by TJ Penn
When final call comes, I am beyond worn out, and not looking forward to that walk to the bus stop. Thankfully, at least, the number of tips we made tonight make things a bit brighter. I can go shopping in the morning and not be worried about not being able to pay a bill because of our need to eat.
I meet Elizabeth coming out with our stuff, and we go see if Robert had decided to stay and walk us to the bus stop. When we walked out of the door, it’s noticeably colder. That’s going to make for a very long walk, on top of everything else; however, we’ve walked it in worse weather.
As we’re about to head out thinking Robert had changed his mind, lights pop on and blind us. We almost jump out of our skin when we hear the car door open. It’s then my eyes fall on the car and I realize it’s Robert.
“Lord, you scared us to death.” I get out between my heavy breaths.
“Sorry, I was trying to warm the car up for y’all.” He must see the question in my eyes as he continues, “I figured it would be a shorter ride if I just took you home, instead of you having to wait on the bus. If you are happier with the bus, I can just drop you off there and wait with you until your bus comes. I mean if that is ok.”
It could just be me, but he actually seems nervous about the offer. “A ride home would be wonderful, and it is the least you can do, considering you are the reason for the crazy night.” I couldn’t help but to tease him just a bit.
The drive home is shorter than normal without all of the stops. Actually, it’s over a little too quickly for me. We all talk and laugh the whole way home, just like we had all been friends for years. Elizabeth goes ahead of me into the house to give us a moment of privacy; which I appreciated.
“So this is it.” I look down at my hands.
“Yeah, so it is. I can’t wait till Saturday night to do this.” With that, he leans over and gives me the sweetest, simplest, and most heart stopping kiss, I’ve ever received.
“I’ll see you Saturday, Bailey. Oh, dress simple, and be ready to go by eight a.m., please.” With that, he turns and runs for his car. Saturday may only be a few days away, but it was still too far if you ask me.
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Chapter Six
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The next few days are filled with work and just hanging around the house. Work has been a bit busy since Wednesday night. I guess people are hoping the team will show up here again; I guess it’s the thrill of hanging out with the guys. The place being busy cuts into all of our down time though. However, I don’t think any of us are fussing. With the pace at work and the stress I’m putting on myself, I’m ready to pass out most nights before we even make it home.
Before I leave for work Friday, I make sure to have my clothes ready to go so that I can fall straight into bed after my shower; and I’m so glad I did. Not too sure I would’ve made the best choice in outfits in my state.
Saturday morning arrives too early for my liking. I don’t even hear my alarm go off. It isn’t until Elizabeth burst into my room at 7:45, screaming for me to get up and that I’m going to be late that I actually crawl out of bed. We spend the next fifteen minutes getting me ready.
A little light makeup and a simple ponytail to accompany the plain shirt with the local college team logo on it, and a pair of jeans and I am ready to go decided on. Hey, he said simple, he got simple.
“So what are your plans for the day?” Elizabeth comes back into the room before I can stop her. I had tried to keep her out until Robert showed up.
“No! You are not wearing that out with him! There is no way I am letting you leave this house in that.” Looking down at my outfit, I think I look ok. I tell her that Robert said dress simple so that is what I am doing. When she’s about to argue back, the doorbell rings. I am literally saved by the bell. If you ask me, that man couldn’t have had better timing.
I rush out of the room, past Elizabeth, to get the door. Yeah, I know he would’ve waited for me, but it was also my only escape from her.
“You look great. You ready to go?” As he looks over my shoulder, he sees Elizabeth standing there. “Morning Elizabeth, I hope you have a good day.” I look over at Elizabeth to see her rolling her eyes at me. “See you later Elizabeth.”
As I close the door, I can hear her say “yeah, yeah” followed by her laughter. When he starts the car, Alone Together, by Fall Out Boy, blares out of the speakers.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize it was that loud.” I stop singing along and look over at him as he turns it down.
“If you want to keep that hand, I suggest you move it back slowly. I love this song, and FOB is one of the few bands I actually like. So, if you don’t mind, turn that back up and leave it alone.”
“Well, at least I have ideas for future dates. So, are you excited about today, because I put a lot of work into this one; just so you know.” Now, he really is making me wonder, what could take that much planning.
We’re on the road for about thirty minutes when he pulls over at a gas station. “Would you be willing to put on a blindfold, please.” He must’ve seen the, have you lost your mind look, cross my face. “Just hear me out, okay. I want to see your face when you see it. I can’t do that if I am driving the car. Please.”
Finally, after I give in, he pulls back out on the road, after he has tied the blindfold behind my head. We ride for, I guess, five more miles when I feel him park and then hear the engine stop. Robert comes around and opens the car door and helps me out. When he removes the blindfold, I see the most wonderful sight I’ve seen in years. I feel like the kid on Christmas morning who had just opened the gift they had waited for all year.
He has actually gone and found a car show, and not just any car show. All of the cars are classics; no new models at all. I look at him with tears running down my face. I want to run and throw my arms around him; instead, I ask the one question that I can.
“How did you find this? I mean, I know the Internet, but… thank you. Thank you for doing this. Can we go in now? I can’t wait.”
Chuckling, he nods his head, and so hand in hand, we walk into the one place that feels like home. As we get to the first car, he hands me an envelope full of dollar bills. Confused, I break down and ask what it is for.
“Well, see, for this show, the cars have boxes sitting in front of them and for the ones you like, you vote for them by dropping money in the box. At the end of the day, the sponsors will take the box and see who has the most. The top three win and the money goes to the local children's hospital. So, it is going to a good cause in the end.”
“So, I get to vote. Why don’t you do it?”
“I have my own to vote with.” He holds up an identical envelope to mine. With that, we take off for a day of car viewing, and talking to the men about their cars. I find it amusing to see the looks on the men’s faces when they realize that I actually know what I am talking about.
The day is going absolutely perfect until I lose track of Robert. I finally find him where he is voting for the worst car ever. “What are you doing? That car is horrendous,” I whisper as we walk off. I can’t imagine what he sees in it.
“Well, I kind of took something you do and use it to decide who to vote for. See, I’ve decided to talk to the owners of some of the worst cars here and then vote. Instead of voting for the best car, or the nicest car, I have decided to vote for the nicest story. That one, it was the kid’s grandfather's car, and he and the kid worked on fixing her up when the granddad suddenly passed away. He only entered the car because that was what they had planned on doing. I voted for them so they at least got a few votes and the kid has a nice memory.”
That kid’s story reminds me of my story with my dad and the plans we had made. Only, we never got around to even getting the car. I feel like crap that I never thought to get the story of that car. Poor kid. With that, I decide to walk back to them and drop the rest of my money in their box. At the little boys smile, I know I did the right thing.
The
rest of the day and into the afternoon is such fun. One of the best days I’ve had in a long time. We stay to see the winners. I’m glad the guy I had spent time talking to walks home with first place. His car is beyond gorgeous; it was a ’67 Chevy Impala, but the thing that made me feel even happier, the kid walked home with third place. I hope it helps the kid feel like he completed his grandfather’s plan, and it helps strengthen his love of cars.
“So, are you ready for the next part of the day?” Robert whispers in my ear.
“There is more, seriously? This day has been so perfect; you can’t imagine how much this meant to me. Thank you!”
“Well, yeah, there is more, but it might not be as wonderful in your eyes as this. I hope so, but I can live even if it doesn’t.”
With that, we go to his car and drive back into town.
“Why don’t you enter your car in one of the shows? This is a nice car; you should do it.”
Laughing, I figure at me, he answers, “Would I be able to get your attention back from the old guys if I do? Seriously, I have thought about it, but figured people would vote for me and not the car. I don’t want to take votes from someone who actually deserves it just cause of my name.”
That statement makes me like him a little more. I mean most men would love to have that edge and would use it to their advantage as best they could. Not Robert though, he has been nothing but thoughtful in his actions that I have seen. Now, I really have to figure out what to do about this whole deal.
“When do you start the season?” Maybe, by then, I can figure out how to balance the two.
“The pre-season starts in a few weeks; that is why you won’t hear from me during the day. The guys aren’t bad; they just have no work ethic. No one has gone over team building skills with them in a long time. So, we have been working from sun up to sun down. It has been a lot of work, but so far, it is working and the guys seem to be a lot happier and getting along.” He seems so happy I can’t be the one to ruin that.
“We are here!” Robert looks like a kid that is hyped up on his favorite candy.
“We’re at the football stadium. Why are we at the football stadium?”
Smiling at me, he gets out and runs around to my side of the car to get my door for me. I follow him inside to see that the dome has been left open, and on the fifty yard line, there is a picnic set up with the whole nine yards.
“You did all of this? For me? How and why did you do all of this? I’ve been with you all day.”
Shrugging his shoulders, he replies, “I kind of had the guys help me out. When we stopped for gas, I texted one of them and had them come out to get it set up. You seemed a little uncomfortable the other night in the nice restaurant, so I thought why not have something small and simple.”
After only one date, this guy actually understood me. Maybe not everything, but enough to understand I would rather have a small picnic than a fancy restaurant meal any day.
We spend the rest of the evening talking about nothing, and everything, all at the same time. It is easy talking and opening up to him. At the end of the night, he drops me off again at my door with a simple kiss, and a promise to call me tomorrow.
That night, I lay in my bed trying to think of a solution to the problem I’ve gotten myself into. I can see no way out of it. My only hope is this great guy image I have seen is an act, and he’ll turn into a major jerk. Only then would he deserve what I’m doing to him. With those thoughts going around in my mind, I fall asleep and have the worst night’s sleep known to man.
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Chapter Seven
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The next morning, I walk downstairs to see Elizabeth sitting down eating breakfast. “Hey, can I talk to you for a few minutes.” She nods for me to continue.” I just don’t know what to do. In a way, I want to tell Robert what is going on so he can, I don’t know, work around their plan, and come up with a way to save the team. I can maybe play double agent and help him that way.”
“That is, if he’ll still talk to me after I tell him. Why did I agree to do this? Why? Do you think he’ll buy that I had a moment of insanity?” I glare over at her, as her laughter breaks through my thoughts.
“You really like him! I knew it!” Already having thought she would accuse me of that, I already had my reasons ready.
“No, I am just sick and tired of nice, good guys, getting shafted. I mean, come on, if he was an ass ok, but, he isn’t. He is so amazing. He thinks of everyone before himself. He is just a good and kind hearted guy. It isn’t right what is happening to him.” By this point in my speech, I’m pacing the floor with tears streaming down my face.
“What do you think I should do? I have to find a way to stop this from happening.” I have my phone in my hand ready to hit the call button when Elizabeth starts talking.
“I know you really don’t want to hurt him, but I see no way around it. Think about it. You stay quiet and this thing between you two turns into a relationship, and he finds out years later. Or, you tell him now, and this thing building between you never grows at all. It is cut off at the knees so to speak. Last option, you don’t tell him. Make him break up with you, and Ronda finds some other way to ruin the team.
Just stop, Bailey and really think about it. There is no win here. Either way, he will get hurt. The only real question is will you? You will need to figure out which outcome you can live with. I know you, Bailey, don’t make this worse on yourself. If it helps, I know he likes you a lot even if he hasn’t told you about it. But, how about we wait, and you just put down the phone.
Somewhere down the line, maybe just maybe, another option will reveal itself. You will never know if you end this now. Come on, what do you say, let’s try to look for one. Bailey, I have never seen you as happy as I did when he brought you home last night. I really don’t want this thing to come between you two. No matter what you do, he is going to get hurt anyway so why not wait and give it a chance. Please don’t make that call. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life. I really do believe that. Please. Hand me the phone before you do it.”
Looking at Elizabeth, I know she’s right. If I walk now, I would not only hurt Robert I would also not be able to help him with Ronda. At least for now, I can be his ears with her even if he doesn’t know it. I would do what I had to do to protect him, even if that meant that I had to lie to him for his own good. I would save him from the snakes. I have no choice.
Now, I have to come up with a plan to keep them thinking I’m on their side and not getting caught by Robert. My life would’ve been so much easier if he wasn’t so darn likeable.
“Speaking of, Ronda called you about an hour ago. Told her you were sleeping in after getting back late last night from your date. Maybe it bought you a couple of days. She also said to tell you the arrangement you made with her will be here today. Like you really wouldn’t tell me. Some people are so stupid to think others are not going to tell at least one person.”
"You didn’t tell her you knew did you? Please say you didn’t. If this goes south I don’t want anyone to be able to turn this around and bring you in on it. You can claim complete innocence. I really shouldn’t have said anything to you. God, how stupid I was.”
How could I have been so stupid? I really should have kept Elizabeth out of this whole mess. I just don’t see how I could make it and not have her to talk to and watch my back.
“Hey, do you really think that bag of hot air really could get to me. The day she tries to come after you, or me, will be the day that lady will regret her path ever crossed with yours. Now, a better question, since somehow we are off tonight, what do you say we hit Dani’s and see if Sam is working? Maybe see if he can make us some of his awesome drinks and get your mind off of everything.”
Why are you looking at me like that? Are you back on that whole thing about me and Sam? For the last time, there is nothing between us? He just likes to flirt so can you please drop it. Don’t get me wrong, he is gorgeo
us with those big strong shoulders, those brown eyes that could burn you with just one small glance. Not to mention those lips, and the best part the man is a cowboy. Have you seen that man’s jeans? I could just see him in a cowboy hat sitting on top of a horse?
Ok, so I may possibly have taken notice of him. I mean, what woman in this town hasn’t. With all those choices, there is no way he would have a thing for me.” It is my turn to chuckle at her denial. How could she not see the way he looks at her? It’s like she hung the moon. The way he looks at her tells me he sees no one but her. How am I going to get her to see it though, I have no clue?
“Ok, fine, we can go. Added bonus, we eat and drink for free. What do we have to lose?” We spend the rest of the time before getting dressed doing nothing but hanging out on the couch watching Star Wars. If you haven’t guessed by now, we are geeks!
We finally start to get ready for the night, and Elizabeth helps with my makeup and hair. If it was left up to me, I would be happy with a simple ponytail and no makeup. Who am I to put up a fuss if I’m not having to go to the trouble to do it?
We walk in, and heads turn Yeah, we look hot tonight. We walk up to the bar to start the night off. Sam clears a spot out for us to sit. “How are you lovely ladies tonight? Not that I ain’t happy to see you two, but aren’t you supposed to be off tonight? That generally means you stay as far from this place as you can get. To add to it, you two just made my job harder tonight. I’m going to end up beating guys off y’all with my bat.”
“Sam, we wanted to go out tonight, and where better than a place we know and love. With the added bonus, we don’t have to worry about creeps because we have you watching out for us.” Laughing, Sam adds just how well he knows us, to his list.
