Page 41 of An Uphill Battle

I can’t help but laugh, because I seriously just asked a girl out before she even knew my name. Obviously, I’m rusty. “Drake. My name’sDrake.”

“Well, it’s awfully nice to meet you, Drake. You already have a place inmind?”

“No, not really,” comes my honest reply. “You canchoose.”

“I’ve been hearin’ really good things about this little picnic place. What’s it called...?” I already know exactly what she’s going to say, and that’s a big, fat negative. No way in hell am I taking this girl to— “FIRE! That’sit!”

Not wanting to delve into why I’m so against taking her there, I deflect. “It’s ’sposed to be real cold this weekend, Kasey. How about we go somewhere else—somewherewarm?”

“There is this one place I’ve beendyingto try,” she says, trying to soundnonchalant.

“Oh, yeah? Where’sthat?”

“Trattoria.” Fuck.This girl’s trying to kill me. But then again, what’s the likelihood that Azalea or her parents’ll be there? It’ll be fine. Perfect. Great. Freakingdandy.

I audibly swallow. “Sounds great. Let’s meet atseven?”

“See you then, and, Drake, I’m really glad you called.” She ends the call, and while I know I’ve got to move on, the knowledge does nothing to settle the sick feeling roiling in my stomach. You know, the one that’s all but shoutingYou’re making a hugemistake!

* * *

The week passes in a flash,and before I know it, the weekend is here, bringing my date with Kasey with it. I take my time getting ready, not because I’m excited but because Kasey is a sweet girl and she deserves a guy who’s at least willing to put in theeffort.

So, dressed in dark-wash boot cut jeans and a blue plaid, pearl snap button-down, I make my way to my truck to make the drive intotown.

To mydate.

With a woman who isn’tAzalea.

How the hell did I get here? I always imagined she and I would grow old together, bickering about this and that as we rocked on the porch while our grandkids chased lightning bugs in the yard. But somehow, we took a detour. Hell, we more than detoured. We crashed. Andburned.

Walking into the restaurant, I find Kasey waiting for me at the hostess stand. I take her in, noticing she’s almost as tall as me—so unlike my Little Bit.Stop, Drake, just stop.She’s dressed in a tight, icy-blue wrap-style dress and low heels. She’s a good-looking girl, she’s just not...fuck. There I goagain.

“So, Drake, what took you so long to call?” Kasey asks, looking at me over the top of hermenu.

“I help my dad run our family farm. Just been real busy,” I tell her, taking the coward’s way out. Plus, what girl wants to hear about the ex on a first date?Not that Azalea’s really my ex. Hell, I’m not even sure this is a firstdate.

“Well, whatever was keeping you, I’m glad you made the call.” Kasey sips her water before glancing down at my hands, her eyes trailing over the calloused skin. “You’re a farmer, huh? I can see that. You practically scream ‘homegrown.’”

“Do I now? How so?” I ask, wondering if it’s a mistake to play into herflirtations.

She slowly pulls her lips from her straw, her eyes trained on mine. “Mmmhmm. With that tan skin of yours and those strong arms and rough hands. Yessir, I can tell you work hard, and it looks good onyou.”

I want to say her words have no effect on me, but hell, I’d be lying. Warmth unfurls in my chest, caressing the ever-present ache that Azalea left. It’s been so damn long since I’ve been with anyone but Little Bit, and it feels pretty good to be wanted.Even if it’s the wronggirl.

“Damn, Kasey, aren’t you sweet? Thank you,” I say, not too proud to take a compliment. “You’re pretty damn fine yourself,” I tell her, knowing it’s the right thing to say, but fuck, do the words taste foreign in mymouth.

Our server comes by and takes our order, and we make mindless small talk, chock full of innuendo and flirtations throughout our meal. Once our check comes, I pay and sign the credit card slip before standing to help Kasey up from her chair. With my hand on the small of her back, I guide her toward the exit, only to stop short when I hear myname.

“Drake? Drake Collins, is that you?” My posture is rigid—my entire body’s as stiff as stone—and I know my date can feel it. I pivot around, bringing myself face-to-face with two of the last people I wanted to see tonight, Beverly and HerbertBarnes.

Clearing my throat, I mumble, “Yes, ma’am, Mrs. Barnes. How’re y’all thisevening?”

“We’re doing well, just meetingAzalea—”

“Well, we’d better get going,” I tell them, sounding rude as hell, all the while trying to move Kasey forward. But I’m toolate.

“Hey, Mom, sorry I’m late—” Azalea says, sounding out of breath, coming to a stop right in front of me. Close enough to touch. “Oh, um. Wow. Hi,” she says, her eyes flitting from me to Kasey and back again. “Wow. Um. Okay, well, it was, um, nice seeing you, Drake. Hope y’all had...” She trails off, her eyes glassy, which baffles me because Isawher checking out those guys the otherday.

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