Chapter 12
RAELYN
Ihad no idea how long I’d been standing in front of my bedroom mirror, just staring at my reflection and tugging at the hem of my shirt.
One second, I thought it was fine, and the next, I was worried it was too short.
Too revealing. I reached over and grabbed the second option, holding it in front of me, and groaned. “Too casual.”
I grabbed another from the pile, holding it against my chest, and I was about to toss it to the side when there was a soft knock on the door. “Come in.”
The door creaked open, and Lucas appeared. “Hey.”
“Hey, sweetie. Whatcha doing?”
“Nothing.” He shrugged and walked over to the bed, sitting on the edge as he asked, “You really going on a date with the guy from the diner?”
My heart ached a bit at the question, not because of what he’d asked but how he’d asked it. There was a slight pitch to his tone, like he was hopeful. “We’re just having dinner. That’s all.”
He tilted his head, studying me for a moment. “So, you’re dating now?”
“It’s been two years, Lucas.” I tossed the shirt I was holding onto the dresser. “I just thought it was time to give it a try.”
“Yeah, I do, too.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, I do.” The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache even more. “I want you to find someone who makes you happy. You deserve that.”
“Lucas…”
“I mean it,” he added quickly, with a hint of a smile. “And the guy from the diner seemed like a cool guy.”
“His name is Walker, and I think he’s a cool guy, too.”
“Where’s he taking you?”
“I have no idea.”
“You don’t know?”
“Sure don’t.” I shrugged. “He just said I’d like it, and we’re taking his motorcycle. So, I have to wear jeans and boots.”
“You’re riding his motorcycle?” His eyes widened, and a big grin swept across his face. “That’s badass!”
“Lucas,” I warned. “You know…”
“Yeah, I’m sorry, but that’s so cool.”
“Yeah, it is. I just hope I don’t fall off.”
“You won’t,” he replied reassuringly. “Just hold on tight.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Lucas bumped his shoulder lightly against mine, then stood. “You’re gonna do fine, Mom. Just have fun.”
“I’m going to try.” He started for the door, but stopped when I called out, “Hey, Lucas?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
He nodded before disappearing down the hall. I’d been concerned about how the boys would react when they found out I was dating again, especially with everything that had been going on. Needless to say, it was nice to know that Lucas was so good with me dating. In fact, it meant the world to me.
I turned my attention back to the mirror, and this time, the top didn’t look all that bad. In fact, it looked perfect. So, I grabbed my boots and slipped them on before finishing my hair and makeup.
I took one last look at myself, and while I felt good about the fit, I was still nervous. Still unsure. But more than anything, I was hopeful, and that was a feeling worth holding onto.
I’d barely made it out of the bedroom when I heard the low, unmistakable rumble of Walker’s motorcycle, and butterflies erupted in my stomach when I realized he was here.
I froze for a second, hoping it would help my nerves settle.
It didn’t. The second the engine died, my heart started to race, and my palms became sweaty.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so nervous, so I told myself, “Okay. That’s enough of that. You’re just going to dinner… You can do dinner, so enough with the stupid nerves.”
I forced myself down the hall and was about to tell the boys I was leaving when I heard Thomas’ voice at the front door. I slowed when I heard him ask, “So, where are y’all going?”
Walker let out a low chuckle before answering, “Actually, I was hoping you could help me out with that.”
“What do you mean?”
I inched closer and spotted Walker leaning toward Thomas, his voice dropping too low for me to hear. Once he was done talking, Thomas’ face lit up. “Seriously? You gotta go with the first one. That’ll be awesome.”
“You think?”
“Ah, yeah. She’ll be into it.”
“Be into what?”
Both of them looked up at me with surprise. Walker’s eyes drifted over me, and a soft smile crossed his face as he muttered, “You look beautiful.”
And just like that, the butterflies erupted in my stomach once again. Tall, dark, and handsome didn’t begin to describe how unbelievably gorgeous this man was. It was like he’d stepped out of a hot, mountain man magazine, and he was there to whisk me away.
He stood there in his jeans, fitted T-shirt, and perfectly disheveled hair, and he was looking at me like I was some grand prize he’d won at the county fair. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I replied, “Thank you… You clean up pretty nice yourself.”
“Glad you think so.”
“Ugh,” Thomas groaned.
Ignoring him, I asked, “So, where are we going?”
“Don’t tell her,” Thomas interrupted. “Keep it a secret.”
“Whoa, that’s not fair,” I complained.
“You’re gonna like it. Trust me,” Thomas promised.
“Okay. I guess I’ll take your word for it.”
I sighed, but there was no real frustration behind it.
I was glad that Walker felt comfortable talking to the boys and equally as happy that Thomas wasn’t upset I was going on a date with Walker.
I considered it a good sign, which I could add to all the other good signs I’d seen so far.
I turned my attention back to Walker as I said, “Well, I guess I’m ready for the big surprise whenever you are. ”
“Then, let’s get to it.”
I glanced over my shoulder as I told Thomas, “We’ll be home around ten. If you need me for anything, just call.”
“We’ll be fine.”
“I know you will.” I took a couple of steps, then added, “Be sure to lock up behind us.”
“Yes, ma’am.” As he started to close the door, he called out, “Have fun.”
That alone was enough to make my heart swell. I loved that kid, and it meant a lot to me that he was being so supportive. I needed that more than I’d realized. I never thought I’d be here again.
When I married Dan, I thought that was it.
I thought there would be no more first dates, no more wondering if I was saying or doing the right thing, and no more worrying about being rejected.
I thought I’d found my forever, and now, I was about to climb on the back of a motorcycle with a man I barely knew.
And I didn’t know if I should be excited or terrified. The truth was that my marriage hadn’t just ended. It had been ripped to shreds. And for something that felt so right to break like that was a tough hit and made the thought of trying again a bit daunting.
But I was here.
I was trying.
And so far, things were going pretty damn good.
When we started down the steps, Walker glanced over at me and said, “You got a good one there.”
“I do. I don’t know how I got so lucky. I have two great boys.”
“I have a feeling you’re the reason they’re the way they are.”
“I can’t take all the credit.” I laughed as I teased, “But I’ll take most of it.”
“As you should.” When we reached his bike, Walker grabbed a helmet and offered it to me. “Here you go.”
I took it, turning it over in my hands before easing it over my head. “So, are you going to tell me how to ride this thing, or are we just gonna hope for the best?”
A hint of a smirk pulled at his mouth as he stepped closer and asked, “You ever danced with a guy?”
“Come again?”
“Danced?” he repeated. “You ever done it?”
“A time or two.”
“Did you let him lead?”
I hesitated for a moment, making sure I knew what he meant before I answered, “Yes, I believe so.”
His smirk widened as he said, “Then, follow my lead, and you’ll be just fine.”
I don’t know if it was the way he said it or the way he looked at me, but a sense of calm washed over me. My nerves didn’t completely disappear, but they turned into something a little steadier. A little braver. I let out a small breath and nodded. “I can do that.”
“I know you can. Just relax.”
He reached up and fastened my chin strap, and his fingers lightly brushed against my cheek.
The contact was brief, but it was enough to send a shiver down my spine.
He slipped on his helmet, then eased his leg over the seat of the bike.
Once he was settled, he extended his hand and said, “Alright. C’mere. ”
I moved closer and took hold of his hand as I climbed on, trying not to overthink it as I settled behind him. “Now what?”
My voice sounded a little more uncertain than I’d intended, but he didn’t seem to notice. He just reached back, gently taking my hands and guiding them to his hips. “Wrap your arms around me.”
Oh, boy.
Here we go.
I swallowed, then did as he said, sliding my arms around his waist and resting my hands lightly against him. He chuckled as he said, “You’re gonna want to hold on a bit tighter than that.”
I hesitated a moment, then tightened my grip. “How’s that?”
“Better.” He turned the key, and the engine roared to life beneath us. “You ready?”
No. I wasn’t ready.
Not even a little.
But I nodded anyway and muttered, “Yes, I think so.”
With that, the vibration beneath me intensified, and in a blink, we were inching out of the driveway. I tightened my hold on him, and he let off the throttle long enough to say, “Lean with me… Don’t fight it.”
“Um-hmm,” I muttered nervously.
And just like that, we were out on the main road, weaving through traffic. My heart climbed into my throat as the wind whipped around me, and I was a little freaked out. Then, I felt it.
Him.
Solid and steady.
He was in complete control, and I started moving with him, following his every move. It was like my body had already decided I could trust him. It was just taking my mind a little longer to catch up, but it was coming, slowly but surely.
We took a turn, and the bike picked up speed again. The wind rushed past us, tugging at my clothes and slipping under the edges of my helmet. A surprised laugh erupted in my chest, and it was at that moment that I realized just how amazing this ride really was.
I adjusted my grip, and my hands settled more naturally around him. My cheek brushed against his shoulder, and I caught a hint of his cologne. It was nice. The tension in my shoulders started to ease, replaced by something lighter. I felt free.
I exhaled slowly, letting myself soak in the moment.
Into the movement, and most of all, into him.
And for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t thinking about what could go wrong. I was just along for the ride, and what a ride it was.
Half an hour later, we were pulling into a parking lot, and Walker killed the engine. The sudden quiet felt strange after the steady rumble of the ride. I loosened my grip on him and let my hands linger for a second before I pulled back. Walker glanced back at me and asked, “You good?”
“I’m more than good.” I started unfastening my helmet. “That was actually a lot of fun.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
He eased off, then turned and held his hand out to me.
I took it, using his strength to help me keep my balance as I climbed down.
My legs felt a little wobbly, but I managed to keep my footing.
I removed my helmet and shook my hair out.
That earned me a little grunt and a shake of the head from Walker.
I smiled and took a quick look around, and I realized where we were.
“Topgolf?”
“It came highly recommended.” He hooked the helmets to the rear of the bike as he asked, “Have you been here before?”
“I’ve heard of it, mainly from the boys. Their dad has taken them a couple of times, and they loved it. But I’ve never actually played. So, this is another first for me.”
“Well, that goes for both of us.”
“You’ve never played?”
“Nope, and I gotta warn ya. I doubt I’ll be any good at it.” He grimaced. “But I figured it might be cool to try something new.”
“I think it will be very cool.”
I followed him inside and up to the counter. He handled everything with our check-in, and I used the opportunity to look around. There was a large seating area behind us with music playing, but it wasn’t blaring, and there was a tall staircase that led up to the various bays upstairs.
There were people all around, but it didn’t seem too crowded, which was a plus. I hoped it would mean fewer people would see me embarrass myself. Once Walker was done with the check-in, the waitress grabbed a couple of menus and said, “Follow me.”
We trailed behind her up the stairs and out onto one of the bays on the second floor.
It was wide open, revealing the entire range and various targets marked by flags.
On the side column, there was a computer monitor for signing in, and beside it, there were various golf clubs, a tee area where you stepped up to take your shot, and a high table with several chairs.
The waitress placed our menus on the table and said, “Here you go. Let me know if you need a hand with anything.”
Without giving either of us a chance to respond, she turned and darted back inside, leaving us to figure out the setup on our own. I looked up at Walker, and he was staring at the computer monitor like it had personally offended him.
He ran his hand over his beard as he grumbled, “Ah, hell, I’m not so sure about this.”
“It’s a bit daunting, but we’re two intelligent people.” I winced. “Surely, we can figure it out.”
“Surely.”
And that’s exactly what we did.
We fumbled our way through setting up our names and choosing our games, and we continued to fumble as we both stepped up to take our first shots. We were both pretty terrible, and I was pretty certain neither of us was using the right club.
I missed a few. He missed a few.
But we didn’t take it too seriously and just had fun with it, and I can honestly say, I couldn’t remember when I’d had so much fun. And we were just getting started.
Maybe this whole dating thing wasn’t going to be so bad after all.