Sucker Punch (TKO 4)

I take a drink of the beer and set it on the coffee table. “I’ve been talking to that nurse from the hospital.”

Ruston actually smiles. “Really? What’s her name? I can’t remember if you told me.”

“Paige.” Just thinking of her and saying her name drives me all kinds of crazy.

“I’m happy for you, man. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

I listen to his words and chuckle on the inside. He sure wasn’t thinking that a few months back when he was after Tamilyn at the same time I was.

“I don’t hardly know her but I really like her. I tried to see if she was free for the night but she said she had dinner plans with her parents.” I’m still bummed about that. I haven’t seen her since that night at J

oe’s.

“Good things take time. Look how long it took Tamilyn and me to get together,” he reminds me.

“Touché.” I clink my beer against his. “But if it takes that long, I may go crazy. Either that or my dick will fall off.”

“We could always go to Joe’s and find you a piece of ass for the night.” He grins.

“Yeah, so Tamilyn could kick your ass and mine? No thanks.” I grin back, finishing my first beer.

“Suit yourself.” He laughs as his phone vibrates on the coffee table. He lets out a loud sigh and picks it up to see who is texting him. “It’s Tamilyn.”

“Aren’t you glad we didn’t go to Joe’s?” I ask him.

“Yeah, I am. She’s apologizing. She wants to know if I want to go over, but I’m telling her I’ve started drinking and I’m hanging out with you.”

“Go see her if you want,” I urge him. I don’t want to keep him from her.

“No, you’re my family and we’re having a guy’s night tonight. I’ll see her tomorrow,” he states firmly.

Watching him text Tamilyn makes me want to talk to Paige. I know she’s with her parents, but a quick message won’t hurt anything, right? I talk myself into just texting her and getting it over with. I open my second beer and take a sip, trying to muster the courage to type. I tap her name and grin.

Austin: When are you going to let me make plans with you?

Chapter 11

Paige

I’m sitting across the table from my mom, trying not to blush. The last thing I need is for her to realize I like a guy. Then I’d never hear the end of it. She’d probably be elated if I found someone worth a shit to have in my and Darla’s life.

I stare at Austin’s text, thinking about how sweet he is and how cute it is he’s not giving up on me. I’m not intentionally trying to push him away and I love how he’s pursuing me. I decide to reply, but I act like I’m just searching something on the Internet.

Paige: When do you want to make plans?

Austin: I’m open just about any time, beautiful.

Paige: I don’t think I have anything going on tomorrow after work.

Austin: Can I take you on a date?

I freeze. What am I saying? I need to make sure I have someone to watch Darla before I go off making any kind of plans. Mom looks up from her plate and just glares at me for having my phone in my hands. I set the phone down and sigh.

“Hey Mom, can I ask you something?”

She nods. I glance at Darla and watch as she shovels spoonfuls of mashed potatoes into her mouth. That kid loves some mashed potatoes.

“I, uh, was wondering if you could watch Darla tomorrow evening. I met a guy and he wants to take me on a date.”