Page 19 of Wandering Closer

I’ve never been to a professional sports game of any kind before. While Phoenix had an NBA, NFL, and MLB team, I never had the chance to go see one. My parents were not big on sports, and when my company had tickets, they were always snatched by the men right away. I’m not sure if I’m more excited to see the actual game or to just see what it is like to attend a game and see what all the hype is about.

I tried watching the Rainiers games on my tablet a few times, but there is a lot of downtime. The internet assured me that attending a game is a whole experience and not as boring aswatching it on TV. I think it will help that I will have Thoren to keep me company and explain anything I still don’t understand.

I plan to do something nice for both him and his brother when we go. It’s beyond kind of them to do this for me and I want to make sure they know I appreciate it. I get the feeling that Thoren is overlooked for his brother a lot, and I hate that for him. You can be proud of his brother without diminishing his accomplishments and the good man that he is.

And he truly is a good man. He was so patient with me on Saturday, explaining the same thing over and over until I fully understood it, and then driving me home even though I could have easily walked. There are not enough Thorens in the world anymore, and I am glad to have found one in a neighbor and friend. It doesn’t help that he is mouthwateringly hot, andgood god,when his rough fingers stroked my cheek when he woke me up… my body lit up like a Christmas tree.

Focusing on my writing the last two days has kept me from freaking out about that fact. Now that it’s Tuesday and I need a break from all the writing, my brain keeps wandering back to Thoren. My body never responded to Tyler that way, and we were together for two years. I just thought that the ‘butterflies in stomach, tingles down to your toes, fireworks behind your eyes’ type feelings were romanticized in books and movies, but weren't realistic. I thought maybe they happened with once in a lifetime loves, not everyday love. A ping from my phone drags me from my introspection.

Thoren:

What are you up to today?

Lily:

Just enjoying my coffee at the moment. Might paint another room, or do some online shopping for new bathroom tile ideas. Your bathrooms inspired me.

Thoren:

Sounds productive. Want to get outside with Shadow and I instead?

Lily:

Yes! What are we doing?

Thoren:

Perfect. Be ready in an hour. Dress for hiking.

Exactly one hour later, I have my hiking backpack filled and ready to make Thoren proud. I dressed in my hiking boots, bike shorts, and a sports bra with a loose top thrown over it. It’s eighty-six degrees already, and it’s only the end of June. Michele told me August has peak temperatures around here, so we are in for a hot summer. I guess it’s a good way to ease myself into the difference in weather from Phoenix.

The front hall mirror reflects my image as I twist my long hair into a high ponytail, disturbed by a truck door slamming outside, setting off the flutter of butterflies low in my stomach. Grabbing my backpack, I step outside to find Thoren rounding the front of his truck toward me. His brown hair is messy on top, his beard a little thicker. Today, his hazel eyes look dark under thick eyebrows. He has on hiking boots like me, cream cargo pants with dirt smudges on them, and an olive green tee that hugs tight to his chest. The rugged outdoorsman is a mighty fine look on him.

“Have you guys been hiking already this morning?” Shadow leans her head out the passenger window to whine at me.

“Kind of,” he rubs the back of his neck, before walking around the truck to open my door. “Shadow, back. I ran a SAR training session this morning. We worked on a repel rescue,” he explains as he shuts my door once I’m in and then hops in himself. “Sorry if I’m dirty and sweaty. Just thought it was pointless to shower just to go back in the woods again.”

“I don’t mind. It completes your whole mountain man look.”

“Mountain man look?” His laugh is deep, filling the truck cab. “Didn’t realize I had a look. Is it a good one?”

“Oh yes,” I agree before thinking it through. “I mean, rugged mountain men are hot. The whole ‘I could fight a bear’ vibes really do it, you know?”

His lips tick up in a sexy smirk as he thinks it through. “I want to clarify that I could not fight a bear.”

“Well don’t ruin it for me. So, where are we headed anyway?” He’s driving further into the woods, away from downtown. A wave of heat rushes in through the open window, the air thick with the fragrance of pine and the heavy, sun-baked scent of the earth as the trees crowd closer to the road. I have explored a few short hikes to break in my new boots, but haven’t been on a big adventure yet.

“There’s a spot up here that not a lot of people use. It has a few different trails, but one leads to a waterfall with a small swimming hole. It’s peaceful and it’s Shadow’s favorite place to swim.” The dog in question pokes her head between our seats at the sound of her name, nuzzling her head into Thoren’s shoulder as he reaches up to scratch her chin. Her wet pink tongue pokes out, licking a stripe up the side of his face.

We drive another ten minutes up the road, where he turns off into a small gravel parking lot. While there is only one other car parked here, the area looks like it could fit at least ten. There are no signs off the road alerting you to the fact that this is a hikingspot. According to Thoren, there are many spots like this all over these woods with hidden hiking trails.

Shadow unceremoniously climbs over the center console to jump out behind Thoren. “You know I have to get my bag from the back seat. You can wait five seconds to be let out from there. We do this every time,” he scolds her playfully. He grabs his large backpack, then looks over, watching me strap mine on. “You don’t have to bring yours. I packed enough for both of us, plus some snacks for when we get up there.”

My heart sinks in my chest. I was really proud of myself for having brought it, fully stocked, to show him I followed his list. He must see something in my expression as I take it off and slide it back in the truck because he is standing in front of me in an instant. His knuckle notches under my chin and tips my head up to look at him.

His golden gaze locks on mine, letting me see everything he’s feeling. “I’m proud of you for being prepared and bringing it, and I would love to hear what all you put in it. You can bring it if you would like, it’s just kind of a steep hike. I thought it would be easier for you to not have to carry it, and I packed mine with both of us in mind.”

He stays like that, holding my chin between his thumb and finger, letting me see the truth in his statement. Slowly, I nod, bringing a smirk to his lips. He takes a step back so I can shut the truck door, leaving my backpack inside.

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