Before anyone can reply, all three of our phones ring, indicating a text message. Each of us pulls out our phones to see that JJ started a group chat with all three of us and Levi.
“Looks like we’re having a BBQ tonight, ladies!” Lacey says, as I start packing my things to head home and change.
Chapter 10
A few nights after first meeting Hannah and talking to my mom, I get my second chance at making a first impression on her. JJ sent me a quick text telling me to grab some steaks for him, Levi, and the three girls, and to head over to his place for a Tuesday night BBQ.
Why would I need a second chance at making a first impression you ask? Well, it seems that my so-called friends have been warning Hannah away from me. Like I would mess with a friend’s sister, or honorary sister, just for fun. Bros before girls and all that crap. This one is different though, I can feel it, and after talking to my mom it’s clear I need to get to know this girl.
I’ve never thought about a girl for more than a few weeks of fun. It was a win-win, they got what they wanted, I got what I wanted, and everyone went home happy and satisfied. But this girl, who I’ve barely spoken to, has had me in knots for five days straight.
For five days all I’ve thought about is how soft her blonde hair looks. Do her blue eyes get darker when she’s mad or passionateabout something? Let’s not even get started on all the non-PG thoughts I’ve been having about her. Levi would kill me if he even thought I was thinking about her like that, but man does the woman have an ass.
Shaking my head, I will my thoughts to go to the weather or something that won’t make me semi-hard in public. I park my truck beside Levi’s and follow the sound of people laughing to JJ’s backyard. Once I get to the backyard I see Ellie, Lacey, and Levi are taking advantage of the in-ground pool as JJ is tending, what looks like, potatoes on the grill.
Looking around I don’t see Hannah. I can’t imagine she’s not here, the only people she knows in Calgary are all here, in this backyard. Maybe she’s sick? That would be the only reason she’s not here. Hopefully she’s not too sick.
Shaking my head at myself once again, I say to myself:
Why do you care? You barely know the woman. Scratch that, you don’t know her at all.
Yet she’s got me all tied up. Plus JJ said she was gonna be here—it was in his text when he told me to stop and grab some meat. As I set the meat down by the grill and give JJ a man hug, I hear the patio door open.
Turning around to see if it’s Hannah walking in, I’m rendered speechless as I see her walking out in a fire-engine red bikini, with a white linen shirt as a cover, holding three margaritas in her hands and raybans hiding her blue eyes from me.
“Alright buddy, stop drooling,” JJ says under his breath so only I can hear him. “Instead of staring, how about you help the lady out before she drops one of those,” he continues, shaking his head as he puts the steaks onto the grill.
“Need any help there?” I ask, walking towards her as I hear JJ laugh before he closes the patio door behind him.
“Sure, that would be great,” she answers as I grab one of the glasses and she makes her way to give one to Lacey and the other to Ellie.
“And here you go,” I say, handing her her glass.
“Thanks,” she answers with a small blush, looking down as she makes her way to one of the sun loungers.
“Not going in for a dip?” I ask as I follow her to the loungers.
“No, I . . .” she starts but stops as I take off my shirt. Now it’s her turn to stare. Good to know she’s not completely unaffected by me.
“You don’t like swimming?” I ask with a smirk, making her blush deepen and make its way towards her chest.
“No, I . . . uhh . . .” she starts, clearly flustered. “No, not necessarily. I’d rather sit by the pool and read,” she finally says, pointing to a book beside her on the deck. Looking at her book, I see a bright cover with a cartoon depiction of a man and a woman.
“Aww my mom likes those kinds of books,” I comment. “Made my dad convert a section of the basement into a library slash reading room for her.”
“Your mom likes these books?” she says, sniffling a laugh.
“Yeah the bright-colored ones with cartoons on the front,” I say.
“You’re mom sounds like a great lady. I’m gonna have to meet her,” she says with a full on laugh.
“What’s so funny over here?” Lacey asks, grabbing the towel off one of the loungers next to Hannah’s.
“I have no idea. I was just telling Hannah here that my mom likes those books,” I say, still confused, pointing at Hannah’s book.
“Your mom reads those?” Lacey asks as she also starts laughing. “Way to go Mama Morrisson,” she says between laughs.
“What’s so funny about these books?” I ask, confused, as I grab the one between our loungers, reading the back of the books. “Your mom . . . your mom . . .” Lacey tries to get out. “Your mom reads smut. No shit, she’s so chill.”
