Chapter 22
Shayna takes the blanket from my arms. After a small fight with the wind, she comes out victorious and spreads it out on the grass.
She holds her arms up in the air just as her stomach growls.
I rub a hand over my mouth to hide my smile at the juxtaposition of such a loud, angry sound emanating from the sweet woman before me.
We both take a seat, and I open the picnic basket. “We’d better get you fed before your stomach decides to start a rebellion.” I pull out a box of assorted crackers and a pack of presliced cheeses. “According to the internet, charcuterie was a safe bet.”
Her stomach growls again, and she places a hand over her middle. “I think that’s its way of thanking you.” Shayna laughs.
I pass her a paper plate and continue pulling out the food I packed: summer sausage, prosciutto, a jar of olives, red grapes, and almonds. She pops a piece of cheese in her mouth before she fills her plate.
I hand her a bottle of water. “Sorry, if I’d known you were the one who would win the date, I’d have brought you an iced strawberry matcha.”
She smiles, then eats a cracker with cheese and prosciutto. “Someone pays attention.”
I’m quiet, but it doesn’t mean I’m not observant. If anything, I think it means I pay more attention to my surroundings. I’ve seen her with a matcha in hand nearly every time we’ve been together. Has she dated people in the past who weren’t attentive?
The thought of her dating anyone else sends jealousy coursing through me.
After the conversation we had in the gardens, I’m even more glad it’s me that she’s on a date with right now.
It’s time I push my fears aside—even just for today—and allow myself to believe who Shayna told me I am rather than all the lies I’ve believed.
She thought I was worth it enough to drop a grand on this date.
The least I can do is give myself permission to see if there’s something here.
“And for dessert.” I grab the last item and pull it out of the basket. “Chocolate.”
Shayna takes the bar from me. “You really went all out.”
“Again, I was just listening to the internet.”
She pops a grape into her mouth as I begin piling food onto my plate now that she’s made hers. “Well, I appreciate you.”
My hand pauses mid-reach for the slices of cheese. I look into her eyes, my lips tilting up in a smile. It still feels unnatural when I do it, but it’s becoming more of a common occurrence around her. “I appreciate you, too.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket with an incoming call, but I ignore it. When it buzzes again with a text alert, I reluctantly pull it out. When I see that the missed call and message are from Pat, I click on his text.
“You’re going to want to see this.” I slide my phone over to Shayna.
She reads the message quickly and squeals. “My truck will be ready in two weeks?”
I slide my phone back into my pocket. “That’s what he said.”
Pat also said I’d better be at their pickup baseball game next Saturday.
I’d debated coming up with an excuse, but since Pat is giving Shayna a deal because of our past teammateship—is that even a word?
—I’ve begrudgingly decided I’ll show up.
It means I’ll have to engage in awkward conversations for the morning, but I’ll do it for Shayna.
I’m hoping she was so excited reading that her truck is ready that she missed the part about the game.
Otherwise, I might end up with a large cheer section at a pickup game.
Shayna’s the kind of person who doesn’t do anything halfway, as evidenced by the crew she assembled at the last minute to help me move.
So, if she knows when the pickup game is, I know she’ll be there with her pom-poms and a whole group to rally behind me, even though I would bet every last cent I have on the fact that not one other guy will have anyone there since it’s a pickup game.
“I can’t wait.” She beams.
“Is there anything else you need help with for your truck?”
Shayna shakes her head. “I have my meeting with the lawyer scheduled, and I also ordered a new custom canopy from the measurements you sent me. You’re taking care of the shelves, so I think I’m pretty much set.”
“It sounds like it’s all coming together.”
“It really is.”
I’m pleasantly surprised by how quickly the rest of the afternoon passes.
Holding a conversation with Shayna is easy.
I don’t overthink what I’m about to say or not listen to her because I’m worried about how to respond.
With her, I’m able to be fully present. It’s the most refreshing and enjoyable date I’ve ever had.
Definitely better than what I’d expected today to look like when walking into the charity auction.
I put the leftover food back in the basket and then look over at Shayna.
She’s leaning back on her palms, her head tilted toward the sun.
It makes her dark hair take on a warm glow, and her face…
I take a deep breath, needing to steady myself after being hit by her beauty.
Her eyes are closed, but joy still radiates off her in droves.
She has that ever-present smile on her face, but really, it’s just her.
She has that warm, welcoming personality that puts everyone at ease.
Always down to help others, even to her own detriment.
But it also makes her the kindest human I’ve ever met.
I’m still staring at Shayna when another strong breeze hits. Goosebumps form on her arms. If I’m chilly in my short-sleeved shirt and long pants, she’s got to be freezing in the thin straps of her dress.
Why didn’t I think to bring a jacket when I was planning an outdoor date? I groan, chastising myself again. I’m not built for this. Constantly thinking of someone else and anticipating their needs. “Sorry, I didn’t think it was going to be this windy.”
“It’s fine.” Her teeth chatter as another strong gust makes her hair dance in the wind.
“Come here.” I wave her closer.
Shayna doesn’t question me, scooting over like her life depends on it.
I reach over and grab the corner of the blanket, pulling it over her lap before opening my arms to her.
She leans back into my chest, her head resting just beneath my chin.
I wrap my arms around her to block the wind. She sighs and melts into me.
My stomach fills with the flutters that are becoming more familiar when I’m around Shayna. Yet again, I don’t flinch at her touch. Something about her being in my arms just feels…right.
Shayna intertwines our fingers. Now I’m the one letting out a shaky breath as my mind fills with flashes of a memory I’d long forgotten.
It’s my sister’s turn to host her weekly sleepover with her best friends, which is how I ended up driving the four of them home from Waggener’s homecoming football game.
No one ever prepares you for all the final things you experience as a senior.
Your last first day of school. Your last homecoming game.
Not to mention all the lasts to come with homecoming, prom, the final day of school, and graduation.
I’m so close to becoming an “adult,” but it’s a weird in-between where I’m still trying to figure out who I am and who I want to be, all while enjoying my final months of being a kid.
With everyone around me talking about what colleges they’re getting accepted to, I feel pressured to pursue a degree when what I really want is to be a firefighter.
I’m scared to tell my parents that I don’t want to go to any of the schools I’ve been accepted to—or, really, that I don’t want to go to the University of Louisville like both my parents did.
They’ve never given me any reason to believe they wouldn’t support me, but I’m nervous nonetheless.
I’m not the best with words, and what if I say the wrong thing?
What if I tell them about my plans and then don’t pass the fire academy?
Shayna rustles in the passenger seat of my truck. She’s been quieter around me since I taught her how to slow dance last year. And her cheeks are always red around me now, too. I hope I didn’t make her uncomfortable. I was only trying to help.
“Con?” she whispers.
I briefly look over as her eyes flutter open before turning my attention back to the parking lot. The line of cars in front of me still hasn’t moved. Getting out of our school lot after a football game is like our own version of The Hunger Games—one where the odds are never in my favor. “Yeah?”
Shayna sits up, wiping the side of her mouth. She looks at the backseat where Mallory, Alyssa, and Kelsey are all indulging in their own power naps before turning back to me and wrapping her arms around her middle. “Did you decide where you’re going to college yet?”
The timing of her question is ironic, but I feel like Shayna has a sixth sense for these things. Always asking the right question at the perfect time. Always saying the right thing. Always being the picture of kindness.
I sigh. May as well tell someone my plans for the future to prepare myself for that conversation with my parents. “Actually, I think I’m going to the fire academy.”
Her face quickly morphs from one of surprise to excitement. “A firefighter sounds like the perfect job for you.”
I raise my eyebrows. “You think so?”
“Of course.” She leans forward and knocks her arm into mine. “How did your parents take it?”
“Haven’t told them yet.” I shake my head. “I haven’t told anyone yet, actually.”
Shayna chews on her bottom lip. “Thanks for trusting me. I won’t say anything, but you should tell them. They’ll be happy for you.”
“You don’t think they’ll be mad I’m not going to UofL?”
She shakes her head. “Just because you aren’t following in their footsteps by going to the college they went to doesn’t mean they won’t be proud of you. They just want you to do what you love.”
I feel the stress lift from my shoulders. She’s right. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.” She yawns and looks out the windshield. “We still haven’t moved?”