Page 18 of Secret Love (The Single Dad Playbook #2)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

TRU

Henley seemed bold on our text thread, but when I go to his house the next afternoon, he's tentative around me. I guess I’m tentative around him too, even though just looking at him reminds me of the way he kisses and how much I want more of that.

But I’m grateful for the reprieve. I've thought of very little but him and our situation…even trying to muddle through it during English class all day.

My brain is tired. I don't know what the right thing is.

I like what I know about him so much . But it’s complicated. And I'm just not sure I want to start out my time in Silver Hills this way. It'd be one thing if I was doing the temporary thing that my parents do, where they're in and out of a place in no time. I want this to be my home. I want to create memories here. I want to make a life. I don't want to start trouble with my job or with the people here. So, a little bit of time and space in this weird situation seems like a good idea.

But before I leave, Henley jogs out and meets me at my car.

“Hey,” he says, smiling shyly. “I wanted to give you this.”

He hands me a piece of paper folded over once, and when I start to open it, he reaches out, his fingers skimming over mine.

“You don't have to read it now. I just wanted you to know I meant what I said.”

My cheeks heat.

“Okay,” I whisper.

He nods and takes a step back. “Have a good night. Thanks again for what you’re doing with Cassidy. Today was hard, but I can tell she’s hopeful.”

It needs to go on the record somewhere that Henley Ward is impossible to resist.

When Earl and I get home, I eat some leftover soup and we curl up on the couch together. The note from Henley is on the coffee table and I pick it up, excitement thrumming through me despite all my efforts to be calm. I unfold it and smile when I see his handwriting. It’s nice, just like everything else about him.

Tru,

I still want to know everything, but how about we start out with these three questions…

What is your very first memory?

What made you choose Silver Hills?

Did you know that when you’re reading, you twirl your hair around your fingers?

Henley

Well, now I’m really smiling. Impossible to resist.

I think about my answers as I wash out my soup bowl and grade papers and later, when I’m in the tub. As I crawl into bed, I pick up my phone and text him.

You didn’t mention the format you wanted me to answer these questions.

He texts back right away.

Henley

By text, over wine, phone call, FaceTime, write me back, on my dock at the lake…however you please.

Has anyone ever told you you’re pretty amazing?

Henley

Hey, I thought I was the one asking the questions… smile emoji

Well, I’ll be asking some myself, so get ready…but that question above counts. ^

Henley

Noted.

My next questions for you would be:

When did you first know you wanted to play football professionally?

Do you have any siblings and if so, are you close?

Henley

Okay, solid questions and not too difficult to answer, I approve.

By now, I’m practically beaming at my phone. This guy.

Oh…and where did you learn to dance so well? Wink emoji

And here are my answers…

Is it weird that I remember chewing on my crib? I also remember climbing out of it.

Henley

That’s wild and I love it. Do you know how old you would’ve been?

Maybe a year and a half at most?

Henley

So, a climber early on.

Yep. lol

My mom and I drove through Silver Hills a couple years ago when we first moved to Boulder. It was a beautiful day, the middle of winter, but everyone was out and about. There was such a wholesome feeling about the town. Jupiter Lane was so charming with all the cute shops and restaurants. We stopped and ate at Starlight Cafe, and I couldn’t stop watching the way everyone interacted with each other. It felt like a community and I have always craved that.

Henley

You’re in the right place. Wholesome is exactly what I thought when I first came to Silver Hills too. I didn’t know I’d love the small-town life, but it’s been the perfect balance for me. I hope Silver Hills is everything you hope it to be.

It’s far surpassing everything I’d hoped for so far.

Henley

Excellent. Let me know what I can do to improve your experience.

You already are.

Hmm. No, I did not know that I twirl my hair when reading.

Henley

Your hair is really beautiful, Tru.

I press my lips together. I really like this man.

Thank you.

Henley

Thank you for answering my questions. And to answer yours…pretty amazing? No, I don’t think so.

I don’t believe you.

Henley

If it’s happened, I didn’t hear it until you said it.

You are smooth, Mr. Football Player.

Henley

You think so? I just say what’s on my mind.

Well, it translates as SMOOTH.

Henley

That’s a good thing, I hope? Uh…I dreamed of playing football as a kid, and my parents made that possible by sending me to the camps and all that when I was young. I’m fortunate they encouraged it. And I have an older brother who still lives in Minnesota, Jeremy. He’s a good guy, does well in finance. We’re close, but I don’t see him as often as I’d like. He and his family usually come to visit in the summer, and I take the girls there during any holiday I’m free…which can be challenging with games.

I always wanted a sibling. I’m glad you guys are close.

Henley

And dancing…funny story. One of our coaches made us take ballet classes for the coordination.

The level of regret I have for not witnessing that class is extreme.

Henley

I didn’t love it at first, but it actually accomplished what our coach was hoping it would.

I wouldn’t mind teaching football players.

Henley

Is it wrong that I just growled?

I wouldn’t mind hearing that as well.

Henley

You are so fucking cute. I have so many more questions, but I know you have an early morning. Thank you for indulging me.

It was fun. Good night, Henley.

Henley

Good night, Tru.

Over the course of the next week and a half, when I’m at his house, we share private smiles and furtive glances. And then when I get home, we spend hours texting or talking on the phone. I’d feel like I’m sneaking around, but we haven’t kissed since that first day at his house.

It doesn’t mean we haven’t talked about it though.

One of his questions yesterday was:

Did you know your lips are the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted?

I didn’t know how to answer that one, but I felt his words from the top of my head to the soles of my feet and everywhere in between.

But he also asked about my thoughts on Twizzlers—we both love them—so he keeps things both steamy and light, which I appreciate.

It’s been easier than I expected with the girls too. Since I keep it all about Earl and tutoring when I’m at their house and we focus on dancing together when they’re at the studio, I don’t think they see me as any kind of threat.

Part of me feels guilty that my feelings just keep magnifying where their dad is concerned, but I’m all about them when I’m at Henley’s house. I see him when I’m there too, but I’m getting to know him more in our phone chats. It’s something just for the two of us…and it’s secretive, I guess, but I kind of love it.

I walk into my house and set Earl down. He’s been thoroughly adored over at Henley’s this afternoon and now he’s ready to curl up in a basket near the window. I grade papers for an hour or so and then stand up to stretch. My phone buzzes and I pick it up, answering on the second ring.

“Hey,” I say, smiling already.

“Remind me why you had to leave?” I can tell he’s smiling too.

“Because I'm already at your house almost as much as I'm at my house and you had things you needed to do with the girls.”

“I think you should stay for dinner again soon.”

“Maybe one of these days, but I want the girls to enjoy seeing me come through the door, not dread me being around all the time.”

“There is no part of them that dreads seeing you, trust me. They think you're the greatest thing that's ever come through these doors.”

I laugh. “I think you're exaggerating, but that’s sweet.”

“I don't exaggerate.”

“Mmhmm. The other day you and Gracie were talking about catching fish and that story kept changing—the size of the fish kept getting bigger and bigger.”

He laughs. “Fishing stories don't count! But speaking of that, you should come fishing with us sometime soon.”

“That would be fun. I haven't fished since I was a little girl and I don’t remember catching anything.”

“Well, then, let’s plan on it.”

I stretch out on the couch and Earl comes over. He’s grown so much. I reach out and pick him up and he kneads my stomach before curling up and falling asleep there.

“You should see Earl right now.” I snap a picture and send it to him.

“I wish I was Earl.”

“I think I prefer your non-furry massive self, but?—”

“Not what I meant and you know it.”

I laugh.

When he says things like this, I usually tease him back, but I love every second of it.

“Okay, number one question of the day,” he says. “When did you first learn to roller-skate? Or Rollerblade?”

“You assume I’ve roller-skated.”

“Oh, have you never?”

“No, I have. I'm just teasing. But, um, I was probably eleven. How old were you?”

“Three.”

“No way. What, you could barely walk and you were put in skates?”

“Blades, actually, and yes…I had to follow my big brother and he liked to skate. I wasn't very good at it at first, but eventually I could Rollerblade circles around him. It was great.”

“Do you still Rollerblade?” I can barely get the words out because the thought of him on Rollerblades makes me laugh.

“What? You find this hilarious?”

“I’m trying to picture you on Rollerblades and it's really hard. You're massive. I feel like that doesn't work.”

“You think massive people can’t skate?”

“No. Just, I feel like you would topple over.” I start laughing again.

“Trust me, I do not topple over. Hockey players are large, you know.” He’s laughing now too.

“Right. As you can see, I don’t often think of sports in my logic. I need to learn.”

“Growing up, were there any sports you liked to play?”

“I liked volleyball and tennis.”

He hums appreciatively. “I can picture that.”

My cheeks hurt from smiling so big.

“So, I have a problem with you,” he says.

My smile drops. “You do?”

“Yes. Mondays through Wednesdays, I get to see you at the house, and it’s torturous, not getting to touch you, but I at least get to see you. And then Thursdays and Fridays, there’s this vast void in my life.”

I laugh. “I always thought I was the dramatic one in any friendship.”

“Are we friends, Tru?” His voice is husky but playful. “Because friends see each other on Thursdays and Fridays. And for longer than mere minutes on Saturdays,” he adds. “It’s like a tease to see you high-fiving everyone but me on Saturday mornings. And then again, the void on Sundays.”

“Would it make you feel better if I high-five you at dance on Saturday too?”

“It might help a little, yes.”

I laugh again. “I’ll see what I can do.”