Page 32 of Fastlander Fighter

“You…” She swallowed hard. “You brought Ruger something?”

“Look, your place is easy to find. I wasn’t meaning to make you nervous. It’s an easy online search. I wanted to surprise Ruger. Is he here?”

“He went back with Ryan today.” She couldn’t help the hollowness in her tone.

“I’m sorry.” He lifted the bag and set it on the sidewalk, then walked around his truck, opened the tailgate, pulled out a big box, and set it next to the grocery bag. It was a tee and a net to catch the balls he hit.

Touched, the fire of her anger faded as she pushed open the grocery bag and saw the toy bear inside, and the giant bag of pizza rolls.

“For you, but also for the boy to try. Chicken nuggets are good, but pizza rolls are next level.” He cleared his throat. “You look really pretty. I hope the date is everything you want it to be.”

He turned and headed for his truck, got in, and started it up.

She should let him go. Right? Bringing her son presents was a game? But it didn’t feel like a game.

“Wait,” she said, striding carefully for his driver’s side door.

Captain rolled down the window.

“Why did you get Ruger this stuff? Honestly.”

Captain scrunched up his face and said, “Honestly? I was at the grocery store, trying to pretend I wasn’t thinking about you. I saw the batting system on an endcap on sale, and I put in in my cart. Then I went to the toy section and found the bear, and then I thought you could use some help getting him to try new food, and pizza rolls are kind of a big deal in Damon’s Mountains. Then when I went to pay out, I realized I forgot to get all my damn groceries.” He inhaled deeply. “And then if we’re being real honest, when you were popping off at me, I thought it was hot until you said you were going on a date, and then I felt…”

“Felt what?”

He shook his head. “I know you’re going to move on. I know there will be men who will see your value. You won’t have a problem moving on from Ryan. I guess I felt…”

“What?” she whispered.

His eyes had his heart in them when he uttered, “I want you to try me out first.”

Stunned, she just stood there, waiting for him to say just kidding or something. He didn’t.

“You said it’s too complicated.”

“That hasn’t changed. Sloane, here is how it is. I’m different than when I was younger. I’m bigger. The bear is bigger. The instincts are overwhelming sometimes. I’m in a fuck-up Crew that is on some destiny-path that is one part exciting and three parts dangerous as hell. War is headed for us. Not just a war of words like internet crap, either. I mean violence and bloodshed and I will be hurt, and the people I love will be hurt, or worse. I get in two to three fights a week with the other males in my Crew, and I barely get along with any of the Fastlanders, and I’m stubborn and not likely to change my ways. If you are okay with all of that, we can try friendship.”

Sloane crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the door of her house, which she’d left wide open. “I have to close my door.”

“Okay,” he said in a confused tone.

She scooped up the grocery bag and the batting system, then walked carefully up the sidewalk, put the groceries away inside, then came back out and closed and locked the door to her first-floor apartment. Mind reeling, she made her way back to the passenger’s side of his truck and got in.

“I thought you had a date,” he said.

“I did. With myself. I was going to table-for-one it tonight.”

“So…there’s no one you’re talking to?”

“You.”

A slow smile spread across his masculine lips.

“I can’t say for sure that I’m okay with all of your mess, Captain. But I’m curious. Perhaps even a little interested in this war-talk.”

“Yeah, well, that talk isn’t for the general public.”

“I pinky-swear I won’t talk to anyone about it. Your secrets are safe with me.” She stuck up her pinky.

---