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“Downtown Ice cream bar okay, Red?”
“Of course, I’m an amenable prisoner. Whatever you say.”
I shake my head and drive. I can’t help but get a little worked up at the idea of her being submissive. I’ve only been with girls who knew the score, and were ready for a night of fun. I’ve never really indulged any out of the box fantasies I have. Picturing Ronnie tied up to my bed naked makes me hard and I try to adjust myself surreptitiously. I notice her looking over and I’m sure that the tips of my ears are a little pink.
She shoots me a naughty grin and I can’t help but shake my head again. She seems so innocent, but I have a feeling there are a lot of dirty thoughts floating around in that pretty head. I’m pretty sure those romance books have given her a lot of ideas.
The ice cream parlor is crowded. Probably because it’s a Friday and there’s a football game tonight. I haven’t been here since high school. It’s one of the common teenage hangouts. Their ice cream is kickass though so I’ll just have to grin and bear it.
I hold Ronnie’s hand as we walk inside. I feel her suddenly tense. I glance around me and notice that the crowded, busy restaurant has suddenly grown quiet. My jaw tightens. I forgot about the crap that Ronnie has been facing the last few days. The Riverton crowd hasn’t been subtle in their distaste for someone who turned in one of their own. I puff my chest out and straighten up. I glare at everyone else, as if to dare them to say something to my girl. The conversations around us resume gradually.
After I order two scoops of butterscotch, and she orders two scoops of Rocky Road we sit down at a small table I manage to secure. I take a small bite and watch curiously as Ronnie takes a huge scoop of her ice cream. It’s so big that a little bit drips down to her chin. She laughs while she wipes it away.
“Good to see a girl with a healthy appetite.” I can’t help but note the difference between Ronnie and all of the girls I’ve taken out. Most of them have been dainty girls that barely touched the salad they ordered with no dressing.
Ronnie looks embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I know I have a big appetite. I’ve never been one of those girls who could hide her love of food. Even when I was little, my dad said I would always ask for second helpings.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.” I tilt my head and wink at her. “I love how you look, you know that right? I love that you have curves.”
She glances down at the table and blushes. “I’m way curvier than most of the girls at school. Sometimes it’s hard not to think I’m fat.”
I reach over and grab her hand. “You’re not fat. There’s something wrong with most of those girls. I feel like being rich hides a myriad of sins, including many, many eating disorders. Most kids that go to Riverton feel so overwhelmed with expectations that they focus on the wrong things. It seems to me like you focus on the right things, studying and your family.”
“Thanks. It’s hard to feel a part of things sometimes. I’ve never adjusted to the school and the people there. If it wasn’t for Sam and my dad, I probably would have given up and just pulled the covers over my head every day. They support me.”
“I’m here to support you too. I hope you know that.” I shift in my chair and put down my ice cream. “Enough of talking about the idiots you go to school with. On to something important. What are you up to later tonight? Can I talk you into a date? I still owe you a fancy dinner.”
“A…a date? I would love…” she trails off and wrinkles her nose.
“What’s wrong? Already obligated for another date? It’s okay…just ditch him.” I say it in jest, but my stomach flips thinking about her going out with someone else.
“No, nothing like that. It’s just I promised Sam I would go to the football game tonight so I could cheer her on. She has a trumpet solo at halftime. She’s really hyped up about it.”
“Well, there’s a simple solution. I’ll go too.”
“You sure? I mean, I don’t think I will be the most popular person there. In fact, I’m sure people will have some not so nice things to say about me being there. I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
I lean in. “Ronnie, you matter to me. Now, you won’t be able to get rid of me. I’ll gladly play bodyguard tonight and make sure no one messes with my girl.”
Her eyes widen. “Okay, well I don’t think I’ll need a bodyguard, but you’re welcome to come. Now, I have an even more serious question to ask you.” She leans in, and my heart picks up in rhythm in response.
“What? Shoot. I’ll answer anything. I’m an open book.” I say, because to her I am. I don’t want to keep secrets from Ronnie. I want her to know who I really am.But you still haven’t told her what you’ve done for your uncle or the way you covered up for Brad before.I try to shut down that voice in my head immediately.You can shut it down, but you know someone has been following you.Again, I try to stop that annoying voice. I assume it’s my conscience, which has gradually been making itself known after a long hiatus. Even though the voice is aggravating, it’s correct. I felt someone watching us earlier when I picked Ronnie up. Even now, I know there’s a black Cadillac outside waiting to follow us once we leave. I tune back into what Ronnie’s saying, and pray that she doesn’t ask me anything I have to lie to her about.
“Well, now I feel silly, but the question has to be asked. Especially before this relationship goes any further.” My stomach knots up and I sit back in my chair. I cross my arms defensively. I’ll answer anything she asks, even if I don’t want to.
“Why, in the name of all that is holy, did you pick butterscotch ice cream when they have so many options with chocolate?”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Football games in the south are huge social events. A date to a football game is like a date to the Oscars. It’s all about what you’re wearing and who you sit with.- Sam
Ronnie
I tell Sawyer I’ll meet him at the football game. I’m not quite ready for the pick me up at my house and talk to my dad thing yet. Dad’s been extremely quiet since the whole thing with Brad. I think he’s a little scared to talk to me. I’m pretty sure it’s because he’s afraid I’ll fall apart if he tries to talk to me about it. It’s a repeat of when he tried to give me the birds and bees talk. It still makes me smile to remember my dad’s stumbling explanation and my mortification. I quickly reassured him that mom had already had ‘the talk’ with me years before.
I see Sawyer standing next to his truck as soon as I pull into the stadium parking lot. He’s big and tall, and looks ready to beat up anyone that tries to get the spot next to him. The stadium is packed so my guess is he’s been here awhile.
He moves so that I can swing my small compact car into the spot.
