Chapter 3 #2
“Sure, I’ll talk with you soon, sweetie. Have a good night.” She made a loud kissing noise into the phone.
I tapped the speaker off and held the phone to my ear. “Mom, don’t do that. I’m not five.” Shit, did JJ hear it?
“Oh, come on, I only do that because you hate it.” She giggled. “Tell you what, I’ll stop doing it when you change my ringtone.”
“Never.” As a broad smile swept my face, I hopped off my bed. “Goodnight, Mom.”
“Goodnight and love you.”
“Love you, too.” I ended the call and strolled into the bathroom to brush my teeth.
JJ peeked his head of brown hair into the doorway, his light blue gaze meeting mine in the mirror. “I hear you’re coaching a high school kid this summer?”
“I am.” I twisted the chrome spigot, and the water ran in the sink. “What of it?” News travelled fast with my friends.
“It’s a gracious gesture.” He slapped my ass. “I’m sure the kid can learn a lot from you. I don’t care what Eli says. It never hurts to try.”
“Yeah, but I’ll keep my wits about me and not expect too much.” Meaning I wouldn’t get too sucked into their drama. I pulled my toothbrush from the holder next to the sink. “See you in the morning.”
“Yep.” With a warm grin, he disappeared.
The next day, I showered after training and dressed at my locker. When would my car be ready? Hopefully, they wouldn’t take all day.
My phone buzzed on the bench with a number I didn’t recognize. Could it be Ryker? I could hope and not some rando hookup I gave my number to.
I answered the call, holding the phone to my ear. “Yeah? Casey here.” If it were a telemarketer, that might confuse them.
“Hi, Casey. This is Ryker from Hart Auto Repair. Your car is ready for pickup,” Ryker said in a voice too sexy for his own good.
As my cock woke, I said, “How about you? Are you ready to be picked up too?” I bit back a snicker. I couldn’t help myself.
“Uh…what?” He huffed a sigh. “What time can you come?”
Oh, he walked into that one. “It depends on what you’re doing to me.” I glanced at JJ, eyeing me from the other row of lockers. Was it too much? “Just fucking with you, man. Don’t worry about it. I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Good, see you then.” He ended the call.
“What the hell was that?” JJ stepped toward me, a smirk sliding across his mouth.
“Just fucking with my new hot mechanic.” I added the number to my contacts as Ryker Hart. I wasn’t sure if it was his cell number, but a quick Google search of the shop would tell me if it was the shop’s number.
“So, you wish to date him, or just hook up?” JJ picked up his duffel and slung it over a shoulder.
“Don’t know yet. He seems like he needs a good fucking though.” With a wink at JJ, I dropped my towel and grabbed my underwear. Yeah, I had to make the fantasy I had yesterday come true.
“Does he even like you?” He shifted his stance.
“Of course he likes me. Who wouldn’t want some of this?” Grabbing my junk, I chortled and shook it.
“Dude.” With a scoff, he waved me off. “Not in the locker room.”
Holden stepped to JJ and kissed his cheek. “What’s Casey doing now?”
“Just Casey shit. It’s not important.” JJ wrapped an arm around Holden’s waist. “You ready?”
I slid my briefs up my legs. Now that the season was over, they didn’t care who saw them together.
“I am.” Holden’s bright smile lit his face. “Come on, babe.”
With a glance at me, JJ said, “I hope you date him and don’t go for the hookup. Having a boyfriend is the best.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I tsked and stepped into my athletic shorts. They were cute together, but I wasn’t ready for a boyfriend. For one, the guy would have to be so fantastic, he’d blind my wandering eyes.
I climbed out of my Uber at the shop and shielded my eyes from the intense sunshine. It would be a scorcher today. Not a cloud in the sky. As I strolled to the shop’s door, I stuffed my hands in my pockets. It was Monday, so Wes was probably in school.
After stepping inside the office area, I paced around the room. Where the hell was Ryker? I made my way to the window and peeked into the stalls.
My car remained in the same spot as yesterday, and a Honda SUV parked in the stall beside it with the hood up. Wasn’t my car done yet?
Ryker’s head of dark hair appeared from under the SUV’s hood, and he slapped a wrench into his palm.
With my most charming smile, I knocked on the window.
Ryker’s gaze met mine, and the edge of his lips twitched. “Hey, Dylan, Casey’s here.”
Dylan rounded a corner from the outside and threw me a grin. “I’ve got him.” He jogged toward me.
Shit, I didn’t want to deal with Dylan. I had hoped to chat more with Ryker. I rubbed my chin. How could I get to him?
“Hey, Casey.” Dylan stepped to the desk and dropped into the chair.
“Is my car done?” I glanced through the window at it and Ryker, bending into the engine compartment on the SUV.
“Yeah, it’s done. We didn’t need the stall, so we just kept it there. We didn’t want anyone fucking with it overnight.” He typed on a keyboard, and a printer spat out a sheet of paper behind him. “I’ll bring it out after we finish the payment.”
“Sure.” I pinched my lips. This was not the scenario I’d dreamed up in my head. Maybe Dylan could help me out. “Hey, Dylan, I’m sort of interested in Ryker. Do you know if he has any—”
“Hell yes.” He handed me the paper while a smile stretched across his mouth. “What can I do to help?” He leaned the chair back, rocking it.
“I guess I’d like to talk to him.” Shit, talking was more of a dating ritual. I scanned the paper, checking that the total was the same as they’d quoted, and it was. After fishing in my pocket, I pulled out my wallet and handed him a credit card.
“So, Ryker usually eats lunch in about…” He glanced at a digital clock on the wall. “Oh, maybe ten minutes? He avoids eating here, so he goes to the coffee shop at the end of the plaza, orders a drink and eats there.” He scanned my credit card and handed it back.
“Okay.” With a nod, I smirked. Guess I’d be getting something at the coffee shop today. “I’ll head over there then.” I slid my credit card into my wallet and tucked it into my shorts.
“They have, uh, protein drinks and sandwiches you can order too, so it won’t look so obvious.” He snickered. “Just so you know, it’s been a long-ass time since he’s been with anyone.” He glanced toward the open door of the shop, jumped from the chair and closed it. “He can be a tough nut to crack.”
“Yeah, but I like tough nuts.” I wagged my brows. Challenges were my thing. Rubbing my finger along the desk, I said, “Did he say anything about me?” Now I sounded like a schoolgirl.
“Look, I’ve known Ryker all my life, and I know when he’s attracted to someone. Yesterday, he wouldn’t acknowledge it, but he kept looking at you.” He chuckled. “That’s probably why he’s avoiding you today.”
My heart flipped, and my grin widened. “Yeah?” I had him. All I needed was an hour of his time, and he’d be mine. “Okay, then. I guess I’ll work some of my charm on him at the coffee shop and we’ll see what happens.”
“You go, dude.” Dylan held his fist up, and I bumped it with my own.
Ryker popped his head through the door to the stalls. “All done here?” He kept his gaze on Dylan.
“Yeah, I’m just about to grab his car.” Dylan threw me a look.
“Hey, Ryker.” With a cheery smile, I waved at him. “How’s business today?”
With a scowl, Ryker said, “Fine, thanks. Dylan will take care of you.” He shut the door and through the window, I watched him walk through the shop, open a small refrigerator, and snag a canvas lunch bag.
Arching a brow, I said, “Looks like he’s on his way to the coffee shop.” I was in luck.
“Yeah? He’s a little early. Let me get your car.” Dylan jogged through the door, to my car and then jumped inside it.
I met Dylan outside, my car engine purring as normal. “Thanks, man. I’ll be seeing you around.” Was I digging myself into their lives? I guessed so.
“Absolutely.” With a broad smile, he patted me on the back.
After climbing into my car, I drove it to the end of the plaza and parked around the corner.
I didn’t want Ryker to see me heading into the shop and have him bolt on me.
I sat for a moment, thinking about my strategy.
Maybe I could use his brother as an excuse.
I could talk to him about Wes to get info on how best to coach him.
With a shrug. I stepped out of my car and walked to the glass doors of the coffee shop.
This was a good idea, regardless of my attraction to Ryker.
As I sauntered inside, Ryker’s gaze locked on mine, and his brows lowered.
“Oh, hey. I just, uh, thought I’d grab a protein drink. We had a hard session this morning.” I glanced around the shop, the wood laminate flooring and warm décor in dark woods and white subway tiles. The place was nice compared with the rest of the area.
I ordered a protein drink with strawberry and banana at the short counter, and while it blended, I glanced behind me at Ryker. He wouldn’t finish up and leave already, would he?
He bit into a half sandwich and wiped his mouth with a napkin, then sipped a drink from a straw.
After getting my shake, I stopped at his table for two and set my hand on the surface, facing him. “So, I thought it would be beneficial for me to get info about Wes from you. I’d like to know what his personality is like.”
Ryker peeked at me from under his long, dark bangs and grunted. “Yeah, okay.”
With my lips tugging into a sly grin, I dropped into the chair across from him, setting my drink on the table. What should I ask first? “So, he seems like a smart kid.”
“He is.” He ate another bite of the sandwich.
My gaze raked over him — the longish hair, the spot of grease on his cheek and his generous lips as he chewed. He wasn’t much of a talker, or maybe I’d made him uncomfortable with my earlier jokes? I leaned in. “Hey, you aren’t mad at me, are you?”
His gaze met mine, and his brows twitched. “No, why would I be mad at you?”
“No reason. You’re just silent.” I tilted my head, studying him, my gut fluttering. Did he make me nervous? No guy ever did that. Why him?
“I’m a quiet guy. I don’t enjoy wasting my time on nonsense.” He sipped his drink and took another bite of his sandwich.
I sucked my smoothie through the straw into my mouth. Okay, this was awkward. I needed to turn on my charm, maybe flatter him a bit? “You’ve got some nice arm muscles. You work out?”
“Nope.” He chewed.
“Okay, so I guess it’s all from working on cars?” I lifted a brow. Was he lying? Maybe he was one of those guys who were naturally fit.
“Guess so.” He huffed and fixated on me, shifting in his chair. “I thought you were here to talk about my brother?”
“I am.” Lifting my chin, I asked, “Can you tell me how long he’s played football and if he’s been to any summer camps?” I’d start there and work into deeper subjects.
“He’s been playing since he was five. My mom’s old boyfriend was into football, so he pushed him into it back then.” With a wince, he gave a slight shake of his head. “That guy is long gone, but Wes stuck with it.”
This mother and boyfriend theme seemed to be a touchy subject for him.
My parents had been together since I was born, so I had nothing to compare it to.
“Did Wes idolize this boyfriend, or do you think he genuinely found a sport he loved?” Maybe I’d consult Eli later about this, since he was great at figuring people out.
“I think he loves the sport. Can’t you tell?” He eyed me and then pulled a Ziplock bag of grapes from his lunch bag.
“I could, but I wanted confirmation.” He was a prickly fucker. Even more challenging than I thought. “What about the camps?”
“No, he hasn’t been to any. We don’t have that kind of…” Pressing his lips together, he dipped his head. “If the shop does better, fuck.” He fisted his hand on the table.
“Hey, no worries, man. I’ve got this.” Covering his fist with my hand, I said, “I’m better than a training camp.” Damn, what happened to him? How did it feel to have this much pressure on yourself?
His gaze slowly lifted to mine, and his lips parted. “Thank you, Casey. I don’t think I’ve thanked you properly yet.” He slid his hand from mine and rested it in his lap.
“Well, I’ve done nothing yet. Thank me when he gets a spot on the varsity team this fall.” With a chuckle, I drank more of my shake. “I know how you could thank me though.” I waggled my brows.
With a peek at me, his cheeks reddened. “Yeah, right. Another joke?”
Tilting my head, I said, “Doesn’t have to be.” Would he take the bait? I glanced at the bathroom door. Was it a single or was there a stall? Fuck, Casey, get your mind out of the gutter.
His brows lifted, and he inhaled deeply. “Are you propositioning me?”
“I…might be. Depends on whether you’re interested.” I bit the end of my straw. It was a long shot, but fuck it.
“Let’s stick to my brother, okay?” He popped a grape into his mouth. “I know how you college football guys are. I bet you’ve got a dozen hookups on speed dial already.” A slow smirk teased his lips.
Shit, I did, but…”None of them are like you though.” I hooked a brow. The more he pushed me away, the more I wanted him.
“Yeah? Poor and full of automotive grease?” He snickered and then, jabbing the table with his finger, said, “Look, coach Wes because you said you would and let’s leave it at that. I don’t have time for this other shit.”
“Okay then.” He’d sealed his fate. Nothing would keep me from having him. With a grin slipping across my lips, I said, “I’ll be in touch with Wes and see you around.” It was time to leave him to ponder what he’d turned down.