Page 40 of The Playboy’s Playbook
Chapter Thirty-Five
MATT
L aila rattles me and I fucking love it like I love her.
She turned on a country playlist and it’s doing a good job at filling the tense air surrounding us. When I handed her my phone, her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
I don’t know why she was surprised or thrown off – I’ve given her my phone plenty of times to play music and just to have it.
I have nothing to hide…anymore. As soon as Laila agreed to going out with me tonight, I called Luke and begged for him to come along and bring the boys.
Needless to say, Luke isn’t my best friend at the moment.
“Please, man! You and the boys are a good buffer and right now, I need a buffer!” I beg.
“You didn’t need a fucking buffer when you asked her out, so tough shit,” Luke says on a huff.
“But –”
“I’m hanging up. Have fun and tell Laila we said hey.”
I glance briefly at Laila and she’s looking out the window like she always does when she’s in the passenger seat. She looks absolutely stunning – if I’m not mistaken, she’s wearing a similar, if not the exact same outfit she wore when I first saw her at the rodeo last year.
“So, how’s life been?” I ask, trying to break the awkwardness in the truck.
As if she’s surprised I’m speaking to her, she looks at me and I swear I see a slight glimmer in her eyes. That might just be how I see her because she’s a glimmer in my dull and shitty life.
“Life’s been…life. Nola turns five and graduates from “kin-dog-garten” next weekend. I booked her a graduation and birthday photo shoot.” She twirls a piece of hair around her finger and looks down at her boot-clad feet.
“She’s growing up,” I whisper.
“Yeah, she’s no longer a baby. It’s kind of sad.”
I shake my head. “Not true. She’ll always be your baby. Plus, she’s about to be a whole paw! That’s exciting!”
Laila chuckles and a small smile cracks across her face. “Yeah, a whole paw and still a menace to society.”
I burst out laughing. “Nola is too cute for her own good.”
Laila shrugs and the smile cracks a little more.
Come on, baby. Give me your smile. I’ve missed it so damn much.
“Nola’s just like her mom,” I continue, looking at Laila before putting my eyes back on the road.
She lets out a sad laugh, so I continue.
“No, I’m serious. They say pets are a reflection of their humans and Nola’s spot on.”
Laila turns her body toward me, leaning forward to rest on the center console. “How so?”
“She’s spunky. She’s hilarious. And best of all,” I stop as I turn down the dirt road that leads to the rodeo.
“And best of all what?” Laila murmurs.
After paying for a parking tag, I slowly drive the truck forward and park in an empty spot in the grassy field.
I hop out of the truck and walk over to help Laila down.
I place my hat on my head as we stand looking at each other for a breath.
I pull her hand to my lips and place a kiss on her knuckle.
“And best of all, she’s beautiful.”
Kids are running around, laughing with their friends, begging their parents to buy them more funnel cakes and cotton candy. The announcers’ voices blare over the loudspeakers, competing with the music that’s playing in the background.
The air smells strongly of fresh cut grass and livestock. Guys are dressed in their Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots, and hats. Girls are dressed in summer dresses, cowgirl boots, and holding koozies with drinks in them as they snap pictures for their next social media post.
Laila and I walk hand-in-hand through the crowded field to get to the main part of the rodeo. I can feel her tense up when people look at us and start to point and whisper.
I wish we could enjoy our evening without judgmental eyes and not-so-quiet whispers. She doesn’t deserve people to look at her differently or talk about her because she’s with me.
Walking beside her, holding her hand, running my thumb reassuringly over her golden skin – which is glowing in the late summer sun– is perfect. It’s normal. It’s like we’re back in our bubble, safe and sound from the troubles of adulthood.
We finally make our way to the main arena, which is putting it nicely considering it’s just a dirt ring surrounded by wooden fences. Last year, there was a different organization hosting, so for this one, most of everything is outside of the sports complex instead of inside.
I can see why this is a better arrangement, though. It allows for more competitions and for more people without the constraints of the fire marshal rules. The riders are conversing amongst each other, groupies flocking to them, batting their eyelashes for a chance at the cowboys taking them home.
I guide Laila over to a spot high in the bleachers, away from the cameras that are recording the spectacle.
I wipe off the seat for her before she lowers herself on the steel.
She immediately crosses her legs and wraps her arms around herself.
Either her guard is up – rightfully so – or she’s uncomfortable being here.
Or both.
“Do you want me to get you anything?” I offer, trying to ease her mind and mine.
She smiles softly and shakes her head. “I’m okay, thank you.”
I nod and sit next to her, keeping an awkward amount of space between us. Soon, the announcer comes over the PA system and says that the barrel racing is about to begin, sending the crowd into a fit of cheers.
“You ever been to an outdoor rodeo?” I ask, turning my attention back to Laila.
She straightens up a little and tucks a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Nope. This is my first one.”
My brows shoot up. “Really?”
She gives me a tentative smile, which is better than the slight grin she was giving me earlier. “Eh, I’m not a big fan of being outside. I don’t like big crowds.”
“So what made you say yes to me?” I ask, partly wanting to know the answer, partly regretting I even asked.
“I wanted to see you again,” she answers so low I almost miss it.
The loud crash of the gate opening signals the start of the barrel racing, but my eyes are trained on Laila, hers on me. The crowd around us is loud, full of excitement, cheering on the rider, but it’s like she and I are in slow motion.
We’re in a crowded space, but it’s just us.
How I want it to be forever.