Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
Gunner
Over the next couple of weeks, we kept our relationship as much of a secret as we could. We acted like co-workers at the bar, not want to draw attention to anything, but fuck it was so damn hard passing by her and not being able to touch her, kiss her, or smell her hair.
We snuck into the cooler for a quick kiss when we could, but the closer I grew to Grizz, the more he was around. At one point, the three of us were laughing, and hope filled inside me, inflated like a balloon, leaving me wondering what day it was going to pop in my face.
Would he always think of Raemina as off limits? Or would he finally let me show him how good we were for each other?
Outside of work, I saw her as much as I could between her busy schedule of classes and schoolwork and both of our work schedules. I met her roommate Trish and visited their apartment while she packed a few bags and necessities, as she spent most of her nights at my place now.
I’d fallen head over heels for the woman. It wasn’t hard to. Every stolen glance, every painstaking touch, every sweet kiss, every moment in time all confirmed one thing- my heart called her name.
But keeping our relationship a secret from Grizz was proving difficult.
“You okay, G?” Dad came up beside me as I loaded the dishwasher with racks of glasses on Friday night at work. It was open mic night, and the customers were nonstop, leaving more loads of dishes than usual.
“Hanging in there. It’s busy tonight.”
“Tell me about it. Some open mic nights take off. Makes me think I should continue.”
“I think so. Gives the town something to look forward to.” I shut the dishwasher, locked the handle, and press start.
Dad crossed his arms over his chest. “Good point. Want to come over for dinner tomorrow? I have a rack of ribs I’d like to cook.”
I opened my mouth to say yes but remembered I was having dinner with Raemina and Trish tomorrow.
Shit.
How did I tell him no? He’d ask me all sorts of questions if I said I was going out with friends.
“I can’t tomorrow, but what about the night after?”
“No? What do you have going on?”
“I’m meeting up with some friends for dinner.”
“Friends? Are you dating someone? I probably know who they are.” Dad chuckled and scratched at his beard.
“No, nothing like that. Just trying to meet new people in town.”
“Good for you, Gunner. It’s not easy.”
Raemina walked into the kitchen, and my body instantly reacted. I cleared my throat and busied myself with spraying down the sink.
I could feel my father’s eyes on me.
Don’t betray me now, stupid body.
“Hey, Raemina. How’s your night going?” Dad asked her, and I snuck a glance at her.
Fuck.
Big mistake.
She looked gorgeous, her hair pulled back into a slick bun, the smooth, silky skin of her neck, chest, and shoulders on full display. I wanted to taste her so bad, I squeezed the sprayer handle so hard, it almost snapped in my hand.
“Good. Busy. Great tips, though.” She grinned.
I offered her a smile, all while knowing my father stared at me much like he knew exactly what was going on.
Rae grabbed a clean dish rag and disappeared from the room.
“Why do you look at her like that?” My father’s voice commanded, yet still gentle in his approach.
My heart lifted. But then my brain stomped on it.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re in love with her.”
I let go of the sprayer, the noise between us silenced. “What?” I didn’t dare look at him. It’d give it all away.
It must be written all over me. All over my damn face and everywhere else.
I was madly in love with that woman and there was no stopping it. I wanted her as my wife.
“Just what I said. Why do you look at Raemina as if you’re in love with her?”
I stared into the sink for what felt like hours but was only mere seconds. When I turned and faced him, I squared my shoulders back and mustered a confidence I didn’t feel. “Because I am, Dad.”
His eyes widened, and he stepped back. “What did you say?”
“I am, Dad. I’m tired of hiding it. I love Raemina. I’ve loved her since the moment I’ve laid eyes on her. She’s a beautiful woman inside and out. And I can’t wait to make her my wife one day.”
Dad’s mouth dropped open slightly, and he shook his head before responding quietly. “I told you she was off limits, Gunner.”
“I know. I tried to stay away. But I couldn’t.”
He sighed. “You really feel that strongly about her?”
“Yes. I do. I meant every word.”
“Then I give you my blessing.”
“You do?” My heart leaped into my throat.
“I do.”
“Thank you.” I rested a hand on his shoulder, the very first time I’d dared to touch him, and he covered my hand with his.
“You’re welcome, son.”
Tears sprung to my eyes.
How I went from being at the lowest point of my life to being the most fulfilled in a matter of weeks made no sense. But who was I to question it. Life was an adventure, and I was here for the ride.
We hugged it out and when I walked out of the kitchen, Raemina stood there, tears slipping down her cheeks. “You love me?”
I chuckled. “Yes. Very much so.” I took her in my arms, no longer caring who saw. “And now, I want to make you my wife.”
Raemina giggled through her tears. “I like that sound of that.”
I kissed her, soft and slow, taking my time to enjoy her, now that we could, here in front of anyone.
When we broke apart, our co-workers hollered, and I burst into laughter while Rae’s face turned beet red.
“I can’t believe Grizz is okay with it!” Raemina wiped away her tears before sliding her arms around my neck.
“He likes to act tough, but inside he’s a big ole’ softie.”
“Ah, like father, like son?”
“I don’t act tough. I am tough.” I laughed as I ran my hands through her hair and kissed her once more. I’d never get enough of her. Her smell, her taste, her everything.
“So now you can take me home later without me hiding by my car?”
I curled my finger around one of her bouncy strands. “Yes. The world is our oyster, baby. Let’s go scream it from the mountaintop.”
“I know just the place.” Raemina beamed.
The next morning, we woke up early, before the sun rose, and Raemina drove me to The Iron Peak Trailhead. We watched the sun rise as we sipped iced coffee.
After the day broke, we shouted our love into the open, our voices echoing off the mountains.
I took her home and brought her back to bed, where I feasted on her body for breakfast, the perfect way to start another day together.