6. Dexter

Ipull out of the parking lot to the range and slam my fists into the steering wheel.

Why did I think taking Hope axe throwing was a good idea? I should have taken her somewhere nice, somewhere fancy where we could have had salad for lunch and sipped a cocktail.

Now she just thinks I’m a fucking weirdo with oversized hands who almost broke her delicate fingers.

I stretch out the offending hand and my gaze catches on the red knuckles, bitten down nails, and dirt under the fingernails. Working man’s hands.

“Fuck.”

I’m a fucking animal compared to Hope. She does needle craft and cross stitch, for fuck’s sake.

She doesn’t want my giant grubby paws messing up her delicate feminine hands.

There’s a rag in the glove box, and I pull it out and attempt to wipe at the dirt staining my calluses as I drive.

I can’t believe she agreed to get ice cream with me.

But she did.

She hasn’t run yet. So that’s something. But I still don’t know why she’s here in Clearwater. She gets cagey every time I ask. She’s holding something back, but right now I don’t care.

I’m taking Hope for ice cream, and I’m not going to fucking swear, or mention any weird hobbies, or squeeze her hand too tight, even though all I want to do is squeeze her and not let go.

I park in town, and Hope pulls into a spot close by. It’s market day, which means the town square is lined with food trucks and market stalls. There’s a crowd of people so I take Hope’s hand, being careful to hold it loosely and not accidentally crush her in my huge paw.

At the ice cream truck Hope orders two scoops of double chocolate, and I get my favorite, one scoop of peanut butter and one of rum and raisin.

As the woman in the ice cream truck prepares our ice cream, someone calls my name, and I turn around to see a scraggly kid cruising along the edge of the skatepark that’s next to the town square.

I wave at Ty and he gives me a curt nod, more like the men I work with than a greeting from a twelve-year-old. He disembarks from the skateboard and flips it under his arm. Then he crosses the grass toward us, pulling up his jeans from around his skinny hips as he walks.

“Hey Ty.”

I hold out my fist and he fist bumps me, then looks around furtively to check no one is watching.

“This is Hope.” I make the introductions and his eyes go wide for a moment, and he gives me an appreciative look.

“She’s pretty.”

I shake my head. “She has a name and is right here listening. Remember respect, especially when you’re talking to a lady.”

He rolls his eyes but mumbles an apology, which Hope takes with an amused smile.

“Does Jeanine know you’re here?”

Ty nods. “I gotta be back by four to mow the lawns. We’re still on for tomorrow, right?”

The sullen look fades for a moment, and a flicker of hope flashes across his face. But he looks away quickly, and my heart breaks for the kid. He’s trying not to hope because he’s used to disappointment.

“Yup, I’ll pick you up at eleven. Still want to go to laser tag?”

He nods. “Hell yeah. You got to show me your soldier skills, if you’ve still got them.”

He smiles at his own banter then brings his hand to his mouth to hide the smile.

“Hey, I still got them.”

Hope has been watching the exchange quietly, and I can see the hundreds of questions in her eyes. She probably thinks this is my kid or something, which is a joke. I’d make a terrible father.

“You want an ice cream, Ty?”

Ty’s face lights up, and for a moment he’s an excited kid. “Yeah, man, if that’s okay.”

“Course it is.” I turn to the woman at the stand and rattle off Ty’s usual order. “Two scoops of vanilla with sprinkles in a cup.”

“Leave the sprinkles.” Ty looks around furtively, and I notice two other boys with skateboards sitting on the grass nearby. “I’m out with my friends, Dex. I can’t be seen with sprinkles.”

I nod seriously, knowing when I take him out tomorrow and it’s just the two of us, he’ll have multi-colored sprinkles and gummy bears in his ice cream.

“Your friends want ice creams too?”

Ty motions them over, and I buy the kids ice cream. They go back to sit on the grass, and me and Hope leave them to it. We wander thought the market, and when we’re out of earshot I answer her raised eyebrow look and tell her about Ty.

“You heard of the buddy scheme for foster kids?” She shakes her head. “Ty’s a foster kid. I meet up with him once a month and take him somewhere fun.”

“Do you know him? Did you know his parents?”

“No. But I know what it’s like to grow up in foster care. Once kids hit a certain age, it’s unlikely they’ll ever get adopted. Especially boys. The scheme gives them a chance at some fun. The foster families provide food and shelter, but there’s not a lot of money left over for other stuff. That’s where I come in. The buddy system pairs you up with a kid, and you take them out once a month to do something for pure fun.”

Hope stops walking and stares at me. “That’s so sweet, Dex.” Her bottom lip wobbles, and oh my God, she’s going to cry.

I put an arm around her, wondering what beastly thing I’ve done now to make this sweet woman cry.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

She flaps her arms in the way women do, as if batting down the tears.

“It’s okay. I’m just hormonal.”

She looks alarmed at what she’s said and covers her mouth in embarrassment. But I don’t fucking care. Some women get emotional when it’s their time of the month. I’m just relieved it’s not me that’s upset her.

“It’s just so kind of you, what you’re doing for him.”

I shrug. “It’s nothing, really. It’s only a few hours a month, I wish I could do more for the kid.”

For the last two yours, I’ve been doing the buddy thing with Ty, and underneath the black jeans and tough demeanor, he’s just another kid wanting a place to belong.

It’s not a big deal for me to give up a few hours of my time, but I’m relieved I’ve finally done something to show Hope I’m not a complete ass.

The crowd swirls around us, but in this moment it’s just me and Hope. I tuck my sausage fingers under her chin and tilt her face up.

“I’m glad you’re here, Hope.”

“So am I,” she whispers.

And I can’t help myself. My lips press against hers, and her warm breath and chocolate taste is everything.

She moans softly and I deepen the kiss, wanting to devour her. I don’t care that we’re in the middle of the fucking market. Right now there’s nothing that matters in this world but me and this woman.

My fingers dig into her waist, and I pull her soft body toward me.

Hope is mine, mine, mine, and this time I’m not letting her go.

She pulls away with a start, a startled expression on her face. Her lips are bruised red, and I hope I didn’t fucking hurt her again.

“Are you okay?”

“I have to go,” she says breathlessly. “I need to get back to my…sister.”

She extracts herself from my arms. “Thanks for today, Dexter.”

She’s moving too fast, and I’m too stunned from the kiss.

“Wait…”

I reach for her, but my fingers brush air as she disappears into the crowd.

“I’ll call you,” I call after her retreating figure, but she doesn’t look back.

My heart lurches in her chest. This can’t be it. This can’t be how I leave her. I have to go after her and make sure she’s not running away from me.

I step forward and straight into a huge guy with a protruding gut. “Sorry man.”

“No worries,” he says genially.

But it’s not just a man. He’s pulling a cart after him full of fresh produce, a delivery to one of the market stalls.

I do a weird half dance to get around him and hear my name being called.

“Dex!” I whirl around and it’s Ty. “Can we get pizza after laser tag tomorrow?”

I’d promise him anything right now. I just need to follow Hope and secure another date and make sure she’s not leaving.

“Sure.”

“Come see this lit trick I just did.”

I’m turning away when he says it, but not before I see the look in his eyes. I can’t have a twelve-year-old foster kid being rejected, not by me.

“Sure.” I turn to Ty and give him my full attention. “Show me the trick.”

I follow Ty to the skateboard ramp, all the while looking over my shoulder for a sign of Hope. He skates up the half pipe and turns a 180 in the air before landing smoothly and skating back to me. Not bad for a skinny kid on a secondhand skateboard.

“That’s awesome, buddy.”

He gives me a wide grin, looking proud of himself.

By the time I get to my pickup Hope is long gone, but at least I made a kid happy today.