Mom takes the seat next to me, grabbing both of my hands in hers. “Most high school relationships are a lot different than the ones we have as adults. Maybe he could see something that made him think that his little girl might belong to someone else in the near future.”
I don’t even know what to say right now, but it warms me. Of course I don’t want to get my hopes up because I’m not sure where we’re at. Yes, we act like we’re in a relationship, but we haven’t really talked about what we want out of this. “I can see myself falling in love with him.”
She smiles at me. “He’d be lucky to have your love.”
“I want to take him skydiving. He said he’d think about it.”
“That’s great. I hope he says yes. Just give me a few days warning and we’ll get it all set up. I stopped trying to get your dad to jump again a long time ago, but you and your brother will keep the tradition alive.”
She walks me out a few minutes later. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you to the moon and back, my precious baby.”
Mom stands on the sidewalk waving as I back out of my parking spot. I decide to head to Maverick’s even though I know he is working. He told me I could and gave me a key.
Butch greets me at the door when I let myself inside. “Should we go for a walk?”
He gives a snort and then goes and sits by the door. I’ve totally spoiled him, but I don’t care because he’s my boy.
Seventeen
Maverick
It’s after midnight by the time I get home. It was a shit day, well it didn’t start shitty—it started off boring, but then went to shit when I got a call about a domestic disturbance. Troy got punched in the face by the abusive husband. He fought us both, we got him cuffed pretty quick, but it was the fact that he pulled that shit in front of his kids who were scared out of their minds.
Thank God the wife pressed charges and between that and resisting arrest, he wasn’t going to be going anywhere. When we got back to the station, we had paperwork to do, including an incident report. Luckily Troy got away with just a black eye.
It does something to me to see Gwen’s car in my driveway knowing she’s inside waiting for me. The moment I step inside, the stress from the night disappears.
The house is dark with the exception of the light above the stove, coming from the kitchen. I move down the hall toward my bedroom and when I stop in the doorway, I freeze.
Gwen is in her usual PJs; a gray tank top and electric blue silk panties. Her strawberry blonde hair is spread out on my pillow, and my dog is curled up next to her. He’s definitely her protector, which makes me happy.
I strip out of my clothes and walk across the hall to the bathroom. After a quick shower, I brush my teeth, and then head back into my bedroom, throwing on a pair of boxer briefs.
After I boot Butch out of bed I climb into it and the moment I’m close, Gwen wiggles until we’re touching chest to chest. I tangle my legs with hers and wrap my arm around her.
I’m exhausted, so it doesn’t take long for my eyes to turn heavy. Before sleep pulls me under, I hear Gwen say quietly, “I’m glad you’re home safe.”
I give a squeeze and settle in, yeah I could get used to this.
Tonight Gwen is out with her sister for what she called “girl’s night.” They were going to bar hop with some friends they grew up with. I told her to call me when she needed to be picked up.
A very big part of me wanted to make her change her clothes. She’s too sexy already, but in the little sundress that showcased her long ass legs she was a knockout.
Her sandals were tan with tall wedges that added a few extra inches to her height. Gwen’s hair and makeup had her looking like a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Yep, totally should’ve tied her to my bed to keep her there… naked.
I pull up in front of Troy’s townhouse and climb out of my Jeep. He’s got the MLB package on his TV, so I’m coming over to watch a Dodgers preseason game. I don’t bother knocking and just step inside.
“What’s up, dick?” Troy greets me and hands me a beer.
I take a pull from the bottle. “Thanks. What smells good?”
“I grilled some brats.” I follow him into the kitchen. The counters are covered with side dishes. “This looks great, brother.”
We grub while we watch the Dodgers kick some ass. After they win, I help him clean up the food. “Are you and Gwen officially a couple now?”
I take a drink of my beer and we head out back to sit on his deck. “I’m not sure what we are, but it’s something. I’ve met her family officially as her—well, whatever we are.”
“How’d that go? Did Chief Malone threaten to murder you if you hurt his baby girl?”
“Naw… nothing like that, he was just very watchful, which I get because I’m sure I’d be the same way if I had a daughter.” Images of a little girl with strawberry blonde hair flit through my mind, but I quickly shove them out, even if I liked them. “It was good though. I don’t really know how to date.”
Troy takes a drink of his beer. “Just do whatever feels natural. I don’t think there’s really a wrong way or right way to do it. Every relationship is different.” He grabs himself. “Phew… I thought maybe my dick and balls crept back up into my body, talking about this girl shit.”
My phone rings and I see it’s Gwen. “Hey babe.”
“Hey, Taylor is trashed and I’m afraid she’s about to be sick. We’re taking an Uber home.”
“Babe, cancel it. Troy and I are coming to get you. He lives nearby.”
“Yeah okay. Thank you.”
We disconnect and we head out to Troy’s Explorer. By the time we reach the bar, I spot Gwen with a very intoxicated Taylor standing outside. Troy stops, hops out, and goes right to them, taking Taylor from Gwen.
I walk over to my girl and pull her into my arms. “How’d that happen?” I ask.
She looks up at me. “I told her to eat before we went out, but she said she was fine.” Gwen throws her arm out. “Obviously she’s not.”
As we walk back to the Explorer, I crack up. Troy has his arm around Taylor’s waist and she keeps poking his nose, saying “beep” and giggling. He just shakes his head and then loads her into the passenger side.
When we get back to Troy’s, he carries Taylor into the house with us following behind them. “I’ll just lay her down on my bed.” He disappears down the hall with her. Gwen follows behind him.
I sit down and wait for Troy and Gwen to come back out. When Gwen does finally come out, she’s smiling. “She finally passed out. Troy says we can sleep in his spare bedroom, or we can go and he’ll look after her.”
“Why isn’t he out here?”
Gwen shakes her head. “My sister is using Troy as her personal mattress. In other words, she’s asleep on top of him.” She sits down next to me and yawns. “Is it okay if we stay here? It’s not that I don’t trust Troy to take care of her, but I’m not sure if she’ll remember how she got here and I don’t want her scared.”