Left it on purpose, but if you want, you can buy a round of beers at the game.
Deal :-)
Luke didn’t seem pissed, and I’d made my point, I hoped.
After my shift was over, I got a sandwich to go since I figured that Bug wouldn’t be taking me out to dinner and I knew that I didn’t have anything to eat at home. It could be a long night if Bug planned to drink all night, and there was no way he’d let me leave early. He liked to show me off to his brothers.
After I wolfed down my dinner, I looked in the mirror and decided that I could use another shower. After having had Luke ask me out, I was feeling pretty good about myself, and I decided that I was gonna wow Bug. If he was an asshole, I’d just walk out of the clubhouse. He could either chase me or let me go, but I was starting to think that his bullshit wasn’t really worth it at the end of the day. Even without Luke’s crazy tip, I’d had a good day, and if I could up my tips a little, I thought I could pay for school and manage to pay my bills.
I felt fierce, and I was gonna find an outfit to match my attitude.
Chapter 11
Luke
I’d felt so elated when I walked into Krystal’s bar and saw that she seemed genuinely happy to see me, and now I just felt like an idiot for having asked her out for dinner. She obviously had a boyfriend, even if she insisted that the situation was complicated. I knew better than to get drawn in by a pretty face — and a fantastic ass, in her case —but there was something about Krystal that called to me. Sexual attraction aside, she seemed sweet and a little sad all at the same time, and I felt compelled to try to make her happy, give her something to smile about.
I needed to grow up.
“If she’s interested in me, she knows how to get hold of me,” I said to myself, unaware that the person standing at the bus stop was watching me walk and talk to myself.
No sooner had I spoken than my phone chimed.
You left $100 on the bar. I’ll give you ur change on Friday.
I hadn’t really thought it through when I dropped the big bill for the beer, but I realized that Krystal might take my gesture the wrong way. She’d mentioned that her school was expensive, and I had more money than I knew what to do with at the moment. I’d meant to be nice, but I was afraid that I’d come off like an asshole. I agreed to let her buy a round of beers at the ballpark and let it go.
My phone chimed again, and I assumed that it was Krystal calling me to talk, but when I looked, it was a number I didn’t recognize.
“Luke Callaway,” I answered.
“Luke, It’s Sable Hall.”
My heart jumped into my throat. “Yes?” I hadn’t expected to hear from her so quickly. It hadn’t been more than a few hours since I’d left her house.
“I talked to your …um … Daniel, and not only is he thrilled that he has a son, but he wants to meet you.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say. Guess he wasn’t too mad at you, huh?”
Sable hesitated. “Well, he isn’t exactly happy with me, but he’s seriously excited about meeting you.”
“I can’t wait.”
“You mean that?”
“Of course. I drove all the way from Arizona, you bet I want to meet him.”
“You busy tonight?” Sable asked.
“Nope. Free as a bird.”
“Well, if you’re interested, you could stop by the house around seven and meet your father. He is dying to take you to his club and introduce you to all of his friends, but I’ve convinced him to take baby steps and meet you here first and see how things go. I figure it’s kinda like a first date, and it’s been a long time since he’s had one of those.”
I laughed. “You’re a smart lady, Sable. I’ll be there at seven.”
I could hear her sigh with relief. “Good.”
“And thank you,” I said before I hung up.
“No, Luke. Thank you,” she said quietly before she hung up.
***
I stood in my hotel suite and tried to decide what I should wear to go meet my old man. I knew he was a blue collar sort of guy, so I figured that I shouldn’t get too dressed up. I didn’t want him to be uncomfortable, but I didn’t want him to be insulted either. I stood naked in front of the window that looked out over the city and the mountains, and I decided on clean jeans and a collared shirt. I’d leave it untucked so it didn’t look too stuffy.
As I buttoned my jeans, I was glad I’d made myself go to the fitness center in the hotel. The workout had helped me clear my head and given me a chance to sweat out all of the beer and scotch from the night before. I felt good — nervous, but good. I checked the time on my phone. Time to leave.