Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
OSCAR
Ihave to shove my hands deep into the pockets of my jacket to stop myself from taking it off and wrapping it around Freya.
Her cardigan was probably fine for the weather when she arrived, but the temperature dropped while we were having dinner and now, walking her home, it’s like needles against my cheeks.
I offered it to her at least three times, but she was adamant.
“I could have driven you,” I say, knowing it’s pointless.
I tried to get her into the truck when she first said she was going to head out, but she was determined to walk.
The best I could manage was convincing her to let me join her.
But now, as she’s curling her shoulders in and trying to shield her face from the wind, I have to fight the urge to toss her over my shoulder and put her into the cab where I can blast the heating until the tip of her nose isn’t quite so pink anymore.
She shrugs. “I like walking.”
She was quiet during dessert. I hated lying to her, but dinner with my mom didn’t exactly seem like the time to bring up my childhood infatuation with her.
The more time I spend with her, the more I wonder if I ought to tell her, but I wouldn’t know where to start.
I’m honestly kind of impressed that my mom didn’t make more of a scene about it.
She was well aware of how I felt about Freya, and she’s been trying to get us in the same room since Freya came back.
It’s probably half the reason for Freya’s dinner invite.
I just can’t believe Mom brought up Jamie Riley.
I still remember her face when she got called into school by the principal.
I was close to getting kicked out and she’d been livid until I explained how much he’d been bullying Freya.
Then she marched me down to Buckley’s and told me to never stop doing what was right, even if it got me into trouble.
It’s probably all this talk about my feelings from way back that has the familiar protectiveness rearing its head. My mind keeps catching on what Freya said about Denver. The convention sounds great, but she seemed a little apprehensive.
It’s a heck of a drive to do alone, and surely if she’s by herself, then she’s not going to be able to take a break all day? I hate the thought of her not having anyone she feels like she could ask.
Fuck. I know what’s coming, but knowing doesn’t put a stopper on the words.
“I’ll take you to Denver.”
Freya doesn’t say anything. Shit, is she mad? She’s probably mad. She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, the strawberry blond strands catching the light.
I take the opening and forge on. “I have the truck, and I can drive you there and help you set up. You’ll probably need an extra pair of hands, which I have.” I hold all ten fingers up and wiggle them, instantly wishing Jamie Riley were here to knock my teeth in.
“No thank you, but I appreciate the offer.”
“Please.”
“Oscar, I’ll be fine.”
“I know, but just let me, okay? It’d make my mom feel better, and you wouldn’t have to carry all the stuff by yourself.
” I know I’m being an ass by playing the mom card—I have plenty of experience with how terrifying the thought of disappointing Valerie Murphy can be—but if it means she lets me go, then I’ll play whatever cards I have.
“You can just tell your mom you offered, and that I said no.”
“I don’t think that’s gonna cut it.”
She chews on her lip.
I try again. “Let me help you. I’ll be there just in case you need someone.”
Her shoulders slump. “You’re really not gonna let this go, are you?”
“Probably not.”
The sigh she lets out could blow over a tree. “Fine.”
“Really?” Is she serious?
“Only if you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind at all.” I mean, I’ll probably have to bribe one of the guys to cover whatever shift I have that weekend, but I don’t care.
“Then, yes,” she says, relief creeping in at the edges of her voice. “It would be great to have help.”
“Awesome, it’s gonna be fun.”
“I don’t want to drag you out there overnight, though. We can drive up and back on Saturday.”
“I thought it was a whole weekend thing?’
“No, just one day. I have the store closed a day either side so I can prep, and then, Sunday to rest.”
“I don’t mind staying if you need to.” It’s a four-hour drive to Denver. Going there and back in a day isn’t impossible, but it’ll be a lot.
“Nah, it’ll be better. I prefer sleeping in my own bed.”
“Only if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” She nods. “And I’m paying for gas.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I’m paying.” She turns toward me, a frown marring her features. “I can expense it to the store anyway, and you’re already doing too much by offering to drive.”
The steel in her eyes tells me I’m not going to win this. “Sure.” I give her a half smile.
“Who’ll watch your rabbit?”
I grin. “My mom.”
“She won’t mind?” I catch sight of her fingers, twisted up in the strap of her purse and I have the urge to take them in mine, to rub all the tension out of them and hold them until she’s home and warm again.
“She’ll love it. She always wants more time with her grandson.”
“Grandson?” She giggles.
“Oh yeah, I’m a very proud daddy.” I waggle my eyebrows with a newfound playfulness, and the blush that stains her cheeks makes me think I should be this way more often.
Fuck, she’s pretty. She always was. But the way she is now, all grown up, it’s something else.
The walk back to her apartment feels shorter than it should, or maybe it’s just that I don’t want it to end.
But by the time we make it to the bottom of the steps leading up to her front door, all I can think about is if there’s a non-weird way to ask if she wants to take another lap around the block.