Chapter 12 #2
“Hi! Did you sleep okay? You’re supposed to be resting, not driving me all over Nashville. But I’m really looking forward to our day today,” I said.
Steven helped me into the back seat. “We're supposed to be showing you around, remember? But really, we’re glad to be here with you, too. Believe me, we wouldn’t have invited you for another excursion if we didn’t want to spend time with you.”
Warmth bloomed in me. They wanted to spend more time with me beyond the bet. Good. I was having a lot of fun, and I wouldn’t mind having a few more cute little outings before spring break was over.
“I’m glad I’m more than a duty.” I looked into his eyes. That meant everything–they were doing this because they were having fun. Not because they had to.
“You're no chore. I promise,” Ashton said, turning around in the front seat.
That made me feel all warm and squishy. Steven got in the front seat and the three of us set off for the zoo.
It was a very warm day, but I had fun as we saw the animals. We were looking at the elephants when Ashton disappeared, leaving me alone with Steven.
“How are you feeling today and I don’t just mean on a scale of one to twelve trash pandas? Do you need cuddles? Do you need food? Do you need to be told that you’re attractive and fed tacos?” Steven asked. “We’re happy to change any plans to meet your needs.”
Oh, wow. Someone had taught him well.
"I'm not hungry yet. But I’m having fun–and I appreciate the consideration,” I laughed.
Ashton appeared balancing three snow cones–each a different flavor. “I got everyone snow cones. It’s warm today. I wasn’t sure which one everyone would want, so I just got one of each. Kai gets to choose first.”
There was red, purple, and blue.
“I’ll take the purple one. Thank you.” I took a lick and the cool sweetness exploded across my tongue. Perfection.
“I worry. You don’t have a water bottle.” He didn’t either, but Steven carried one attached to his belt loop and both of them used it.
“There’s one in my mini backpack. It’s small. I usually fill it up when I go to the bathroom. I don’t like to carry a lot of things around,” I explained.
“Good. Let me know if you need a cold drink– especially something besides iced coffee,” he added.
“I will.” I was getting a little hungry, but I wasn’t entirely sure what the plan was. If needed, I could always just buy myself a snack.
We ate our snow cones as we walked. Ashton reached out and took my hand, giving it a squeeze, and we looked at the zebras, giraffes, and lions.
My mind kept going back to last night and them holding me in the bar. There was a point where I thought maybe Steven would kiss me.
I could smell that Steven was interested too, but the fact that they didn’t make a move meant everything. I had a feeling that meant they were waiting for me to take the lead out of respect.
And I liked that a lot.
Now I walked in the middle of them, holding both of their hands, swinging mine as we went through the aviary to see the different types of birds.
We exited the area and found the greenhouse. It was actually an entire rainforest exhibit, with little quizzes and friendly docents.
I got into quite the conversation with one of the docents about invasive species. I finally realized we’d been talking for a long time. Embarrassment coated me, because the guys were just patiently standing there, waiting for me to finish.
“Sorry,” I apologized.
Steven pulled me to him. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. We brought you here because we thought you’d like it. The fact that you do makes us happy,” he explained with a grin.
“It's interesting,” Ashton added.
I relaxed, glad that they didn’t think that I was wasting their time.
We left the greenhouse and continued walking. I saw several really nice trees for climbing, but unlike the arboretum, these all had signs that said please do not climb the trees.
Turning the corner, I saw a kids play area that had the most amazing rope climbing structure, with bridges and slides. How marvelous.
Since yesterday I’d tagged Steven, today I’d get Ashton, wanting to be fair.
“Tag.” I tapped Ashton’s arm and took off, running for the play structure, the ground spongy under my feet. I started scaling one of the nets.
He said something to Steven and then went after me. As I climbed to the top, I glanced back and saw that he was almost there. Pulling myself up, I started running over the rope bridge.
“We’re going to catch you,” Ashton called, chasing me.
I laughed, though he was very close. Then again, he was a professional athlete. I suppose I should expect him to be fast, considering being speedy and agile with knives for feet seem to be part of the job.
Which way did I go? He was almost there. I went down the covered slide to put distance between us. As soon as I hit the bottom, arms wrapped around my waist.
The scent of grass tickled my nose as Steven hauled me into his arms. “Gotcha!”
Like yesterday, he wore a baseball cap, but he didn’t wear a T-shirt. Today he had on a polo shirt, nice shorts and a different pair of expensive, pristine white sneakers with white socks. He even wore a belt.
It was a nice look.
“Oh no, you caught me,” I said dramatically, leaning into him, enjoying his touch.
“Ash, I got her.” He carried me around.
I liked this. I liked this a lot.
“Good job.” Ashton wrapped his arms around the both of us.
Like last night, the three of our scents combined. I sucked in a breath, wishing I could keep their scents forever. They were right there. It would be so easy to kiss either one of them.
What would it feel like to kiss Ashton? I’d never kissed anyone with a beard.
Would their kisses match their personalities? Steven’s were probably exuberant, bordering on frantic. Ashton’s would be intense and intentional.
Before I could lean in and kiss somebody, a bunch of kids invaded the play area, one of them nearly knocking us over.
I wiggled out of his arms and stood on my own two feet, the moment broken.
We got some hot pretzels and cheese, from the cart by the play area, and sat down at one of the shady tables.
“That is a really nice play area. I’m glad you went along with that. I require lots of exercise and enrichment,” I teased, dipping a piece of my pretzel in the hot cheese.
“Us too. That’s why we play a sport like hockey.” Steven took a bite of his pretzel, but not before dipping it in Ashton’s cheese.
Ashton let him, giving him a fond look.
The two of them had such an easy relationship. I loved it.
“This is so much fun. We have practice tomorrow, but we can meet you for dinner if you want,” Steven said “There’s a really nice, iconic restaurant that I think you’d really like.
It’s one of my favorites. Then maybe we can go to a dive bar or two?
Or we could go back to Raptor’s and eat pizza again and play more foosball? ”
“Are you sure that would be okay? You have the finals coming. I don't want you to lose focus. I’m guessing that you have practice the next day too.” While I was having fun, they had a job to do.
“We can go to dinner, hit a bar, and still get to bed at a decent time,” Ashton assured.
“I want to make sure that you’re nice and rested. Dinner tomorrow sounds good, though. Let me text the aunties to double check.” I texted them to see what was going on.
Dinner seemed like a good idea, because it would give me a chance to spend some time with the aunties, so they didn’t feel neglected.
“Follow up and see if they’re coming with you to the game, too, so I can put in for tickets. It’s an afternoon game. So, if after the game you want to grab a drink, or get something to eat, before you have to leave on your flight, you’ll have time,” Steven offered.
Wow. They actually wanted to spend the whole week with me? I could tell that this was genuine.
I liked that. A lot.
“I’m having a really good time and thank you for putting so much thought into trying to make this the best spring break,” I said, popping another piece of pretzel into my mouth.
Ashton put a hand over mine. “Of course.”
“I’m having a great time and I’m glad you’re having fun. I hope your pictures are making people jealous. Though you having fun is the most important.” Steven finished off his pretzel.
That too made me feel good. Yeah, this wasn’t just a show for my socials. I was truly enjoying everything.
“Where to now?” Ashton asked as we cleaned up.
“We have to go see the penguins.” Steven bounced in excitement. “Did you know that somebody got arrested for sneaking into the penguin exhibit and trying to teach them to tap dance?”
I laughed. “That is both horrifying and entertaining.”
“It was probably scary for the penguins, but part of me wishes that they actually could tap dance, because that would be amazing,” Steven added.
Now he was between Ashton and me, swinging our hands like a little boy.
People grinned at us as we walked past. I wasn't sure if it was because they were adorable or if people recognized them.
We walked through the penguin exhibit, then a few others, finally ending up in the petting zoo.
I crouched down by the baby goats. “They’re so cute. Do you think anyone would miss one if I put it under my shirt?”
Steven laughed. “Part of me wants to say go for it. But I don’t think Marilyn would like it if we caused a PR disaster for stealing animals from the zoo.”
“True, it’s not like I could bring it back to my dorm.” I gave the goat a pat.
“Your school has a farm, who will notice an extra goat?” He grinned. A baby goat headbutted him in the leg.
“True. One of my roommates caught a bunch of baby chicks on campus and raised them in her shower. She brought them to the farm after her RA found out, because by that time they were pretty domesticated, and we weren’t sure we could just let them loose,” I said.
Ashton came over with cups of food and we fed the animals. A sheep came over and started eating out of Steven’s cup. I laughed.
“Are you hungry?” Steven asked as we left the petting zoo and walked past a café.
“I was thinking we could now go to the plant bar for happy hour and get some appetizers and drinks. But I also thought it would be fun to walk around and go to the farmer’s market, so I was just figuring out the order of things. ”
The exit was through the gift shop and a giant display of plushies caught my eye.
“I could use some food. I like the idea of going to the bar first for happy hour and then walking around. You mentioned buying ingredients there, then going back to your place and making something, then watching a movie.” I definitely wanted a movie and cuddles.
Maybe more.
“That sounds great.” Steven held up a giant stuffed penguin. “He wants to come home with you.” He made the penguin attack me.
I laughed, pretending to fend the stuffie off. It probably wouldn’t fit in my suitcase. “Hmmm, how about this little guy?” I held up a small one on a little clasp. “I can attach him to my backpack and carry him around with me.”
“Perfect.” He went to pay for it and I froze. I hadn't actually meant to assume he was going to buy it. I was willing to get it for myself.
Ashton’s arms wrapped around me. “It’s fine.”
“Are you sure? I really, really appreciate all of this.”
“It's our pleasure. We truly want to make sure you have a good time,” he said.
“Are you having a good time, too?” I whispered. He was a little quieter than Steven, but I was drawn to him just as much,
Maybe even a little more.
He gave me a big squeeze. “Yes.”
Warmth filled me.
Steven bounded over with the little stuffed animal, and he clipped it to my backpack.
“Thank you.” I gave him a big hug.
His face was buried in my hair. “Anytime. Now how about if we go get those drinks?”