Page 12 of Christmas Eve Do-Over
6
Duke
It was settled. I wasn't backing off.
I'd heavily considered leaving Shasta alone, knowing she didn't want what I wanted and what I ultimately wanted was to respect her boundaries. But that sparring, that electricity that snapped between us whenever we were in the same room, and even her own admissions of lust, combined to make my decision: I was going after Shasta and nothing, other than her outright admission she wanted nothing to do with me, would stop me.
But if there was one thing I knew about this enigmatic woman, it was that she was unique. I couldn't pursue her in ways others would. Flowers or expensive dinners or even grand gestures wouldn’t move her. I still didn't know what had happened to her in her past, but I knew it played a big part in why she was hesitant (okay, flat-out objected) to get involved with me. To formulate a plan, I'd need help.
Time to face the firing squad, otherwise known as the Beach Squad.
With Marvin Gaye's lyrics toAin't No Mountain High Enoughrunning through my head and fueling my steps, I trudged through the sand to the pier, zipping my sweatshirt up as high as it would go. The air was temperate, but the freezing wind this time of year reminded you it was winter. I leaned against a giant cement pillar, biding my time, waiting for my moment.
I had the advantage here in that I wasn't some young kid driven by testosterone, expecting the girl to fall at my feet. I was resourceful and determined to see this through the long haul. And thankfully, I had friends.
I'd spoken to my coworker, Ivan Whittington, about his fiancée, Esa, one of the infamous Beach Squad girls. He wasn't willing to give me any info on Shasta stating he feared for his life and at the very least, his ability to make future children, if he were to divulge secrets. Instead, he told me the ladies, minus Shasta, were planning to go for their beach walk the next morning if I wanted to approach them.
Which is how I found myself staring at the cavalry barreling down on me. A more beautiful, nor more terrifying group of women, I'd never encountered. I straightened away from the pillar and met them with a warm smile.
"Ladies."
"Foxy!" Bailey looked pleased to see me, which was nice, considering the others had expressions that ranged from suspicious to downright hostile. I'd also asked Ivan for a group picture of the ladies and studied it while he quizzed me with their names. There was no way I was going into this meeting at a disadvantage again. Besides, they were Shasta's best friends. I owed it to her to get to know them.
"What are you doing here, Duke?" Sage put her hands on her hips, while the others followed suit.
I swallowed. This was still a good idea, right? They didn't look like sweet talk would sway them, so I opted for honesty.
"As Shasta may or may not have shared with you, I'm making it my full-time job to date her. She's been resistant, which I believe has to do with her prior experience with men. And I use that term loosely when describing her ex." I cringed. "The thing is, I think she wants to date me. She's just scared. So before I do my full-court press, I wanted to talk to you ladies and not only get your blessing, but find out how I should approach Shasta. Will you help me?"
Heads swiveled, expressions exchanged, and gray hairs were added to my beard while they silently discussed the group's decision. Finally Brinley stepped forward.
Her face scrunched together like she'd tasted something nasty. "You said she's scared?"
I shrugged. "You saw how she kissed me, right?" I could feel my face heating, still having a hard time believing she'd done that in front of the kids. "She offered to be my 'friend with benefits' but I told her no. I want more than that. She said she couldn't. In my opinion, that sounds as if she wants to be with me, but she's terrified to actually date a man."
"Wait a second, she kissed you yesterday?” Esa gasped.
Brinley spun around to address her friends. "You should have seen it! She planted a juicy one on Foxy here in front of our whole class of kids."
Bailey jumped in, her eyes lit up with the promise of gossip. "Wait, have any of you actually met any of her 'friends with benefits' over the years?"
Esa shook her head, looking to Brinley for confirmation since she'd known Shasta the longest.
"Nope, I've never met any of the men she's been with over the years. She's legendary around here, but no, she's never brought them around in the open," Brinley confirmed.
I cringed, hearing there'd been a long string of men in her life. Clearly, I didn't expect her to be celibate over the years as I sure as hell hadn't been, but I also didn't like knowing other men had been intimate with her too. I wanted her all to myself, even if that did make me a ridiculous, stereotypical, jealous male. Guess there was more testosterone floating around in my system than I thought.
Esa directed the conversation back at me. "So, she kissed you. In front of everyone. That's gotta mean something, right?"
Heads nodded, and I felt the tide shift, bringing their favor closer and closer to my grasp.
"Girls, this isn't our story to tell. It would be a grave overstep of Shasta's confidence to divulge her past to someone else." Hessa finally piped up, killing my small bubble of hope.
"You are so right. Perhaps instead of telling the details of her past, we could simply help Duke plan his attack. Guiding, but not telling." Bailey was stroking her chin, looking for the gray area in the situation.
"I like that idea!" I jumped in. "But it's not an attack. I aim to treat her as she should be treated by a man who respects her."
"Ahh, damnation, that's sweet. We gotta help him, ladies!" Hessa wiped a tear from her cheek, all while rubbing her rounded belly.
