Rolling onto my stomach, I kick my legs back and forth like a teenage girl as I consider what to say first.
ClickTease: Okay, here’s one - scuba diving in the Barrier Reef.
GlideControlZ: Easy - in!
That was a bit of a softball suggestion, but I don’t want to dive in too fast too soon.
ClickTease: Your turn!
GlideControlZ: How about eating a Carolina Reaper whole?
I laugh. Oh, he’s busting out the big guns.
ClickTease: In. Sleeping in a haunted house.
GlideControlZ: Oh, that one’s trickier. I don’t necessarily believe in ghosts, but I keep an open mind so I never piss one off if they do exist. So… in. Maybe I’ll see a real ghost.
ClickTease: Hmmm, I suppose that makes sense. Yellow flag that you’re not a true believer, but I’ll let it slide this once.
GlideControlZ: Wooh, thanks. I suppose you were going to find out eventually that I’m not perfect.
ClickTease: Don’t worry. I’m perfect enough for both of us
GlideControlZ: That is absolutely true.
Oh, gosh, this guy knows how to make me blush. Talking to him makes me feel… giddy. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced this with a guy before.
The more we get to know each other, the more I feel like he could actually be the real deal. The full package. A guy I could take home to Mom and she’d approve of.
I try to imagine what he looks like, or, more accurately, what I hope he looks like. Tall and fit would be nice… dark hair, maybe. I’ve always preferred brunettes to blondes, which I know is ironic given my own golden mane.
And maybe he has green eyes… bright green eyes that look like emeralds.
Wait! Hold on! I’m imagining a guy that looks a little too much like Zander. No, no, no! I have to get that image out of out my head - I don’t want to associate Zander withGlideControlZ. That would just ruin everything!
I do my best to ignore the unwanted thoughts floating through my head and focus back on the game. We continue to play for a while longer, but I start to get sleepy. I don’t realize how tired I am until my eyes start to droop.
ClickTease: I think I need a little nap. Thanks for playing with me.
GlideControlZ: You’re welcome, beautiful. I’ll talk to you later.
I exit the app and let my phone fall to the bed as I curl up onto my side, my smile never leaving my lips even as I drift off to sleep.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
ZANDER
My fist connectswith the punching bag in front of me and I let out a satisfied grunt as my muscles strain and sweat runs down my face. I hit it again and again and again, pouring all of my frustration and agitation into each blow. After leaving Rylee in the park, I came to the gym - one I frequent outside of the arena’s facilities - and have been punching this bag for about twenty minutes.
Sighing, I drop my arms and roll my head to stretch out my neck. Damn… that felt good.
I do feel a bit better, so I might as well shower and get ready for the day here. Rylee’s probably back at the apartment by now, but who knows if she’s still riled up or not (leave it to someone literally named Rylee to get “ryled up” so easily and quickly all the time). Should give her a little bit more time before I show back up. I don’t want us to just start fighting right away again… though that’s probably what will happen anyway. It doesn’t seem to matter what I do. Bring her breakfast, stock the fridge, sleep on a couch that’s too small for me… anything that I do that anyone else would consider nice and normal, she blows up at me about. She always thinks I have nefarious intentions orsomething. Making my way into the gym’s locker room, I grab my bag and take out clean clothes, my mind still on Rylee. How could someone that beautiful be so irritating? It defies logic!
Turning on one of the showers, I step under the hot spray and release a long sigh.
Still, I feel bad. I promised her an interview, and instead we ended up shouting at each other in a public park. I cringe at the thought. That was a bit… much. Immature. I never lose my temper like that. I’m a chill guy! I try to keep the peace and am able to go with the flow with most people.
Not with Rylee, though. She pushes my buttons in a way no one else ever has before. Even my sisters never got on my nerves the way she’s able to. I just don’t know why. Why does she get to me? Why can’t I seem to shrug it off when she’s annoying or impulsive or wild?
