“Thanks.”
“Of course.” I chuckled and nodded. “Like I said earlier, I’m having groceries delivered from the little store in town later so unless we’d like to dine on air, maybe we should head into town and grab dinner.”
She grimaced at her black pants covered in dried glue. “Sure. I just need to hop in the shower.”
I nodded and shot a whisper in her direction. “I didn’t want to say anything.”
Her fist punched my arm, which made me start jumping around like a boxer.
“Buddy, I already kicked your can once,” she reminded me.
My jumping screeched to a halt. “You have hurt me today, Fern Ethel,” I said solemnly with a hand over my heart.
She stuck out her lower lip, oh the visions. “Poor baby.”
“Okay, dinner in town. There are some healthy options if that’s what blows your dress up.”
More laughter bounced around the room. “Oh, I’m easy. I have the palate of a thirteen-year-old boy. Anything, including gas station pizza, is good with me.”
I leaned against the counter. “So I’m hearing you’re cheap and easy?”
She walked out of the room. “If I don’t leave now, I will beat your butt for the second time.”
I heard what sounded like a giggle coming out of my mouth. WTF? Then I stretched my neck to watch her fine backside scurry up the stairs.
Once she was out of sight, I headed to my bedroom. I walked past the hall bathroom and could hear the shower running, which sent my mind lapping around what she’d look like slippery and wet under steaming water in my shower. MY shower.
She wasn’t just a woman who I couldn’t stop imagining in a slinky nurse’s outfit, the kind with the garter belts, performing all sorts of life-affirming tasks. Nope, she was the sister of my hulky, over-protective friend and teammate. I’d been up close and personal in numerous situations when he threw fists on and off the ice with more than one fella and was the last man standing.
Novots would walk to the ends of the earth for his friends, but he’d tear anyone who touched his sister limb from limb. Not a place I wanted to be. He has referred to her as an angel, for shit’s sake.
I was less afraid of Dave than I was of myself when it came to women. I’ve found being a professional athlete opens lots of doors and legs. After Amy’s death, I chose liquor and ladies as my therapy in moving on. Way too much of both. But I was on a new path and needed to focus on myself and friends. Only friends.
There was no need for me to jump the gun. I hadn’t done anything wrong. Yet. No, not YET. I just wasn’t going to do anything. Did I have the best time I’d had in months doing arts and crafts with the girl whose jet-black hair shimmered in the sunlight from the window? Yes. Did the dark cloud that followed me every time I was alone disappear for an entire afternoon? It had. Could I keep myself together and embrace a new friendship with a cool chick and leave it at that? Sure I could.
I pulled on a button-down shirt over my T-shirt just as the doorbell pinged. I passed the bathroom that contained a beautiful woman who was now blowing drying her hair, maybe naked.
I wanted to tear through the door to get to her. You can friend-zone this thing. No problemo.
Correct. It was then I started the new habit of reminding myself that one could never have too many friends. Friendships can be an amazing way to grow as an individual and so much better than making a move on a beautiful woman who’d be sleeping under my roof for the few nights without another soul in sight. Tons better really.
I pulled open the door to see Janice on my doorstep, causing ugh to run through my veins. She lived up the road, and we’d gone out a few times last summer. First date went well and ended in her bed. Bad Gabe. The second date she invited me over for dinner, which turned out to be me meeting ALL of her extended family. A little freaky.
“Hi there, Gabe.”
“Hey, Janice. How are you?”
She leaned against the doorframe, wearing shredded jeans and a white coat while flipping her auburn hair. “I saw your truck in the drive and realized I wanted your truck in my drive.”
What was the quickest way to get her out of here? “Well, I’m hosting my buddy’s wedding party weekend here at the cabin so I’ve been busy. Lots for me to get done.”
She reached out and touched my hand. “It sounds like you might have a little free time tonight? Maybe some hot tub time?”
Clearly, the word busy hadn’t resonated with the woman. I opened my mouth, but there was a commotion behind me. I whipped around to see Fern bobbing down the stairs on her ass.
She quickly hopped up. “Oops.”
Janice gasped. “Are you okay, honey?”
