-workout date?”
I’m stoked to tell them; I’ve been hoping for another chance with Katie for a while. Timing has been all wrong—but now, it’s just right. Third time’s a charm.
“Someone I’ve been wanting to see for a long while. So don’t wait up for this old man,” I say with a wink. “Because I can go all night long, and we don’t need a workout date for that to happen. Take that, little ducklings.”