Angellica
To say the rest of the day passed in a blur would be accurate. Once Cody left my office, I had a lot to think about. Cody is definitely keeping me guessing. One minute he’s in it, the next he bails. Only to come back, and then he’s claimingme, and itwashot, now he’s leaving again but with the promise of a date with him and his dog tonight. All the while, I’m sitting here in my office at my new job with dirty panties. And I’m not really sure how I feel about that.
I meant it when I said it was a slow day. No more students visited me for any reason the rest of the day. I busied myself by making sure the kids in the incoming ninth grade were up to date on their immunizations. What can I say? My life is glamorous. Then I sent an e-mail to the Principal to see if we could offer to inoculate graduating seniors who were going away to college for a whole host of disgusting things they would be exposed to living in dorms. That reminds me, the football coaches teach health class. I should talk to Cody about their Sex Ed classes. I put a pin in the wrap the banana chat for later. Which also reminds me he did not use one in my office, so that talk is probably more urgent than usual.
By the time the bell rings, I am ready to blow this Popsicle stand. I grab my purse out of the bottom drawer of my desk and head for the parking lot. Since leaving the city and moving to small town Texas, I had to buy a car. Jim, my boss, told me not to get a girly car or I would regret it come the flooding and possible snow, and his wife, Emily, told me as sad as she was to admit it, he was right, so I took my savings down to the car dealership in town and bought myself a cute little Jeep Grand Cherokee. It’s white with gold trim and has all the bells and whistles including, but not limited to four wheel drive, satellite radio, and a GPS that yells at me more often than not. Unfortunately, Aunt Mable borrowed my car to go to the market before her car got here and she changed it to an Englishman who cusses. She laughed a blue streak about it, so I let her keep it. Really, and if you repeat this, I’ll deny it until the day I die, I cannot figure out how to change it back.
I head home, thankful for the time to clean up and pack a few things. I pull into the drive way and take off for my room like I’m Usain Bolt. Maybe I can run? Shit. Who am I kidding, I am totally going to embarrass myself. I run into my room and toss my work clothes into the hamper on my way into the shower. I might have just set the land speed record for showers when I step out and towel off.
I already had my long curly hair piled up in a messy bun on top of my head so I will leave it that way for my run with Cody and Steve the Pirate. I throw on gray marbled yoga capris and a gray yoga tank that’s cut low in the back and sides and shows off the built in aqua sports bra. I round the look out with ankle socks and my running shoes, which is a joke. Does this body look like I run? Hell, no! I do yoga, that’s also why I’m so flexible when I need to be, if you know what I mean.
I run back to my closet and pull out my purple carryon bag, this should be just the right size. I toss in a short red pleated silk skirt with little white flowers all over it and a white sleeveless collared shirt that buttons up the front. I add a skinny gold belt and nude patent leather flats. Panties and a bra because that would be super embarrassing to forget, and super inappropriate because I work with children. I run to the bathroom and grab my toiletries bag out of the cabinet and toss in my toothbrush deodorant, face wash, and makeup bag. Jesus, I need a lot of shit to look good. Shit. I should probably pack pajamas. It’s probably a little presumptuous to sleep naked and that feels a little weird anyway. I run back to my dresser and grab my favorite night gown. It’s just a white cotton spaghetti strap number with a lace hem, but it’s comfortable, and I think it’s pretty. I grab two extra pairs of panties because Cody is proving to be a wild card. I zip up my bag and head for the door. Aunt Mable is at her showing, so I don’t have any questions to answer.
I grab my keys and purse from the table by the door and check my phone. Cody has texted me his address, so I plug it into the GPS in my jeep after I stow my bag in the trunk and my purse on the seat next to me.
Cody lives just outside of town. And when I say just outside of town I mean his long ass driveway is in town but his house, his property, is not. I see how he runs in town all the time. The white horse fencing is gorgeous and goes on for as long as the eye can see. In the distance there is a large yellow farmhouse that is gorgeous. Another white Victorian sits off to the right of the gate, but in the back, visible from the gate, but about five miles back is a log cabin with wrap around porch. That is my destination. I briefly wonder if my boss lives in one of the houses towards the front of the property, but shake the idea off. It will only serve to make me more uncomfortable and awkward.
I park my jeep next to Cody’s truck and get out, grabbing my purse and palming my keys. When I look up, Cody is standing on the front porch, scowling at a one eyed German shepherd who is so cute he is positively smiling! But why does Cody look so pissed.
“Hi,” I say shyly. Steve thumps his tail on the porch and Cody scowl deepens.
“Hi,” he says absent mindedly.
“Is everything alright?” I hedge.
“Maybe?”
“Ummm…” Did he change his mind? Shit. I should go. At least I didn’t pull my overnight bag out of the trunk yet. Then I’d really look like a tool. “Umm, I’ll just go…” I trail off.
“What?!” Cody looks up at me for the first time since I arrived looking…upset. Steve looks downright murderous…At Cody! “Why would you leave?”
“Well, you look unhappy. I thought maybe you changed your mind,” I tell him.
“No. NOOO! Come on in. Wait, where’s your bag?”
“In the trunk,” I tell him.
“Let me get that real quick, why don’t you get to know Steve. Remember what I said,” he warns.
I walk up the three steps to the porch where Steve is sitting, his tail is wagging so hard we could use it to create wind power. And I swear the dog is smiling at me. I hold my hand out, palm up and let him sniff me, get to know me. Before he leans forward, closing his good eye and tips his nose down so that I can pet him.
“Well, hello, sweet boy,” I coo. “My name is Angie. Thank you for being nice to me. I’ve never been around dogs before, let alone big, strong handsome boys like you.” He wags his tail some more and pants.
“Unbelievable,” Cody mumbles and I look up confused. “I swear, he barely tolerates me and here you are and he’s all over you.”
“He is not,” I argue, but Steve’s chin is resting on my shoulder and I am still crouched down in front of him with my arms wrapped around him. I’m dating Cody and I haven’t even kissed him yet, I guess this could be weird. Cody carries my bag into the house and waits for Steve and me to enter.
“Come on, buddy, let’s go make the grouch happy,” I tell Steve and he chuffs in agreement. Cody just grumbles.
Cody drops my bag by the stairs and moves to grab Steve’s leash from the hook by the door. I take a minute to look at him, really look at Cody. He’s in running shorts and a Texas A&M t-shirt that is so old and faded it has to be a favorite. The shirt is stretched tight across his back muscles. He seems to fancy the shorty running shorts, and looking at his long muscular legs and firm backside, I can’t say that I disagree. I hear him clear his throat and look up to see him looking over his shoulder at me from where he’s bent over Steve, hooking his leash to his collar.
“See something you like, Angel?” He asks me, his voice husky.
“Maybe,” I say shrugging my shoulders, but Cody just throws his head back and laughs. He is so handsome when he laughs. Like little bits of him from before the accident come out. Oh, and I know about the accident, and I know who he is. I would have recognized him anywhere, but the last thing I want to do is bring up painful memories.
“Alright, let’s do some stretches to warm up,” he tells me. He starts doing calf and quad stretches while I do a quick run through of my favorite yoga moves.
“Do you run often?” He asks me.
