Page 71 of Rookie (Bradford Station)

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

Danny

It’sa muggy one as I leave my apartment, taking the steps two at a time. Glancing at my watch, I’m going to be a little early. Which is exactly what I want to be. It’s important I make a good impression. Not just for myself, but to show Chief I’m in this to be the kind of man he wants for his daughter. The kind of man I’d want for my own if that was the case.

To prove to anyone who might be watching that my parents have raised me to be good and respectful.

“You’re up early.”

My brother is working on the grass. A contract I got them when I moved into the complex. Typically, they would be going to church too but, with the heat, they have to work when it’s not as warm. Looks like today they’ve decided to get an early start. “Going to church with Hayden. I’m heading over to pick her up.”

Sam lets out a whistle. “Ohh, it’s gettin’ serious. Although you brought her over to the house, so I should’ve known it was serious then.”

“Don’t start with me.” I do my best not to blush. If I do, he’s going to know how I feel about her and then I’m never going to be able to live it down.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you go to church with someone,” he remarks, taking a drink of water.

With a sigh, I give him what he’s going after. If I admit it, it’ll be out in the open and I won’t have to dance around the subject with him anymore. “Maybe it’s different with her. I just know I miss her when she’s not around and, when she is around, I always want to be touching her. It’s something I’ve never experienced.”

“I said the same thing with Rosa, then I married her.” He gives me a knowing look.

Scratching the back of my neck, I give him a look. “Don’t think I’m ready for that just yet, but she’s special. I don’t want her to go away, and that’s different for me.”

“She is; I can tell by the way you light up when you talk about her. Not to mention mom and dad love her. They haven’t stopped talking about her since the gas station and her coming over,” he chuckles. “She’s a sassy one isn’t she?”

“Let’s just hope I don’t fuck it up.” I play off the compliment he’s given me. “And yeah, she can be sassy when she wants to.”

“We tend to not fuck up things we care about,” he reminds me.

“We can all hope, right?”

“You’ve got this, bro. You’re not going to screw up someone who puts the look of peace on your face you’ve been sporting.”

“See ya later.” I give him a wave.

“Think about us while we’re out here sweating out our body weight in electrolytes.”

“Oh, fuck off.” I laugh as I get in my Jeep.

He gives me the finger as I back out. With a smile on my face, I head to Hayden’s to pick her up.

* * *

“You look so handsome.”Hayden smiles as she slides into the passenger side of my Jeep. “With your light shirt and dark pants, you’ll have me thinking naughty thoughts while we’re singing a hymn,” she giggles.

“Stop,” I groan, throwing my head back against the seat. “That’s the last thing I need to think about. If you make me walk in uncomfortable, you’ll have to take care of it later.” I lift my eyebrows at her.

“Promise?” She winks.

“Momma raised me never to break one.” I cross my heart with my finger.

“Thanks for coming with me today.” She crosses her legs, bringing my eyes to the bare thigh and calf.

“Wouldn’t be anywhere else. Thanks for inviting me.”

“I know it’s weird inviting your boyfriend to church, but…”

“This is small-town USA. Trust me, I get it. I’ve never been invited by a girlfriend and never been with anyone. Get prepared to be teased by my nieces and nephews.”

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