Eight
Luke
W ith a yawn, I look around at what I have left to do.
Why I thought unpacking after work, which has turned into me being up for almost twenty-four hours, was a good idea is beyond me. I double-check that I unpacked all the necessities because I’m just done.
Originally, Sam was supposed to move into an apartment just outside of town, but the remodel was delayed for an unknown amount of time, so I offered him one of my extra rooms.
We talked to the landlord, who was cool about it but let us know the work on the plumbing was taking longer than they thought and that we would be delayed in moving into the house. Thankfully I was able to extend my stay at the bed-and-breakfast easily, and Pam let us store our moving pods at her house.
The house is nice, way nicer than what we would have been able to get anywhere in Boston. It’s a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a slightly outdated kitchen and mostly white and beige walls throughout. I’m not worried about it because I don’t plan on being here forever, but the housing market is out of control, so we aren’t in a position to buy.
The only thing I will put up is the picture frame with a photo of me and my parents, and I’ll only do it because I’ll get in trouble if it’s not out when they come down to visit.
“Ya know, even though I was excited to move here, I had some concerns with the limitations of a small town since I’m so used to living in a big city. But I’m shocked at the price of this place. Back home, this would be a loft with a shared bathroom and a fake kitchen,” Sam says, walking past with some boxes in his arms.
“Right, I was just thinking about that. We’re saving a ton of money, and I have a feeling if one of us wanted to purchase this place from the couple renting it, we could probably get it for a steal. The husband was talking about not wanting to worry about it anymore and has only kept it because the market is so hit or miss,” I say and begin to break down some of the boxes in the kitchen.
My phone vibrates, and I smile as I pull it out.
“God, you’re so happy it’s gross. Is she going to actually let you take her out again? I know the last time Pam even mentioned it to her, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to date.” He then levels me with a glare. “You’re like a brother to me but tread carefully. I noticed even before we left Boston that you haven’t been going out with me as much, and while you’ve never been with anyone seriously, I can tell this is different for you. I know Pam already gave you the warning, but if she’s going to be another one of your conquests, they’ll never find your body.”
“If I hurt her, I’ll help you dig my hole,” I say as I look down at my phone.
Amelia: Farmer Joe is a literal angel, but lord can he talk.
Me: Is your meeting running longer than you thought?
Also I know he can talk, but I’m going to miss Ann’s home-cooked meals.
Amelia: Nah, I plan for this now.
You’re right though. Ann can cook.
Does that mean you don’t know how to cook for yourself?
Me: I can cook for myself. If you’d let me take you out on a real date, our third date can be me cooking for you all you have to do is say yes to going out with me again to find out.;)
The three dots pop up and then go away a couple of times, and I know she’s trying to find a reason to shoot me down. It’s been the same conversation for the last couple of weeks. I’m trying to find a good balance between not being too pushy and still showing that I’m interested. Sam still won’t tell me what happened to make her so against dating. All he says is that it’ll be an uphill battle and to hang on for the ride.
Amelia: We haven’t been on a date. Remember?
Me: Go out with me tomorrow night
Then we’ll knock the first date off . . .
Amelia: Don’t you work this weekend? And don’t you want to sleep before said shift?
Me: Don’t care. Go out with me.
Amelia: I have a meeting with my contractor tomorrow and I’m not sure what time it’ll end.
Me: Don’t care. We can go after that.
Let’s go mini golfing
I know I’m pushing, but this is the first time she’s told me maybe and not no. I know if I let her continue to come up with every excuse not to go out, she’ll put it off forever.
She’s a business owner and is very busy. I witnessed it firsthand at the farmers’ market. It’s one of the things I admire about her. She’s passionate and is building a good thing in the community, from not only what I can see but also what I’ve heard. I would never stand in the way of that. I just want her to know that I’m interested and willing to work around her schedule.
Shit, are there any mini golf places around here?
“Hey, Sam, do you know of any mini golf places around here?” I ask.
“I moved here just before you. So I know just as much as you do. Google it, asshole,” he replies.
When I google it, I’m frustrated with the lack of selection in the area. There are a couple of places, but I can’t tell how good they are from the pictures.
I mentally slap my forehead. I should have planned some ideas ahead of time.
“What’s Amelia’s favorite food and favorite wine?” I ask as we take out the last of the boxes from the moving vans before we send them on their way.
“Actually, Am doesn’t drink anymore.” He cocks is head. “No, that’s a lie. I’ve seen her have one beer here and there over the last several years, but she doesn’t drink much,” he says as he sets down the boxes he’s carrying. “Man, you went from never wanting to date back in Boston to chasing someone after having one dinner with her.” He laughs.
“Fuck off, dude. I hope you find someone soon who knocks you on your ass but doesn’t give you the time of day,” I tell him, looking at my phone again, hoping she messages me back.
“Don’t you put that mojo on me, man. It would be a disservice to the female population for me to settle down. No, thank you.”
My phone finally vibrates, and I swear I haven’t been this excited about anything outside of my career in a long time.
Amelia: Gah, fine.
But don’t kid yourself. It’s because I love mini golf
And you can’t cry when I kick your ass.
Luke: If you say so
I’ll pick you up from your place around 6p
Is that enough time after your meeting to let Penny out?
Amelia: I can meet you there
I laugh at that. If she thinks I’m going to give her an out, she’s fooling herself.
Luke: No can do, babe. I’m going to pick you up. You’re a flight risk
Amelia: You’re a pain in the ass
Has anyone told you that?
Luke: My mom tells me all the time
Amelia: FINE. I’ll be ready around 6 or 6:30
Luke: Knew you would see it my way
Be ready to get your ass handed to you in some mini golf
Amelia: Dream on, Luke. Dream on
I want to pump my arm in the air and whoop, but I refrain, barely.
“Are you on-call this weekend?” Sam asks.
Since part of my job involves training with the fire investigators, it means I’m on-call with one of them while at the firehouse for my normal shift, but I’m also on-call with them every other weekend. If I didn’t love my job, it would suck, but I’m so excited to continue learning.
“No, why, what’s up?” I say over my shoulder.
“We should have a game night. It’s been a while since you had your ass handed to you in Mario Kart .”
“It was one time, and you can’t say you’ve never thought you were winning but were looking at the wrong screen, asshole,” I say, throwing a hanger at him.
“Never, I’m the king of Mario Kart ,” he says as he catches it and walks backward out of my room while laughing at me and throwing the hanger back.
“You’re on. Mario Kart and pizza this Saturday as long as nothing crazy comes up, but you have to buy the pizza!” I say and flip him off as he turns around.
I look at all the clothes on my bed and regret thinking that I should do this right now. So instead of finishing my clothes, I start planning this date. There isn’t much to do around here, and the lack of things to do is my biggest obstacle. It makes me doubt that I can plan a date good enough because, from what I’ve seen so far, she deserves it.