Chapter 23
twenty-three
“Hey, shouldn’t you be in class?” Will asks as he steps into the kitchen.
I shake my head as I put away the last of the groceries I went and picked up.
“No, my professor canceled my last class, so I thought I would go run some errands.”
“Thanks, we were running low on milk,” he says as he leans against the wall.
My eyes narrow. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Will rubs the back of his neck. “Because I might have done something that might piss you off.”
“Okay, what is it?” I ask, bracing myself.
“Well, the respite worker is coming tonight instead of tomorrow as planned,” he says, catching me off guard.
“Wait, what?” I ask, shaking my head.
“I called her and asked if she would be willing to switch nights, and she said she was.” Before I can say anything, he raises his hand, stopping me. “Tonight we are both going out and enjoying ourselves. You with Wyatt, and me with some of the guys from work.”
“Don’t you work tonight?”
“No, I got the night off. One of the guys needed to switch nights, and I agreed,” he tells me.
“So we are both going out?”
“Yes. You have a date with Wyatt. Well, you will if he’s not busy,” he says.
“I don’t know, Will…”
“Lyla, be spontaneous. It’s not very often we get to act our age. Just text or call your boyfriend and see if he’s busy. If he is, then go to a movie or something by yourself.”
I grab my phone from my back pocket and pull up his messages.
Me
Hey, what are the chances you are free tonight?
He responds back instantly.
Your boyfriend
If you’re available, consider me yours. What’s up?
Me
I guess there was a change in the schedule, and the respite worker is coming tonight instead of tomorrow. Do you want to do something?
Your boyfriend
Leave it to me. I’ll pick you up around six.
Me
Sounds good. <3
“So what did he say?” Will asks.
“He will pick me up around six.”
“Cool. Have fun tonight, and don’t worry about rushing home. I’ll take care of it.”
“Are you sure? I really don’t mind.”
Will rolls his eyes. “I got this. Trust me. Now go get ready.”
Blowing out a deep breath, I head upstairs. What does one wear to a spontaneous, last-minute date?
After a lot of back and forth, I settle on a pair of high-waisted black pants and a black top that dips low in the front. It has see-through mesh between my boobs to stop any wardrobe malfunctions from happening. I slide on a pair of black heeled boots and look at myself in the mirror.
My makeup is done a little heavier, and I took the time to style my hair.
“You clean up well, Wayne,” I murmur to myself.
The doorbell rings, making my heart race.
“Lyla, Wyatt’s here!” my brother yells.
Grabbing my bag, I open my door and head down the stairs.
As soon as Wyatt sees me, his eyes widen, and my breath catches.
He’s standing next to the door with black slacks on and a light blue button-down shirt.
His hair is messy, like he ran his hand through it on the drive over.
I’ve seen him dressed like this before games, and it still takes my breath away.
He’s so good-looking, and he doesn’t even know it.
“You look beautiful,” he rasps, making my cheeks heat.
“Thank you.”
When I come to a stop next to him, he leans in and kisses the corner of my mouth.
“Do you really have to do that shit in front of me?” Will groans, making us laugh.
“Sorry man, I couldn’t help myself,” Wyatt says.
Will rolls his eyes. “Whatever, you two get out of here, and remember, Lyla, don’t rush home. I got Dad later.”
“Sounds good,” I say.
“You ready?” Wyatt asks.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
He smiles as he takes my hand and pulls me out the door. Like the gentleman he is, he opens the passenger door for me, but before I can slip inside, he stops me.
“Everything okay?” I ask as I look up at him.
“Can I kiss you?”
“Yes,” I say softly.
Wyatt leans down and presses his lips toward mine. I can’t help but shut my eyes and lean into his touch. Kissing him is like a religious experience that I don’t know how to explain. All too soon he pulls away.
“You really do look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I smile as I slip into the car.
I watch as he rounds the hood of his car to the driver’s side.
“So where are we going?” I ask as he gets in, starting it.
“I actually made reservations. I hope that’s okay?”
“That’s perfect, actually,” I tell him.
Thank God I decided to dress up.
On the drive we make idle chit-chat, catching up about how our classes went for the day, and he asks about when my next shift at the hospital is. It hits me how right this feels, talking about my day with him. It feels normal.
“Wait, are we eating here?” I ask in awe as we pull up to the valet of The Thistle.
“We are, if that’s okay with you.”
“It is, but Wyatt, this place books months out in advance. Are you sure this is the right place?”
Wyatt chuckles. “Trust me, I know, but I made reservations for here.”
My eyes widen. “Last minute?”
He shrugs, not answering.
He gets out of the car and hands the keys to the valet before helping me out.
When we step inside, the hostess looks up and greets him by name before taking us to a table tucked in the back.
“Okay, seriously, how did you pull this off?” I whisper as he sits down across from me.
Wyatt smiles. “The owners are big hockey donors.”
“And they were just willing to let you slide onto the books tonight?”
“Yes.”
I lean back in my chair, shaking my head. This is so different from what I’m used to that I don’t know what to think about it.
It’s insane.
“Hello, my name is Abigail. Would you two like any wine this evening?” the server asks.
Wyatt looks to me and raises a brow.
“Actually, I think I’m good,” I tell him.
Wyatt nods before looking at her. “We will pass at this time, thank you.”
“Of course. Your server will be here shortly,” the server says before walking away.
“I thought she was our server,” I murmur.
Wyatt shakes his head. “No, she’s just the sommelier.” At my look of confusion, he clarifies. “A sommelier is someone who has studied wines extensively. They work in high-end restaurants and other places just to help you pick out wine that will go with your meal.”
“I didn’t know that was a thing.” I shake my head. “This is a lot.”
“In a bad way?” he asks, tilting his head to the side.
I shake my head slowly. “No, not at all.”
It just doesn’t feel fake. Then again, I don’t think it really is. I don’t think things have been fake between us for a while.
An expression flashes across her face for a split second, and I have to stop myself from asking her what’s on her mind.
If she wanted me to know, she would tell me.
“So Will changed the respite nurse’s schedule on you, huh?” I ask.
Lyla smiles. “Yeah, I wasn’t expecting it, but I guess he wanted a night out too, and honestly, I can’t blame him.”
“Me neither,” I say honestly.
The guy works his ass off to provide for his family. He deserves all the time off he can get.
Hell, I wish I could do more to make it happen without tipping them off.
“Are you excited for your away game coming up?” She changes the subject.
“Not really. I don’t mind the traveling, but I’m not a fan of the team. I swear they get dirtier every year we go up against them,” I say, making her frown.
“That doesn’t sound good.” She looks concerned.
“It will be fine,” I reassure her. “We can handle them.”
My phone beeps in my pocket, making me cringe. “Sorry, I forgot to turn off the sound. Give me a second.”
I pull out my phone and see it’s the alert for the Boston Foxes. The game has officially started. I put the phone on “Do Not Disturb” before slipping it back into my pocket.
“Sorry about that. It was a notification for the guys’ team.”
Her eyes light up. “Wait, you have a notification set for game updates for Beckett and Clay?”
“I do. I try to keep up with them as much as possible. It helps that Grace and Peyton give updates via the family chat a lot. I saw they added you to that.”
“Yeah, they did. That’s so sweet that you keep up with them, though.”
“It’s not sweet,” I protest, making her chuckle.
The server comes over and takes our order.
“You know, I really like your friends’ girlfriends. They are so nice. Nicer than I expected, honestly,” she admits softly.
“They are pretty great. I don’t think I could have picked better women for them if I tried. They are the sisters I never had.”
“That’s what I heard. I mean, you went and helped Peyton buy her Bronco and got Grace new tires because you knew she was busy.”
I feel my cheeks heat as I shrug. “It’s not a big deal. They are like my sisters, and their men are gone. Watching out for them is the least I could do.”
Her eyes soften as she rests her chin on her palm, elbow on the table. “They love you, you know.”
“It’s mutual.”
“You know, they told me a rumor.” She smiles wickedly.
“What’s that?”
“That you are a baby hog,” she says, making me laugh.
Out of all the things she could have said, I wasn’t expecting that.
“I’m an Alissa hog. The kid has me wrapped around her finger.” I smile, thinking about my goddaughter.
“That’s adorable. Who knew you could be such a softy?” she teases.
“What can I say? It takes a special type of person to get under my skin.” I shrug.
“I like it. I can’t wait to see you with her. I’ve been told it’s quite the sight.”
Fuck yes!
It shouldn’t make me this happy that she’s thinking about seeing me with my goddaughter, but it does. It’s not very often that she’s the one that talks about the future with us, and it makes me fucking hopeful.
So. Fucking. Hopeful.
The server comes back with our food, and the rest of the date goes off without a hitch. All too soon, I’m paying the bill.
“What’s next?” she asks as I take her hand, walking us through the restaurant.
“That’s up to you,” I tell her as we step outside.
The valet hands over my keys, and I help her into the car before getting in myself.
“What if we went back to your place?” she says, making my heart race.
“Sounds like a plan,” I tell her, trying to keep my cool. I have no expectations about what will happen, but I’m a guy, and I can’t help but be a little hopeful that it ends up with her in my arms.
The drive takes about fifteen minutes, and the entire time she sings quietly to the radio. I should be worried about the silence, but for the first time, I’m not. Silence with her isn’t a bad thing. Besides, Lyla knows I’m not one to talk just to fill the quiet.
When we step inside, the guys all look our way. Calvin, Jason, Cora, and Kellan are all in the living room with a video game up on the TV.
“Hey guys, how was your date?” Cora asks from her spot next to Kellan.
“It was great.” Lyla smiles.
“Do you want to stay down here or go up to my room?” I whisper in her ear.
Lyla turns her head, lips brushing against mine. “We can hang out with them for a bit.”
We move to join them, and Jason makes room on the couch next to him. I sit down, pulling Lyla into my lap.
“You look hot, girlfriend. I’m glad we talked you into that top,” Cora teases.
Lyla’s cheeks flush. “Me too.”
“Do you want to play?” Jason asks, holding out his controller.
I look at Lyla, who nods, giving me the go-ahead.
“I’m not feeling like kicking ass tonight.”
While I play a round with the guys, Lyla relaxes further into me while chatting with Cora.
“I’m done,” I tell them when the match is over.
“Come on, Lyla. One game. I need to redeem myself,” Calvin begs.
“Fine, but don’t cry when I win,” she taunts.
Then they start a new match.
I watch as my girl plays with some of my closest friends.
I can tell she is taking it easy on Calvin, trying not to wipe the floor with him.
I think he can tell too because he shoots her a look before taunting her.
Jason jumps in, and before I know it, everyone is shit-talking.
Lyla laughs at their antics as they play.
When she’s done, she yawns, handing the controller back to Jason.
“Okay, that was enough fun for me for one night. I’m tired.” She yawns again.
“Do you want me to take you home?” I murmur against the shell of her ear as Jason takes the controller.
She shivers at my touch before turning to look at me. “I don’t want to go home,” she says quietly.
“What do you want then?” I ask as my heart races.
Her eyes dart to the stairs before they come back to me. “Take me to bed, Wyatt,” she whispers before nipping at my ear.
Fuck yes.
“Your wish is my command.” I adjust her in my arms and stand, making her laugh.
“I can walk, you know,” she teases.
“We’re going to bed. Night,” I tell everyone, making them laugh.
“Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do!” Cora teases as we walk up the stairs.