Chapter 6
Covey
I sink lower in the hot tub and blow out a long breath. Charlie wanted me to do an ice bath before I got in the hot tub. I took a little bit of a break before even attempting to get in the hot tub. Nothing is worse than heat after ice.
I flick on the outdoor TV, wanting some sort of noise. There isn’t anything I want to watch, I just want to turn my mind off. I’ve been thinking about Cici for days and trying to figure out what to do.
I want to date her. I want her to be my girlfriend and if everything goes as planned, I want her to become my wife.
I think a life with Cici at my side would be amazing. She’s smart, beautiful, kind, and so perfect. She understands my demanding schedule and doesn’t even bat an eye at it. She’s already friends with all of my friends and their wives, it would just be easy.
That sounds horrible. I don’t want to be with her because a relationship would be easy. I want a relationship with her because I’ve never met a more amazing woman.
Without thinking, I grab my phone off the side of the hot tub and pull up a text with Cici.
Covey: What type of food would you like when we go out on Friday?
I could make assumptions and probably be right, but I think Cici would prefer to have a say… I don’t know, maybe I'm just freaking out over finally going out with her.
What am I going to say if Cord or Owen find out?
Can we play it off like we went to dinner as friends?
Maybe we shouldn’t go to a fancy place. That way if we get photographed together, I can act like it wasn’t a date…
but they might expect me to take her somewhere nice even if it isn’t a date because we all know I can afford it.
Cici: I'm happy with anything, but I’ve been craving Mexican food.
A smile tugs on the corner of my lips. I love how she doesn’t make me guess. She’s happy with whatever I choose, but she still gives me an idea of what she wants.
Covey: Any specific dish you enjoy?
Cici: Chimichangas *drooling emoji*
Covey: I’ve got the perfect place in mind.
Though I could easily end this conversation, I don’t want to. I want to talk to her and get to know her better. I want to feel like I'm spending time with her even if she isn’t here.
Covey: Are you still at work?
Cici: I just got home. It was a long day.
Covey: I'm sorry.
Covey: How are you spending your night?
Cici: Sitting in my hot tub with takeout and a glass of wine. What about you?
I chuckle and shake my head. She really is perfect for me in every way.
Instead of answering her with words, I take a selfie with my glass of wine in hand and a view of the empty takeout container. It’s not easy to find takeout that doesn’t go against my diet, but I make it work.
Covey:
Cici: Dang, we’re twinning!
Cici:
I swallow hard as my gaze lands on the photo of Cici sitting in her hot tub. The water is bubbling up around her and the lights are casting her in a soft glow. She looks stunning.
I quickly save the photo to my phone before returning to our conversation.
Covey: Maybe you should just come to my house and join me in the hot tub.
Cici: I’d love to… but then I’ll get cold and have to come home later. That doesn’t sound fun, you should just come here.
Covey: I don’t know where you live.
Cici:
I click on the little image of the map she sent me and shake my head. How did I not know Cici lived one block away from me? Soon this entire development will be owned by the Pit Bulls or their families.
Wheeler, Schmidt, Smithy, Cici, Cord, Leo, and I all live here.
I’ve heard Jackson and Holden say they’re looking for a house here, but none have been on the market.
Wyatt will never move here because he already has a house on Mulberry Lane.
There have already been arguments over who will get Leo’s place when his house is finished on Mulberry Lane.
I don’t know how he’ll pick between Jackson and Holden.
I have a feeling Charlie’s brothers will be selling their house soon.
They play professional hockey for the Philadelphia Pythons.
They’re building homes on Mulberry Lane as well, but right now their house butts up to Wheeler’s backyard.
Cici: 12 Juniper Street.
Covey: I’ll be there in five.
Cici: You can just come around the back.
I jump out of the hot tub and clean up my trash. As soon as I'm ready, I wrap a towel around my waist and head out the front door.