Page 9 of Wandering Closer

River :

WHO? Call me whenever and I’ll answer what I can.

Thoren :

Lily. Thanks bro. I need to get some new wood for her deck.

Jake :

I’ve got wood for you. *winky face* How long has your deck wood been out of commission? *laughing face*

Thoren :

Grow up, I’m picking it up Tuesday.

River :

Who the fuck is Lily?

River :

Hello?? You can’t ignore me just because I’m not there.

CHAPTER FIVE

lily

Thoren:

Hey Lily, it’s Thoren. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday this week Shadow will be alone if you want to spend some time with her.

Lily:

Yes! Do you have a way for me to get her?

Thoren:

I’ll leave the back door unlocked. Her harness and leash are hanging on a hook next to it if you need them.

Lily:

Sounds good.

Thoren:

Thanks again, we both appreciate it.

Saturday morning after Thoren left, I sat down and wrote two chapters, weeded the small flower garden out front, and mowed my yard when my new mower got delivered. My mind constantly drifted back to him, despite my considerable effort to not think about him. My god, those tattooed arms, thick with corded muscles, and abs that led to that deep v. I really tried to keep my eyes on his face, but the man had no shirt on and I’m only human. The way the muscles in his back moved and flexed fromwalking… phew.

To add to it, he has the thickest thighs. Those sweats didn’t hide a dang thing. I don’t know what he does to stay in shape, but it’s working. Another man in my life is the last thing I need. However, I could use more friends here, and he seems like a great one. He was sweet, listened, and understood me instead of doubting and judging me.

I texted Michele and asked how well she knew him, which led to her showing up Sunday afternoon with a bottle of wine so she could tell me all about him and his brother. She told me he and Jake were thick as thieves as well. I looked up Thoren’s brother, River, after he left and picturing those three men together… it’s every woman’s dream. There must be something in the water here because it’s insane that three good friends are all that attractive.

While Michele was here she helped me pick out what color to paint the kitchen and living room. I made it my mission to go out Monday morning and get all the paint and supplies that I would need, and wrote out an extensive list of everything I needed to learn about baseball and about player’s lives that would elevate my book. Each new day brings a sense of empowerment, gradually easing the pain and loneliness of my past.

I wrote the last question down on the list and hung it on the fridge for when I see Thoren next. With a Lord Huron playlist on my phone, I taped off the living room. Michele and I decidedon a deep hunter green in here, to blend the outside with the in. She also may have been partial, since it’s the color of her office as well.

As I’m taping up the last window, my playlist stops and my phone rings, Andrea’s name flashing across the screen.

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