by B. L. Olson
It's the little things.
Grabbing the bottle from Wyatt, I uncap it and take a large gulp. I feel it slowly burn down to my toes, leaving the tingles that alcohol gives you. He cracks open his own beer and gestures towards the first hole, "So Makayla told me you've lived here since before they set up the course, but you haven't played before?"
Shaking my head and giving him a small smile, I warn him, "I am not exactly the most athletic person on the planet. I mean, I can barely stand on my own two feet without tripping over gravity. So I tend to stay away from all things sports related to save my own dwindling pride." Holding up the bottle he handed me moments ago at him, "This definitely helps. Soon I won't care that I am going to look like an idiot."
He gives me a grin, the signs of unease that I may be unhappy with what he planned slowly recede from his body as he turns to me once more and begins to explain the logistics. Apparently, it isn't quite as simple as tossing a frisbee at a basket. Who knew?
As I listen to him ramble on about tee and fairway throws, and where out of bounds is located and any penalties, I can't help but rake my eyes over him. He changed after work into clean clothing and his pair of jeans is hugging him in all the right places compared to the loose cargo shorts he had been wearing earlier. His grey t-shirt is so snug on him that I can see each and every muscle in his defined abs.
It's getting hot out here, so take off all your clothes Mr. Gunslinger. I feel my face flush at the sudden image and reprimand myself to keep it in my pants.
Finishing up his explanation, Wyatt gives me a look letting me know that he is fully aware of my mind wandering and where it got lost at. He takes a step closer to me and lowers his voice, "You should probably stop looking at me like that Stormy."
I feel my eyebrows hit my hairline, "And how am I looking at you?"
He gestures to the woods in front of us, "Like you're about to climb me like one of these trees."
I let out a snort, but really he isn't wrong. Makayla approaches us, her own beer in hand, and gives us a knowing smirk, "So, shall we get this show on the road? I think Annie has other plans for you."
Wyatt shoots me a heated look, letting me know that I'm not the only one having trouble with my libido. The electricity between us has been growing and building since the day we met on the fence, and I am not sure how much longer I will be able to keep myself from climbing him like a tree.
He's the one who said it, not me.
Jake coughs from behind me, "Maybe we should have stayed behind at the bar."
Makayla lets out a chuckle and opens up the backpack that Wyatt set down on top of the picnic table, "We are here to make sure they don't get charged with public indecency. They already have one strike against them if what I heard happened at the library earlier is any indication."
Rumors man, they spread like germs and are about as welcome. Too bad this is one that actually occurred, unlike Wyatt and I fake dating.
Then again, that one is happening as we speak.
Wyatt cocks his head at Makayla and gives her a cunning grin, "You're just jealous that Jake doesn't feel you up on a regular basis at the bar. Aren't you?"
Jake stops what he's doing and shoots Wyatt a death glare, knowing full well that his wife doesn't need encouragement to be inappropriate. Besides the fact that when she is ovulating, they do it in the storage room like bunnies.
Makayla laughs and grabs one of the discs from the backpack, "I do enough feeling up at work for the both of us. I just know how to be discreet about it, unlike you two."
You think Jake would be used to her by now, but he still manages to turn beet red and walks away muttering under his breath. Where his wife is outspoken and open, he is more reserved. Sometimes even he can't fathom what comes out of her mouth and he's the one who married her, the sucker.
Deciding to change the subject, I gesture to the large basket in front of us, "So how do we determine who goes first?"
Wyatt levels me with a look, "Well now I really know you aren't paying attention." He launches back into his explanation, and I take another sip from the lemonade bottle as I listen to him this time around instead of oogling the goods.
The remainder of the evening goes off smashingly. Meaning I managed to smash my finger grabbing the disc from one of the nets and it is slightly swollen and larger than the others. All in all, though, I had a great time. There is something to be said about a double date. Makayla and Jake being there had definitely put me at ease and I found myself laughing and smiling more than I have in a long time.
Part of me secretly wishes that my best friends weren't along so Wyatt would feel more comfortable talking about the things that mattered, but watching him and Jake say goodbye, and the friendship that had been forged on this date, well I couldn't be mad at all. Neither has many guy friends, especially since one is new to town, and they found they have a lot in common other than just disc golf apparently.
I also forgot for a little bit about that despite the tidbits Wyatt had shared with me, I really don't know this man at all. But after our date, I am more determined than ever to get him to open up and reveal to me how he became the man he is now. The progress he has made with me still doesn't negate the fact that he is quiet and closed off to people, and I know there is something beyond what he has told me that has made him so.
I don't want to push and pry, knowing that if someone had done that to me when it came to Travis I would have cut them off and walked away without another word on the subject. Biding my time is working, but it is taking a lifetime to get anywhere.
After Makayla and Jake wander back down to the bar, cooler and backpack in tow, Wyatt and I walk the opposite direction to the trail that runs through our town. The summer sun in Washington doesn't set until very late, and daylight is starting to stream through the trees less and less. With Wyatt by my side though, I don't fear wandering around in the near dark.
Our town may be small and humble, but crackheads? Yeah, those are everywhere.
As we turn onto the concrete pathway, he reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze, "You're thinking hard over there."
Shaking the thoughts from my head, I squeeze his hand right back, "I am just thinking about how comfortable I feel with you. Which isn't usually something I experience with someone I know almost nothing about."
I can see that my comment causes an internal debate in Wyatt, a storm crossing his face as he considers what I have said. He's quite and broody for a long moment before he replies, "I'm used to people prying and trying to figure out my damage. I've gone a long time without talking about it and pushed a lot of people away rather than discuss it." I go rigid at his comment, afraid that maybe I am one such person, "But since meeting you, I have discerned that I can't live like that anymore. I don't want to be this half-dead human being just going through the motions. That's not truly living at all."
I give him a reassuring smile before dropping his hand and wrapping my arm around him, "I'm not pushing you to talk, but just know that I am here for you if you want to get some things off your chest."
Wyatt looks lost, a war raging in his mind, "I want to speak about it with you, especially since you're the only person who doesn't try and ferret for information, but I think this topic is just a little heavy for a first date."
Bringing me back to why we are together this evening in the first place I respond, "All things considered I think we can consider this our third or fourth, but I don't want to push you to tell me something until you're comfortable doing so."
He glances down at me and puts his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer, "You really are a remarkable woman, you know that Annie?"
I can't help but snort, "Yeah okay. I am not without my issues, which is how I know that someone will open up to you in their own time. There is a pretty dramatic difference between pre-Travis and post-Travis Annie, and people tend to notice. They also try to pry and prod me to start writing again, and it just makes me dig my heels in all the more t
o do the opposite. I was hurting and felt damaged after what happened, and much like you started living a stagnant life of the same never-ending cycle.
"We meet people for a reason, they are either a blessing or a curse. Those who are cursed, however, teach us the lessons we are meant to learn and put us on a path for something far superior. I guess what I am really saying is that meeting you, it is a blessing. I feel alive and more myself than I have in a long time. You're someone that understands the dark stain that Travis left on my soul, and recognizes that I am so much more than some smut author or their personal chef or maid." I hope that maybe sharing a little bit more about myself, about the events that left me broken and alone, would endear him to do the same. If not tonight, then at some point in the future.
He stops me short at my declaration, the darkness of night beginning to envelop us now, "I may recognize how truly radiant and astounding you are but do you, Annie?"
I study his face for a moment, gazing at the serious expression he wears, before responding, "I'm coming around to realizing my self-worth. When it has been stripped so bare it's nearly non-existent, it's a process to get it back." I take a moment to ponder whether I want to disclose certain information to him, but ultimately decide I should, "I actually started plotting and outlining a new idea that came to me, and I plan to dive into a new writing project soon."
Wyatt tucks some of my wayward hair behind my ear and pulls me even closer to him, our walk long forgotten, "You're putting yourself back together again after what happened, and dragging me along with you."
I look at him quizzically and ask, "What do you mean?"
He lifts my chin and gazes into my eyes, "Meaning when I moved here, I had no resolve to better myself. To work through the trauma and tragedy that was my former life. But you're so full of life and seeing your hurting heart and the recent strides you have made to overcome it shows me that I can do it too. Not just that though, that I actually want to."
And with that, he kisses me. We are just two damaged yet healing souls laying bare what their hearts are feeling.
Chapter 15- Wyatt
Repercussion #395: Gentlemen, you may be made of stone but just remember one thing. Women are ten times more emotional than you are and guaranteed not to act how you would expect them too in any given situation.
When I pull into work in the morning, my mind is a chaotic mess that is constantly reflecting back on my date with Annie last night. It isn't fair of me to want more from her, especially while she is still strides ahead of me, but fuck if I didn't want to try and be the man that she deserves and someone she could legitimately see herself dating.
I am slowly creeping my way out of the darkness and Annie is the light guiding my way. Watching her overcome a similar darkness of her own following her past relationship, I can't help but feel anticipation to arrive there as well. Despite all the progress I am making however, I can still feel a dark stain on my soul that nothing I do or try ever seems to get rid of.
Grabbing my toolbelt from my truck I head in the direction of the trailer to grab my plans for the day. Char must be in some sort of mood because as I arrive at the door I hear cursing and the muffled thud of heavy objects being thrown about. I don't know what happened to put her thong in a bunch, but I have to go in there and face her wrath and for once I actually hope that seeing me will snap her out of it and get her claws out in a more possessive way. At least until I can escape the radius of her throw.
Taking a deep breath, I yank the door open and stoop to enter without hitting my head. At the sight of me, Char goes off in a string of curse words and I'm hit with the realization that what she is upset over is me.
I suddenly miss the big city anonymity of Philly. It was a breath of fresh air after growing up in a small town and here I am voluntarily living in another. I'm right on the money about what she is pissed about when she growls out, "I thought we were just playing a game of hard to get, Wyatt. And then I stop to grab my coffee this morning, and don't you know it? I hear this woman chatting to the barista at the counter about how her daughter went out with you and didn't get home until late last night. What the hell is going on?"
I blink at her a few times in astonishment. Have I not made my feelings perfectly clear? Did I not express that I had no interest in dating her or anything of a sexual nature? I open my mouth to tell her as much but I get a face full of rolled up plans before I can respond. "I don't want to hear your excuses. You're nothing but a giant manwhore and I am so done with you, Wyatt Haynes!"
I let out a bitter laugh, "Clearly you pay attention about as well as you fucking listen to Charlene. I told you a million times that nothing would ever happen between us." I run my hands through my dark hair in frustration, the longer parts on top standing on end, "Christ, you're old enough to be my mother, and if you were paying attention you would have seen that the only woman that I have shown an ounce of interest in is Annie Ellis."
She narrows her eyes at me and the amount of pure venom packed behind that look shrinks my balls a little bit. She grits out, "Get out of my trailer before I freaking fire your ass!"
I roll my eyes at her and back out of the office. I should really point out that she doesn't have that type of authority, but I just want to get on with my day and arguing semantics with an angry woman is not high on my list of things I want to do. I would much rather donate a nutsack to science or something equally horrendous.
I slam the door shut and the curse words and thuds continue as I make my way towards a makeshift desk set up on sawhorses. I unroll my plans and stick some rocks from nearby on the corners to keep it from snapping closed. And then I get the hell to work and am lost within my thoughts once more.
Shortly before lunch, Annie shows up. She had told me last night when I dropped her back off at home that she is off today, and here she is spending it on my job site looking all sorts of sinful. Her jean shorts hug her perfectly sculpted ass and show off her toned legs. Her tank top dips low and reveals the swell of her breasts that are almost begging to be released from her bra.
Well hello distraction, but one I welcome.
She gives me a wicked grin as she approaches and sees me checking out her body before snapping my eyes back to hers. Annie shakes the bag she has clutched in her hand. "Hey there, Gunslinger. I needed to take a break from writing and get out of the house for a bit, so I decided to bring you some lunch."
Returning her infectious smile, I gesture to the sawhorse and boards set up in front of me, "You can stick it right there. You know you didn't have to do that."
She shrugs nonchalantly. "I was getting antsy being inside that long. When it's sunny here you need to get out and take advantage, because you never know how long it will last or when it will be back." Leaning on the sawhorse and gazing up at me, she continues, "Same goes for seeing you. I didn't know when I would next, so I made an opportunity."
Reaching out to grip the side of her face, I pull her closer and give her a tender kiss, "Well I'm glad you did. Let me get these plans back to Char and I can take my lunch." More crashing comes from the office behind me.
Rolling up the documents in front of me, Char beats me to the punch. I hear the door fly open and smack the opposite side, her voice grinding out, "Haynes, get your whore off of the premises. This is a construction site."
Annie stiffens at the comment and turns to level her with a glare. Remembering the last time these two came into contact, I stride to Char and thrust the plans at her before it can escalate further. "She's not my whore, Charlene, she's my girlfriend. And you might remember I had to pull her off of you the last time you insulted her, so you may want to keep your trap shut. Especially considering we are at work."
She opens her mouth to spit out more hatred, but another male voice coming from behind me brings her up short. "Charlene, that's enough." I turn to look over my shoulder and see the owner of the company standing behind me. While we have a foreman who is here for the day-to-day stuff, Andy only stops by when he really
needs to. Luckily, he chose just this moment to do so, as if fate had a hand in it. He continues, "I stopped by to speak with you regarding a few things I have been told and hearing you talk like that solidifies a few things for me. Why don't you and I head back into the trailer and have a little chat, shall we?"
She freezes where she stands, a look of panic flitting across her face. Char may be a bitch, but she ain't got nothing on karma. It appears that today she is making an appearance and giving her her just rewards. Andy strides towards the office with purpose and barks at her to close the door.
Turning back around to look at Annie, I see the grin is back on her face. She teases me, "Girlfriend, huh?"
Stalking back in her direction, I reply, "The whole town already thinks so. Besides, you said yourself just last night that we are really several dates ahead." Drawing even with her, I reach out and wrap my arms around her and gaze downwards. "Want to make it one more tonight? Come over and I will make you dinner?" I lose myself in the depths of her eyes, her beautiful soul staring right back at me. Calling her my girlfriend for the first time and actually meaning it hadn't stopped me in my tracks. In fact, it is another breath of air into the body that was slowly dying before I met her.
She stands on her toes and gives me a quick peck on the lips. "I would love nothing more, Gunslinger."
****
After wrapping up the work day, I head back home in a jovial mood. Not only did Char get shit-canned because the men on the job site reported her ass, but she also got reamed for calling Annie a whore. She grew up with Andy's daughter and he has known her since she was running around in pigtails and overalls. He didn't take kindly to the name calling.
The other reason for my mood though is dinner with Annie herself. We have both come a long way since the day we met in the storm, and for the first time in a couple years I am actually animated and looking forward to my future. I constantly find myself smiling throughout the day and have noticed myself laughing more as well. I awoke this morning not feeling the usual dread at having to get through another day.