“Then I must be really special.” I could feel my face getting hotter.I hope he can’t tell that I am blushing.
“You have no idea just how true that statement is.” His eyes lit up a bit as he stared into mine. It was a simple sweet moment that sent butterflies crashing around in my stomach.
The server brought out our plates of food. “Enjoy, folks. Is this your first or second date?”
His abrupt question kind of taken me aback and before I had really processed it, Brayden was answering. “It’s kind of like date number one point five—or is this date one and the other night was the prequel?”
He glanced over at me and I jumped in. “The latter. This is date one.”
“Nice. You two seem to be pretty great together. Enjoy and let me know if I can get you anything else.”
“Ok. It’s my turn. Tell me something we have in common,” Brayden said as he picked up an eel taco.
“We’re both parentless.” I threw it out into the universe, admitting it to myself and to him at the same time.
I could tell he didn’t know how to take it as he chewed.
“Sorry,” I muttered.Way to make it awkward for everyone.
He gripped my hand. “Never apologize for honesty, it’s just a hard pill to swallow. Also, you know a lot more about my past because of how public my life has always been. I just can’t wait to peel back the layers and get to know you as well.”
I bit my lower lip. “Do you want me to explain?” My past was something that I rarely talked about, but, for some reason, I wanted to share it with Brayden. I wanted him to know about the darkness that I came from. It made my light shine so much more now.
Brayden’s face got soft as he answered, “Only if you want to.”
With a deep breath, I started a very condensed version of my saga. “My biological mother was in prison for drug distribution when I was born and had no family on the outside willing to take in her newborn. I was thrown into the system, passed around from foster families to group homes and back. The last family I was with was pretty awful, so when I was sixteen I was emancipated and have been on my own ever since.”
Brayden’s face contorted into shock as my words sank in. He swallowed hard. “I am so sorry that you went through that, but you’re such an incredible woman in spite of it. You could be bitter and cold but you’re selfless and kind. I am in awe of you.”
I chugged down most of my beverage. “Thanks, but I am just me.” I tried to smile but I needed to get away from all the bad memories for a bit. “Happier subject?” I thought to myself that I should have kept the conversation lighter, but hopefully I hadn’t scared Brayden off.
“Sure. This is awesome by the way.” He pointed at the taco on his plate.
“I am really glad you’re enjoying it.” I took a bite of kale and felt like I had died and gone to heaven.How can something this healthy taste so damn good?
The rest of our date went by smoothly. We chatted about movies, music, and my job—the usual light conversation most first dates consist of.
“I had an incredible time with you tonight,” Brayden whispered in my ear as he hugged me next to the cab he’d hailed for me. He opened my door and kissed my lips gently. “I can’t wait to see you again.”
“When will that be?” I asked, not wanting the night to end.
He dug his hands into his pockets. “I go on the road for a few away games tomorrow. We’ll figure something out when I get back.”
“Perfect.” I let our lips brush against each other one last time then slid into the back seat of the yellow taxi. “Goodnight, handsome.”
“Sleep well, pretty girl.”
Chapter 11
Brayden
Lyingin the hotel room the night before an away game was always awful for me. I hated not being in my own bed, and I never seemed to get a good enough night’s sleep. Add in that all I wanted to do was be with Karla, and sleep was going to elude me for sure. I grabbed my phone off its charger.
Me: Have any plans for this weekend?
Karla: Hanging out in the city with my two my friends from college.
Me: That sounds like fun.