Chapter 19
Aiden
The traffic cominginto Nashville is worse than Dallas and that's saying something. We have been stuck in a standstill for almost fifteen-minutes and have moved past one exit so far. The one we need to get off on is about four up, and it might take us another two hours to get there at this rate. What the hell is going on?
"I wonder if there's an accident or something. No way it's this bad on a weeknight," Hazel says.
Cars start to move a little faster at a time, and about fifteen-minutes later, we are finally getting off on the exit to the hotel. My mind might be fixated on dessert, but it's definitely time to eat something besides Jerky and chips.
I follow the GPS and when it has me approach this hotel, I eye Hazel. "How much did this cost?"
"It doesn't matter. I covered it."
"You don't have to pay for everything. I'm perfectly capable of paying for our hotel room."
I try not to get to bent out of shape, but this isn't how our relationship is going to be with her always wanting to pay for everything. This must have cost at least two-hundred bucks. I would have been perfectly fine staying in a small hotel and walking over to all the stuff she wants to do. Hazel seems to like fancy stuff, and that lifestyle. While I admit, I love my big house and my truck, spending that much on a hotel for one night is insane.
The truck comes to a stop, and she gets out to check us in, while I grab our two small suitcases with two extra pairs of clothes and personal hygiene items. We figured we would stop tonight and drive most of the day tomorrow. To be honest, my eyes are starting to burn from staring at the road so long, and don't know how long I'm going to be able to stay awake for sight-seeing tonight, but I'm going to try my best since it's something she has been looking forward to all day.
I meet her in the lobby, which looks like a freaking resort catered to rich people, with probably a million dollar chandelier hanging above. Too much for my taste. I follow her to the elevator, and then to the room door.
"Next time, let me pay, please."
She smiles, opens the door, and ushers me inside.
"Let's get changed and go get something to eat. There's a Steak and Oyster place close. It's got good reviews on Yelp. Or, do you want something else?" she asks.
When does a man ever turn down steak? I already eat it a lot, but what's one more time? "Fine, but I'm paying for dinner. No arguing."
I drag out a pair of black slacks and a blue button-up to wear for dinner, since most likely, it's going to be a fancier steak place, only because that seems to be where she gravitates. It's around eight thirty and if she's lucky I'll be awake until eleven or midnight. Probably not going to last much after that. Especially, if we are driving all day tomorrow.
The bathroom door opens and she is fucking teasing me with a cute almost floor-length summer dress and black flats. The only reason she's wearing those is because we will be walking everywhere tonight, and I'm not an idiot. Why wear heels if you don't have too? Am I right?
"Fuck. I wish I could ravish you right now."
"We should get dinner first. Dessert later."
I take her hand as we exit out of the lobby, and the GPS takes us to the restaurant. The way we are dressed is a little overkill, because as we walk in, it's a chill environment. Most patrons are wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Most steakhouses where I'm from are considered on the fancy side. The hostess takes us right to a table, and takes our drink order.
"This place is actually cozy. I love all the wood," Hazel says.
The waitress brings our drinks and sets down two menus. "I'll be back in about ten-minutes to see if you are ready to order."
We both nod, and pick up a menu. I don't know about her, but my stomach is growling so loud, it's embarrassing.
The prices aren't too atrocious. I take a look at the appetizers and spot deviled eggs with caramelized onions and Canadian bacon.
"I'm gonna get an order of the deviled eggs to start. Probably the Dry-Aged Strip Steak." It's described as being twenty-one day dry-aged with cracked peppercorn garlic butter, chive whipped potatoes, and grilled asparagus, and fried onions. I'm practically frothing at the mouth right now.
"Help me choose. The Nudie Suit or the Belle?"
My eyes cut to the menu to see if she's fucking with me. Nope. There is actually a menu item called Nudie Suit. "You know which one I'm going to pick by just the name."
The waitress comes back and takes our order, and then the live band starts playing. It's an open environment, because you still see everything going on outside with the big bay windows, but still feel like you're in the old south because of the saloon feel. She moves closer to me, my hand resting in her lap, as we enjoy the country music.
The waitress comes by and drops off a basket of garlic rolls and our deviled eggs, which are delicious and my stomach thanks her silently.
In walks someone that I know is going to get Hazel freaking out. Instead of telling her, I wait to see her reaction as he gets up on stage.