Page 68 of Off the Clock
Me
Get showered and find a decent shirt. I’m taking you to dinner.
My phone rang a few minutes later after I’d locked up and was walking to my car.
“Are you asking me on a date?” That he sounded unsure was laughable, and I had to suppress a chuckle.
“We are dating. Right? That’s what boyfriends do. We date. So yes, I’m taking you for dinner and not to the diner or out for pizza. Somewhere we can hold hands and have a real conversation.”
“Oh. Um. Wow.”
“Do you not want that? Too soon to be seen in public?” I asked gently as I slid into my car.
“Not too soon.” Caleb sounded like he was fiddling with something. “I just wasn’t sure you’d want that.”
“Being seen with you?” This time, I did chuckle. “People better get used to that. You’re my guy.”
“You’re mine too,” Caleb said softly.
And I wasn’t going to say those other words for the first time over the phone, but his uncertainty reminded me how vulnerable he was, how easy to hurt, and how this was all new to him too. I’d tell him. Soon.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Caleb
A chilly September wind whipped against my face and neck, making me pull my new Mount Hope Football hoodie closer as I scanned the crowd for Tony. I was one of dozens wearing the same hoodie Angel and the parent club had sold to brisk business before the start of the first home game of the season.
“We won!” A random dude with a red plastic cup attempted to give me a high-five. The collective disbelief and relief in the town of Mount Hope following the first win of the season was almost palpable. Energy sizzled through the stands and into the parking lot, and spirits remained sky-high at the after-party and bonfire hosted by Elliot Stern’s family.
“This has to be the safest bonfire ever with all these first responders here.” Next to me, Scotty bounced around like he hadn’t recently finished playing a full game, throwing three touchdowns and rushing for two on the way to a decisive win over a nearby town’s team. And more importantly, he hadn’t suffered a single sack in the process. Mom had come for thegame, and her happiness was more for Scotty’s health than the win. But Scotty was all about the adrenaline high of victory.
“There are a bunch of us, aren’t there?” I swept my gaze over the crowd again. Eric was there, of course, celebrating John, who’d run for two of the touchdowns. Sean and Denver had come along with the rest of the house, including the other kids. Maren was in town for the weekend, and Jonas had a rare night off from the hospital and was there with his dog Oz on a glow-in-the-dark leash.
“We should make a firepit like this.” Scotty nodded at the carefully constructed brick structure surrounded by a concrete patio and benches.
“With what yard?” I shook my head. “Aren’t you the one complaining about how tiny the rental house is?”
“Someday. When you and Tony buy a house. I’ll help build you a fire pit,” Scotty said archly as my jaw dropped. “And I don’t hate the house. It and the town might be growing on me.”
“Good.” I turned my attention away from scanning for Tony to smile at Scotty. “Thanks.”
“No, thankyou.” Scotty kicked a line of dirt where the patio met the yard. “I suck at this, but… John says you gotta tell people shit while you can. So thanks for everything.”
“No problem.” I risked an awkward hug that, for once, he didn’t dodge. “It’s been a privilege.” As I said the words, I realized how true that was. This time with Scotty might be hard and challenging, but it was also special. Scotty blushed, so I added a tease. “And it’s my big-brother right to meddle.”
“I’m glad you did.” Scotty gave me a one-armed hug before running after Cosmo and John, who were carrying trays with the fixings for s’mores. “Dudes. Who wants to bet how many Elliot can eat?”
“This I want to see.” Sean wandered over to stand near me. Across from us, Denver sat on a bench, deep in conversationwith Wren and Rowan. “Want a beer or cider? There are some hidden coolers for the adults.”
“I’m good, thanks.” I kept looking around for Tony, but Sean placed a hand on my arm.
“Listen. I know I’m your captain, and you’ll say that limits our friendship. However, I have to say I’m really happy for you and Tony. You seem content now. You’re a better leader and crew member these days. More focused. And Tony seems happier and more settled too. I’m sorry I didn’t see earlier how good you are for each other.”
“We are,” I agreed before softening my tone. “Thanks. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You were doing your job. Rules and guidelines are there for a reason.”
“Yeah, well, rules aside, I’m happy you guys worked out. Truly.” He offered me a crooked grin. “And current rumor mill about how you got started notwithstanding, thank you both for sparing us the dating-a-coworker conundrum.”
“Hopefully someone else will come along to earn all the town’s gossip soon, and Tony and I will be old news.”