Nets and Lies(54)

Promptly at seven, Nick rang the doorbell. I slipped into my black knee boots and then ran down stairs. When I threw open the door, Nick drank in my appearance from head to toe. “You look amazing,” he said.

“Thanks. So do you.”

And it was the truth. The sight of him in his black dress shirt and black pants sent my heart racing. With his electric purple tie, we appeared to have color coordinated.

We stood awkwardly for a moment. “Why don’t you come in while I get my coat?”

“Sure,” he said, as he stepped inside the foyer. As I went to the closet, I noticed him sizing up the living room. “You have a really beautiful house.”

“Thanks,” I said, as I pulled on my coat. “I’d introduce you to my mom, but she’s out with her boyfriend.”

Nick smiled. “That’s okay. Some other time.” A hopeful look twinkled in his eyes.

I nodded.

“Okay, then, let’s get going.”

When we got outside, I slid into Nick’s older model Honda. It had a comforting feeling to it, mainly because it smelled like him. As we made the drive across town, we didn’t talk. Instead, we listened to the radio. I wasn’t really sure what to say. I knew this wasn’t supposed to be a date. We were just hanging out. I mean, he was taking me to church on a Saturday night for goodness sake. How much more undate-like could you get?

But it really felt like a date, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for it. Not to mention I was supposed to be giving up men, although my new therapist didn’t think the cold turkey approach was in my best interest. Personally, I didn’t like the shame or guilt that coursed through me when I thought about being with Nick. I also didn’t like that tiny flicker still burning within me for Coach T.

When we arrived at the church, I knew I was in for a whole new ball game when I saw what appeared to be a group of Hells Angels motorcycle guys. “Um is this Biker Heaven or something?” I asked.

Nick laughed. “No, smartass it isn’t. Now will you please promise to keep an open mind during the service?”

“I’ll try,” I grumbled.

The “church” wasn’t an actual church. Instead, it was a large room in an abandoned warehouse. The moment we walked through the door, my ears stung from the screamo music blaring out of the speakers. It took me a few seconds to realize it was Christian screamo. Hmm, I was definitely out of St. Catherine’s territory.

Nick spoke to everyone, and I could tell people were touched by him here just like they were at work. They all sized me up—I guess deciding if I was the right kind of girl for him. But those looks were fleeting, and I found more acceptance than I’d experience in a long, long time. It was really nice.

As the band struck up a few contemporary songs, Nick leaned over. “You’re really going to like Henry, the pastor.”

I cocked my eyebrows while fighting not to sound like a smart ass with an “I highly doubt it” response.

“He was a junkie too, but he’s even more hardcore than me because he did time.”

I gasped. “You mean the church’s pastor is a felon?”

“Redemption, remember?”

“If you say so,” I mumbled.

“He had a life altering experience in prison. Now he owns a business, lives in the suburbs and has a wife and three kids.” Nick grinned at me. “Aren’t you impressed?”

“Oh yeah, just shows there’s hope for all us sinners.”

He shook his head at me and then turned his attention back to the music. I passed the time by surveying the congregation and wondering what their back stories were like. When the pastor got up, I tried really hard to pay attention, for Nick’s sake, but it was hard. My mind wanted to wander.

Half-way through the sermon, Nick reached over and took my hand in his. I stared up at him, and he smiled and winked, which cause my heart to flutter in my chest. This was bad—very, very bad. I wasn’t supposed to be having these feelings again so soon. I ducked my head in shame when impure thoughts involving Nick rocketed through my mind.

When church was over, Nick tugged on my sweater sleeve. “I want to introduce you to Henry.”

“Um, do I have to?”

Ignoring me, Nick grabbed my hand and then dragged me down the aisle. We stood in line while Henry and his wife shook hands with members.

At the sight of Nick, Henry’s eyes lit up. “I’m so glad to see you here tonight,” he said enthusiastically while pumping Nick’s hand up and down.

Nick grinned. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

Henry then turned his attention to me. “And who is this lovely young lady?”

Wow, I don’t think anyone had referred to me as a “lady” in years. I shook Henry’s hand as Nick said, “This is my friend, Jordan.”

Henry gave me his warmest smile. “It’s so nice to have you. I sure hope you’ll come back.”

Jeez, nothing like being put on the spot, not to mention I hated to lie to a minister. “Um, yeah, sure, I’ll try.”

Fortunately, another church member was waiting after me to speak to Henry, so I was momentarily off the hook. Nick, with his hand resting on my lower back, led me up the aisle to where we had come in.

I exhaled noisily as we exited through the double doors. When I glanced over, Nick was grinning at me. He cuffed the back of my neck playfully. “Come on, Jordan. Let’s get you out of church Hell and over to my place.”