Page 13 of Mine to Gain

Lucky as fuck, frankly. I still have no idea how Rob convinced her to date him. She was out of his league. Out of mine, too, really. Way too refined and smart for either of us. That isn’t going to stop me from trying though.

I spend most of the rest of my BBQ distracted and texting with Trix rather than chatting with any of my guests. I can feel Daphne’s irritation with me building that I’m ignoring her, but I’d rather let her be Garner’s problem than mine. Especially since I’m fairly certain her only interest in me is that she views me as a challenge. The two of them make a lot more sense, assuming he’s ready to have his limbs rearranged in the process.

The more I text Trix, the more I’m reminded of how much I like her and how easy she is to talk to. I just wish I could spend more time with her, and somewhere outside of work. Which makes me think about this weekend and gives me a brilliant idea.

So I’m wondering… do you like county fairs?

Trixie:

That’s a loaded question.

Is it? Bad fair experience?

I had to go to a lot of them as a kid.

4H?

Worse. A father in politics.

Oh right… That’s fair. Get it?

Sorry. That was fucking lame. Dad jokes just happen sometimes.

She doesn’t answer, and my anxiety builds because I hope I’m not fucking this up. When another ten minutes pass by and I hear nothing, I decide to go for it anyway. Hoping I can salvage it somehow.

Not even a giggle? Well. I’m still gonna shoot my shot. Confidence of a middle-aged dad, after all.

I’ve gotta take Lizzy to one Saturday night. I promised she could go with her friends. But there are boys involved, one in particular I have my eye on. So I told her I’d take her, but I’m staying. It’ll be weird if it’s just me wandering around checking on them, but if you go… It’ll just look like I’m out with a friend. So you could help my image by making me look like less of a creep.

Trixie:

Sorry, I was in the shower.

The dad jokes are gold. They definitely make me giggle.

Does she already have a boyfriend?

After my brain short circuits for a moment imagining her in the shower, I answer her.

I’m not sure. She swears he’s just a friend, but he comes around enough that I think he wishes they were more. If I spent that much time on a girl at that age, it was because I wanted to be more than her friend. So I have my suspicions.

Trixie:

Had trouble with the friend zone growing up, did we?

I plead the fifth. But seriously… I’ll buy you all the funnel cakes and ride tickets you want. Lizzy might even stop complaining about me going if you’re there…

What time? I have a date Saturday, but I could go later.

My heart sinks. If she’s already dating, that answers my question about whether or not I have a chance in hell.

A date? Already? You move fast.

Trixie:

Ouch? Madison’s got me on a dating app.

I cringe at my own lack of filter. I don’t know what I’m doing when I’ve got someone like her I’m trying to talk to. Just fumbling around trying to figure things out and making an ass of myself in the process.

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