16. Dating
CHAPTER 16
DATING
DELILAH
I hide in my room, feeling so many emotions after sneaking into the gym to watch Miles from the top of the stairs. He’s just wearing shorts, his skin slick with sweat, and looking like utter perfection.
I just want a cup of tea to get some much needed sleep, but I hear the music and give into temptation.
I slide into bed, shifting as my body aches for him. I know all too well how he feels inside of me and press my lips together as I slide my hand into my underwear. I’m always wet for him, and I stroke myself, feeling my core grow slick with desire. I slide my thin fingers over my clit and give into the feeling that Miles gave me every time we slept together. Biting my lip, I stay quiet as the pressure builds and I’m finally falling over the edge.
I have done this every night since leaving his room for the last time, and every release is explosive. It’s not enough, but it feels good on the surface, at least enough to get me through the day.
I sip my tea once I’m cleaned up, wishing it to make me sleep. Miles is home for another couple of weeks, and I need to deal with it. There’s a handful of games, but I’m hoping his mom has them over a lot. I’ve brushed her off when she’s invited me to dinner or to watch games since I am trying to separate myself from Miles.
I feel like a jerk because she is so kind, but I need to stay professional across the board.
I wake up to Lola singing in her bed and turn to look at the screen of the monitor. She’s playing with her stuffed squid, and I smile before getting up to dress for breakfast.
I need to take her to the aquarium and teach her about all the sea creatures.
“Daddy?”
She looks at me as I enter the room with a big smile.
“Daddy is probably sleeping, but he’ll see you later.”
He’ll have a down day to catch up on rest and prepare for the week. I will not barge in on any of that, so I talk about breakfast and our plans while I get Lola into some clothes for the day.
She is ready for juice by the time we reach the kitchen and I decide to make French toast with strawberries for breakfast. I feel hungry enough for the treat and make sure she’s settled in front of the TV before getting started.
I see the empty tea bag on the counter. Did I leave that there? Did Miles notice? There’s no way he’s aware I watched him in the gym. I just need to move past it, and I toss it into the trash.
Coffee first and then I prep everything. My mom always made it taste so good, and I’ve used her recipe on my own several times.
This is good. I’m doing a fantastic job with a little girl I love. I get to live in a house that offers everything I need and more.
Life is glorious.
We sit down to eat and I tell Lola about the aquarium over the meal. I haven’t been there but I know she’ll love it and she responds with enthusiasm. I need to look into it and plan it soon since she already has a healthy interest in the ocean from shows on TV.
I wonder if she’s ever been to the beach. It’s not something we can do easily living here, but the coast is just a short flight away. In another lifetime, I might be with Miles, and we could take her together and watch her frolic in the water.
That would be so sweet, but it’s not in my future. It’s up to her dad where she goes in his off season.
Colton calls me that night to say hi and check in.
“Miles is back for home games this week, right? Can we have that date?”
“He is.”
I had put Colton off with the excuse of caring for Lola even though I could have reached out anytime to have someone help me.
“Let’s plan something. I know you go to a lot of games, but a friend has two tickets he’s not using for Thursday. The seats aren’t what you’re probably used to, but I’d love to watch a game. We can grab some dinner first.”
This just got interesting, and I don’t know what to do about it. There’s not a chance in hell I’d invite Colton to sit in the family section, but even being there with him sounds like a lot to handle.
“Delilah? Are you okay?”
“Sorry. I thought I heard Lola. That sounds good. Let me handle it on my end, and I’ll call you Wednesday.”
We talked for a few more minutes and I set the phone down when he ended the call. I get that Colton is a fan, being from Colorado, but going to a game with him sounds like a special form of hell. It’s one I don’t know how to get out of since no excuse that I can think of makes any sense.
I talk to Miles’s mom and when she asks me if I want to go to the game on Thursday, I counter with a request for her to take Lola since I have to catch up with a friend. They take as good of care of Lola as I do and love being with her.
She agrees quickly and I thank her before hanging up.
Now I can call Colton and tell him we’re on. First, I dial Alli’s number and she answers cheerfully.
“Hey. Alli. What are you doing?”
“Client work, which is going to pay well, so I can’t complain. What about you?”
“Colton wants to go out on Thursday. He has tickets to the game and wants me to go with him.”
“I am guessing you mean hockey. That could be fun. Get some dinner first and get all romantic. He can keep you warm in the arena.”
She sounds too happy about this and I wish I could tell her everything.
“It’s not that cold, dork. I’m fine in my jersey.”
I think about the one Miles gave me that’s folded in my closet, never to see the light of day.
“Do they have a kiss cam? Wouldn’t that be fun?”
Oh, God. The idea of my family watching that, not to mention Miles, makes me feel nauseous.
“Not even a little. You know how my family is, and Andrew would lose his shit. I’d prefer not to be on camera at all and save the atomic bomb known as my brother.”
“You’re no fun. I think that would be so sweet.”
My best friend is going to require a very public over the top proposal someday.
“Anyway, Lola is going with Miles’s family that night. They usually do dinner and the whole nine yards, so I know she’ll have fun. They’re as careful with her as I am.”
“That’s perfect. She’ll probably spend the night and you can go home with him.”
She just won’t stop.
“It is dinner and a game. A hang out. I don’t need to sleep with Colton.”
“If you’re not doing it with your boss, you’d better do it with somebody, Del. You need it and Miles is hot. I don’t know how you don’t jump him.”
“You are insane. Because he’s my boss? It could make things so uncomfortable and that’s gone, anyway. We’re not fighting as much.”
It made things uncomfortable, and we’re not fighting because we’re barely speaking.
“I know how I’d be handling it if it was me living there. Everywhere in my room, behind closed doors.”
“Why are we best friends again?”
I am cleaning up after breakfast on Thursday when Miles walks in before leaving for practice.
“Mom says she’s taking Lola to the game tonight.”
There’s a question in his voice and I stare down at the counter.
“I have plans and they’re great with her. She didn’t seem to mind.”
“You didn’t go at all this week.”
“One game, Miles. Lola seemed a little off that day, so we skipped it and watched it here on the couch. She’ll be there tonight dressed as your biggest fan, as usual.”
“I have to get to practice.”
He’s gone, and I look at the door as it closes.
“Moody asshole.”
I keep it a whisper and look at Lola as she plays with her puzzles on the living room floor. She likes my help with them and I drink the last of my coffee before joining her.
I dress her for the game and drop her off at the house for the pre-game dinner. They invite me in, but I’m meeting Colton at a bistro near the arena and beg off, kissing Lola before telling her to have fun.
I park in the small lot of the bistro, looking between the restaurant and the arena. What am I getting myself into?
I check my mirror, having made some effort to get ready and watch as my curls fall around my face.
“You need a cut.”
I leave the car and go inside, seeing Colton waving from a table in the back. He’s so good looking and I hate myself for not appreciating him more than I do.
“You look ready for the game. What’s the name on the back?”
He is wearing a jersey that looks new, and I smile at his outfit.
“Mine. I support Drew when I’m there.”
We sit down and order some drinks to start the evening off before glancing at the menu.
“They have some shrimp dishes here that sound incredible. We’re not on the ocean like I would be at school, but you can’t ruin shrimp.”
I look at him, and Colton grins.
“You’re going to school outside of Colorado?”
“Boston, home of lobster and everything delicious. I leave in a month.”
Huh. This could be a great brief fling or whatever you call it. I am not as bold as Alli with men, but we could have fun.
We ordered shrimp dishes, and he tells me about school in California while I share stories about my college years. Colton makes me laugh and I enjoy the conversation, but there isn’t one spark between us. It’s a pleasant evening at most, but my food is in a knot in my stomach when we walk inside of the arena.
The seats aren’t too bad for a fan. We can see everything, and I watch as Lola plays with everyone down on the first level before looking at the ice to see Miles skating around.
“You’re not too disappointed?”
“No. These are good seats. Is your friend a season ticket guy or just now and then?”
“Season, but he had a work trip, so here we are. Where do you usually sit?”
“There.” It’s close enough to see them, which means they can see me if they look up. These seats are in the front row.
“Is that little girl Lola? She’s cute.”
“Lola is an enormous ball of energy but smart as a whip. I love spending time with her and teaching her everything she wants to learn. The house is on a lot of property, so she gets outdoors a lot.”
“Sounds like a big job. How did you get it?”
“Andrew suggested me for the job when I came back. They’re close friends and Miles needed someone regular. I was in limbo, so I took it. Great pay and I can save some money.”
“You want a job in your major, right?”
Colton looks concerned, and I wonder if he’s judging my choice.
“Of course. This is a just for now kind of thing.”
The game starts and my stomach lurches as Miles wins the face-off, passing to Andrew before scoring the first goal.
That is when Miles looks up and our eyes lock, and I notice the frown on his face despite their victory.