“And if I lose?”
“Then we have to keep playing.”
His eyes narrowed in indecision, but a flicker of determination lit behind his stoicism. I suppressed a laugh as I realized I’d hit a vein; Patrick was competitive.
“Foosball.”
No way he was going to beat me at that. Not even Jack could beat me at foosball. I chuckled and hopped off the stool, smirking at my impending victory. “Foosball it is!”
The poor guy really didn’t know how to play many games. Two hours later I’d beaten the man at every single game they had. I would’ve felt bad, but I didn’t. He was a good sport, willingly learned, and a couple times his lips turned up in the tiniest of smiles. Even though we weren’t really chatting, I found myself having a nice time.
Patrick seemed like he needed the play as much as I did. Rigidity had melted out of his shoulders, and his hands stopped fretting so much. It’s not like we hit it off and had the time of our lives or anything, but the games served a needed purpose. They were a simple way to pass the time on a rainy Saturday—a distraction from the heavy things in life.
When we had hung our cue sticks back on the wall, he glanced around. “Think you whipped me at everything here. Am I free?”
I scanned the room, trying to conjure up one last activity. One last game before leaving. Anything would do. My departure from this place loomed before me, and the idea of my empty apartment made me feel cold and hollow. But he was right. We had done everything. The finality made me sigh. “I guess I’m obligated to let you go home.”
“Told you I didn’t know how to play any of this stuff.”
I faked a laugh. “You must’ve been raised under a rock.”
“Guess so.” His hands slipped into his pockets and gently tapped at his thighs. “Thanks again, Julia. I—ah, I probably shouldn’t have been here in the first place.”
“Same.”
He nodded as an awkward silence settled between us. I subconsciously pushed some loose hair behind my ear.
Patrick pulled out his keys as his gaze bounced to the bar in the next room then back to me. “I’m not leaving until I know you are heading out too.”
“I’ll go home.”
“Okay. See you around then?”
“Yeah.”
With that, he spun away and hurried toward the exit.
A sheet of rain blasted the door. Of course, it was still pouring. My pulse kicked up a notch; I hated rain. And the walk home would be a wet one. Patrick didn’t stop or look back. I dashed out into the rain and down the sidewalk as his lights illuminated the dark street beyond.
SEVEN
Patrick
Ihated these kinds of scenarios. Where was Julia’s car? I couldn’t leave her walking in the rain, but I did not want any of my actions to be misinterpreted. Dating or anything reminiscent of dating would be off my radar for a while. I’d already hung around Julia far longer than I intended, and she seemed into me. Needed to squelch that notion before it even got started.
Lightning lit up the sky, and I whipped the truck onto the shoulder ahead of where she was jogging. I rolled down the window as she passed and yelled over the torrent. “Get in!”
I didn’t have to ask her twice. She threw the door open and launched herself in off the step rail. Despite the mid-eighties temps, her teeth were chattering. I tapped the AC off.
“Why are you walking?” I cringed at my own tone. Didn’t mean to sound accusing.
“The government took away the privilege of driving.” Water droplets leaked from her hairline into her eyes. She swiped at them with the sleeve of an oversized Vandy sweater. She wasn’t wearing any makeup; the pink on her cheeks was natural—a warm flush from the jog.
“That sucks.” I eased back into the road. “I can take you to your building.” Her teeth still clacked together. Gooseflesh rippled up and down her slender legs. I reached over the console and grabbed a blanket from the backseat. I’d used it stargazing a few times. “Might have some grass on it, but you’re welcome to it.”
She picked at the specks then tucked the fleece around her legs. “Thanks. Not sure why I’m shivering.”
“Might have a hoodie back there.” I blindly felt around the floorboard behind my seat, slowing at a red light. There it was. “That’s a little grassy too, but at least it’s not dripping.”
