Chapter 10
RAELYN
The final bell had barely stopped ringing when I grabbed my empty tumbler and backpack, along with my keys and purse, and I started for the door. I hadn’t even made it out of the library when Liv appeared with a scowl on her face. “What’s wrong?”
“These kids are going to make me lose my mind.”
“Bad day?”
“That’s putting it lightly.” We started into the hall as she told me, “I’m telling you. I was close to losing my job today.”
“Oh, so it was a really bad day.”
“I’m so over it,” Liv grumbled. “We were reviewing for the test, and I know the kids are getting tired of it all. So, I decided to break out my little basketball goal. You know, the one that hangs on the back of the door?”
“Yeah, I know what you’re talking about.” I grimaced.
“I know. It was a mistake even trying, especially with this group.” She shook her head. “But they were doing so good. They were actually trying to get the right answer so they could make a shot. And then, Jeremy had to go and ruin it all.”
“Oh, no. What did he do?”
“The little jack-nut decided he wanted to be the next NBA superstar and went for a full-on slam dunk.” Her hands shot up in the air like she was reenacting the crime.
“He ripped the entire thing off the door! Hinges, net, everything! Just ripped right off. It was ruined. I had to throw the whole thing away.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I wish I was,” she snapped as we headed out the back door. “And he just stood there looking at all the pieces scattered on the floor like he had no idea how it happened.”
“Sounds about right.”
“I can’t remember the last time I was that mad.” She shook her head. “You try to do something fun, and they just can’t handle it… They don’t respect anything anymore. I don’t…”
Her words trailed off, and suddenly she wasn’t walking next to me anymore. I glanced back and found her standing there with a shocked look on her face. “Liv?”
“Who is that?”
“Who are you talking about?”
I followed her line of sight, and my stomach took a nosedive when I spotted him leaning against my car. My steps faltered for half a second, but somehow, I managed to keep my footing. He was wearing jeans that rested low on his hips, a black fitted t-shirt, and boots.
Nothing at all scandalous.
But I felt an unexplainable urge to shield him from onlookers.
His eyes met mine, calm and steady. He looked completely unbothered by the fact that teachers and students were rushing about, and that pulled at something deep in my chest.
Liv leaned in and whispered, “Please tell me he’s here for you.”
“He is.”
“Who is he?” Before I could answer, she gasped, “Is that the guy from the diner?”
“Yes, it’s him.”
“Girl,” she muttered under her breath. “He is all kinds of hot.”
“Oh, I’m aware.” I swallowed. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“You better. I’m gonna expect all the deets first thing tomorrow.”
I didn’t respond. I just turned and started walking toward my car. Walker’s eyes remained on mine as I made my way over to him. As soon as I was close, he smiled and said, “Hey.”
“Hey.” I could only imagine how surprised I must have sounded when I asked, “What are you doing here?”
“Came to see you.” He gave me a slight shrug. “Sorry to show up unannounced, but I forgot to get your number.”
“Forgot?” I’d never been one to be brazen, but the words just slipped from my mouth. “I thought it was intentional.”
“Maybe,” he admitted. “I figured it was for the best.”
“And you changed your mind?”
“It would appear so,” he chuckled. “I’m a little rusty at this sort of thing.”
“You and me both.”
“You look great, by the way.”
“Thank you.” I nervously straightened my top. “I’m surprised I’m still standing. It’s been a crazy day.”
I glanced around and couldn’t help but notice several of the teachers staring at us. I had no doubt that I would be heavy on the rumor mill for days to come, but I couldn’t have cared less. He was there, and he was there to see me. That was the only thing that mattered.
“I won’t keep you. I know you’re eager to get out of here.”
“Yes, and I have to go pick up the boys and get them to practice.”
“Okay, I’ll let you get to it… But how about that number first?”
“Sure.” He offered me his phone, and after I added my number, I handed it back to him. “There ya go.”
I started to turn, already feeling the pull of everything from ball practice to the groceries I’d yet to buy, but his voice stopped me before I opened my car door. “Rae?”
I glanced back over my shoulder. “Yes?”
“Would you be up for grabbing dinner sometime?”
My stomach did a little somersault, and a smile crept across my lips as I said, “Dinner would be nice.”
Something shifted in his expression. It was subtle, but he looked relieved as he said, “Alright, good. I’ll give you a call soon, and we can figure it out.”
“Sounds good.”
For a second, neither of us moved. He just stood there looking at me, but after a moment, he finally said, “Go take care of your boys.”
It might have seemed like nothing to him, but it meant the world to me that he understood that my boys came first. I gave him one last smile and said, “Hope to hear from you soon.”
“You will.”
With that, I turned and started to put my things in my car.
I glanced back and watched as he made his way back over to his bike.
He didn’t rush. Instead, he moved like a man who knew exactly who he was and where he was going.
When he started the engine and pulled out of the lot, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
As I started to get into my car, I spotted CeeCee standing by her car. She was watching me with a look on her face that could only be described as oh, I cannot wait to tell Dan about this.
CeeCee’s scowl followed me all the way inside my car. I could feel it, burning against my skin, as I backed out of my parking spot and all the way into traffic. She was waiting for a reaction, but I didn’t give her one.
Not today.
Not ever again.
It wasn’t easy. My old instincts were there. I still felt the need to explain myself, to defend myself, like I’d done something wrong, but I hadn’t. That was all her.
She was the one who hadn’t cared what I thought when she started climbing into bed with my husband.
She hadn’t cared that her and Dan’s actions had blown up both of our families, and they’d done it like it was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
So, there was absolutely no reason I should care what she or Dan thought of me.
Or Walker. Or anything that went on in my life.
I met someone, someone I really liked, and from what I could tell, he was a really nice guy. And for the first time, in a very long time, I wanted to see where something with another man might go. I wasn’t letting her or anyone else take that from me.
With that in mind, I reached down for my phone and flipped it to silent before tossing it back in my purse. I knew there would be calls, but not from anyone I actually wanted to talk to. So, I put it out of my head and went to pick up the boys.
The rest of the afternoon went like it always did, rushing and waiting and then more rushing and waiting. Pickup lines weren’t my favorite, but my heart always smiled when I spotted the boys coming my way. It was a sign that the day was finally coming to an end.
On the way home, they shared stories about practice and things that happened at school, including that Thomas finished his essay and turned it in. “I think it was pretty good, but we won’t get our grades back until the end of the week.”
“That’s great, Thomas. I’m proud of you.”
By the time we got home, it was almost dark, and the kids were ready for dinner. Since it was late, I decided to keep it simple and made sloppy joes and fries. The boys dove right in, and as they ate, they talked more about their day and weekend plans.
They helped me clean the table before disappearing down the hall. I grabbed my things and started for my room. I could feel my phone buzzing for the third or fourth time, but I ignored it. Whoever it was could wait until I’d had my shower and changed.
Once I was done, I went to say good night to the boys and settled into bed. I grabbed my phone from my purse. I wasn’t surprised to see that I had several missed calls from both Liv and Dan, but what did surprise me was the fact that I had several messages from an unknown number.
I clicked on the message, and butterflies erupted in my stomach when I read:
Unknown Number:
Hey. It’s me.
Figured you should have my number, too.
I hope you and the boys have a good night.
I couldn’t help it. The smallest smile tugged at my lips. It was simple. No games, no drawn-out chatter. Just him. I let out a slow breath as I shifted against my pillows, letting go of the tension I hadn’t realized I was carrying.
I stared at the messages a bit longer, and with the house quiet and the weight of the day pushed to the side, I felt a small flicker of excitement that I hadn’t felt in years. I felt hope. I updated his contact and hesitated.
I wasn’t sure what to say, but eventually, I started to type.
Me:
Hey. Sorry, I’m a little late getting back to you.
It’s been a crazy night.
Walker:
No problem.
Been pretty busy here, too.
You good?
Me:
I am now.
I’m finally done for the day and in bed.
What about you?
Walker:
Same.
Me:
I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon.
Walker:
Had to make sure you gave me the right number.
Me:
Like I would give you a fake number.
Walker:
Never know.
Me:
Well, I’m glad to hear from you.
Walker:
Does that mean you’re still up for having dinner with me?
Me:
Absolutely.
Walker:
Great.
When would be a good time?
Me:
Well, the boys are with me this weekend.
We can still have dinner, but I would need to be home at a decent hour.
Walker:
Okay, so what’s your curfew?
Me:
Curfew? Really? Lol
I leaned back on my pillow and smiled. I was doing it. I was actually talking to a man and even flirting a little. I liked him. I liked him a lot, and while that scared me a little, I wasn’t going to overthink it. Not this time.
Walker:
Something tells me those boys are protective of their mother.
I’d hate to get on their bad side by bringing you home late.
Me:
Smart man.
I would say 10 or 10:30. Would that work?
Walker:
Absolutely.
I’ll pick you up around 7.
Me:
Sounds good.
Wait. Will we be taking your motorcycle?
Walker:
That a problem?
Me:
I’ve never ridden before.
Walker:
I can teach you.
But we can take yours if you’d rather.
Me:
The motorcycle will be fine.
I was warning you.
Walker:
Appreciate the heads up, but you will be fine.
Wear jeans and good shoes.
Me:
What do you consider good shoes?
Walker:
No sandals.
Boots if you have them.
Me:
I think I can manage that.
Where are we going?
Walker:
I’m going to keep that a surprise.
Me:
That’s no fair.
Walker:
Don’t worry. You’ll like it.
Me:
I’m going to hold you to that.
Walker:
Get some sleep.
I’ll be in touch soon.
Me:
Sounds good.
Good night, Walker.
Walker:
Night, Rae.