Chapter 18
June
I’d spent the entire drive over to the restaurant thinking about Rhett, wondering if it was a mistake to go out with his teammate like this. But I was having such a great time with Cole that I forgot all about it.
Now our sizzling training room affair loomed large.
We weren’t exclusive or anything. I wasn’t doing anything wrong, and I didn’t feel guilty for agreeing to this date. But the two men were teammates. If I kept that information from Cole and he ended up finding out another way, it might screw up the dynamic of the team.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “You look like you just remembered you left the oven on at home.”
Damnit. I needed to spit it out now, before this went any further. “Cole, there’s something I need to tell you.”
He sat back in the booth. “Uh oh. Is it about the next bracket I was going to talk about?” He showed me his phone. “It’s a bracket of the best Davids.”
“David Rose,” I said without hesitation. “I don’t even need to look at the bracket.”
“Ehh, there are a lot of good Davids on here,” he said.
“Doesn’t matter. David Rose from Schitt’s Creek wins by a mile. Or, as you Canadians say, one-point-six kilometers.”
He narrowed his eyes at me and pointed at his phone. “You really think a fictional character is better than Michaelangelo’s David? The most famous statue in the world?”
“It’s just a statue. David Rose is iconic.” I shook my head. “We’re getting off topic…”
Before I could say more, an ear-piercing siren filled the restaurant. Cole and I covered our ears and stood up, looking around.
“The fire alarm?” Cole asked.
The hostess began shouting. “Everyone please leave through the front door! Sorry for the inconvenience! Please leave your tables and follow me outside…”
“Hopefully it’s just a false alarm,” I said as we slid out of the booths. “I thought our entrees were about to come out.”
“Don’t think so.” Cole pointed. “There’s smoke coming out of the kitchen.”
“Oh, shit.”
He put a hand on my lower back and escorted me out of the restaurant. It was a pleasant night out, warm for the end of November and with a very slight breeze. We stood around in the parking lot while all the other patrons filed out of the building.
“I don’t mean to brag, but that’s my ride.” Cole nodded to a car in the next row over.
“Ford Bronco. Very O.J. Simpson of you.”
“It was free,” he said with a grin. “Have I mentioned that I got it for free? I’m actually kind of a big deal. I’m the captain of a major sports team.”
I giggled at the joke. “Speaking of which, those two guys are staring. I think they recognize you.”
Cole sighed. “It was nice while it lasted.”
“I’ve got this.” I slid my arm around his waist and leaned in close, then glared at the two men from across the parking lot. It worked, and they turned away, whispering to themselves.
“You’re welcome,” I said.
He put his arm around me. “I wish I knew that’s all it took to keep fans from asking for selfies. I would’ve hired an actress to glare at people in public years ago.”
“My rate is fifty bucks an hour,” I said.
“You could charge a lot more than that. What did you want to tell me?”
Damnit. I’d forgotten all about that thanks to the fire alarm.
I pulled away from him and spit it out before I could change my mind. “I had sex with Rhett.”
He blinked. “Rhett?”
“Rhett Lawson. Your teammate.” The words poured out of me in a rush.
“It happened one time like two weeks ago. It’s not a big deal, but our date tonight was going really well, and I wouldn’t feel right if things went any further without telling you.
Because you’re teammates, obviously. Now I feel awkward, and you’re not saying anything, you’re just staring at me, and I wish you would say something so I know how you feel. ”
“Relax, June,” he said, bracing me by the arms. “You’re right: it’s not a big deal.
But I’m glad you told me anyways. Honestly, I kind of suspected something happened between you two.
Rhett isn’t very good at hiding his emotions, and I’ve noticed the way he acts around you. It’s nice to get confirmation.”
“So, you’re not mad?” I asked hopefully.
His face twisted in confusion. “Of course not. You can do whatever you want. Although it makes me question your taste in men. I think I’m changing my bracket answer to Juno the Roman Goddess.”
I must have made a face, because he quickly added, “Ahaha, just yanking your chain. You’re still my favorite June. And honestly, Rhett’s a really great guy. He’s cocky and full of bluster on the outside, but it’s all an act. Deep down he’s actually kind of a softy.”
“So you still want to go out with me?” I said. “On a third date?”
“In spite of your horrible opinion on Davids? Yes.”
Relief flooded into me. I hadn’t ruined things.
A man in a white chef’s frock came out and waved to everyone.
“I’m really sorry, but we had a small grease fire in the kitchen.
The fire suppression system covered everything.
Unfortunately, we will have to close for the remainder of the evening.
Please give your names to the hostess and we will find a time in the future to bring you back for a complimentary meal. ”
“Looks like you’re off the hook for the second date bill,” Cole said.
I leaned in close and whispered, “I actually snuck into the kitchen and started the fire to avoid paying. Follow me on TikTok for more budget-friendly life hacks.”
That made Cole laugh really hard. “I’m glad we ordered appetizers, or I’d be starving by now.”
“Same. I’ll see what other restaurants are around here.” I pulled out my phone.
“Actually,” Cole said, “how about we go back to my place for a drink?”
I smiled up at him in surprise. “Counter-offer: my apartment is closer. I can make you that boozy cider you missed last time.”
“That sounds great,” Cole said casually. “It’ll taste great. After.”
“After?”
“After,” he repeated, with a smile that was full of promise. I leaned a little bit closer to him.
So much for Cole being a Canadian Boy Scout.
“Do you remember where my apartment is?” I asked.
“I think I can find my way.”
“Meet you there?”
“I’ll try not to run all the lights.”
I checked my hair in the rear-view mirror on the way home. I couldn’t stop smiling. The date had gone so well! I was fully prepared to receive a polite kiss on the cheek at the end of the night, so this was an unexpected surprise.
I’d never vibed so much with a guy on a date. I was almost in a daze from it. My whole body was buzzing!
I took a shortcut to make sure I beat Cole there, because I couldn’t remember what state I’d left my apartment in.
I knew it wasn’t bad, but nothing would ruin a mood like a basket of dirty underwear next to the bed.
After parking my car, I hurried to the entrance of my apartment complex and wondered if I had enough time to swish mouthwash around in my mouth.
But there was a man standing outside the door with his hands in his pockets. I didn’t recognize him until I was only a few feet away and saw him smiling.
“Rhett?”