Chapter 9 #2
“Yeah—and I’m not going to screw it up. She knows what time we meet every day to work out. I think her picking this time was a test to see if I would tell her I couldn’t make it.”
“Ah.” Baker nods. “That makes sense.”
“So, do you want us to move the time? We can all come back later,” Foster offers.
“Nah, go ahead. I’ll just hit my home gym when we get back. I don’t know how long she has free to eat lunch, and no way am I rushing this.” Missing a workout with the guys isn’t the end of the world, but ending my lunch early with my dream girl just might be.
“Good plan.” Landry nods.
“Yeah, so I’m off.” I rock back on my heels as excitement courses through my veins. This is new for me. I’ve never been this excited to see someone.
“What time do you meet her?” Baker asks.
“Not until one, but I’m not going to be late and miss her. I’m not taking any chances.” I’ll be there, and I’ll be ready. Missing her isn’t an option, not when she finally took a leap of faith and offered me an olive branch.
“Let us know how it goes,” Knox says.
With a nod and a wave, I head back out to my truck.
At twenty minutes after twelve, I pull up outside the small café.
I’m forty minutes early, but that’s fine.
Good things come to those who wait. Isn’t that what they say?
Either way, I’m going in there to get us a table, and I’m going to wait for my girl.
After ordering a bottle of water, I find a table and scroll through my phone. Then an idea hits me. I take a picture of the chair across from me and text it to her.
Me: I saved you a seat.
Me: I’m not sure how much time you get for lunch. Would you like me to order you something? You can tell me what you want, and I’ll have it ready when you get here.
The three little bubbles bounce, and then her reply comes through.
My Dream Girl: You’re thirty minutes early.
Me: I know. No way in hell was I risking getting caught in traffic or any other disturbance that could have delayed me. I’m not missing this time with you, Bellamy.
The bubbles bounce again, then go away. This happens three times before the bubbles disappear altogether.
I don’t know if I made her mad, but I don’t think so.
I think she doesn’t know how to take me.
I’m aware that I’m coming on strong, but I know what I want, and I’m already fighting a battle I didn’t start because of my chosen career.
Besides, I’m not into drama and games. I’m always going to be open and honest with her, no matter how over the top it may make me sound.
Not only that, but after everything I know about her relationship with her dad, and the reason she hates the game of football, I need to be strong-willed to a certain extent.
I’d never force her, and if she truly said to never contact her again, I’d respect her wishes, but that’s not what she’s telling me.
She’s scared, and I know that if I’m too over the top, she’ll get even more scared, but I also know I can’t just walk away without showing her that I’m willing to put in the work.
It’s a delicate balance, and I pray that I’m handling this right, because I know that if it comes down to it, and I do have to walk away from her, it will gut me.
My leg bounces as I keep my eyes glued to the door.
My bottle of water sits untouched on the table in front of me, and her seat remains empty.
Finally, at ten minutes till one, our scheduled time to meet, I see her.
She pulls open the door and scans the small café.
Immediately, I push back from the table, on my feet, and head toward her.
When I reach her, I bend, wrapping my arms around her in a hug. “Fuck me, I missed you,” I say, keeping my voice quiet, just for her.
I pull back, lace her fingers through mine, and lead her to the counter. She doesn’t try to pull away, which makes my smile widen.
“Hi, what can I get for you?” The young woman behind the counter bats her long, fake lashes at me.
“Babe?” I ask Bellamy.
She turns to look at me, surprise evident. “You go ahead. I’m still deciding.”
“We need a few minutes,” I tell the girl. She nods and continues to watch us.
Finally, Bellamy speaks up. “I’ll take a turkey club and an order of Saratoga chips, please.”
“And you?”
“I’ll have the chicken bacon ranch and Saratoga chips, as well.”
“And to drink?”
I nod to Bellamy, and she rattles off her order of a sweet tea.
“Make that two,” I tell the server as I pull out my wallet to pay.
Bellamy reaches for her purse, but I place my hand over hers to stop her.
“No way, Bell. That table over by the window is ours. That’s my bottle sitting there.
Let me pay, and I’ll be right there.” Leaning down, I place a kiss on her temple before passing the server my credit card.
“Is she your girlfriend?” the girl asks, loud enough for the entire café to hear.
“One day. I’m working on it,” I tell her honestly.
I say it loud enough that I know Bellamy heard my answer, as well as everyone else who’s hanging on to my every word.
There’s a very good chance one of them is a Rampage fan, and the news will spread like wildfire.
Not that I care. I’d love to tell the entire world that the beautiful Bellamy Warner is all mine.
For the most part, the guys and I can walk around Nashville without issue.
However, there are times we get noticed and asked for autographs, or intrusive questions like the one I just got.
Usually, it’s those questions that annoy me.
It’s a side effect of the job, one none of us like, unless it’s from a kid.
However, today, it served me well. Bellamy got to hear my answer, and so did everyone else.
If I’m lucky, tabloids and social media will be raging with the fact that Reid Montgomery is off the market.
Taking my receipt and shoving my wallet back into my pocket, I work my way back to our table and wait for our number to be called. “How’s your day been so far?” I ask her.
“Busy,” she replies with a soft smile.
“What is it that you do?” I hate that I don’t already know the answer to the question, but we’ve got all the time in the world to learn everything about one another.
“I’m the operations manager for Riggins Enterprises.”
“Nice.” I nod. “Do you enjoy it?”
“I do. It’s always something new, and Grant and his brothers are great to work for.”
“Good guys. I’ve met them a few times. They have a cabin in Gatlinburg, and the guys and I have stayed there before.”
“Small world,” she says, just as our number is called.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell her as I stand, making my way to the counter to grab our food and carrying it back to the table.
“What about you?” she asks, as we both dive into our lunch. “How’s your day been?”
“Good. I did some laundry this morning, then met the guys at the gym to tell them I was skipping today. Then I came here.”
She coughs, and I pause the bite I was ready to put into my mouth until I know she’s okay. “You canceled on them?” Those big brown eyes are wide with shock.
“Of course, I did. I wanted to see you.”
“Aren’t you required to be there? I’m sure you missing a workout pisses off my dad.
” I can’t get a read on her to see if she's happy or not, but either way, she’s engaging in conversation.
She’s here, sitting across from me, sharing a meal, and that’s more than I had hoped for with all the previous rejections she’s given me.
“Nah, this is just something the guys and I do about a month before training camp starts to get back into shape from the off-season.”
“Oh. So, you blew them off.”
“I wouldn’t say I blew them off. I told them I was meeting my girl for lunch.”
“Are they mad?”
“Why would they be?”
“Because you’re here with me.”
I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table.
“They know you’re all I can think about.
They know I’m fighting for time with you.
They’re my friends. They’d never be mad at me for putting my girl first. Knox and Landry would do the same for their wives, and Baker for his son. Foster would, too, if he had someone.”
She nods but doesn’t speak as she picks up her sandwich to take another bite.
“What are your plans this weekend? Do you have any free time for me?” I ask her.
“Reid, we can’t do this. I don’t date football players, especially not my father’s football players. This won’t go anywhere.”
“Then that means I’m the only one risking the pain if that’s true, right?
So, have dinner with me. We’re actually all getting together to have a cookout before training camp starts next week.
I’d love for you to be there, to hang out with me and everyone.
You can bring Amanda,” I offer, hoping that will be more enticing for her, knowing that her best friend will be there with her.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I nod, disappointed, and I don’t hide that from her.
“Okay,” I say, feeling the heaviness of her rejection.
“Training camp is tough, long days, but I’ll have my phone, so I’ll check in with you at night.
They have a family day, too. It’s not like the family day you just went to, but close.
I know it’s not your thing, but I’m going to add your name and Amanda’s to the list. If you change your mind and want to come, I’d love to see you. ”
“You’re making this harder than it needs to be,” she says. Her tone tells me everything I need to know. She doesn’t want to keep rejecting me, but she feels like she has to.
“You let me worry about that. I’m not afraid of putting in the work, Bell.”
We both go back to eating, making small talk about the weather, and all too soon, she’s glancing at her watch. “I need to get back.”
“Can I drive you? Walk with you?”
“It’s just around the block.”
“Can I walk with you?” I ask again.
She shrugs, and I take that as a yes. Quickly, I clean up our trash and push the door open for her. Together, walking side by side, we make our way back to her work. She stops outside the Riggins Enterprises door and turns to face me.
“Thank you for lunch, Reid.”
“You’re welcome. Can I ask a small favor?”
“Depends.” She eyes me skeptically. “Ask, and I’ll tell you if I’m willing to help you.”
Here goes nothing.
“Can I have a hug?” I keep my eyes trained on her, hoping like hell she can see how badly I need her in my arms again.
I hugged her when she got to the restaurant, but this time, I want her to grant me permission.
I want her to see that she holds all the control.
I’m just a man ready and willing for any amount of her time she’s willing to offer me.
I wait patiently for her to answer me, and finally, she gives me a slight nod.
“Okay,” she replies. If I’m not mistaken, there’s a hint of longing in her tone.
Her eyes lit up at my question. I know she has reservations, and while I respect her wishes, I also know that it’s mostly fear.
I’ll keep showing up. I’ll keep asking her to dinner and showing her that there’s more to us than one incredible night.
I’ll show her that taking that leap and allowing me to be a part of her life won’t hurt her. I’ll never hurt her.
Fighting my grin, I say, “Come here.” Sliding my arm around her waist, I pull her into a hug. I hold tightly, breathing her in. She wants this as badly as I do; she’s just scared. I’ll show her. I’ll prove to her that there is nothing to be scared of. I’m all in with her.
“Let me know about this weekend,” I tell her as I release her.
She smiles and waves before disappearing inside. The walk back to my truck is short, and although I’m stoked to have had lunch with her, it wasn’t enough. I’m not sure any amount of time, not even forever, is long enough where Bellamy is concerned.