©Zoe Geller, all rights reserved.
Chapter 6 Olivia
I got up to make us coffee, adding sugar to his. Okay, we were getting to know each other. I still had reservations as to where this extended hookup would go but decided to stop questioning it. He invited Mira and me to the game today. It's really the third date, and in today's world, that meant something. I had one boyfriend in junior high school, but it didn't last long enough to lead to sex. There were hookups and a few dates here and there in college, but nothing stuck.
I took him coffee in bed, and we hung out there. I threw on an oversized long-sleeved T-shirt because we couldn't afford to keep the heat the place up to 75 degrees in the winter. The electric bill would have been the size of a new car payment.
"What time do you have to be at the rink?"
"On hour before the game. I usually get there a bit before that. You are coming today, right?"
"Of course. Can't wait," I sip my favorite donut flavored coffee, it helps to warm me up. "What's written on your tattoo? I noticed it the other night but couldn't make out what it says." My feet are on the tiled floor, I didn't bother putting my thick and fluffy slippers on today. I crawl back into bed with him.
"It says for the fighting, the fallen, the conquered."
"Wow. That's intense. What or who is it for?" If it's for an old girlfriend, I'll pee my pants right now.
"It's for my brother who beat leukemia as a teenager."
"That's cool. You must be close."
"Yeah, his name is Ray, he's really cool. Plays hockey for the Denver Bears."
"OMG. That is so cool. So hockey really runs in your family. Does your dad play?"
"No, funny enough, but an Uncle did. I think it's our Norwegian genes on my Mom's side because Dad is Italian. We get our height from both."
"For sure," I agree taking in the chiseled, beautiful but manly features of his face. This is a low key morning for us, and I like it. Usually, I'm running around with my To-Do list and having panic attacks if I'm not ahead of my assignments.
I know it's not a good thing to ask men where this relationship is going. Any questions past the next meet up make most men run for the hills. And we had plenty of hills around here. But, the question of "What were we doing?" Made it difficult for me to just trust in the process. Would he be The One? Could he be the man of my dreams? Did I want to be involved with a hockey player? I knew they traveled all over and had tutors. How would I feel if I fell in love with him and he was on the road? Would I be lonely? Would he be faithful?
"I'm sure you must be hungry," I imply breakfast.
"You want to go out?"
"Looks like it snowed a ton last night." I had let Bowser out the backsliders to use the back yard for a minute, knowing he had to pee. The snow came down hard, and there was a foot or more new white powder out there. If we could put it up to our noses and get high, we'd all be rich.
"I can make some eggs and bacon," I offer. Going out in weather this cold is something I avoid. I'd love to be in a tropical climate right now, but I tell myself spring is around the corner. At some point, it will arrive, and I'll enjoy Colorado even more.
"That's fine. Are you sure?"
I'm not a girl that gets into snow sports. I can't ski or snowboard. The clean, white snow makes our hills and mountains magical. But I especially love it when I'm hanging out in a ski lodge in front of a toasty fireplace, taking in the magnificent view. Mira was the cold weather enthusiast, so she ran off with our friends to enjoy the winter activities.
"Oh, yeah. We keep the fridge stocked; you never know when you won't make it out of the driveway," I add, setting my coffee cup on the wooden dresser. Opening the top drawer, I pull out beige thong underwear that is lacy in the front and slide. I cast a glance at Jackson, and he's watching me.
Hum, he might get into outfits.
Men are very visual, most women don't think about that, but I do. A person doesn't have to be creative or into art to appreciate the view in front of them. Like I said, I've been single for a very long time, and I've picked up a ton of information over the years. I reach for the matching lacy bra and smile as I feel a slight blush on my face. I'm still cold, and I know my nipples are hard, so I quietly throw on a fitted pale pink workout suit that compliments my skin tone and petite figure.
"I'll just take Bowser out first."
"I'll take him," he volunteers.
"Really?" I don't know if he liked animals or not, but this was a good sign.
"Sure," he throws the covers back and puts on his clothes from last night.
I let out a snicker and try to stifle it.
"What?"
"It's like the reversal of the walk of shame at your place the other night. Your pants are over here. I think everything else is safe in the closet."
He chuckles, and I like the sounds he makes. He's easy on the ears. "Yeah. It wasn't that bad. My roommates are pretty chill."
He's dressed lacing up his all-weather hiking shoes already that go up to his ankles. We head into the kitchen together with Bowser on our heels.
"Do you have a leash?" he glances around.
"Sure," I go to the kitchen wall where there is a wood bar decorated with hearts and says
love
with hooks under it. I now have Bowser's attention as he jumps at my heels.
I bend to put the leash on his collar. "You're getting a treat today, buddy. Be good."
"I just go down the street?"
"Yup, he'll probably lead you." Bowser is jumping up on Jackson. "I'm sure he'll appreciate his time with you," I add as they walk out the door. "Hold the leash tight," I advise, "he loves people and other dogs, and he might pull you with him."
"No problem. I can handle him," Jackson's confident reply puts me at ease. Bowser is my baby, and I'd be devastated if something happened to him.
I pull out the cast iron skillet putting it on medium heat and cover the bottom with raw bacon. I crack eggs in a plastic mixing bowl. How many eggs would he eat? I'm sure four or more. I break seven just to be safe. I whisk them together before adding white pepper, my secret ingredient.
The bacon starts to sizzle, and the smell waffles through the kitchen and fills the house. I'm hungry. I think cornbread would go with this too. Or a frittata. I hadn't made one of those in years. I love food.
I'm bending over with my face in the fridge when I hear the front door open. Bowser is putting his cold nose in my face looking at the food selection with me.
"You are incorrigible," I rub his frosty head.
"Am I?" Jackson teases.
"I'm sure," I roll my eyes. "I just need to give you enough time. Was he good for you?" I pull a bag of shredded white and yellow Mexican flavored cheese. Bowser puts his nose on it as I swing it past him.
"He loved the walk. Wanted to sniff everything," he hung his leash up on the hook.
"Is it okay if I put cheese in the eggs?"
"Great. Can I help you?" He moves behind me as I'm fussing with the bacon, I feel his hand in the small of my back. It usually would annoy me, but I like it. It's not done to distract me, but it lets me know he's here.
"I hate cooking bacon. It takes so long and grease splashes," I ramble, trying to turn the bacon over in the skillet without getting burned by popping grease. "An air fryer might be worth the investment," I make a half pout and frown with the corner of my mouth.