Page 24 of His Last Shot

He helps me at closing, even though the bar is out of his way. When we stargaze, he encourages me to pursue my dream of nursing. He knows Dexter is an issue and promised to be there for me if I ever feel in danger. And he stood up to Drew for me.

Then, there’s his patience. I have pushed him away three times while our lips were literally locked together. Never demanding an apology, only giving me understanding and grace.

Alone with my thoughts, there is only one thing that I need to do before he takes me home. Agree to go out with him on a date.

If he even still wants to.

And also tell him about my RA. Slick is right. I am taking away Johnny’s choice, and that’s unfair to him. Maybe it won’t be a big deal for him. Maybe it will be. Either way, I am putting the ball in his court and letting him choose whether he wants to be with me.

And I am ready to face whatever it is he decides.

Out of extreme nervousness, I pick a nonexistent spot on my shirt when I hear laughter coming from the front porch. A man just as big as Johnny emerges from the house, and I recognize him from the first night I met Johnny. It’s Scott .

He peers in my direction and gives me a slight wave and a smile. Returning the greeting, I sit back and wonder what on earth they fed these boys in childhood? Whatever it was, it worked because those are two incredibly handsome men.

Mallory peaks her head out from around Scott’s legs. “Bye again, Rachel! Marry Johnny! He loves you!” she yells.

A deep, resonating laugh from Scott shakes the air, easily heard down the street as Johnny playfully chases Mallory. “Get back here, you little stinker!” She squeals and runs into the house.

I chuckle at the scene as sadness pinches through my heart. They are a family. A close-knit, there-for-each-other family. The type of family I have always yearned for and longed for. One that I still want.

After a quick goodbye between Scott and Johnny, I watch as Johnny walks back toward the truck, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. His strides, heavy, slow and uneven.

It’s almost as if Mallory was his safety net, and now he’s forced to be alone with me. And that makes him uncomfortable, which ultimately, is all my fault. A pain of guilt creeps into my chest.

He climbs into the driver’s seat, and I giggle as he smirks and shakes his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe she said that.”

“It was cute. She’s adorable.”

He smiles as he turns the key, and the engine rumbles to life. “That she is.”

A rush of bravery zips through me, pushing away my fear. “So you like my butt, huh?”

He glares at me with some serious side eye. “I don’t think we are at that place in our relationship for me to address that one, darling.”

Well, darn. Who’s fault is that, Rachel?

He backs out of the drive and honks his horn as we drive past the house.

A few minutes of agonizing quiet stretches, thick and suffocating, before he breaks the tension.

“She must really like you. We are working on her social cues, which is why I had her come back and say bye to you.” His glance shifts my way. “She looked you in the eye. ”

Joy spreads over my heart. “I’m honored. I mean, I noticed earlier, but is that hard for her?”

He nods. “Absolutely. Among other things. Scott and Laura are working so hard to provide her with all the tools she needs to succeed and someday become an independent adult. It’s amazing to watch.”

“Sounds to me she has more than just her parents and brother in her corner.”

“I would move heaven and earth for her. She has me wrapped around her finger.”

“It was very…” My voice trails off as I weigh the impact of my words. “Sweet. And fatherly.”

A lazy smile stretches across his lips.

Johnny as a father? Yes, please. It’s decided. I want lots of his dimple-faced babies.

A heavy stillness falls over the truck as we get closer to my house. The Who sings out from the stereo as a sudden realization strikes me.

It’s obvious that Johnny is waiting for me to make the next move. I already know he’s on my side; his loyalty is clear. So it’s time to show him I’m ready for more. He said so himself in the kitchen that day.

I need to swallow my pride and let him take center stage and shine.

Shine for me.

Okay, here goes nothing. I bite my lower lip. “Johnny?”

“Hmm?” His right arm casually drapes over the steering wheel, his focus on the road.

“Will you go out with me?”

His arm drops in surprise, the sudden movement catching on the steering wheel, sending the truck swerving sharply to the right. “Whoa!”

He gains control and then pulls over to the side of the road. I’m laughing uncontrollably as he puts the car in park, rests his arm on the seat, and turns to face me. His eyes are wide. “What did you just ask me?”

“I said, would you like to go out with me?”

“It was the father energy I was putting out there, wasn’t it? You liked it, didn’t you? ”

I playfully smack his arm as laughter bubbles out of me. “No!”

Yes.

I mean, it was the whole daddy vibe, but I won’t tell him that.

He laughs right along with me, and once we get ourselves under control, he gives me a pointed stare. “What made you change your mind?”

“Just you. Being you.” I shrug. “I guess I’m ready for more.”

“And I have been ready, for so long, to show you more.” I shyly avert his gaze. He reaches out, his fingers twisting a strand of my ponytail. “Saturday night?” he asks.

I meet his burning stare, the heat of his gaze palpable against my skin. “That sounds good.”

Abandoning my hair, he cups my face as his thumb tenderly traces slow circles on my skin. “I can’t wait.”

My eyes slide shut as I sit and soak up this moment. Because, right here, right now, somehow, I have fallen even harder for this man.

He drops his hand and puts the truck in gear, pulling back out onto the street.

“Me too,” I reply with a mischievous glint in my eye, “Daddy.”

His big, booming laugh fills the truck.

And my heart.