Chapter 3 – First Date

Saturday, December 15th, 2018

Gabi's POV

My alarm went off at 4:45 in the morning and I was not happy. I was grumpy and tired as I was anxious all night long about this date and I knew I should just relax because I knew I was going to have a blast but it was too early for me to get excited. It was too early for anything but coffee and sleep. I applied my make-up and put on a different pair of jeans with a white t-shirt with a stylish army green jacket around my shoulders. I let my natural curls fall to the middle of my upper back while I put on Zoey's necklace.

I let it settle in the middle of my chest as I let my fingers grasp it, "Zo, please don't let me be a bitch to him. You know I suck at mornings." I could hear her laughing in my head causing my heart to ache for just a moment. I took a deep breath before I continued around finishing getting ready. I slipped on the same converse from last night and put a ponytail around my wrist just in case. I was trying to be prepared for everything but I just wasn't sure what to be prepared for.

At promptly 5:30 there was a knock on my front door. I walked down the stairs grabbing my purse and tossing my phone into as I swung the door open to reveal a very handsome Troy Bolton. He was in a pair of jeans himself with a snug t-shirt and the same Columbia from last night around his figure. It was still dark outside so I turned on the light and I could see those blue eyes a lot clearer. He let a charming smile across his face as he reached into my apartment and handed me the extra-large coffee that he got me.

I let a laugh slip between my lips and he smiled hearing it, "How long do you need for that to set it? From the sounds of it you may not be a morning person." I couldn't help but laugh again as I took a sip of the coffee letting the smoothness run down my throat. "Give me fifteen minutes," I said and he only nodded his head swiftly as he escorted me to his car. A very nice black Jeep Wrangler was sitting in the parking lot as he opened the door. I smiled as I climbed inside as the leather interior was very nice and very warm in this cool morning.

I took sips of my coffee as Troy jumped in the other side as he glanced over at me a little smile playing at his lips. His eyes flickered to the clock and like asked her left me to wake up while he began to drive. I watched him as his hand tinkered with the radio. When there was nothing but commercials on this early in the morning he plugged in his iPhone and started a playlist that was calm but very good. His hand then went to the gear shift and it rested there.

My hand left my warm coffee and I let it wrap around his, those blue eyes snapped to mine quickly and that smile came back. I shook my head as I looked out the window at the passing darkness. After about another five minutes I was getting ready to say something when he squeezed my hand, "Good morning," I laughed shaking my head as I took another drink of my coffee. "Good morning, thank you," I said raising the coffee and he smiled with a wink.

"Not a problem. It was the least I could do." I shook my head as he pulled up a hill and then took a couple of turns until he was in the outskirts of the town. He pulled the car around another corner before coming to the most breathtaking view that I could have ever imagined. Troy pulled up into a parking spot and stopped his car, "I figured we would do a reverse date," he said with a shrug and another laugh escaped my mouth.

I opened my door as I stepped out while Troy did the same thing. He pulled two things from the back of the car while he took me across to the deserted boardwalk. This was an empty stretch of the beach that was definitely secluded. He plopped down two chairs and then pulled out another coffee from behind his back, I laughed shaking my head and he smiled, "If I can keep making you laugh you may never get to leave." He said, I just shook my head with a teasing look. We leaned back in the beach chairs while the sun began to peek up from the clouds.

He found my hand again as we were both quiet together just watching the sunrise. The breathtaking view made my heart skip a beat as I reached up to touch my necklace. Zoey would have loved this. She absolutely loved everything to do with the sky and sunrises were her favorite. "As a kid, on vacation, my dad would wake us up extra early one day to always go watch the sunrise," I mentioned and Troy glanced over at me. "That is very unique and special. Most people go for sunsets."

"Those are always crowded and not that fun. This though…" I looked around at the emptiness of the beach. "It's just you and me." I told him and Troy cracked a smile, "Plus the coffee." I nodded with a laugh, "I'm a bit of an addict." I wiggled my almost empty second large coffee and Troy smiled, "I am too. I just was up too early and had too many cups at my place." I reached over for his hand again and he gladly took mine. "I think I've held my question long enough now…what made you choose to be a coach?" I asked him and Troy smiled.

"Easy, I love the game of basketball. I love teaching kids how to play and I love to compete. It was an easy choice for me. I also love high school kids. They are a pain in the ass but they definitely make me laugh all the time. It's well worth it." He smiled at his answer and I nodded my head, "I could see it last night. You were absolutely having fun out there and I think that's why your players have so much fun. Because you have so much fun."

Troy smiled, "I try to make it fun for them while also being serious with them. It's high school. This isn't the NBA or anything but I want them to succeed and if they want to go to college to play, I normally work extra with them on the side. I have a few that attend Saturday morning open gyms just to get better." I glanced at him, "Are you doing that today?" he turned his head, "What?" he asked, "An open gym?"

His cheeks turned red and he shook his head, "I canceled it today." I smirked, "I really wanted that first date with this super beautiful girl that I cannot stop thinking about." A smile lifted onto my cheeks as if there wasn't a permeant one there already. I could tell my cheeks were a shade darker and we were becoming visible as the sun rose higher and higher in the sky. The pink, orange, and yellow gracing the sky.

"Why did you choose marketing?" he asked me and I shrugged, "I took a class in college and I loved it. I loved the idea and the thought of coming up with ideas for people to market their products. Doing the research on how to market to certain age groups and all of that. I just find it really interesting. I do a lot with restaurants right now but I am thinking about switching locations." I told him honestly, he cocked his eyebrow, "Like completely different companies."

My head bobbed up and down, "Yea," I told him and he sent me sideways glance, "I love my job and my co-workers but my ex-" I paused because I wasn't sure how ready Troy was to hear about how close I was to being married, I looked into his blue eyes and I then looked back down towards the boards on the boardwalk. "You can be honest; you aren't going to scare me." He said quietly and I looked back at him, "My ex-fiancé," I managed to spit out and Troy didn't look shocked, upset, or surprised by what I had just said he only simply nodded his head. "He works there and he honestly won't leave me alone," I told Troy.

"I'm assuming you broke up with him then?" I nodded my head as I certainly wasn't ready to get into the details of why either. "It was a tough decision but it had to be done. We were together for way too long and it was getting old before we ever actually got married. I don't know. I wasn't into the relationship anymore." Troy let a thumb brush across my hand gently and I finished my coffee before I looked out at the blue ocean.

"I'm sorry that he won't leave you alone." Troy said, "I hate that you might have to quit a job you love because of an asshole." A small smile played on my lips as I turned to look at him, "You know, you surprise me. I figured me having an ex-fiancé would scare the shit out of you." Troy laughed shaking his head, "I have ex-girlfriends. What's the difference besides some guy thought taking it one step further was the right thing to do and let me tell you…I know why?"

I turned my head, "And that is?" he smiled shaking his head, "That answer comes on a second date." I cocked my eyebrow up, "You think you're getting a second date?" I asked him and he smiled as he reached forward and brushed a piece of hair that the wind had blown away from the collection behind my ears. "Absolutely," he whispered as his lips were inches from my face and I really wish that he would close the gap between us.

A simple shake of my head caused him to chuckle, "I have it planned too." I couldn't contain my laugh and he grabbed my hand gently as he turned to face the ocean in front of us. I loved that he never asked me to elaborate as to why I broke off my engagement. He never asked questions about Zoey even though he knew she had died. It was refreshing to be with somebody who didn't want to constantly ask me how my family was doing and how I was adjusting to life without my twin sister years removed.

The sun officially rose in the sky and Troy looked down at the watch on his wrist. "Alright, time to pack it up, we have another place to be." I narrowed my eyes, "Where?" I asked him and he just grinned from ear to ear. "You'll see."


I laughed as Troy tried to flip a pancake but he was unsuccessful in his attempt. The teacher at the front of the room was encouraging to try it again and I only shook my head with a laugh as Troy turned to look at me, "You should try this," he encouraged and I just shook my head back and forth because that wasn't a good idea. I wasn't the best cook in the world and I wasn't sure if I wanted to embarrass myself in front of him yet. I was a take-out kinda girl on my way home from work most of the time.

Or crash at Jenna's because she always fed me good food. Yet, Troy had gone above and beyond thinking about our last first dates being taken out to dinner so he decided to go a whole different route. Breakfast cooking classes, so we were going to learn to cook our own breakfast. "Oh yes, you should," he laughed as he pulled me in gently by my waist and I felt my lips part in a gasp from his touch against my bare skin from where my jacket had rose.

He turned me towards the stove and he placed the spatula in my hand as he helped me decide if the pancake was ready. His warm breath tickled my neck and I really wish he would just reach down and kiss where he was breathing. My hands began to shake from the thought of kissing him and I sure as hell knew that if he didn't make the first move at my house then I was going to make the first move. He had been teasing me all damn morning.

"This one is ready," he said and he released me as I slid the pancake onto the spatula and I did a flick of the wrist for the pancake to go crashing to the floor. Troy pressed his lips together trying to hold in a laugh but I let it out for him as I let a loud laugh out of my mouth. He couldn't stop this time as we were both bending over in tears as the flip was so bad. Troy shook his head from side to side trying to calm his body but I busted out into giggles again.

"Okay, so maybe no flipping for you." He said and I laughed myself as we picked up the pancake and put it in the trash. Troy finished flipping all of them and then we cooked eggs and toast to go along with our meal. I poured a glass of mimosa for each of us while he finished up the actual cooking. When he pulled up to the little restaurant that did classes I was speechless but also completely happy that this is what we were doing. It was unique.

Troy picked up our two plates while I carried our drinks to the back patio where we could listen to the ocean while eating our breakfast together. I set our drinks down at a table in the corner while he slid my plate over to me. I exhaled as Troy disappeared inside to grab napkins and I couldn't help but grin to myself at how well this date was going. I was pleasantly surprised at how at ease I was with Troy and how natural the conversation flowed.

He came back and sat down across from me but not without tangling our feet together under the table. We both took a bite of the food and I almost melted in my spot. The way to my heart was food and maybe I wasn't good at cooking it but man could I eat it. "This is so good," I mumbled between bites and Troy could only agree eating up the food in front of us. "What did you graduate high school?" I asked him as I was mostly curious about his age and I thought this was the easiest way to get there.

"2009…" he said looking up at me as if he was gauging how I was going to react as that put him around twenty-seven. "You?" he questioned and I smiled, "2011," I remarked and he seemed impressed by that as I was only a few years removed from college and doing well in my career. Troy smiled, "How about you ask the real question you want to know the answer too." He said and I laughed because it was probably fairly obvious.

"How old are you Mr. Bolton?" I asked him as I took another bite from my food, "I just turned 28." He said and I scrunched up my face, "You're old," I teased and he let his mouth drop open and I laughed, "I'm teasing," I said and he shook his head as he let another smile cross his features, "You?" he asked me again and I took a deep breath, "I'm 25," I told him, "I'll be 26 at the end of June," I said turning my head to see how he reacted to that one. "Summer birthday…interesting."

"When is yours?" I asked him, "End of October." He said, and I smiled as I was glad it wasn't in the month of September. I wasn't sure if I could handle that. "How long have you been the head coach at James Island?" I asked him, he finished his bite taking a quick drink and he smiled, "This is my second season. I was an assistant coach for three seasons before that and when the head coach left, they asked me first to take over. I asked if I could redo the entire staff and they agreed."

I nodded impressed, "That's awesome. Are the assistant coaches your friends?" I asked and he smiled with a nod on his face, "All four of them. Cam and Jax have been my friends since we were in diapers. Our moms were all friends and we grew up together. Jax's dad and my dad coached us all the way through middle school until we took our first steps onto James Island court." I nodded entertained with his story, "Which one was which?" I asked him to clarify.

"Jax is the one about my height with blonde hair. It looks more like he should be from California." I nodded remembering that one, "Cameron is the dirty blonde who sat next to me all night. He's also the JV coach. He's basically my right-hand man." I nodded letting him talk about all of his friends and social life. "Then we have Jesse and Dylan. Dylan is the dark brown hair and he's the one hyping the teenagers who probably don't need to be hyped up anymore." I laughed clearly remembering him.

"That leaves Jesse, he's mixed and probably the coolest dude out there. He played basketball at North Carolina," I let my face speak for itself and he laughed, "I know, I know. You two may not get along too well..." I laughed and Troy smiled leaning back in his chair. "He's married. He is the only married one in our group. Her name is Sage and she's like a little sister at this point." I smiled because he had a tight-knit group of friends that I hopefully was able to meet one day.

"Jax is in a relationship with a girl, her name is Sara. She's pretty cool and she and Jax are pretty serious. We were just teasing him the other night that they need to get married." I laughed and Troy smiled, "All in all that's basically it. Cameron is dating a girl named Lennon but they just started going out like two months ago. I am pretty sure he met her on Tinder." I laughed amused.

"Dylan and I are the only men not taken at this point in time and I honestly hope that changes really soon." I cocked an eyebrow up at this and I smirked as I knew how to play this. "Oh, is Dylan talking to a girl?" I questioned and Troy let his eyes look up at the sky as if he had truly met his match with me. "Oh, I'm not sure. Doubtful." He said with a twinkle in those blue eyes. "Then how are either of you changing your bachelor status?"

He licked his lower lip with an amused chuckle leaving his lips, "Oh boy, I'm absolutely so in trouble with you." He whispered quietly and I looked at him and those blue eyes met mine with such an intensity I wasn't sure how to react. "You're beautiful," he said as he reached across to grab my hand. I squeezed his fingers and I smiled, "Thank you, this date has truly been…amazing." I whispered back to him as I didn't want to break the quiet bubble.

"What if I told you that this date wasn't over?" I turned my head with a smile as I wasn't sure what he meant by that, "What do you mean? I feel like we can't reverse this date much more than we already have?" Troy laughed and nodded finishing off his drink, "You're right about that but this is where we go off script for a little bit." He got up from his spot as he pulled me up gently with his large hand in mine and a big smile on his face. We took our dishes inside as we cleaned off what we had made for breakfast as it was delicious.

I couldn't stop a smile on my face as we helped clean our dirty dishes. Troy sprayed me with water and I gasped as I shoved him gently and he laughed back. I grabbed a cup of water and splashed it onto him causing him to laugh dropping the hose of water and he quickly reached for me. I laughed louder as he pulled me into his tight grasp and my body was a rush of heat with my back pressed against his chest. "That was naughty," he whispered into my ear and his warm breath tickled my neck causing goosebumps to form down my skin.

"You started it," I breathed finally and he chuckled into my ear, damn, I really wanted him to kiss me right now. Yet, he let go and the sudden heat disappeared from my body and I just wanted to pull him back into me. We finished washing dishes and I glanced at Troy with a twinkle in both of our eyes as we couldn't stop sneaking looks at each other as if we were high school kids again. We finished our dishes and put everything away before we gathered our belongings.

Troy escorted me back to his car opening the door for me and after I got in, he shut it before going around to his side of the car. Troy got his car out of the parking lot before he wrapped his fingers with mine, "Do you need another coffee or anything?" he asked, "Well…if you are offering…" Troy laughed with a nod, "I could use another myself." He said as he spun the car around until he was going in the correct direction. He then pulled up to one of my favorite little coffee shops.

City Lights Coffee Shop was something I frequented on my lunch break to get another coffee. They all knew me by name. "This is my favorite," I gushed and Troy glanced over at me, "Are you serious? This is my favorite." I laughed and I nodded as I got out to only reunite our hands and move into the coffee shop. "Hey Becky!" I said with a smile and a wave, "Hey Gabs!" Troy gave me a curious glance, "Do you know her?"

"I'm a regular," I said with a shrug and he smiled, we both walked up and ordered. I went for the Caramel Latte while Troy just got an iced coffee. He went to pull his wallet out and I nudged him as I slipped out ten dollars from my wallet and slid it across the counter. "Well…" he said and I laughed as I turned around to face him. Those blue eyes were just sparkling at me with his lips turned upwards at the corners as we both just stared at each other.

"What's next?" I asked him and he smiled as he seemed torn about what to say but he finally just shook his head back and forth. "Nope, sorry, you will have to wait and see." I shook my head as he turned me to press back against him again while he pressed his lips into my hair and I gripped his hand that was holding me back against him. If people were looking it probably seemed that we weren't on a first date but our fifty-first date. We were so at ease with each other and there wasn't anything that was awkward.

It was just what it was.

Our coffees were slid onto the bar and we both picked up our respective cups and straws before we went back to his jeep. We both got in and settled before he pulled out and drove his jeep to the water's edge of the town. "You never told me about any of your friends," he said and I smiled, "I mostly just have one really, really great friend," I told him and he nodded, "Who would that be?" he asked and I laughed, "Her name is Jenna and we have basically known each other forever. She's married to her husband Ethan and I am basically the constant third wheel." Troy smiled, "I know how that goes. I'm the oldest of three and I am the only one without a significant other." A laugh bubbled up out of my throat, "How does your mom feel about that?" I asked and he laughed.

"She sends me pictures of girls that she thinks are cute." He said sending me a look and I couldn't contain my own laugh this time. Troy didn't say a word about my family and I wondered if he knew more than he ever let onto about my family and the tragedy that struck three months ago. "Jenna was the only one who stuck through with my relationship with my ex," I said quietly, "I had a few other friends here and there but I spent a lot of time with my ex and his friends instead of my own, which I realize is a big mistake now. I lost who I was as a person."

What I didn't tell him was that my sisters were my absolute best friends but one was dead and the other disappeared in the wake of tragedy. I turned my head to look out the window as I needed just a half-second to recover from the physical shock of thinking about the number of people, I have lost in the previous three months. It physically hurt. "Tell me about your siblings," I said finally moving my head to look back at him as he shot me a glance and then just nodded.

"I have a brother and a sister." He said glancing at me, "My brother's name is Brady and he's dating Ada, he's about your age," I paused as the name Brady sounded familiar, "Wait…Brady Bolton? The James Island football star?" I questioned and Troy laughed, "Yea, that's him. He'll love that." He said with an eye roll, "He killed us our senior year knocking us out of the playoffs." Troy nodded his head, "He was quite an impressive football player. He's a coach now too but you'll never guess where…" he said and I looked over at him as I narrowed my eyes.

"Is he at Ashley?" Troy laughed nodding his head, "Yea, he's the weights teacher and works with all of the athletes. He's working on becoming an Athletic Director and the head coach one day but he's an assistant for now." I nodded impressed with his brother that I had vague memories of through high school. "My sister is 19 and in college at South Carolina. She figured she would just follow the footsteps of her brothers." He shrugged and I looked over at him. "Macken," he said and I smiled, "That is a cute name."

"We call her Mac n' Cheese most of the time." I laughed and smiled as he rubbed his hand down my wrist. "So, I know of Blaine," he mentioned cautiously, "Any other nieces or nephews?" he asked and I knew he was treading safely not mentioning siblings. I knew I should just address the issue but I wasn't going to cry on the first date. Maybe the next one.

"Blaine has a five-year-old sister…Lucy." I said with a smile tugging on my face. "She's the sweetest," I pulled my phone out for the first time all morning to see several different text messages from my mom, Blaine, and James. I didn't want to look at them because if they were all texting me it meant they needed me and I didn't want to leave this date. I wasn't ready yet. I stuffed my phone back into my purse but guilt instantly took over.

I pulled my phone out of my purse again and I read through the series of text messages.

James: Lucy had another dream last night, I think. She's inconsolable right now. Can you help?

James: Gabi?

Blaine: Aunt G…Lucy really needs you. She will not stop crying and screaming.

James: I'm worried Gabi, are you okay?

Blaine: Lucy finally fell back asleep but where are you? Dad said you never responded.

Mom: Are you okay?

I took a deep breath while I tilted my head back against the headrest. "You okay?" I looked over at Troy and I just nodded, "I think that explanation is going to require a second date full of wine." Troy cracked a smile, "Monday night?" he suggested and I looked over at him, "What time?" I asked him and he mused on the thought for a moment. "I'll cook dinner at my place if you bring the wine, at 8 pm."

I smiled, "Absolutely."

"And you don't have to tell me anything." He said glancing over at me, "You owe me nothing but if you need to talk, we can." I reached over to squeeze his hand gently and he smiled as he finished the drive coming up to a little park. "I just need to call my mom really quick. I guess I told nobody but Jenna about our date this morning and since I haven't had my phone they are concerned." Troy just nodded his head, "Of course. I'll be at the bench." He said walking away and I smiled watching him move to the bench. It had gotten significantly warmer since this morning as I had shed my green jacket as the sun was warm for December.

I pressed on my mom's phone number and it instantly called and she answered seconds later. "Gabriella Shae," she said and I rolled my eyes, "Mom, I'm on a date." I said quietly, "I didn't have my phone because I have been with an amazing guy all morning and I don't want to be on my phone." My mom exhaled, "If you would have just told somebody then none of us would be bothering you." I looked down, "I'm sorry I wasn't there this morning for Lucy,"

"Don't be sorry. You deserve to have some fun. Just next time…tell me so if you go missing, I don't think you ran away." I knew the sting of Beth leaving was causing a lot of heartache in my mom. She essentially lost two of her daughters within weeks of each other only leaving me standing. "Of course, mom, I have to go, I'll fill you in tomorrow at dinner." She thanked me and I shut my phone off before I walked over to Troy.

He tilted his head back to look at me and he let a devil smile cross his face again, "How do you feel about kayaking?" I laughed, "I love it." I responded and he squeezed my hand as he tugged on me gently and guided me towards the entrance to the park where you could rent kayaks to share. I smiled leaning into Troy and knew that Lucy would have another nightmare that I wouldn't be able to be there for. They were going to have to get used to it.

Yet, it still felt wrong.

But I also knew I deserved this.


Troy and I laughed on the water together as he rocked the boat causing me to squeal, I laughed and Troy shook his head, "I absolutely love that laugh." I smiled over at him as the sun was high in the sky and I had zero idea what time it was anymore. I just knew that I actually never wanted this date to end but to know that we already had date number two planned made my stomach flip. Troy stopped our little kayak in the middle of the water as we stopped.

"I keep trying to think of something else to do so this day doesn't have to end." I smiled as I grabbed his hand and I brushed my fingers against his. "I understand. This has been one of my best days in a really long time." I mentioned and Troy gave me a quick look before his eyes cast down towards the ground. I quietly moved across the kayak hoping to not disrupt the balance of it and when I settled between his legs Troy crossed his arms around my shoulders easing me back against his chest.

The boat rocked gently and Troy exhaled, "Why do I feel like this is our fifteenth date instead of our first?" he asked quietly and I shrugged my shoulders gently, "I was thinking the same thing at the coffee shop. Brad and I basically jumped into bed with each other the first night we met and then just became a thing. We never dated or did anything like this and I definitely have to say this is much better."

"That doesn't explain my comfort level with you and wanting to do so much more than I should do with you on a first date. I just want to have a date every day to make everything I want to do with you okay," I laughed as I snuggled back into his chest wishing that we were further in our relationship, "Maybe the second date," I said with a wink tilting my head to look at him and he grinned, "Don't tease me,"

I laughed, "I don't know Troy, maybe we were supposed to meet that night and the phone calls helped." I told him because they had eased me in worry about this date with a random man but the fact that he was a basketball coach and a high school teacher told me that he was harmless. "But those phone calls were never awkward. One girl I dated we talked on the phone I think twice because it was so awkward. Our conversations were so…relaxed. I don't know. There is something about you that calms me down and I don't need to be anything but myself around you."

Squeezing his hand, I turned around to look at him again while sitting on my butt in the thing, "I'm already looking forward to Monday," he smiled and I reached up to brush my fingers through his hair and he smiled as he closed his eyes, "You know, you've made me wait all day…" I said to him and he let a smile crack against his lips, "You think you're the only one that's been waiting?" he asked me as those blue eyes flickered to mine and I shook my head back and forth.

"Stop trying to be a gentleman," I whispered as I leaned in closer to him and he could only shake his head with a laugh before he closed the gap between us. My arms locked around his neck and he pulled me into his lap rocking the kayak as his lips devoured my own. He kept it clean but man could this man kiss. His hands gripped me closer to him and I felt like I was in a dream. His lips were warm and magical against mine.

I pulled away from him and I tilted my forehead against him, "I thought I told you to not be a gentleman?" I questioned and Troy groaned from those words clearly not able to control himself. I giggled and I brought my mouth to him again and this time he allowed his tongue to graze my lips. My mouth parted for him and it was intoxicating. His mouth on mine, our hands trying not to move from their appropriate spots but both hands so desperately wanted to move to other places.

Brad was a terrible kisser compared to this. Awful. My hands moved from behind his neck to cup his face to continue the kiss but with that movement it caused too much movement causing the kayak to tip slightly, I pulled back too quickly as the whole thing flipped over with my screeching following. The water was ice cold in the middle of December as we were plunged into it and when I resurfaced to the top, I only heard his laugh.

Swimming in a circle I turned to look at him as he pushed the kayak back over and he laughed again, he turned to look at me with a twinkle in his eyes as if this was his whole plan. He swam over to me and he pulled me against him as I easily let my legs fold around his waist and he smiled pulling me into another kiss. I shook my head with a smile as we pulled back again, "That was one way of a cold shower," I couldn't help but laugh this time as Troy pulled himself into the kayak easily and then he helped me get back into it. I was shaking from the cold water and Troy automatically was rowing back to the headquarters.

We both shoved the boat in the proper direction and we were both fairly quiet on the way back. Troy pulled up to the dock and we were both soaking wet head to toe, "We're going to get your jeep dirty," I said embarrassed as it was my movement that caused us to capsize. "No big deal," he said throwing me a smile, "I have towels in the back of the car from when I take my dog to the dog park. They have a pond and she automatically will go straight to it."

My eyes stared into his and he seemed caught off guard to my stare, "What?" he questioned, "You have a dog?" I deadpanned and he laughed with a nod, "Yea, her name is Luna and she's a Siberian Husky." I almost melted into a puddle at his feet. "Can we swing by my place so I can change and then can I meet your dog?" I questioned and he couldn't help but laugh and nod his head. "To extend this date? Absolutely."


Troy's POV

I watched her disappear into the house as she was only changing into dry clothes before coming back out. I told her I would wait here as I noticed it was three in the afternoon. I had been with her for hours and we were still continuing this date. I was almost convinced that we were going to have dinner together and maybe we could watch a movie at my place. I didn't want her to leave tonight. I wanted her to stay.

It was a little forward but man…when she told me to stop being a gentleman, I about lost it then and there. Then our boat tipped over and the moment was almost ruined but she was one hell of a good spirit about being dumped into some cold ass water. I was shivering in my seat but lucky for me I had a pair of dry pants in the back with a basketball coaching shirt but I was still trying to shake it. My phone buzzed and I reached down to pick it up.

"How did your date go?" Jax asked from the other side, "We're still together." I said as I watched her apartment door waiting for her to come back out. Jax was the only person who knew about our plans today and he thought they were good. "Wait what? I thought you were just doing the sunrise and the breakfast?" he questioned, "I didn't want the date to end so we went and got coffee and then I took her kayaking and now she wants to meet Luna,"

"Please tell me you haven't talked about that dog the entire time." I laughed, "No, man, we've talked about anything and everything. I seriously don't want this date to end. I'm hoping she'll stick around for some pizza and a movie before I take her home." Jax laughed on the other end, "Damn, you do like this one." She pushed out of her apartment door and down the one set of stairs, "J, I gotta go. I'll fill you in tomorrow."

I hung up the phone as she got into my car in another pair of jeans with a Duke Dance sweatshirt on. "I cannot tell you how excited I am to meet your dog. I want a dog but my landlord says absolutely not." She rolled her eyes and I only smiled over at her as she had put on a blue pair of converse that matched the letters on her shirt. "How long did you dance for?" I asked her as I turned to glance at her and she smiled thinking of fond memories.

"I started when I was three and danced until I was twenty-three." She glanced down at her shirt and shook her head, "I have some great memories of dance and I absolutely loved every single minute of it but I was also glad to hang it up for a bit. It was something I did every single day." Troy nodded, "I was disappointed when I only received small offers to go to college to play basketball. I walked onto South Carolina's team and it just wasn't worth it. I played for two years and when the coach said that he just didn't see it going further I walked away disappointed but I also found a better life beyond that."

"You didn't tell me that, you just said you were in a frat," I laughed, "I was while being a walk-on, I was an over-achiever in college." She shook her head as I drove to my place that was about fifteen minutes from her place across town. I had my own house that was small but perfect for me and Luna. She had a fenced-in yard to run around in, even though she still tried to jump the fence. "How old is Luna?" she asked me and I couldn't stop my smile.

"She's two."

"Ohhh a baby,"

I laughed, "She doesn't look like one but she sure acts like one." I found my hand back into hers, "Do you want me to call in some pizza?" I asked her as I threw her a sideways glance. I wasn't trying to push my luck extending this date into an all-day thing but it was happening and I think both of us were okay with that. She hesitated as if she had to be somewhere, her eyes looked at her Apple Watch on her wrist.

"I can stay for a little bit." She said nervous, "I uh…I promised Lucy I would come read her a story tonight before bed." I bit on my lip as she glanced out the window, I knew that Blaine's mom had died in the past summer. Coach Sam's had talked about how he wasn't sure how Blaine was going to hold up this season due to the loss of his mother but I didn't know that he had a five-year-old sister and I didn't know how she died or if she was even Gabi's sister. For all I knew it was his dad that was her brother. I shook my head because she was affected by the loss only meaning that it was probably her sister. When we talked about my family, I was cautious not to push too far into hers because of that. She needed to be ready to talk about that part and it could take weeks for her to feel that comfortable around me.

I only squeezed her hand and nodded, "You tell me when you need to be back home and I will have you there, okay?" she turned to look at me with a grateful smile, and those brown eyes melted me. The light was red so I leaned over as I pressed my lips against hers and she brushed her thumb over my cheek. "What's your favorite pizza?" I asked her as the light turned green so I pushed my car forward. "Uh, it depends on my mood. I'll eat just about anything under the sun."

"Combo?" I questioned and she just nodded as I pulled into my driveway, "You have a house?" she said and I nodded my head up and down, "Yea, I figured I would rather invest in a house instead of continuously paying rent." She nodded her head in understanding, "I get that. I just don't like being in a big place alone though." I nodded as I understood that too, "That's why I have Luna and just to uh warn you…she's going to be hyper."

Gabi let out another laugh, "It's okay. I can handle myself." I smiled as I opened my garage door and we eased into my house. I shut the garage behind us and I opened my car door to already hear Luna barking. I walked around my jeep and up the single step into my house as Gabi was right behind me. I pushed open the door praying to God that my house was somewhat clean right now. I have been so busy with basketball I really haven't been keeping up.

Luna was barking loudly as I went into the dining room where her crate was. She was about 55lbs and her ears were pointing straight to the sky, her head turned slightly, "Oh my, Troy she's beautiful," Gabi bent down close to her cage and Luna whined as she tried to lick and smell Gabi through it. I smiled as I bent over to unlock the kennel as Luna launched to me first and I laughed petting her as she ran around in circles.

"Hey Luna girl," she then barreled into Gabi causing me to wince, this is what happened when she was locked up way too long. Gabi just giggled and bent down to get a bath from Luna but she only laughed the entire time while petting her and greeting her. My stomach stirred with something that I wasn't sure but the sight made me so damn happy. "I think you got the approval from Luna," I said as I tried to pull her off but Gabi was holding onto her which caused my heart to just soar with happiness.

She loved my dog. I was sold. She was going to be mine by the end of this day because this date felt like five different ones in a single day. Gabi stopped laughing as Luna took off for the backdoor. "C'mon, we can play ball with her." I lead Gabi through the other half of my house that branched off into the kitchen and living room. The kitchen was bare and only had the necessitates maintaining my lifestyle. The living room was stocked with surround sound and a 65'' TV on the wall. Her eyes were sweeping the area as it was fairly clean and I had to be pretty proud of myself for that.

Opening the backdoor, it revealed the several trees planted in the back of the lot that Luna absolutely loved because squirrels hid up there. She went racing for her ball only to stop and pee before running back to us as she dropped her ball at Gabi's feet instead of mine. "Hey," I balked at Luna and she looked up at me with her tongue half hanging out of her mouth as if to say what dad? Gabi laughed grabbing the ball and launched it across the yard sending Luna sprinting.

"I like your house, it's small and cozy." She said as she turned to look at the main level. There were only two bedrooms upstairs and an extra bathroom. That was the entirety of my house and that's all I needed. Sometimes one of the guys crashed here when they had too much to drink or if they were fighting with somebody so it was nice to have a little extra space. Luna brought the ball back that was slobbered all over and she dropped it at Gabi's feet again.

"You don't have to throw that, it's gross," I warned and she shook her head just picking it up and launching it again. Luna's tail couldn't move faster as she chased it. "She likes you." I observed and Gabi sent me a glance, "I bet she likes everybody," I laughed shaking my head, "No. She still barks at Dylan and Sage sometimes. Damn, if you're a complete stranger she normally barks until you disappear from the yard and do not get me started on the UPS man." Gabi laughed, "Really?" I nodded, "She's a protector." I told her as Luna came running back but her attention was pulled away from the ball when a squirrel tried to run through the yard.

I smiled as I turned my attention to Gabi. She was smiling watching my dog and she was amused by the squirrel chasing that was occurring. "Luna," I called and she came running back, "Come on girl, let's go inside," she went running up the steps into the house as I followed Gabi back into the house. "I'll give you the grand tour," I said as I popped on the kitchen light to reveal the kitchen that had dark wood cabinets with white countertops. Stainless steel appliances throughout the kitchen. "Very manly," she remarked and I smiled, "It does its job," I said with a shrug as the laundry room is where we walked in which was by far the messiest room probably with my clothes everywhere.

"Such a bachelor," she teased and I laughed, "I would be lying if I said I had never gone to the store to by clean underwear." She laughed and grabbed my hand as she leaned into my shoulder. Focus Troy, finish showing her the house before you put her on the kitchen counter. I showed her the living room that hard a large leather recliner on the main wall with two chairs placed on the other side of the couch with a coffee table in the middle. "Do you have bad eyesight?" she joked glancing at the TV and I laughed, "Sure," I told her with a joking nod.

Luna followed us around happily wagging her tail as I took Gabi up the set of stairs as I pushed open the guest bedroom door. "This is my guest bedroom," I announced as a queen bed sat in the middle of the room with a dresser and some boxes from when I moved in last year still sitting around needing to be unpacked. "It's cute, small, perfect for a guest," I nodded as I showed her the spare bathroom that was spotless, and then I glanced at the door to my room.

I knew it was dirty.

"I won't judge," she whispered in my ear and I laughed quietly as I pushed open my door. My bed was unmade and the pillows were in the middle of the bed. Luna walked up and jumped right onto the bed as she circled around and laid down looking at the two of us. "Is that her spot?" Gabi asked and I rolled my eyes with a smile, "Yea, she's a snuggler." I spoke as Gabi turned around to see a smaller TV in my room with clothes piled everywhere. I really needed to stay home tomorrow and do laundry all day.

She walked over to pet Luna and she smiled, "I really like it. It's very manly," the walls were a deep gray color and my bedding was a lighter gray that didn't show Luna's hair that well. "It's my home and I like it. It wasn't that expensive and didn't need too many tune-ups." She nodded and she found my hand as she interlaced our fingers together with a smile on her face. "I should probably get going," she whispered and I knew my lip poked out before I could even think about it.

She laughed, "Are you pouting?" she asked and I nodded my head, "I don't want this day to end." She smiled and leaned in to kiss me, in my bedroom, ah hell. My arms circled around her and her arms went around my neck again. The kiss was shorter than the others but the best out of all them. "You'll see me Monday," she whispered and I shook my head, "No. I want to see you tomorrow." It blurted out of my mouth but I knew I couldn't.

"Maybe we can," she offered and I sighed, "I can't. I have a bro date," she arched an eyebrow, "A bro date?" I laughed, "Every Sunday, I and the guys get together to watch football together. We eat all day and talk basketball and about our upcoming games." I shrugged and she smiled, "Then Monday,"

I just nodded as I kissed her knuckles before we walked out of the room. "C'mon Luna, we gotta take Gabs home," she grabbed her purse and I opened the door to the garage as Luna went running out. I grabbed her leash as I would probably take her to the park later to get some of that energy out. Gabi was already in the passenger seat and I got into the driver's seat as Luna was in the backseat, her head poking upfront as Gabi was constantly petting her. Luna gave her more kisses and I laughed.

"Luna, knock it off,"

"She's fine," Gabi said simply and smiled at the dog. "I'm pretty sure she's kissed you more than I have." I said simply and Gabi smirked, "Are you jealous?" she asked and I laughed nodding, "Frankly, yes," Gabi smirked as we came to a red light and she unbuckled her seatbelt and before I knew it she was kissing me from across the seats and I smirked into the kiss, "You know I'm crazy about you…right?" she giggled nodding her head as she sat back down and buckled her seatbelt again.

A smirk spread over her face, "Damn straight,"

I pulled her hand to my mouth and I smiled shaking my head because I was in deep shit with her. I was smitten and I wanted nothing than to be with her every single minute of every single day. Those boys were going to have their way with me tomorrow…that's for sure.


Gabi's POV

Troy dropped me off at my apartment and escorted me all the way to the door. He pressed me back against it and those lips…oh man, those lips. He smiled as those eyes were shining, "I'll see you Monday," he said, a smile blooming on his face and I only nodded, "I'll see you then, Bolton," he smiled as he squeezed my sides and as he walked away he turned to glance at me, "I think we just shattered the world best first date," he said and I laughed nodding, "I think it was the dog that did it,"

Troy laughed, "I knew I kept her around for something." I winked at him and he left down the stairs. I fell into my apartment and I couldn't wipe the grin from my face. Holy hell, what a damn date that was because I was for sure head over heels for him. He was a gentleman and he knew how to treat a lady. He didn't object when I paid for coffee and man did, he had some creative ideas for the day. Plus, that dog was so damn cute.

I went upstairs as I changed into a pair of leggings with a long sleeve t-shirt. I pulled on a coat as when I came in earlier, I called James to apologize. He told me not to worry about it but Lucy had asked if I would come to dinner so I told him yes. I hated that Troy and I couldn't continue our date but it sounded like Lucy had a really bad day. I needed to be there for her as well. She needed me still. I gathered my stuff again as it hit me how exhausted I was. I had been up since the crack of dawn this morning but the moment I was with Troy, I didn't even remember how early it was. I was just happy.

I hadn't been happy in a really long time.

The events of the day hit me as I knew normally, I would be going over to see James, Lucy, and Blaine because I would go over to see my sister to tell her absolutely everything. Tears overtook me as I sank to my knees and I let the sobs roll out of my body. The heaviness that had weighed on my shoulders and the heartbreak. It tore me up. I pulled my phone out and I dialed my mom's number because she had to take over for me tonight.

If I went over there it was going to hurt like hell.

My mom answered on the third ring, "How did your date go?" she asked excited and I sniffled, "That bad?" my mom instantly said and I only laughed, "No, mom, my date was amazing. We're going out again on Monday and I am very excited to see where our relationship goes but it's been such a long day and I was getting ready to leave to go over to James and Lucy but then it hit me that if this was a normal day that I would be going over anyways so I could tell Zo absolutely everything that happened today and it hurt so bad. I can't go over there tonight mom. I can't. I will do nothing but cry and Lucy doesn't need that."

"Oh sweetie," I battled back tears, "I miss her so much mom,"

"I do too sweetie, I do too."


Troy's POV

Sunday, December 16th, 2018

Troy's POV

I showed up to Jesse's house and I knew the moment I entered that room they were going to know that yesterday went well. I couldn't stop the smile on my face. I couldn't stop laughing and being happy. Luna was attached to her leash as she was the only other girl who got to come to Sunday football besides Sage. I opened the front door and released Luna into the room as she went running. Cheers of her name were heard as the guys all loved her.

I rounded the corner and all four of them stared at me.

"Oh man," Cameron smirked, Jesse laughed, Jax and Dylan only shook their heads with a smile on their faces. "What time did you finally split off yesterday?" Jax asked Cameron, whipped his head around to look at me, "Wait…he knew?" I laughed as I put down my case of beer and I just nodded, "Yea, he knew." I said as I went to my normal spot. "What did you do?" Jesse asked and I sighed, "We did a reverse date. We watched the sunrise, went, and did cooking classes because the last time we both had a first date we went to dinner and it didn't go well." All of them smiled and Sage was swooning, "Bolton, I didn't know you had it in you." I laughed shaking my head, "Then I didn't want the date to end so I kept making shit up as the date went on."

"We went to get coffee, kayaking, then I mentioned something about Luna and Gabi wanted to meet Luna. So, we did that and then I took her home around four-thirty. We were together for almost twelve hours yesterday." The boys all laughed with a smile on my face, "Did Luna like her?" Sage asked and I nodded, "Oh god, Luna loved her. She basically tackled her and kissed her to death." Jax cleared his throat, "And you?" he asked, I tried to not give it away but my smirk slipped.

"Damn, you had a really good date yesterday." Dylan said shaking his head and I laughed, "So good that I'm cooking her dinner Monday night." Dylan laughed, "You're going to be engaged before Jax and Sara," Jax threw him a glare from the other side and I shook my head with a smile playing on my lips, "Mark my words men, I'm going to marry that girl." Sage glanced at me to see if I was being serious and I guess the smile on my face gave it away.

"She must be a pretty special girl to catch your attention," I could only smile again as I turned my attention to the football game to see a text from Gabi on my phone.

I had too many dreams about our date yesterday…so good. I can't wait to see you tomorrow.

I shook my head with a grin as I went to type back.

Luna misses you. She can't wait.

I plopped my phone down as I watched the next several minutes trying to pace myself texting her back but I couldn't.

Just Luna? ;)

I could only laugh as that caught the guy's attention, "Oh fuck, guys, we're in trouble. He's smitten." I rolled my eyes but I didn't say anything because they were absolutely right.

Nope, definitely not just Luna.

I sat my phone down and I shook my head, I was definitely going to marry this girl.


Sigh. Probably one of my favorite first dates I have ever written. I think I want to go on this date? Mostly for Luna though, tbh. :) I hope you all enjoyed it! Sorry for the late update but here it is! Please let me know what you think!

Also…no. I have not forgotten about His Girl. I was in a bit of a writing slump and then got really busy. I'm hoping (no promises) to have a chapter out by next weekend. I want the last several chapters to be good so be patient with me, please! I know you are all anxious for the next one!

Please REVIEW!

Next Update: June 28th (I'll again be traveling but it will be early in the morning or late at night.)