Chapter 9
9
Tripp
A ugust: When can I see you again, sweetheart?
I find myself smiling down at my phone before I even realize it. Feeling boldened by the way he seems so eager to see me, I thumb out a response I normally wouldn’t have the courage to say.
Me: A fourth hangout? Is this where I insert the Napolean Dynamite “I’d say it’s getting pretty serious” gif?
Hitting send before I can talk myself out of it, I shove my phone into my pocket and finish bringing in the groceries I just spent entirely too much money on. It’s been a couple of days since August put me to work on the ranch, and I’m still reeling from that whole day. Well, two days, actually.
Him riding me on the back porch.
Showering with him.
Sleeping with him—literally.
Then that entire next day .
And I think what baffles me the most is the fact that he makes it blatantly obvious that he wants me around. I could’ve gone home after we had sex, or the next morning before he had to work, but he insisted I stay. And now this text where he clearly wants to set up another time to hang out.
His actions go directly against what I’ve been told about him, and it trips me up. The nervous, insecure part of my brain is trying to convince me that this is a game to him. He’s only keeping me around to get laid. But that honestly doesn’t make any sense. August could have anybody. Not only is he insanely attractive, he’s also such a smooth flirt. He could probably talk his way into anybody’s pants if he wanted to, so he has no reason to keep me around.
Meaning he must actually be into me.
So, why is that so hard to wrap my head around?
As I’m finishing up putting the groceries away, my front door bursts open, in walking Chloe. Her eyes find mine and she grins, holding up the two bottles in her hand.
“Hope you’re ready for some wine and chick flicks,” she says as she kicks the door shut and strolls into the kitchen, making herself at home as she rummages through the cabinets in search of the wineglasses.
“That sounds like the perfect way to spend an evening,” I reply before asking, “Want me to throw in a pizza?”
“Yes, please. I’m starving.” Setting the glasses on the counter, she looks back at me. “Where’s your corkscrew?”
“Top drawer closest to the wall.”
After I pre-heat the oven, I take the glass Chloe offers me, and we go in the living room. As soon as we sit on the couch, I pull out my phone, having felt a notification come through several minutes ago. I’ve been itching to check it but didn’t want to seem too eager.
Why is that a thing? Honestly, who cares if you respond to a message as soon as it comes through? But somehow this insecurity has been ingrained in so many of our brains, that we’ll look desperate if we respond right away. It’s dumb.
Unlocking the phone, I bite back a smile as I read August’s response.
August: Things are gettin’ pretty serious, baby. Glad you’re on the same page. Now, answer the question.
“Is that who I think it is?” Chloe asks, a knowing grin on her face as I look up and meet her gaze. I can feel my cheeks heat.
Nodding, I say, “It’s August.”
Her eyes damn near twinkle with mirth. “And how’s that going?”
“Remember on Friday when I told you he invited me to come over?” Chloe nods. “Well, I went… then spent the night.” Her eyes widen before I add, “And stayed almost the entire next day.”
“Shut up!”
“And I rode a horse!”
“Yeah, yeah.” Chloe nods, grinning ear to ear. “I’m well aware how big August is,” she teases. Confusion furrows my brow for a moment before it clicks.
“No!” I shake my head rapidly. “That’s not what I meant. I rode an actual horse, you perv.” Chloe giggles, and I can’t help but do it too.
I consider, for a brief little moment, telling her that I wasn’t the one riding him the other night, but it was the other way around, but I don’t. I’m keeping that to myself. Not everything needs to be spoken about, and something about what he did feels special. Like maybe he doesn’t do it all the time. I have no proof of that theory, but I’m keeping it close to my chest anyway.
Nodding toward my phone, Chloe asks, “So, what’s he texting you about now?”
“He’s asking when he can see me again.” No matter how hard I try to hide it, I can’t bite back the grin that spreads on my face saying those words. Even more so when Chloe gawks at me.
“Oh my gosh, he sounds super into you, Tripp!”
I scrunch my face up. “You think?”
“Yes! I’m not kidding when I say that August is always a one-night-only type of guy. I’ve never seen him put effort into seeing someone more than once.”
Letting my insecurity get the better of me for a moment, I ask, “What if it’s just a game to him?”
Eyes softening as she takes me in, Chloe reaches out, placing a gentle hand on my knee. “August may be well-versed in hook-up culture, but he isn’t like that. For as long as I’ve known him, he’s never been about games. He’s very upfront and unabashed about his preferences. I think if he’s actively trying to see you, it’s genuine.”
“But why me?” I ask, looking down at my lap, ashamed that I’m even saying the words out loud. “Like you said, he has a lot of experience, so why would he want somebody like me, who is significantly less experienced than probably anybody else he could have.”
“You look at me right now, Tripp Eugene Beach,” Chloe snaps .
Eyes darting up to meet hers, I can’t help but breathe out a chuckle. “Eugene is not my middle name.”
She rolls her eyes, waving a hand in front of her dismissively. “Well, I didn’t know it, but this felt like a full name type of moment. That’s neither here nor there, though. Who cares if you’re less experienced than him, or if he’s been with more experienced people. That doesn’t mean anything when it comes to what’s felt in here.” Chloe presses a hand to her heart. “There’s no rhyme or reason to who you develop feelings for. Don’t overthink it.”
Snorting, I say, “Easier said than done.”
She huffs out a laugh. “Real talk, though… has August given you any indication that his interest is anything less than genuine?” Before I can answer, she adds, “And I don’t mean thoughts or insecurities you’ve had in your own mind. I’m talking about his actions and the things he’s said. Has any of it seemed not genuine?”
I don’t even have to think about it. “No.”
As soon as the word leaves my mouth, I realize how much I mean it.
“Okay, then. Quit overthinking and let yourself enjoy this if it’s what you want.”
“Thanks, Chloe.”
Her smile brightens her whole face. “Now, let’s pick a movie and get to it. I was thinking Red, White, and Royal Blue. ”
“We’ve seen that about a dozen times.”
She arches a brow at me. “And?”
“Who am I kidding?” I chuckle. “Let’s do it.”
As she finds the movie, I pull up August’s message, re-reading it before responding .
Me: What’d you have in mind?
His response is instant.
August: A surprise? ;)
Me: Is this another lesson?
My heart thumps harder as I read his response.
August: No, sweetheart. It’s a date.
A date.
Me: Okay, I’m in.