Page 40 of Mr. Green (Mr. #2)
Grant
“ W e’ve got a long drive ahead of us, but it’ll be worth it.” I put my hand on her thigh, wanting to be close to her.
“Where are we going?”
“Never been, but it’s a thing to do in Texas during springtime.”
“Huh.”
She didn’t find any more clothes she wanted, but we had a small lunch by the ice rink and watched as people attempted to skate. Some were good, others fell. I got to see the dimple I love so much. Win, win.
“How do you like Texas so far?” I ask.
“It’s nice. Are the people always so friendly?”
“Usually, yes.” I chuckle. “One of the reasons I like living here so much.”
“You moved here for college?”
“Yeah. Went to Baylor. I had a golf scholarship. I met Matt by chance, but I’m glad I did.”
“Yeah. He seems cool. Do you like golfing? I know you played with Josh in high school.”
“Golf is whatever. More of my dad making me do it. It can be fun, but he took all the fun out of it. Are you worried about Josh hating that we’re dating?”
“Haven’t thought about it once. He’ll come around; you know how he is.” She flicks her hand.
I was worried it would have an effect on their relationship, but she’s right—I know Josh. He needs a little time and then he’ll come around. I wish I would’ve been able to talk to him before he found out, but I’ll make things right eventually. There’s no way I’m staying away from Lana.
After a pause, Lana asks, “What do you mean by your dad made you do golf?” She squishes her eyebrows together.
“He had me in golf since I could walk. Said those were the types of people I should be connecting with. My dad always has an ulterior motive for everything he does.” I roll my eyes.
“Your dad sounds like a prick.”
I laugh. “He is. Don’t let him fool you.”
“Was he abusive?”
“No. Just high expectations. Never asked what I wanted. He just planned out my life for me and for my mom. It was his way or the highway. There were other consequences if you didn’t fall in line.”
“Other consequences?”
“It was a long time ago, baby. I’m not stuck in that house anymore with a controlling bastard. I took some of his lessons to heart and said fuck it to the others. I don’t have to deal with him anymore.”
She nods, sensing I don’t want to talk about this. “Your hair is long, now. I don’t remember you ever having long hair. In all the pictures in the news articles or when you came over with Josh, it was cut short and you were clean-shaven.”
“Been keeping tabs on me, Sunshine?” I grin.
She stares at me, unimpressed.
“I grew out my hair as a fuck you to my dad. I wanted to be the complete opposite of whatever perfect little picture he had of me. Turns out I like having my own business and dealing with numbers, though. That’s one thing he did right. But he can’t touch my hair or beard. I’m a fucking rebel.”
She giggles. “My parents are supportive—you know that. I can’t help but think I’ve disappointed them, though. They want me married with a family. I’m becoming a spinster before their eyes. ”
“Good thing I saw you at that party then.” I raise my eyebrows up and down. “I can make their dreams come true if that’s what you want.”
“Would you stop!” She gives me a playful smack on my chest. “We’re on date three. You don’t need to marry me when it’s been like two weeks.”
“Lana, I’ve seen the way your parents look at you. You’re far from a disappointment. You’re their little girl. They’d love you no matter what. You’re lucky to have that.”
She fidgets with her shirt and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear that was already there. “Yeah. At least my siblings take some of the pressure off. Three out of five have a family. You don’t have anyone, huh?”
I grasp the steering wheel until my hands are white. “No. All the attention was on me. Lots of pressure to be the perfect son.”
“I’m not fond of attention right now either. I want to tell everyone to fuck off.”
“You could never hide from anyone, Sunshine.” I pause. “I was supposed to go to New York for school. The right people were there, but it didn’t feel right.”
“What is everyone’s obsession with New York?” she murmurs, crossing her arms over her chest. Okay. She doesn’t like New York, got it. Change of subject now! “Do you want to get married? You know—to the right person.”
“Yeah. Someday.” She looks out the window. I hate when she hides from me.
“Hey! Look at me.” She does. I focus between the road and her, needing to keep eye contact. “It’s okay to want a relationship and kids. You don’t have to act like you’re not interested. You’ll never scare me away.”
She nods. “I think there’s something nice about coming home to a person who loves you for you. It’d be nice to have a family life. I’ve thought about it a lot, but the person I thought loved me, didn’t love me back.”
“That guy sounds like the king of ball suckers. ”
She laughs. “I thought he was perfect. The first guy I had an actual relationship with, but you’ve been showing me maybe I was wrong. He wasn’t the guy I thought he was at all.”
My chest puffs up without me thinking about it. I’d do anything for Lana. She told me I’ve been showing her she’s amazing. I wish she’d see how perfect and beautiful she is.
She turns to me. “What do you like to do for fun? It seems like you do a whole bunch of things, but they’re for charity or for your parents or for someone else. What do you like to do?”
I stroke my beard. No one has ever cared to ask me. I haven’t thought of it much. I’ve always just kept myself busy volunteering or working or planning something. I think about it for a few minutes. “I like horseback riding a lot. I should’ve been a cowboy even though I’m not very handy.”
“No, seriously.”
“I’m serious. I have a horse. I board him a mile down the road. I never spend as much time with him as I want, though.”
She looks impressed. “Wow. I’d never picture you on a horse.”
I smirk. “Am I not rugged enough?”
She laughs. Her dimple appears. “You’re plenty rugged. I’ve never thought of you as a cowboy. You wear suits a lot.” Then she mumbles, “If anything it’d be a Viking.”
“I do go to work a lot, but it’s nice being outside in fresh air with an animal who seems like he can read your mind. It’s a trip, really.”
“You should do more of what you love.” She puts her hand over mine. “Horseback riding sounds cool. I’ve never been.”
I nod, forming a plan in my head to do what I love with Lana the next time I see her. Thoughts of riding in the open air come to a stop. We’re here.