Chapter 14

 

 

Chloe

 

 

The roads were starting to get very slippery and everyone was driving slowly. Almost too slowly. By the time I made it home, I was too tired to do much of anything, so I decided to unpack some of my clothing and then get to the Christmas tree. As I was deciding where to put it, my cell phone rang. It was a phone number that I didn’t recognize.

“Hello?”

“Hey, is this Chloe Wilson?”

I groaned inwardly. The guy sounded too cheery to be anything but a telemarketer. “Yes.”

“It’s Tank. I don’t know if you remember me, but we met last year at the Gold Viper’s fundraiser.”

“Of course, I remember you,” I said, relaxing. “How’ve you been?”

We chatted for a while about the last few months and then he brought up the fundraiser.

“Tomorrow we could use a few people to hand out invites for our ‘Meet Santa’ fundraiser. I was just wondering if you’d have an hour or two to help pass out some fliers?”

That sounded easy enough. “Sure. I would love to,” I replied.

“Awesome. There’s one more thing. You need to dress like an elf. I have a costume for you, so don’t worry about finding anything to wear.”

It sounded like fun and I loved dressing up. After Christmas, my favorite holiday was Halloween. “No problem. As long as it’s not too revealing and my ass isn’t hanging out.”

He chuckled. “No. Not at all. It’s family friendly, although you’ve given me some ideas for next year. At least for my wife, Raina.”

I smiled. “Oh, boy. Well, I’m glad I could help. Um, so… do you want me to stop by the clubhouse to pick up the costume?”

“No. I hear the roads are getting bad. Why don’t you give me your address and I’ll have someone drop it off?”

Relieved that I didn’t have to go back out onto the icy roads, I gave him the information.

“Great. Thanks again. We really appreciate you wanting to help out.”

“It’s for a good cause. I don’t mind at all.”

“I wish everyone had your attitude,” he said, sounding a little exasperated. “Anyway, try on the elf costume. It should fit, but if it doesn’t, let me know.”

“Will do. When do you think someone will be dropping it off?”

“Hopefully, within the hour.”

“Okay. I’ll watch for them.”

 

FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER, my intercom buzzed. I stepped away from the Christmas tree, which I’d just finished stringing lights onto, and answered it.

“Hello?”

“I have a package for you from Tank,” the man said briskly.

“Okay.”

 I buzzed the stranger in and a few seconds later, there was a sharp rap on the door. I opened it up and when I saw who was standing in the hallway, my stomach did a flip flop. It didn’t help that he looked even more handsome than I’d remembered. “Oh. Hi.”

Staring at me in surprise, Graham seemed just as shocked to see me. “Hi.”

Unable to get the stupid smile off of my face, I looked at the package he was holding. It was wrapped in brown paper and had my address scribbled on the top. “Is that for me?”

“Apparently.”  He held it toward me.

I took it from him. “Thank you.”

“Sure. So, you live here?”  

“Yeah. I just moved in today, actually.”

“Huh,” he said, rubbing his hands together, as if they were cold. “You know, I only live a couple of miles from here. On Greeley.”

“Really?” I laughed nervously. “What a small world.” I had no idea where Greeley was, but planned on looking it up as soon as he left.

“Yeah. It’s Chloe, right?” he asked, flashing me a panty-dropping smile.  

I nodded. “Yep. Chloe Wilson. That’s me.”

Oh God, I sounded like a dork.

“I can’t remember if we were formally introduced. I’m Graham. Graham Dodge. You can call me that or Dodge or even Dodger. That’s what the guys call me at least. Dodger.”

Was it me or was he nervous too?

“The guys as in the Gold Vipers?”

He grinned. “Yeah. Sorry. I’m actually a Prospect now.”

“Oh. Well, congratulations.” His black leather jacket covered the vest he was wearing, so I hadn’t noticed any patches and Jessica hadn’t said anything.

“Thanks.”

We stood there staring at each other for a few seconds, in awkward silence, until he finally broke it. “Well, I should probably leave. Have a good night.”

“Thanks. You, too. Oh, wait. Tank said I should try on the outfit. In case it didn’t fit, you know? Do you have a few minutes? I can give it back to you if it doesn’t work out and save another a trip out here.”

“Sure,” he said, giving me a funny look. “An outfit, huh?”

“It’s actually an elf costume.”

“Oh.” He smiled. “Okay.”

“It’s for the fundraiser. I guess I’m handing out flyers tomorrow and he wants me to dress like an elf.”

“Sounds like Tank. He really gets into the Christmas spirit.”

“I do, too. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Come on in,” I said, moving out of the way.

Graham stepped into my apartment and walked past me. Taller then I remembered, he smelled very masculine, like leather and something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

 As if reading my mind, he apologized for smelling like exhaust fumes. “I just got done helping a buddy of mine move a bunch of cars around at the clubhouse. He was plowing the snow out of the parking lot.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t notice,” I lied.

“Wow, you really did just move in,” he said, noticing all of the boxes scattered around the living room.

“Yep. Uh, here,” I said, rushing over to the sofa. I cleared off a place for him. “Why don’t you make yourself at home while I go and get changed? Can I get you something to drink?”

“No. I’m fine. Thank you.” Graham sat down and looked at the Christmas tree, which was still bare except for the blinking multi-colored lights.

“I just got that,” I said, glad I’d put it up already. It made the place look a little warmer, I thought. “Just trying to make it more festive in here.”

He nodded.

“Do you have a tree?” I gushed, talking too quickly. I couldn’t help it, though. It felt so weird. I once again felt like a teenager, this time on a first date. It was so awkward, which I knew was silly, but all I could think about was the last time we’d seen each other and that kiss.  

“No.”

“Oh.”

He looked away.

“I’m sure you’re-”

“Busy. Yeah, I just… haven’t had time,” he said, looking a little uncomfortable. “Besides, it’s just me anyway.”

“It’s just me this year, too,” I replied, secretly feeling a little too happy about his admission. “But, I couldn’t spend Christmas without a tree.”

He stared at me. “So, why are you alone this year?”