44. It’s So…White #2
“You know,” Hank chuckles, ruffling Dublin’s fur. “He’s a half-assed guide dog, but he sure is a damn good friend.”
Reaching into the backseat, I give Hank’s hand a squeeze. “Dublin will always have a home with us.”
* * *
“Looks so homey.” Hank’s hands are on his hips as he pretends to look around his new room.
Emmett chuckles, clapping him on the shoulder. “You’re the fuckin’ best, Hank, I want you to know that.”
Adam steps away from the TV he’s just set down on the dresser as Garrett moves around him, Hank’s recliner in his arms. “You gonna listen to the game tomorrow night?”
“You kiddin’ me?” He plops down in his chair when Garrett leads him over to it.
“Game six; wouldn’t miss it for the world.
I don’t even shut the TV off when you guys are losing horribly.
” His finger sweeps the room. “But you all better win and tie up this series. Bring it home for game seven and win it in your hometown.”
“That’s the plan. You’re gonna sit behind the bench with Ollie and my mom and sister.”
His eyes light. “And Cara? I love that feisty woman.”
“My feisty woman will be there.” Emmett sighs. “Probably be the loudest one in the whole damn arena.”
Once the guys head out, Hank, Dublin, and I relax on the balcony. It’s a beautiful day in Vancouver, all blue skies and sunshine, and it somehow gets a thousand times more beautiful when Olivia walks through the door with a huge smile that lights up all my insides.
“I brought lunch,” she exclaims, unpacking a big Greek salad and a few pita wraps. She digs around in her school bag, producing three bottles. “And iced tea!”
“My favorite,” Hank says as he wraps his hand around a bottle.
“Back off,” I tell him. “I know you’re talking about my girl and not the iced tea.”
He snickers into the bottle as Olivia unwraps his pita and places it in front of him. “Damn.”
“You’re an angel.” I press my lips to hers. “How much time you got?”
“Only twenty minutes if I want to get back in time for my next class.”
“I guess the real question is whether or not you want to.” I wag my brows, an invitation to ditch class.
“Only another week and a half.”
“Then I get you to myself for the whole summer.”
“Hate to tell ya, son,” Hank says, “but you gotta share her with the rest of us.”
“I don’t gotta do shit. I’ve been sharing her with a fuckload of horny teens all year. I’ve done my fair share.”
Hank smiles, eyes gleaming beneath the sun. “I can’t believe you two will officially be living together in a matter of days. I’m so happy you found each other.” He lays his hand on top of Olivia’s when she gives him a squeeze. “Are you sad to be saying good-bye to your house?”
Olivia thinks for a moment, chewing. Her eyes find mine and she smiles, shaking her head enthusiastically.
“Honestly, no. I thought I might be, but the truth is it’s never felt like a home.
I can’t wait to share a home with Carter.
” She winks at me. “But mostly I can’t wait to have seven fireplaces. ”
“Mhmm.” I reach under the table, slipping my hand beneath her skirt, petting her thigh. “Keep talking, Ollie girl.” I keep on my path but stop and make a face when I can’t get to where I’m going. “What the fuck is this?”
She shifts back, flashing me her toned legs beneath the army green skirt she’s sporting. “It’s a skort.”
“A skort? What the fuck is a skort?”
“A contraption for horny little shits like you.” She snickers to herself, smoothing the stretchy fabric. “A skirt with shorts underneath. Perfect for teaching gym class in the summer.”
“I don’t like it.” It’s not easily accessible. “Take it off.”
“I’m sure the boys would love that.” She tests me with an arched brow.
Fuck. “No. Keep it on.”
Hank sighs. “I’ve never felt blinder than I do right now.”
Olivia only eats half her pita, so when I’m done my two, I devour the rest of hers.
She slips her sandals off and wiggles her toes before pressing her bare foot against mine. “Your feet are massive.”
“Your feet are baby-sized,” I counter.
Her brows pull down, sassy, unimpressed frowny face in full effect.
“You know what they say about giant feet?” I whisper, kissing the corner of her mouth.
“Giant ego.”
“Giant dick,” Hank and I say together, earning an outraged gasp from my lovely lady.
“Honestly.” Olivia stands, gathering the garbage as she shakes her head. “It’s a wonder you two aren’t actually related.”
“Chances are your kids will be just like him,” Hank supplies.
“Great. Can’t wait.” She checks her watch, sighing. “I gotta get going.”
“I’ll walk you out,” I offer. “You up for a walk, Hank? The river’s just through the park down the street.”
He nods, and Dublin races to his side as he stands.
Outside, I watch Olivia swing herself up into the front seat of the truck with ease. She’s mastered it over the past few months.
“You know, for someone who put up such a fight about driving this thing in the first place, you sure seem to love it.” I make a show of looking around. “I don’t see any snow.”
She folds over the steering wheel, hugging it to her body. “I’ve grown accustomed to the power that comes with being up so high. I love her; don’t take her away from me.”
I’d never, of course. She let me fuck her in the backseat a few nights ago. I drove fifty minutes to the drive-in theater just for an excuse to do it.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I take her chin between my hands, kissing her perfect lips three times. “See you at home, pumpkin.”
Hank is quiet on the walk over to the park, which is how I know there’s something he wants to say. He proves me right the second his ass hits the bench at the edge of the river.
“You know, I always knew there was someone out there for you, but I couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect match than that girl back there. You’re a teddy bear for Ollie.”
“I love her.” It might be my only excuse, but it’s a good one. She helped me become a person that I’m certain my dad would be proud of. I’m not sure I would’ve found that version of myself if she’d never come into my world and tested me.
“I know you do. There’s nothing more obvious in this world than how much you two love each other.” He runs a hand over his mouth. “So when you gonna ask that girl to marry you?”
I stare out at the crystal-clear water, the way the sun makes it sparkle. The hint of breeze makes it ripple, rushing slowly and quietly down the stream. “It’s soon.”
Hank tips his head back, chuckling. He clicks his tongue. “True love doesn’t wait for anything and it sure as hell doesn’t follow a timeline.”
My teeth find my bottom lip and I squash the urge to gnaw on it. “I never thought about marriage before Olivia.”
“But you think about it now. With her.”
Yeah. I do. All the time. “I can’t imagine my world without her in it.”
“That sounds a whole lot like a soon to me, son.”
Real soon.