Chapter 7
7
LINCOLN
Almost time for my date with Violet, I scurry about my hotel room. After the long day of team building, I’m exhausted, but adrenaline is running through my veins like a wildfire tearing through a dry forest, setting my senses ablaze. I’m buzzing to see her again.
“I can’t talk too long. I’m going out.”
“Who with? Are you wearing a shirt? Is that new?” My father’s voice sounds across the room from our video call on my laptop. “Are you going out on a date? When did you last wear a shirt?” His voice is laced with humor. “And you’ve had a haircut, and the long straggly beard has gone. Definitely a date.”
I fasten the last button on my black shirt, then plonk myself down on the edge of the bed to face the screen.
“In answer to all your questions, yes, I am.” I reach for my aftershave and splash some on my neck. Fuck, that stings. I haven’t shaved in months. My goatee and beard are back to exactly how I like them: short and sharp, as I wanted to look smart tonight for Violet.
“What about your no-woman rule? ”
“Things change. But it’s just a date.”
My father raises a black eyebrow in amusement. “But you only have a few weeks to go. Could you not last?” My dad flashes me a smile and tilts his head. It’s uncanny how much I look like him.
“Should you not be in bed?” I brush him off.
“It is time for bed. I’m exhausted because we were at the zoo today. It was carnage.” He yawns.
My stepmom, Eva’s, voice whisper-shouts from somewhere behind him. “Knox, who are you talking to at this ungodly hour?”
“Shh, you’ll wake the kids. I’m talking to Linc,” he says in a hushed tone.
Her face suddenly appears on the screen. “You look very dashing, Lincoln. Who’s the lucky lady?”
“Violet.”
“That’s a pretty name.” She smiles.
“She is really pretty. Beautiful.” I can feel my entire face lighting up.
“Oh, crap.” Eva gasps.
“Yup, I know that look,” my dad says.
“What look?” I’m confused.
“The ‘she’s the one’ look.” Eva gives me a cheeky wink.
“Okay, Mom. Whatever.”
“Don’t call me Mom. It’s weird when you call me that.” She scrunches her nose up.
She’s right; it is still weird that Eva is only three years older than me and is married to my dad, but they couldn’t be more perfect for one another.
“Sorry, Eva. She can’t be ‘the one’.” I frown. “I’m only here for six more weeks.”
“What’s she like?” Eva asks .
I run my hands down the thighs of my newly purchased black jeans. “She’s brunette.”
“Wow, not blonde?” My father calls me out.
I ignore him and carry on. “Golden-brown eyes. Beautiful. Smart. She has no idea how funny she is. I really like her.”
“Oh boy. Definitely smitten,” Eva teases, then yawns. “I need my bed.”
“Oh, goodie. I can’t wait.” My father smiles into the camera.
I stick my fingers in my mouth and fake gag. “I don’t need to hear this. Go, you two. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
My dad grabs Eva’s hand and kisses her wedding ring. “Night, Linc. Enjoy your date.” My dad waves me off.
Eva gives me a little wave, too. “We can’t wait to have you home. Your dad is really missing you.”
“I am. I love you, son,” he says.
“Love you too, Dad. Speak tomorrow.”
“I want all the details,” Eva says and they both wave goodbye as they hang up.
A text message alert appears on my laptop screen.
Unknown
Hey. It’s Violet. *smiley face*
I save her contact information.
Me
Good evening, Ms. West. I’m about to leave. What’s your address?
She sends me it. Of course, her house would be on the most elite beach road in town.
Me
I’m coming to get you.
Violet
Looking forward to it. I’ll meet you outside; otherwise, Pom-pom will bark his head off at you. *winking face*
I feel nervous, which is something I never feel when I go out on dates usually, but tonight I’m flustered, and so far out of my comfort zone that I’m not even in the safety lane.
Checking my outfit in the mirror, I run my fingers through my freshly barbered hair and grab my car keys off the dresser.
Wallet, check.
Credit card, check.
Condom.
I take it out of my wallet and lay it on top of my chest of drawers. It’s been in there since before I traveled to America. Second-guessing whether I should pick it back up again, I hover my hand over it.
Fuck it. It stays in my hotel suite.
I am determined to show Violet I’m more than just a one-night-stand kind of guy.
I’m a new man.