Page 62 of Taming Georgia

“Seriously, dude, go,” he huffs out.

“I know,” I snap. “I’m just making sure that—”

Xavier cuts me off, “You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know. I’ve been here a long time. I know how this all goes. You’re just being your control-freak self. Give it a rest for one night. You have a pretty girl waiting to take you on a date. Go. Stop being a pansy ass.”

“Hey, I said I was taking the night off. I never said anything about a date.” My need to keep my private life private is strong. I’ve never shared much of anything with anyone, except for Ethel, but that’s only because she’s too nosy for her own good…and I love her.

Georgia’s been back at the rescue a week now, and I thought we’d been discreet about our relationship. Whatever is going on between Georgia and me is still new to us. I’m not ready to have the opinions of all the guys here regarding it.

It’s been good though. It’s different for me, being in a relationship. I’m still hesitant, afraid that the ball is going to drop any day. Georgia reassures me that it won’t. She’s turned down her friend’s offer to go dig wells in Africa. She says she’s content right here with me and the rescue.

“I’m not blind, man. It’s like you think you’re all suave, like James Bond. You’re not James Bond.”

“Who said anything about James Bond?” I ask with a glare. “I’m just going out. That’s all.”

“Fine. Whatever.” Xavier shrugs and places the clip on the kennel I was just fussing with.

I walk toward the exit before turning back. “Make sure everyone knows to remember the clips.”

“Go away already!” he yells back.

“This floor could use another mopping, too,” I suggest.

He pretends to ignore my instruction. A sly smile crosses his face. “Remember, no glove, no love,” Xavier orders.

“Stop.”

“Sock that wang before you bang.”

“What is wrong with you?” I stare.

“Cover your stump before you hump.” His voice is singsongy, and he wears an obnoxious grin.

“I’m leaving.” I turn the knob.

Right before the door closes behind me, I hear, “You can’t go wrong if you shield your dong.”

“Asshole,” I mutter to myself, my lips turning up.

“Hey, that’s quite the greeting.” Georgia is standing in front of me on the small cement patio at the entrance of the shelter.

She places a hand on either side of my shoulders and stands on her tiptoes, planting a peck on my lips. It’s still uncomfortable to kiss her like this. Not that I don’t enjoy her lips on mine—of course, I do. I just have to remind myself that this is real. I’m dating—I guess one would call it—Georgia Wright. I recognize that she was never the person that those boys made her out to be back in high school. She never deserved all the hatred I threw her way. Yet it’s still odd, and I have to constantly remind myself of the current situation.

“Sorry, that was directed toward Xavier,” I tell her. “So, what do you have planned for this secret date?”

“I just want to take you out to have some fun. You’re always so serious.”

“I am serious. It’s kind of a personality trait,” I say truthfully.

“I know. You’re all work and no fun, but everyone needs some fun sometimes. Right?”

Images of the entertainment we participated in the other night flash through my mind. I would definitely enjoy myself if we were to have that sort of fun again. I feel myself getting hard beneath my jeans, and I have to quickly think about something else. I clearly don’t date much, but that doesn’t mean I have to behave like a pubescent boy.

“All right. Well, let’s get in the truck, and you tell me where to go.”

Georgia directs me to drive into downtown Ann Arbor and park in one of the structures. She threads her fingers through mine as we start walking toward University Avenue.

“We’re here!” she says excitedly as we walk through the door of Pinball Pete’s. “Have you ever been?”

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