Chapter Fifteen
Ice
C LIMBING UP IN my truck after removing my cut because we don’t wear them in cages, I can’t help but take another look at Keaton sitting in the passenger seat.
I wasn’t lying when I told her she’s beautiful.
She truly is. What I really wanted to say was how fucking sexy she looks with her legs on display and her hair hanging down her back, framing her face in loose curls.
She’s got the barest amount of make-up on which makes her even more beautiful in my eyes.
I don’t like women who wear a ton of make-up.
The Rebels do and it just doesn’t do anything for me.
I prefer women to look natural without a ton of shit on their face.
Not that I would think any different if Keaton was wearing make-up tonight.
She’d still be beautiful in my eyes. Once I’m in and make sure we both have our seatbelts fastened, start the engine and turn around in the driveway.
When we get to the gate, Keaton gives me a code to put in the keypad at the corner and I watch it open up.
Keaton starts to twist her hands nervously in her lap and it breaks my heart because I don’t want her to be nervous around me.
So, I reach over and take one of them in mine before resting them on her thigh.
Keaton looks at me with a shy smile and I have to say it’s the favorite one of hers I’ve seen so far.
“I’m sorry. I’m really nervous. This is my first date ever,” Keaton admits to me as I look at her quickly in shock.
“Are you serious? You’ve never been taken on a date before?” I question her, not understanding how no one has asked this girl out.
“I’m serious. I told you I was taken out of school at the start of high school and homeschooled.
It doesn’t leave a lot of room to meet people.
I mean I’ve had a boyfriend, but he didn’t really take me out on dates if I’m being honest. We went out and did things, but it was more for show and nothing else.
So, no, I’ve never been on a real date before,” she tells me with the hint of sadness to her voice.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Keaton. That man is a piece of shit if you ask me. Well, I’m honored to take you on your first date,” I tell her honestly as I look at her again. “I don’t want you to be nervous though. Am I that scary?”
“You’re not scary at all, Ice. I’m worried I’ll say the wrong thing or mess up somehow,” Keaton says as she turns her attention on me for a minute before looking back out the window.
“Not possible, Keaton. We’re gonna go to the diner up here for our meal. We’ll just talk and get to know one another. Nothin’ too hard,” I say, attempting to reassure her as I continue driving through town to one of the small diners located in Briar Glen.
“Okay,” she whispers as I come to a stop for a red light and run my thumb over the back of her hand.
It doesn’t take long before I’m pulling into the parking lot of the diner and finding a spot close to the door.
Shutting off the engine, I release my hold on Keaton’s hand and get out of the truck.
Making my way around to the passenger side, I open her door and ask without words if I can lift her down from the truck.
It really was a mistake to bring this with how lifted it is.
If I’d been thinking properly, I would have borrowed one of the SUVs or someone’s car instead.
Though, I really can’t be upset because I get to put my hands on Keaton to get her in and out.
Once she’s standing on the ground in front of me, I grab her hand in mine and lace our fingers together again.
We make our way inside and find a table at the back where we won’t be disturbed by anyone else.
It’s quiet and we’ll be able to talk while we enjoy our food. Perfect for a first date.
***
D inner was amazing . It didn’t take long for Keaton to settle in and lose some of the nervous energy filling her.
Her becoming more comfortable with me allowed me to relax and be more myself with Keaton.
We settled into a conversation about our lives and talked like we were old friends instead of two people on a first date.
The only thing I don’t like is that Keaton was holding back.
I could tell there were a few times she really wanted to laugh and smile, but didn’t.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why.
She doesn’t feel as if she should be having a good time and living her life when Nora is no longer there to live with her.
I want to help her heal from this tragedy that occurred in her life and get her to the point she realizes Nora would want her to laugh and have fun in life instead of just getting through each day.
After paying the bill and leaving a tip behind, I help Keaton out of the bench and hold her hand as we leave the diner.
I once again lift her in the truck and don’t leave her side until I’m sure she’s settled in the seat.
As I walk around to get in my seat, I realize I don’t want tonight to end already but I’m not sure what else we can do.
Maybe we can ride around for a little bit and then get dessert.
Some ice cream or something if she wants to.
Pulling out of the parking lot after getting in my seat and starting the truck, I look at Keaton as she hums along with the music playing quietly on the radio. She glances in my direction but doesn’t stop humming.
“I’m havin’ a really good time, Keaton, and I don’t want our night to end already,” I finally tell her as I pull to a stop at a light.
“I don’t want it to end already either. I’m having a really good time with you,” she admits as she takes the initiative and laces our fingers together this time. I rest our hands on my thigh as she leans closer to me.
“We can grab some ice cream and head out to my family farm. Have you ever ridden horses before?” I ask her, not sure if she’d be even remotely up for the idea of being at the farm and riding a horse.
It’s not something all women like, but I really hope she lets me share this part of my life with her.
“You have a family farm?” she asks me, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “I’ve never ridden a horse before, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Did you grow up on the farm?”
“We do. It’s been in the family for generations.
I grew up in a way on the farm. My grandparents had it until they died.
Then, my parents moved there, but they don’t always have the time to work it the way it needs to be.
So, I step in and spend time there when I can.
It’s a lot, but it’s the only time I truly feel free and at peace.
Does that sound like a good plan?” I question her, trying to gauge if she really wants to do this instead of just giving me the answer she thinks I want to hear.
“Please. I could go for a sundae after that delicious meal,” she answers me and I can’t help but laugh because Keaton isn’t afraid of eating in front of anyone. She enjoys food and I appreciate a woman with a healthy appetite.
“Sundaes and the farm it is.”
I head for the closest ice cream store and park along the side of the street directly in front of the place.
Keaton and I make our way inside holding hands and her looking as if she’s happy as hell and proud to be seen with me.
Not because of the cut on my back or because of the club I belong to, but because of who I am as a person.
I’m still not wearing my cut because it’s not who I am right now.
This is the first time I’ve been out without wearing it constantly.
“How can I help you tonight?” the teenager at the counter asks us with a large smile on her face.
“I’d like a peanut butter sundae with chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla, please?” Keaton asks the girl as she looks up and down the counter filled with various ice cream flavors.
“Certainly. Would you like peanut butter cup pieces or nuts on top?”
“Can I have the peanut butter cup pieces, please?” Keaton asks as she leans back into my chest and I wrap an arm around her waist with my hand pressed against her stomach.
“Absolutely,” the teenager smiles at her before turning to me. “What can I get for you?”
“I’d like a hot fudge sundae please,” I tell her, looking over and seeing a large cooler filled with water, milk, and other drinks. “What do you want to drink, Keaton?”
Together we walk over while our sundaes are prepared.
I grab a few bottles of water to take on the farm with us while Keaton grabs a small container of regular milk and holds it up asking if I want one too.
With a nod of my head, she grabs a second one and we close the door behind us as we head for the counter where we’ll get our ice cream and I can pay for our sweet treats.
As soon as we have everything and I’ve paid, we head back out to the truck where I once again lift Keaton inside before handing over everything to her.
Thankfully it will take about five minutes to get to the farm from here so my sundae won’t be too melted before I can eat it.
As I make the drive, Keaton feeds me a few bites of my sundae and laughs when she gets hot fudge on my lips.
Grabbing a napkin from the bag, she wipes it off before trying again.
By the time we pull in the driveway and park, we’re both laughing so hard because Keaton’s making a mess of me and I have no problem with it because she’s having a good time.
For the first time, she’s laughing her real laugh and not holding back.
The smile lighting up her face is truly a sight to behold and I try to think of more ways to keep it there.
“I think I’ll take over feedin’ myself so you can eat your sundae before it’s a melted mess,” I tell her, leaving the truck running for the music so it doesn’t drain my battery.