7. Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Inever should have grabbed Natalie's hand or given Scuba her number.
Despite my eyes being on the road, it was impossible not to see the flurry of text notifications popping up on the console. It was completely unrelenting.
"Jesus Christ. This is getting insane. Let me say something to him."
If I was being honest with myself, I wouldn't fucking care if I didn't love Nat and have that stupid instinct to want to protect her, even if it was stress that I helped to cause.
Carts and I were jerks by adding Scuba, Rainer, and Biggie to her workload, but after Carts opened the door, I couldn't help but sing her praises. Although, thankfully, Rainer and Biggie hadn't been texting a mile a minute.
"I can handle it myself. Just let me text him back."
I reluctantly let go of her hand so she could use her mobile.
It was probably for the best for her to text him back. That way, I didn't cross any more lines with Carter's little sister.
I probably should go out and get myself laid. Maybe see if Scuba wanted to go out and find some girls together. That way, he couldn't text Natalie all night long with the insane amount of requests.
"Do you want to go to Fleet Street Diner, Jokers, or someplace that you deserve?"
Really? Did I really imply to her that our favorite diner was someplace shitty? Time to do damage control. Yet again.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to say that. I wanted to say someplace fancy."
I smiled to myself. While it wasn't super eloquent, at least I didn't make things worse or say something stupid like, let me take you to someplace romantic.
"I don't get why you like Jokers so much." Natalie didn't even bother to look up as she furiously typed into her phone.
I snorted. It was true that Jokers could be a bit of a dump, but it always had the hottest girls and cheap drinks. Plus, it was one of those places that brought in hockey royalty. Even the more saintly ones like Legacy owners Aaron and Lucas Peterson. Okay, Lucas wasn't a saint, but he knew where the pretty ladies liked to party.
"So Jokers is a no. What is the other option?"
"Anywhere else. It's up to you," she said fairly nonchalantly, but it made me want to treat her even more.
With that, I drove to one of my favorite French bistros in Vancouver. It always felt very fancy without any romantic undertones to make my feelings feel any more complicated with Natalie.