Redemption(24)
“Dan.”
“Yeah, Penny.” He was on his back, his arm draped over his eyes, completely sated.
“We didn’t use a condom.” I was on birth control. I knew I didn’t have any STDs, but I feared pregnancy far worse than any disease. I had no desire what-so-ever for children. I loved them, but the responsibility was far too great. Evidenced by the fact I almost lost my cat—kids pose far too great a risk.
“I’m clean, babe.”
“I’m not worried about clean. I’m on the pill, but still, accidents happen.”
He rolled over, dropping his arm from his face to my hip, and pulled me close. His eyes shone brightly; they crinkled at the edge with just a hint of a grin playing on his lips. Then he kissed my nose. “We’re good. Don’t worry about it.”
I wasn’t sure whether I shouldn’t worry because he didn’t believe there was a chance I would get pregnant if I were on the pill, or if he didn’t want me to worry because he’d be okay with my getting knocked up. Neither soothed my nerves. I didn’t even want to think about the fact that Annie, and Dan for that matter, had all but said he was a slut prior to meeting me. I flopped onto my back with a groan.
“You’re fine, Penny. Don’t stress.” He sat straight up and tossed his legs over the side of the bed. “Come on. We need to get you home so I can get to the Y.” With a pat on my thigh, he hopped up with far more energy than I currently possessed.
He made me a quick breakfast of eggs and toast with freshly brewed coffee. There was something about the casual way he’d welcomed me into this home, and we’d eaten as though it was the most natural thing in the world. But based on what little I knew about his past, it was the furthest thing from it. I decided to enjoy it while it lasted and not to overanalyze it.
When he dropped me off at my house, I showered and changed. Annie honked the horn in my driveway not long after I finished putting my shoes on. As I walked by the kitchen table, I saw the stack of untouched and therefore ungraded papers that still waited for my attention. It was irresponsible, but I smiled at the sight of them—it meant I had a life outside of school for the first time since Joshua. There was a bite of pain to that sentiment, but I was going to enjoy what I had while it was available to me.
The game was just like yesterday’s—Annie popped up in the middle of conversations to scream at the referee, her husband always finding her loud mouth in the stands to toss her a sexy grin. Even a blind man could see how much he loved her just in the way he looked at her. We yapped about anything and everything but primarily gawked at our stunning men out on the court.
“How long have you and Brett been together? I hope I’m still that in love if I ever get married.” I knew my eyes lit up in optimism. The blush that rose in my face heated my cheeks, and I dreamed of a future I wasn’t sure I’d ever obtain.
She stared at him while she talked. “Almost four years at this point. We dated for over a year before we got engaged, then eloped about a week later, and that was almost three years ago.”
“I love the way you look at him. That sounds funny, doesn’t it?”
“Not at all. Brett was a blessing I never thought I’d get. He’s perfect for me in every way, and he loves me unconditionally, warts and all.” Her eyes never left her husband on the court.
“Dan’s told me a little about your background. I’m glad you found Brett. According to Dan, Brett believes the sun rises and sets in you. Before I met you guys, I thought he was exaggerating, but he was right. That man adores you.”
“It’s mutual. So, how’d you meet Dan?” She was deflecting. I didn’t know the ins and outs, but from what I gathered, her past prior to Brett rivaled my own. There was death that lurked in the shadows, but I didn’t have the story. Dan was good about that kind of thing—not giving out information that wasn’t his to share. I think he believed she would tell me in her own time and knew it would mean more if she trusted me enough to share it.
“If I tell you, you’re sworn to secrecy. Not even Brett.” My eyebrows rose with the indication of juicy gossip.
“Deal.”
I told her the story of his showing up on my doorstep, and how I ended up talking to him on the porch and later invited him in. Her shock showed on her face; her jaw hung in awe when I revealed Dan had been stood up. But I think she was more surprised by the fact he was using an online dating site to find people to mingle with.
“Holy crap. Dan got stood up and met you in return? My mind is blown.”
“He was embarrassed. That was over six months ago. We’ve seen each other just about every day since then.” I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear shyly. “Don’t look so surprised.”
“I’m in utter awe. Don’t take this wrong, but I’ve never known Dan to go out with the same girl twice. You’re quite unique.”
“He’s the first guy I’ve dated in a few years. I went through a rough patch and wasn’t interested in a relationship. I relocated here at the beginning of last semester when I took a teaching job at Furman. I met him a couple of months later. Funny how the universe throws people together when they aren’t expecting it.” I found him on the court and knew my face visibly relaxed. Every time I looked at him, my cheeks heated and my eyes glazed over.