Page 4 of Big Rucking Disaster (Rucked by You #8)

Chapter Three

Yardley

“ A re you all right?” Johnnie stared into my eyes. He leaned in. Really close.

So I could smell his…aftershave? Body wash? Soap? Something woodsy. “Of course I’m all right.” I might’ve snapped that.

He blinked—clearly not have expecting that shrewish response. “Look, I don’t know you—”

“You’re right, you don’t.” I checked again that we were alone. I’d watched all the kids leave. Well, Kenji had hung around until I’d finally given him the signal to take off.

Johnnie had generously signed autographs for all the kids who wanted one.

George had moved off to the side and pretended to flip through his notebook.

Our guest hadn’t appeared to take offense.

When the bell rang, most of the kids blew out of there.

Kenjy, Greta, and Madison were the exceptions.

To my surprise, Johnnie hauled four balls from his bag. He autographed one for each of the kids—and the fourth one to me.

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. Even I can see you’ve got a headache.”

I scowled.

He rolled his eyes. “Do you want me to tell Louella?”

“Uh…no.” My coworker would get in my face about not having taken something. “I took a volleyball to the head. It’s not a big deal. Hey.”

Damn man moved even closer and gazed into my eyes. His fathomless blue ones stunned in their intensity. Between the gorgeous eyes and the blond hair in a man bun—why did I have to find those so sexy? He was…the whole package. And breathtakingly similar to my ex. Both in looks and temperament.

“Can you take something? Do you need a ride home? Do you have someone at home to take care of you?”

“Steve and Sam will take good care of me.”

His eyes widened. “You’ve got, like, two roommates?

Or partners? Sam as in Samuel or Samantha?

Or is the person nonbinary and uses Sam as androgynous?

Is one a husband or a wife? Are you in one of those triad things?

No judgment on my part. And, frankly, none of my business, but that’s so cool.

I mean, I didn’t realize you’re gay. Well, if you are gay. Or bi. Not that it matters if you are.”

“Johnnie—”

“My teammate Isaiah’s gay. And engaged to this awesome guy, Travis. They’re getting married once the season’s over. Only they have to get married twice—once here and once in New Zealand because that’s where most of Isaiah’s family lives.”

“Johnnie.”

“Yes?” He blinked.

“I’m not in a triad relationship.”

“Oh, are you just with Sam, and Steve lives with you, or—”

“Steve and Sam are my tabby cats. I didn’t name them—although I wouldn’t have picked cutesy names anyway. Hey—”

Johnnie had stepped right into my personal space and began palpating the side of my head.

“Fuck, that hurts.”

“Yeah, you’re developing a goose egg. With your skin color, though, it’s hard to see a bruise.”

“Best thing about being Black—no one can see me blush.” Even as I said the words, heat rose to my cheeks.

I could name any number of great things about being Black.

I’d thought my husband loved me despite being Black.

I’d been wrong. He’d loved me because I was Black.

When I did things that didn’t fit his stereotypical view, he’d get annoyed with me.

I hadn’t seen that during our marriage—I sure as shit saw it clearly now.

“That’s true.” He continued to gently probe. “Whereas my lily-white ass can be seen reflecting the sun from a million miles away.”

My mind very much liked the image of his ass. Color didn’t matter—I wasn’t picky. Had I noticed his butt in those khaki pants? I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t. “I’m really okay.”

He held three fingers before me.

“Three. Not blurry or seeing double. Look, I have a hard head—”

“I’d say so.”

“What?”

“You don’t seem to like me very much.”

Ouch. How do I refute that? “Look, I’m incredibly grateful you came today. Louella booked you, so she was disappointed she missed the session.” We hadn’t actually spoken, obviously, but I knew her heart.

“She was very kind when I called. I kind of booked myself, though. I convinced her I could be helpful.”

“Well, you were.”

“Really?” He eyed me. “Why do I get the feeling you’re lying?”

“I don’t lie.” Liar. For years you told everyone you had a great marriage. Note to self — you didn’t.

“Everybody lies.”

“Isn’t that a song lyric?” I wracked my brain, but stopped when the pain increased. “Look, I need to be heading home.”

“No after-school activity?”

“Lacrosse, which Ms. Delmont teaches. She’s brilliant, having been a player herself for years. Now she teaches physics and gets out her pent-up energy by coaching. I’m lucky I get a bit of a break.”

“So, let me drive you home.”

“I’ve got my SUV—”

“You’re not safe to drive.”

“I can’t leave my car in the parking lot overnight.” I didn’t have the newest SUV on the market, but I didn’t want it…played with. Or removed without my permission.

“Well, my car’s a beater. I can leave it here and come back for it later.” He held out his hands.

I cocked my head.

“Keys. I’ll drive you home and then make my way back here. You don’t live in Mission City or Langley or something, do you?” He eyed me.

“Nope.” I blew out a breath. “Kensington-Cedar Cottage. Near Trout Lake.”

“Nice area.” He appeared to consider. “Can’t say I spend much time there.”

“I managed to get a house. All I could afford after—”

Several long moments passed as those blue eyes assessed me. “After…?”

“My divorce. We, uh, used to live somewhere…more upscale. When he left me, he gave me half of the worth of our house in cash and shooed me out the door. His new…girlfriend…lives with him.”

“But he’s a dude.”

“Yep.”

“And you’re gay.”

“Yep.”

“But he’s now with a woman.”

“Turns out he was bi-curious.”

He frowned. “Is that a bad thing?”

“To be bisexual? Absolutely not. To boot out your husband of fifteen years because you met a younger more-attractive woman and you’re bored with being married? Possibly.”

“Yikes.” Johnnie actually winced. “And you still haven’t given me your keys. I can totally hop a bus back here to get my car.”

“Where do you live?”

“A one-bedroom apartment in Gastown.”

“That must make for tight quarters.”

“Huh?” His brow knit.

“You and your girlfriend in a one-bedroom.”

“How do you know about my girlfriend?” He did not look pleased when I said the blatantly obvious.

“Well, I checked your social media, of course. If you were up to some crazy shit, I would’ve vetoed the visit to the school. I’m big on protecting my kids as much as possible.”

“Oh.” He held out his hands.

“I swear I’m fine. I don’t even have a headache.”

He narrowed his eyes.

Fucking hell. “I was planning to take a painkiller.”

“Which you need to do with food. Let’s grab Subway or something on way to your place. My treat. Do you have a bag?”

I pursed my lips even as the lacrosse team made their way out of the changing rooms and to the door to the outside.

Louella exited our office with her knapsack. “Everything okay?”

Johnnie’s warning was clear. If I didn’t do what he wanted, he was going to tattle on me. What is he? Five?

“Everything’s fine. Johnnie’s just going to come by my place.”

Louella’s eyebrows shot up to her hairline.

“To discuss my next visit.” Johnnie gave her the winsomest smile I’d ever seen. All innocent and friendly.

Charming.

“Oh lovely. I wish I could join you. Gotta run.” She waved, yanked on her slicker, and headed out into the rain.

I put my keys into Johnnie’s hand. “I have to pack my bag and take the painkiller.” My head was throbbing.

“Great. I’ll pack up my stuff, and we’ll be on our way.”

He didn’t have much to pack up , but I didn’t comment. Instead, I made my way into the office. I unlocked my desk drawer, dumped two pills into my palm, and downed them with a bit of water from my steel bottle. The water was warm, but I didn’t give a shit.

“Ready?” Johnnie leaned against the doorjamb.

I relocked my drawer and grabbed my messenger bag. I unlocked the laptop from the docking station and shoved it into the bag.

“Hey, I hope you’re not planning on using that tonight. You need to rest your brain.”

“Sheesh.” I rolled my eyes.

That hurt my head more.

“Uh, no. But I don’t leave it in the office overnight, though.” I was about to heft the bag over my shoulder.

He grabbed it.

Short of a tug-of-war, I wasn’t going to win. I might have some muscles, but he had an athlete’s build with strength to spare. He was also almost a decade younger and a professional rugby player. Not someone to fuck around with.

“I need my keys back to lock the office.”

“Fine.” He handed them over. “You drive stick?”

“Uh…no.” I locked the door and handed him the keys since I wasn’t up for another argument. “Why?”

“I love driving stick. My Mazda’s a five-speed, and I adore it.”

“Here’s where I admit I’ve never driven a manual transmission car.” I directed us toward the door. “Never even tried it.”

“Oh my God, you’re so missing out. I’m going to teach you.” He bounced as he walked, clearly thrilled at the prospect of teaching me something.

I almost rolled my eyes—then I remembered how poorly that’d gone the last time. “How about we just make it to my house in one piece?”

“Sure.” He offered another charming grin. “I can’t wait.”