Page 8 of Raven's Hacker
“She lives in North Carolina. You guys know how I help out that PI, right?” They grunted, and I chose to look up in the mirror just in time to see them nodding as they slowly combed through all the fuss from the fro. “Well, she was one of the cases that needed help. She’s got a son, eight, and, anyway, her husband was cheating on her with his boss for four years.”
“Damn.”
“What a piece of shit.”
They both commented at the same time. I went on, “So I was looking up shit on him, and I wanted to see who he was cheating on. And…her picture…she’s just…wow. Her name definitely matched her. Her name’s Raven, and she’s got thisbeautiful, dark hair. And her eyes? Her eyes are so pretty.” They were both snickering under their breath at me.
“So, you’re in love with her?” Hades asked me. I thought about it for a moment, sorting through all my thoughts and weird things I’d been feeling over the last few weeks, especially while getting to know each other. Then it hit me. What he said.
“Wait. You guys think I love her?” I looked up at them, alarmed. They paused styling my hair because slicking it back was proving to be a two-man job. Hopefully, it would get easier the more we did it. Maybe after a haircut, too. I had to learn too.
“Does your heart flutter when you think about her? Do you find yourself unable to concentrate on other things?” Hades asked, and I already knew where he was going with this.
“Do you want to protect her? Do anything to see her smile? What about her laugh? Does it feel like everything is right in the world when you hear it?” Prez asked. I just looked at the two of them in the mirror, looking back at me.
“I think I might know more concretely after the call tonight. Could you guys come back to talk about it around, say, eleven? If it's not too late?” I needed to talk to someone who’d been there, and these two had long-lasting, loving relationships with kids. I wanted that someday. I needed advice from guys who’d been there. This was all new territory for me.
“As long as Willow and the kids are good.”
“Same with Indie and our herd.”
I smiled, letting out a breath of relief, thanking them. They really were two of the best guys out there. I hope this call goes well. The guys helped me finish getting ready, and just as they were about to leave, the phone dinged.
Raven: All ready. Are you?
Hacker: Yes. I’ll call you in two minutes. Couple of my buddies stopped by my room to wish me luck on my first date.
Raven: Aw, that’s cute! It’s my first date after the divorce.
Hacker: It’s my first date.
Raven:Wait, you mean like an actual first date? Like…first date? Ever?
I face-palmed. I was thirty-three years old and going on my first date. And it was over the fucking phone. On a FaceTime call. I was an emotionally stunted idiot.
“You got his man.”
“Don’t worry. She’ll love you.”
Looking through my fingers, both of them had their fists out to me.
“WAIT!” I heard from down the hall. Looking, I saw Bullet running up to my room.
“You got this. She’s gonna love you. If not? She’s. Crazy.” He huffed, putting his hands on his knees, breathing hard. “Sorry. Ran. Parking lot.” He huffed, taking a long inhale, “Boots,” he puffed out, pointing at his steel toes. Yeah. Running was extra hard in those. He put his fist up.
“Good luck, man.” I fist bumped all three of them, nodding and shutting my door as they walked out, heading to their respective homes. Taking a deep breath, I was ready. I picked up my laptop, moving to the couch. I hit the call on FaceTime and waited for her to answer. I could feel my heart rate tick up, and I was second-guessing everything. I was aboutto hang up when her screen came alive, and the call connected. I’d waited so long, and now…here she was. Her face, live for me, for the first time… and I swear. My heart fucking stopped.
She said hi, and it was like angels sang. I could feel my face turning as red as a tomato, earning a giggle from her, and I blushed harder. My fucking ears were red as I stared with my jaw on the floor at the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I could feel myself growing stiff. I set the laptop down on my coffee table. I needed a minute.
“Do you want me to call you back?” Peeking through my fingers from where my head rested in my hands, I couldn’t help my blush again. She was so perfect.
“No,” my voice slightly strained as I tried to calm myself down. She both calmed and excited me, “I like talking to you. I’m sorry…I’ve never…I’ve neverdonethisbefore.” She raised an eyebrow.
“Never…talked to a girl?” I fidgeted, looking down and shaking my head. This was embarrassing as…everything. Admitting I’d never even been able to have a conversation with a woman at my age. I’m thirty-three and never even talked to a woman.
“You’re the first one. I um...” I cleared my throat; I could do this. There was nothing to be ashamed of. It wasn’t my fault. My voice came out stronger.
“I had a really fucked up childhood. My mom…was horrible to me. In a nutshell, she let horrible things happen to me. I’m not ready to tell you all that, and I don’t think you’re ready to hear it. But it caused some really deep trauma in me that I’ve been working on for years, because I wanted to know what it was like to be normal and live among other peoplewithout being afraid. I’ve come a really long way. Though I still have a long way to go,” I chanced looking at her, and she looked sad, but proud.
