Page 36 of Full Throttled

Gunnerisan electrician with his own company and my go to when I haveprojects. Heisreliable and smart as hell.

I nod. “Yeah, we’re all set. In two weeks, this place will be done. The asphalt crew will come in and then the decorators but we’ll be long gone by then and onto the next job.”

“You already got one lined up?” he asks.

I laugh. “Try three. I’m going to be splitting the crews up into three groups. Can you and your workers handle electricity on three projects?”

“Hell yes.” Gunner smirks at me.

“Hey, have you been around the clubhouse this past week?” I ask. I’m fishing for information on Zoey. It’s ridiculous that I’m acting like a junior high student trying to get information from a friend about a girl I like.

Gunner looks over at me and moves his safety glasses to the collar of his yellow t-shirt. “Yeah, I was there last night playing some pool withRansomand what not, why? What’s up?”

“Was Zoey around?”

He laughs. “There it is! I knew you had that look on your facefora reason that had nothing to do with this project.” He laughs some more before he finally faces me again. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”

“Obviously,” I tell him, my tone sarcastic.

“Yeah, she came in from work with food and headed to her room and I didn’t see her again before I left. Do the two of you have something going on?”

I sigh and pull my safety glasses and hard hat off as I move out of the job site to where the trucks are parked on the other side of the fence. “I thought we did. I mean, we kissed. I told her I loved her and everything seemed great, but now she seems to be avoiding me.”

“Wait, you told you loved her after only kissing her once?” Gunner’s eyes are wide. I just nod my head in reply. I know it was crazy and rushed. I know it probably scared her away, but it had slipped out in the moment. “What the hell were you thinking dude?”

“I wasn’t, obviously! I mean, you try holding your feelings inside for the same girl for years and then you finally get to make a move. Sometimes, word vomit happens. It just all came flying out,” I tell him.

Gunner looks over at me. “Did you mean it?”

“Without a doubt in my mind or heart,” I reply.

“Then you chase her. Look, I’m sure she’s skittish. I’ve seen that look in her eye. Give her time to come around. Maybe, don’t say it again until she does, but you definitely need to spend some time with her,” he explains.

I grunt. “I’d love to, but she’s avoiding me.”

“Well, plan a date and ask her out. You know if your family can’t watch Aubree, any of the brothers would be glad to, myself included.”

“Do you think we need a date? I keep asking her to go to dinner with Aubree and I.”

Gunner nods. “Look, I know you’re a dad and a damn good one but it’s okay for you to have a life aside from Aubree too. You’re allowed to have some adult time. I know you don’t like to put Aubree off on anyone unless you have to, but I promise you that none of us see her as an inconvenience. Make the date, find a babysitter and go out with the girl of your dreams,” Gunner tells me. I nod just as one of his employeescallsout to him. “I better get back. Do what I said,” he tells me, while pointing to me as he walks away.

I grab my phone and quickly text Zoey asking her to clear her schedule tomorrow night because we’re going on a date. I get an almost instant reply that says, ‘it’s a date’.

Twenty-Nine

Zoey

I knew that I needed to talk to Drake. Avoiding him wasn’t going to solve anything, but somehow having a talk with him about how I was feeling wasn’t exactly my idea of a good time. I knew he deserved to know, but I still had a hard time broaching the subject. I didn’t want to make him think that I regretted our kiss or even the fact that we said I love you to one another. I know I meant those words, but it just seems too quick. Maybe, my past is making me question everything but I think I’m scared things will change. I sigh as I stand in front of my closet. This is one of those times where I wish I had a girlfriend that way she could help me get ready. This date is a big deal to me and I feel lost.

I leave the room and head down to the main part of the clubhouse. I need something to calm my rattled nerves. As I approach, I hear a girl’s laughter. It stops me in my tracks because it’s not often that I hear a female voice in here, at least not at this time of the day. Actually, come to think of it. This clubhouse hasn’t had a female besides Aubree and myself since I arrived. Maybe, it’s because I’m here and they are all on good behavior or maybe, this place really has changed that much.

When I enter the room, both heads turn towards me. It takes me a minute to remember the guy’s name is Stryker. He’s handsome and reminds me a lot of Drake at times, except his hazel eyes and dark brown hair hold a hint of hidden mystery. His body is covered in tattoos much like Drake’s. “Hey, Zoey,” he says as I approach.

“Hey, Stryker, how are you?” I ask.

He nods. “I’m good. This is my best friend Arbor,” he tells me, as he turns towards the beautiful raven-haired girl. Her brown eyes look friendly and her pouty lips turn up to form a smile. Her beach waves fall right past her shoulder.

She extends her hand out to me. “It’s nice to meet you. I can see the resemblance between you and Zayde.”

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