Chapter 15 #2
“Well, you should. Just to annoy the people in the corner glaring that aren’t related to me.”
With a shake of my head, I leaned forward and brushed my lips along hers.
“Callum Ashford. Really?” a high-pitched voice asked, and I ignored one of the women who had grown up with my mother and leaned back so I could stare into Felicity’s eyes.
“You okay?”
“It’s going to take some getting used to,” Felicity whispered.
“Okay, enough with the moon eyes. Now, I need to throw an axe,” Rune spat. “And get your paws off my sister in public.”
“But I like his paws on me,” Felicity sing-songed.
I groaned. “He’s going to throw an axe at me.”
“He could try. I’ll patch you up.” She fluttered her eyelashes, and I merely shook my head.
The Carters were going to be the death of me, but then again, I probably deserved it.
“Okay, enough of this melodrama. I’m ready to throw some axes,” Teagan said with a bright grin.
“Hey, I thought this was guys' night,” Finnian put in as he came over and hugged his sister.
“There’s only one good place to be tonight since the Summit Grill is closed for the evening, so you’re stuck with us.”
“We need bowling,” Finnian said. And I laughed as I took Felicity’s hand, and we made our way over to the staging area.
“Is this weird?” she whispered.
“Probably. Let’s figure this out. I don’t think I’ve ever gone on a date to throw axes before.”
“Oh, so you’re finally taking me out on a date?”
I paused. “I’ve never taken you out on a date. Well, I’m an asshole.”
“Well, I’ve never taken you out on one either. So I guess we’re out on our first date.”
“I guess we are.” I waited as we listened to the safety instructions once again and got to axe throwing.
When Felicity hit the target the first time, I blinked as she threw her now empty hands in the air and did a little butt wiggle.
“Yes. I was so worried I was going to end up hitting the wrong side of the section.”
“Please stop wiggling like that while we’re in front of your brother,” I mumbled, and she laughed.
“I promise. But you have to stop looking all hot and broody.”
“I can hear you both,” Rune muttered.
“What? Your best friend’s hot.”
I ran my hands over my face. “Felicity, your brother’s going to hurt me.”
“I’ll protect you. I mean, I know how to throw an axe now.”
“Oddly, that doesn’t reassure me in the slightest,” Rune said with a laugh.
I leaned against the high top and sipped my beer as Felicity ended up perched on the chair next to me. When she leaned against me, I put my arm around her, ignoring the glares and stares from others.
I didn’t know what they were thinking, but from some of the narrowed, murderous glances, they weren’t happy.
The town’s princess with the washed-up football player? Probably not what they had in mind when they thought of Felicity’s future.
I paused. Future?
I swallowed hard as Felicity leaned into me, laughing at something Keely said.
Was this a future? Did I want a future with Felicity? These were probably questions I should have asked myself before we went public. But then again, I craved her. I needed her.
Did I love her? I didn’t know if I wanted to think those words. Not yet. But I didn’t want to hurt her. And that counted for everything.
I pushed all thoughts of what others were doing outside my head and figured their attitudes and opinions didn’t matter. It only mattered what Felicity and I were doing. After all, I was going to have to be grilled tomorrow by her parents, and that made my mouth dry enough.
I’d have to tell Felicity about the truck, though, because I didn’t want her to worry. But if it was my father, and I knew it had to be, I didn’t want her to be scared or get hurt by the asshole.
But I’d protect her. No matter what. Even from my own family. Even from me.
“I’m going to go get you something to eat.”
“Okay. Will you get me another water?”
“Of course.” I leaned down, brushing my lips against hers once more, and went to get the group a few things to eat.
“So, you and Felicity?”
I looked over at Fiona and sighed. “You got a problem with that?”
“No. You guys are cute. Makes sense.”
I blinked, surprised. “I do not understand you, Fiona.”
“You’re not supposed to. I like the mysterious part. Just take care of her. She’s really nice, and you can be nice, but you are kind of an asshole.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “So are you, Fiona.”
“I really am, but I like it. Felicity’s all sweet and bubblegum, but she has that edge.
She’s too young for you. But then again, I like older men, and that means you’re a little too young for me.
” She winked. She grabbed her order, and I just shook my head, wondering who the hell that woman was.
When she went over to an older man, both of them laughing with each other, I realized that maybe that’s what had happened.
She’d found someone that could handle her.
Because that someone sure as fuck wasn’t me.
A familiar man with a man bun glared at me, but I ignored him, figuring he probably just didn’t like the fact that I was apparently an old creeper with Felicity. But fuck him. She wanted me just like I wanted her. And I’d be with her.
Even though I had no idea what the hell I was doing.
I grabbed our orders and made my way back to the table. Everybody piled on the burgers and fries, and I pulled away the chicken sandwich as Finnian grabbed for it.
“Get your own chicken sandwich. This is Felicity’s.”
“Did she order it?” Finnian asked, his eyes dancing with laughter.
“No, but I know what she likes.”
“Yes, he does,” Felicity teased, her voice sultry.
“Babe. Don’t.”
“Baby?” Rune growled. “Stop. No pet names. No touching. No knowing exactly what she likes to eat without even asking.”
“Earlier she said she was craving a chicken sandwich. Just because I remembered, doesn’t make it’s magic.”
“Exactly. He listens.”
“I’m so confused,” Thatcher said with a laugh and pulled out his phone. “Hey, you have a second?”
I nodded, having a feeling I knew what this was about. I kissed the top of Felicity’s head, ignored the glares from others, even the well-meaning ones, and went over to Thatcher.
“What’s up?”
“The chief knew I was out with you tonight and wanted me to keep a lookout.”
I froze. “Did they find my dad?”
“He wasn’t at his place or at the local haunts. They’re looking for him now, but they don’t have any evidence as to who it could be. It could have been anyone. Have you pissed anyone else off?”
“I don’t know why people would think I would. I haven’t done anything out of the ordinary.”
Thatcher shook his head. “Other than date Felicity.”
“But nobody knew about that until tonight.”
“Maybe, maybe not. But in all honesty, this does sound like your dad. I’m sorry.”
“No, that’s true. My dad, well, you know what my dad is.”
“If they could have found any proof, he’d be behind bars,” Thatcher said, rubbing his hand over his face.
“I know. I just hate the fact that there’s nothing we can do right now.”
“It never seems like there is.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” I said after a moment.
“No problem. By the way, you should tell Felicity. So she can stay on alert.”
“I was planning on it. Because I hope to hell that was just a threat for me and not for her.”
“Maybe it’s just your dad being a drunk. But I’m glad you’re going to tell her. Secrets break relationships. Believe me, I know.”
I reached out and squeezed my friend’s shoulder. “Thanks, buddy.”
“No problem. Now I have to go pick up my kids. Having a couple hours just to myself, even while technically on call, was nice. But I can’t let Tess have all the teenagers tonight.”
“So, she’s working out for you?”
“She’s a godsend. Between me and Kellan, we’re running her ragged with the six kids. But the teenagers are old enough to get themselves around places, so she’s helping with our schedule a lot. We’re just making sure she actually gets days off too.”
“She’s a single mom, so that would probably be helpful.”
“Have you met her yet?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No, but maybe she should meet Felicity and Keely and the others. Actually settle into town.”
“She did throw herself head-first into helping Kellan and me. But she should. Maybe we’ll get her to come out to Summit Grill and get to know everyone.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll let Felicity know.”
“Look at you, sounding like a couple.”
I flipped him off as the other man laughed and headed out.
When I went back over to the group, and Felicity gave me a questioning glance, I leaned down and kissed her temple. “I’ll explain afterward. But you do have a mission.”
Her eyes widened. “I do?”
“Well, two missions. One involves you being on your knees, but that’s for later.”
She laughed since Bodhi groaned, having overheard, and I just leaned into her, wondering if this could work.
And hoping to hell I’d find a way to make it happen.