Page 59 of Coastal Rewind

“What’s up, lover boy?” He clapped me on the shoulder as he walked by.

I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t bring myself to disagree with him. As much shit as the guys were giving me for finally pursuing Ryleigh, it was their way of showing support. Nolan was happily married, and I was positive he was team settle down versus team play into the whole stereotype of sleeping with different women every weekend.

“MJ is in his room playing with his magnet tiles. Don’t let him convince you I let him stay up until eleven again.”

Nolan held his hands up innocently. “He was very convincing.”

“Or maybe you’re just gullible.” The sound of Ryleigh’s voice had me turning toward the hall.

Wow.

She had asked me what the vibe was tonight, and I told her to dress in something casual that she could move in. She chose a pair of cut-off jean shorts that were practically painted on and a tight black tee that showed just a sliver of skin above her shorts. A plaid linen shirt was slung loosely around her waist and she had bright yellow high-top Chuck Taylors on her feet. Her hair was in a messy bun piled on the top of her head and she wore turquoise rings on each finger.

“You look great.” I smiled at her. I couldn’t help but notice the red blush creek up her cheeks as she tucked a loose hair behind her ear.

“You both look great. Now, leave,” Nolan said, grabbing ahold of my shoulders and pushing me forward.

“What’s got you so bossy?” Ryleigh laughed as she slung her purse over her shoulder and followed us to the door.

“I’m not giving you time to run away.”

Ryleigh snorted. When Nolan successfully got us out the door, he slammed it in our faces.

“I think he just kicked me out of my own house.” I stared at the door in disbelief.

“We better go before he decides we’re not moving fast enough and starts chasing us down the block.”

I opened the passenger door of my SUV and Ryleigh slid inside. When I got into the car and closed the door, she spun toward me.

“So, where are you taking me on our date, lover boy.” She said the last part with a little extra snark.

“That’s not the nickname I prefer to come out of your mouth.” I smirked but didn’t look over at the slightly shocked face I knew she was making. If I was a betting man, I’d have put money on the fact that her face was red and her plush little lips were parted.

“You haven’t earned that nickname tonight.” She sat back and watched the passing traffic as I drove the few miles to our date location.

When I pulled into the dimly lit parking lot, she looked around confused. I opened my door and she followed hesitantly. The moment we walked through the front door, the sound of chatter and clanging metal filled the air.

It took Ryleigh a minute to soak in her surroundings before an earth-shattering smile broke out on her face.

“I thought you might have some anger you want to let loose.” I checked in with the hostess and we were led to our target.

I debated for days about what I wanted to do for our first official date. I knew I could just take her to dinner, but Ryleigh liked adventures so I figured an activity would be more her speed.

“You didn’t strike me as an axe throwing on a first date kinda guy.” She picked up one of the small axes at our station and felt the weight of it in her hands.

“Thought this was better than a stuffy restaurant.”

“Oh, this is so much better. You’re going down, Superstar.”

“Bring it on, Sunshine.”

I grabbed us two drafts from the bar and placed them on the small table outside of the caged area where the target sat. Ryleigh raised an axe above her head and flung it, hitting the metal grate nowhere near the wood target. She turned to me and shrugged.

“I’ve never done this before. I guess there’s a learning curve.”

I picked up an axe and pointed it at the target. Ryleigh smiled at me over her beer glass and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t about to impress her.

“It’s all about the follow through.” I raised the axe above my head and let my arms fly forward. The axe sailed through the air before landing on the wooden target right in the outermost ring.