Chapter 10
Even after a long hot shower, my legs are killing me. Coach had us do thirty minutes of burpees and then an hour and a half of sprints. Soccer players can run, but even we hate an hour and a half of sprints.
I could really use a nap right now, but what I want more than that is to spend some time with Clarissa. I pull into her driveway and rub my sore thighs for a second before getting out.
I’m here, I text her, because she’d asked me to let her know the second I arrive.
When I get up to the door and ring the doorbell, I’m a little surprised at the nervous feeling in my stomach. It’s stupid because I’ve dated plenty of girls. I’ve done this plenty of times. Parents always love me.
The door swings open and an older man stands there, looking at me like he’s not too happy with what he sees.
“Hello,” I say, standing tall. “I’m here to pick up Clarissa.”
He squints at me. “What’s your name?”
“Gavin,” I say. “Gavin Voss, sir.”
“I don’t know you, right?”
“That’s right.”
He nods. “Okay, well nice to meet you.”
He doesn’t hold out his hand to shake mine. He also doesn’t look me in the eyes. I wonder if he’s trying to intimidate me. Clarissa appears behind him. “Grandpa, I’ve got it. Thanks.”
She steps in front of him and takes his shoulders, turning him around. “Thank you. I’ll be home in a little bit.”
“That’s Gavin Voss,” her grandpa says. “I think he likes you. He certainly sounds nervous.”
She steps outside and closes the door behind her. “Sorry about that,” she says sheepishly. “My grandpa is mostly blind. I told you to text me so I could be at the door first!”
“I did text you,” I say, offering my arm to her.
“You didn’t text me fast enough! We could have avoided that awkwardness.”
“I don’t mind it.” I keep my elbow out and she finally looks down, noticing it for the first time.
She chews on her bottom lip as her fingers reach out and tentatively wrap around my elbow. I tug my arm closer to my side and she comes with it.
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
“Are you?” she says.
“I’m always hungry. I thought we could go down to the boardwalk. There’s a diner there that’s amazing.”
“The pie place?” she asks. I’m keenly aware of her strawberry smelling hair and the gloss on her lips that might taste like the same thing.
“Yeah, it’s called The Apple Pie. It’s only been there a few months but the food is amazing.”
“That sounds fun. I’ve heard a lot of people talk about it.”
We get to my truck, and I open the door for her. Only now do I realize what she’s wearing. I’d been so focused on her face that I hadn’t looked down.
She’s wearing tight jeans that are cuffed on the bottom, and black ballerina shoes. I know from experience in homeroom that her ass probably looks amazing in them, but I’m not about to turn her around and find out. At least not on our first date. Her shirt has long sleeves and it falls off her shoulder on one side. The smooth skin there drives me crazy.
“Thank you,” she says, climbing into my truck. I wink at her as I close the door behind her.
I am really good at this dating thing, and I’m going to prove that to her tonight.
