Chapter Fourteen #2
For the last two weeks, all I’ve done is think about Ice.
Longer than that honestly because I met him as Ruby.
I want to get to know him and have him in my life, but never dreamed he’d feel the same way.
Yes, I know he messaged me as Ruby and I haven’t responded to him because it was during the worst weeks of my life when I lost Nora.
Now, it’s been too long and I don’t know if I should respond to him as Ruby or not.
I guess I’ll have to see how things go tonight.
There’s a knock on my bedroom door as I’m mid freak out. Memphis walks in the room with Bridger in his arms.
“Get out of your head, Keaton. You’re already overthinkin’ this shit and it’s not helpin’. Now, let’s see what you’ll be wearin’ for this date. Did Ice mention what you’ll be doin’?” Memphis questions me as I turn to face him while trying to hide my shaking hands.
“I asked him and he said to dress casually. Even told me I could wear jeans if I wanted,” I answer him as Memphis shakes his head at me.
“You’re not wearin’ jeans on this date, Keaton.
Jeans are for once the two of you are together and you go out on errands or some shit like that.
Tonight, I’ll pick out what you’re wearin’.
Ice will fuckin’ love it,” Memphis informs me as he hands Bridger to me and starts going through my clothing choices.
“How do you know he’ll love what you pick out?” I ask him as Bridger pulls on my robe with one of his little hands and smiles up at me.
“I’m a guy, Keaton. I know what guys like and Ice is no different.
I saw him watchin’ you at the garage two days ago.
His eyes were locked on your ass. It’s who we are and somethin’ we can’t help when we’re attracted to a woman.
He wants you and I’m gonna make sure you don’t answer the door to him wearin’ a pair of jeans and some ratty ass tee-shirt.
Go sit on your bed and I’ll bring an outfit out for you.
And I did talk to Camden. He knows he’s to stay here tonight and not to follow you,” Memphis says, pushing me out of the closet as I nod my head and take a seat on the end of my bed with Bridger in my arms. He starts to babble as he pulls on my robe some more.
I talk back to him like we’re having a real conversation as a way to occupy myself from thinking about what Memphis will choose for me to wear tonight.
It doesn’t take him long before he walks out with a short black skirt I haven’t worn in a very long time and a dark red halter top.
Dangling from his fingers are a pair of black ballet style shoes.
These ones have short ribbons I lace around my leg and tie.
I love them but haven’t worn them in a while either.
I tend to wear a pair of sandals or slippers when I’m home.
If I go to the store, I keep my sandals on or wear a pair of sneakers. I don’t dress up for any reason.
“Are you sure that’s what I should wear?” I question him as he sets the clothes down on the bed next to me and takes Bridger from my arms.
“This is what you are wearin’, Keaton. Ice will appreciate the outfit and love seein’ your legs on display.
Your legs really look longer when you wear the shorter skirts and shorts.
You’ve got a nice tan goin’ on right now too.
Trust me on this, Keaton. I won’t steer you wrong,” Memphis says, trying to reassure me as I stand from my bed and grab the clothes before grabbing a pair of panties and disappearing in the bathroom again.
I drop my robe on the floor at my feet after untying it and put on the skirt and panties before adding the halter top.
Once my clothes are on, I grab my brush and remove the towel from my hair.
Memphis asks if I’m dressed and I call out for him to come in while I start running the brush through my hair.
He watches me as I get all the knots out and then use my blow dryer before curling the ends.
Memphis doesn’t say a word in response as he watches me get ready.
When I’m done with my hair, I swipe some mascara on my lashes and some nude lip gloss.
That’s all I wear for make-up. Again, Memphis doesn’t say a word as he looks at me and I nervously turn to face him.
He simply gives me a smile and follows me back into my bedroom where I sit down to put my shoes on.
Once I’m ready to go, I make sure I have my phone in case there’s some kind of emergency with Bridger when I’m gone, keys, and slide a hair tie on my wrist so when my hair starts to bug the hell out of me, I can throw it up in a messy bun or ponytail.
“You look great, Keaton,” Memphis finally says as we walk in the living room and he takes a seat on the sofa while grabbing the baseball hat from the arm of the couch and sliding it low on his head to cover part of his face. Ice will recognize him if he sees him without a hat or anything else.
“What if I say the wrong thing? Or make a fool of myself somehow?” I question him as the intercom buzzes from the gate at the end of my driveway.
“You’re not gonna do any of that. If you’re too nervous, let him lead the conversation and just answer any questions he might ask you. Ask him questions in return. Make it a game like twenty questions or somethin’,” Memphis answers as I answer the intercom.
“Hello?”
“It’s Ice,” he says as I smile and press the button to open the gate.
Memphis remains on the couch as I walk over and press a kiss against Bridger’s chubby cheek.
He tries to pull on my hair, but I move out of the way just in time.
Memphis gives me a quick hug before getting off the couch and heading into the kitchen with Bridger.
Ice can still see in my kitchen, but if Memphis keeps his back to the door, it will be harder for him to be recognized.
When Ice knocks on the door, I open it and get my first look at him.
If I thought he was good looking before, it’s nothing compared to tonight.
Ice is sexy as hell in his jeans that fit his lower body perfectly.
He’s got a black button-down shirt on under his cut with a few buttons at the top left open showing off his neck and the barest amount of his chest. The only difference is he’s not wearing glasses tonight.
It’s one of the rare times I haven’t seen them on his face and I honestly kind of miss them. Still, he looks really good.
“You look beautiful,” Ice finally says after a minute of us just looking at one another. “These are for you. I’m sorry I didn’t ask what kind of flowers you like. I should have.”
Ice hands me a small bouquet of sunflowers and daisies. It’s perfect.
“They’re beautiful, Ice. Thank you,” I tell him, turning and laying them on the stand in my hallway. “Can you please put these in some water when I leave?”
Memphis doesn’t have to answer because I know he’ll do it. Ice doesn’t need to hear his voice right now.
Ice holds out his hand and I slide mine into it.
He laces our fingers together and a chill runs up my spine from such simple contact between the two of us.
I can feel my face heating with a blush as we close the door and make our way to the driveway.
Ice leads me to a large, blacked out truck that I instantly fall in love with.
It’s almost identical to the one sitting in my garage.
“Can I lift you inside? I wasn’t really thinkin’ when I left the compound in this to pick you up,” he asks me, the perfect gentleman in my eyes. Ice opens the door as I answer him.
“Please,” I say, facing the open door. Ice’s fingers dig gently into my hips as he lifts me off the ground and sets me on the seat of his truck.
Once I’m settled in, he closes the door behind me and walks around to get in the driver’s seat.
While I’m still nervous as hell for this date, I also feel a little more comfortable at the same time.
It’s some kind of effect Ice has on me somehow.
Whatever it is, I’m not about to complain for one second about it.