Page 44 of Ruck Me Harder

“Is that what we are?” Her voice is quiet.

“It’s where I’d like us to go,” I tell her honestly. “I want to date you. I want to be with you.”

It’s uncomfortable putting myself on the line like this. At the same time, I don’t think I could hide anything from her. Open, honest communication is the only way we’ll have a chance at doing this.

“I’ll have to think about this,” she says.

“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

We hang up and I go about my morning routine, getting ready for a full day of training before a shift at the steakhouse. I only have a two-hour break in between.

When I get to the kitchen, Cari is at the table, drinking a protein shake and eating a banana. I make a face. I absolutely hate bananas. The smell, the taste… everything about them makes me gag.

“Good morning to you too,” my sister says when she sees my grossed out face. “How was your date?”

“It went well.”

“Think you’re going to see Viv again?”

I stop in my tracks. I didn’t tell her who I was going out with, just that I had a date.

“W-who?”

Cari rolls her eyes. “You know, my team captain. The woman you were sucking face with all night?”

She shows me her phone, where there’s another photo of us. This one I haven’t seen yet. Her tongue is quite obviously in my mouth.

“I’m guessing she doesn’t hate you anymore.”

“Nope.” It doesn’t thrill me anymore, not with her having one foot out the door.

Bustling through the kitchen, I start preparing my own protein shake. No bananas.

“Come on. What’s that face for?”

“I can’t talk to you about this.”

“Why not?” Cari asks. “She’s my team captain.”

“Exactly. You have to work with her. I don’t want to make things awkward.”

“You won’t.”

Turning on the blender, I let it whirr. Cari opens her mouth and I press the button again.

“But—”

I drown out her voice until she finally gets the hint and stops talking.

“Don’t be a dick, Tone,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest. “I just want you to be happy.”

“I just want me to be happy too,” I mutter as I pour my shake into a glass.

“And Viv makes you happy?”

A beat pulses between us.

“Tony,” Cari says firmly. “Does Viv make you happy?”