He was sitting across from me the day after her funeral. His dad is a harder sell. He’ll get here, if and when he’s ready.
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my thighs. “You know if it works for him, we can meet at the park two blocks from here. He’s got some skills on the basketball court, right?”
Rhys’s mom painted a picture of her husband that was so vivid that I already feel as though I know him.
“You’d do that?” Rhys’s pierced brow pops. “You’re a little taller than him. You’d blow him away.”
Resting back in my chair, I flick a piece of lint off my black pants. “Mention the idea to him and see what he thinks.”
“My time is up,” he says with a hint of resignation in his tone. “I’ll take off.”
Rising to my feet, I offer him a hand. He takes it, pulling himself up.
“This was good, Wolf,” he says quietly. “I’m glad I came.”
“Me too, Rhys.” I pat him on the shoulder as he walks to the door. “Call me anytime.”
The pain he’s in his palpable. I’ll do my best to help ease that, but he needs to do the heavy lifting. He made a step in the right direction today.
***
Just as I round the corner headed to my apartment building, my phone buzzes with a notification of a new text message.
Like a high school kid with a permanent hard-on for the new girl in class, I whip my phone out of my pocket in record time.
“Finally,” I mutter under my breath, followed by a laugh.
I don’t instant text anyone. If you send me a text message, give me an hour or two to respond before you start giving me shit for ignoring you.
My family is on board with that. My friends get it. The women I’ve dated in the past learn to live with it.
I won’t debate the importance of carrying our lives around in our pockets, but everyone needs a breather from their device.
I try to give myself at least an hour a day for that. It’s more if I’ve been pulled through the wringer at work.
I read the text message I’ve been waiting all day for.
Athena: Good evening. I can’t say good morning because it’s way past morning. Where did the day go?
I respond because I want to know more, about her day, and her.
Liam: Where are you now?
Way to pace yourself, Wolf.
I wait for her to answer, but when a minute passes with nothing, I head up to my apartment.
Once I’m inside, I rid myself of the button-down shirt I’ve been wearing all day. My belt hits the floor too before my pants, socks, and shoes follow.
I adjust my dick inside my black boxer briefs.
That semi hard-on problem is back in full force.
Just thinking about Athena is all it takes.
Athena: I’m at the shop. I have a private consult at 8 for a 50 th birthday party next month.
As much as I’d like to see her tonight, I’m beat and she’s busy.