Page 42 of Playing My Rivals

“Bet you didn’t expect to be doing chores today, did you?” He winks and gives me a to-die-for smile. I almost drop to my knees.

“Not really. So, we have to mow this entire lawn?” I assess the yard. I figure it’ll take at least an hour or two.

“The whole thing.” He playfully laughs and squeezes my hand.

I love it when he’s this relaxed. It’s like being home when I’m around him. I ease into myself and let the stress of the world fade away.

He leads me to a detached aluminum garage and pulls up the door. Inside, there’s a bunch of machinery.

“Good thing we get to use this.” He climbs onto a two-seater lawn mower. “We won’t be able to hear each other very well, but it’ll be relaxing. I promise. It’s almost meditative.”

“Thank God we’re doing this on a riding mower.” I climb up and sit beside him, my smile beaming as bright as the sun.

He starts it, and we jerk forward, almost stalling the engine. Even though the air is full of gas and motor oil, I already know I’m going to enjoy our task at hand.

We pull out of the garage and something calming washes over me. I glance over at the wildflowers and take in their beauty.

The further out of the garage we get, the more powerful the aroma of the flowers grows. I glance at Jami and he’s staring at me like he’s witnessing something spectacular.

“What’s that look for?” I yell over the engine.

“Just because.” He faces forward and drives down the lawn in a straight line.

We continue for a while, letting the sun beat down on us. The mower roars, but everything around me is calm. Just like he said, mowing the lawn is like meditating.

We’re near an old barn beside the biggest tree that lines the yard near the stream. I glance at my arms, which have turned bright pink under the sun.

I point to get his attention. “Let’s stop beneath that tree for a second. I need some shade.”

He drives to where I said and cuts the engine. “I forgot how fast you burn. We should be out of the sun in thirty minutes. You can stay under the tree if you want and I’ll come back for you.”

“I think that’s best or I’ll fry. Sorry to cut out on my chores.” I bump his shoulder against mine.

“Yeah, yeah. You’ve always known I’ll pick up your slack. Jump down and I’ll be back for you soon.” He gestures to the ground with his head.

Once I’m down, he starts the engine and continues. I mosey around under the tree. When I round the side that faces the water, my hand runs over something jagged in the bark. I turn to see what it is.

Etched in the tree’s trunk is a heart with an arrow shooting through it and the letters J + D in the center. It takes me by surprise.

I roll my lips together, and I peer out to see him. He’s driving around with a smile that covers half his face. I take a deep breath and appreciate how incredibly handsome he is, then turn away, knowing I should stop myself from these feelings.

Why did I put myself in this position?

I sit on the bank of the stream, hug my knees, and watch the water run over the rocks in the riverbed. My thoughts weave through my last few months with Hunter. They’ve been amazing, but I’m a secret to everyone in his life. We live in a bubble when we’re together.

Even my therapist questions me about the risks I’m taking by dating him, but I argue he’s trying to work everything out so we can go public with our relationship.

How do I know what’s real with him?

He said he would have kids, but what does that look like? On top of that, my job is on the line and I risk it every day. I never would’ve done this in the past. At least not with my career. A man, yes. My job, no. Somewhere in the past few months, I’ve lost myself.

Anyone can be happy in a bubble, but what happens when real life shows up?

I pick a purple ball-like flower with spike-like petals that make up the ball of it. Its scent is sweet. The aroma is what’s been floating around me as I sit here. The fresh-cut grass is a close second.

The mower engine cuts and Jamison jumps down. “It’s a lot cooler under here.”

I nod, pretending I’m not as emotionally lost as I am. I smell the flower again. He plops next to me, happiness radiating from him.

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