Page 24 of Riding with the Bad Boy
“We didn’t bet money.” He chuckled, and I realized I really didn’t want to know what he won.
New thoughts popped into my head of bowling games with Danielle and all kinds of sexy bets we could make. Not only bowling. I could see coming up with a lot of different moments where we could wager a lap dance or striptease. Small moments that would be perfect because they were with her.
“I fucked up and I don’t know how.” I admitted. “She said she wanted more. That she wanted a relationship, and I tried, but she’s scared. It’s either that or I wasn’t good enough. I’m never good enough.”
“That’s bullshit.” Dermott’s laughter died. “What happened before wasn’t on you, man. You know as well as I do that if old girl really cared about you the way she said she did, there’s no way she would have walked away when you needed her most.” I was glad that he stuck to my rule of never saying my ex’s name.
“Danni isn’t like that.” He kept going. “I don’t know her as well as Daph, or apparently you, but from what I’ve seen, she’s there for the people she loves. I mean, the woman went all the way to Colorado to back up Ginger, and y’all are in Tennessee for a sister none of her friends really knew she had. That says a lot.”
“I don’t know how to get past how she feels.”
“You don’t give up,” he said. “If she wants a relationship, then you show her you want one too. You be the man she needs. I’m not saying be someone other than yourself, but I’ve seen you in a relationship, and I know you can do it. Where do you think I learned?”
“From me?” That felt weird.
He laughed again. “Not just you.” More laughter. “I learned from you, and Seb, and your father. It wasn’t as if I was going to get anything from mine.”
Dermott’s father was trash. I hated to say that about a human, but it was true. He’d turned over a new leaf now that he was older and had stopped drinking, but like Dermott, I couldn’t forget the way he treated him as a kid.
“My point is you know how to do this. You can do this, and if Danielle’s the one, then I know you will find a way.”
I nodded to myself. “You really think we can make this work?”
“Sure,” he said. “I mean you’ll probably fuck up a few more times, but overall I think you got this.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“I’m kidding. Sort of.” He was just full of laughter today. Maybe I should have called my brother.
“You got this. Just tell her how you feel,” he said.
“And if she doesn’t feel the same?”
“Then at least you know, and you can move on.”
He was right. If I was going to do this, then I couldn’t half ass it. I had to be honest.
“Thanks, man.”
“No, no. Thank you.” He lowered his voice. “It’s going to be a good night.” I didn’t want to think about the way he stressed the word good.
“Yeah, I’m done.” I shook my head.
“Have fun.”
“Back at ya.” I hung up.
I would give her space for now. Hopefully, that would be long enough for her to change her mind. I really didn’t want to ride home without her beside me.
