Page 32 of SlapShot Sweetheart

“Do you mind driving then? I’m not a fan of the traffic. It gives me a massive case of anxiety when it’s really crowded on the roads.”

“I’d be happy to,” he said simply, moving to the passenger side of the Jeep and opening the door for her. He couldn’t help but sneak a peek at her shapely figure as she climbed inside, whispering to the sky once more a swift ‘Thank you’ before moving to climb into the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Putting the Jeep into gear, he was pulling out of the parking garage moments later. Stealing several glances as he drove, he marveled at the way the city lights danced across Aimee’s skin and wished he could read her mind. She was so quiet, almost eerily so. There were no questions, no comments; she didn’t discuss the game or anything else but sat there simply watching the road as he drove. Heck, she didn’t even make a snarky remark as he pulled onto the highway aggressively, causing someone to honk at him. It wasn’t until he exited that she turned to look at him.

“I would have never imagined you to live out this way.”

“Why?”

“It’s so… normal.”

“I can be normal,” he chuckled, smiling at her and marveling as she gave him an easy smile back.

“Nothing about you is normal.”

“You don’t sound disappointed at that fact.”

“I’m not,” she replied in an aloof manner, looking away but not fast enough that he didn’t catch her smiling once more. Oh man, he wanted to fist pump the air or hop to his feet, throwing his hands up in the air with excitement.Play is cool, she’s responding, so don’t blow this, Theo…

“Good, because I’m completely abnormal,” he bragged and hesitated as she chuckled softly, stealing a glance at him. It was as he saw her eyes dancing that he replayed what he said in his mind and then groaned aloud. “You know what I meant.”

“Do I?”

“I’m not normal, and… well, that sounds weird too.”

“Normal is boring,” she smiled as he pulled into the driveway, and he let out his breath in relief. “Maybe I like abnormal.”

“Then I’m the most abnormal person you’re ever gonna meet,” he blurted out and marveled at her laughter as it rolled over him, making his knees weak. Oh gosh, this woman made him feel like his entire nervous system was a macrame creation, strung out on a loom somewhere, just a bunch of strings and knots. “That came out wrong, too.”

He got out of the Jeep and walked around to her side, but she was already climbing out. As they walked up to the side door of the house, he knew she was looking around, taking it all in. He wished she could see his place during the day so she could admire the pecan trees, and the way they created a shady arbor that was so inviting. He bought this house because he couldpicture someday having a family here, having picnics in the yard, picking pecans, or playing hopscotch with the children in the private driveway. This was a home meant for a family… and it was empty in so many ways.

“So, do you want the grand tour, or should I start dinner?”

“Maybe both,” she said evasively, looking around past his shoulders.

“Both it is,” he agreed and held open the door, fighting the urge to sweep her off her feet and carry her over the threshold.Maybe there was something to the whole ‘monster-carrying-off-his-bride’ trope from the movies?“Oh heck…” he muttered and scooped her up into his arms without a second’s hesitation the moment she was walking past him.

To his shock, instead of screaming or flailing wildly as he anticipated – she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, sighing and holding on. He stood there, mute and awestruck, for several moments in the kitchen, unsure if he should set her down or if he should keep holding her close – and opted for the latter. He wasn’t sure how long he stood there, but her voice was almost timid beside his ear as she whispered, “Is this part of the grand tour? Does every girl get this experience?”

Theo set her down on her feet and saw her pink cheeks watching him as she looked up at him through her lashes.

“I’ve never brought another girl ‘ome,” he admitted.

“You’d better not start either,” she replied, turning away and smiling over her shoulder at him. Theo put a hand on the counter, bracing himself, as he suddenly felt weak. His heart was fluttering wildly in his chest like he’d done lunges for at least the last six hours, and his knees were wobbling the same.

“Never,” he whispered, following her as she walked into the nearly empty living room. Decorating hadn’t been his thing, and her place was certainly much cozier. He had a television, a recliner, and a trash can next to the recliner with empty DrPepper cans inside of it. He was hopelessly addicted to the stuff but limited himself to two a day.

“You don’t have a lot of furniture,” she said quietly, looking around.

“I don’t have company. I just eat and sleep here.”

“So why get a big house like this?” she asked curiously, peering down the hallway before turning into a room – and he froze. That was his bedroom. He wasn’t expecting company and hadn’t picked up anything unless the housekeeper came by. He literally hired one of his neighbors to have someone come clean his place. As she emerged, he saw her faint smile.

“Silk sheets?”

“A guy can dream, right?”

“You do a lot of dreaming.”

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