27 Dates_The Race Date Read online

  27 Dates

  Volume 10: The Race Date

  By B. N. Hale

  Text Copyright © 2018 B.N. Hale

  All Rights Reserved

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Excerpt from Volume 11

  Author Bio

  Chapter 1

  “You have to tell her,” Jackson said.

  “I can’t,” Reed said. “She won’t understand.”

  “If you don’t tell her, you’ll lose her anyway,” Jackson said.

  They were sitting at the kitchen table. It had been several hours since his failed date with Kate, but the storm still raged, the rain falling in sheets that clattered off the roof. Jackson had walked in at eight and found Reed sitting on the couch, staring at a dark screen. At his prompting, Reed had shared Kate’s ultimatum.

  Jackson stepped to the fridge and returned with two beers and a soda for Reed. Then he sank into his seat and stared out the window in the backyard. Time slipped by as they both watched the rain.

  “I don’t want to lose her,” Reed said, gripping the cold can in his hand.

  “Then you have to break your promise to Aura,” Jackson said.

  Reed released a long breath. “That promise has become everything.”

  “I know,” Jackson said. “But which do you want more, a promise from the past? Or the promise of a future?”

  Reed raised an eyebrow to his roommate. “Since when do you have poignant advice?”

  “I’m not just a sports guy,” Jackson said, his tone indignant.

  “Are you sure you didn’t read it on a fortune cookie?”

  Jackson grinned. “Quote of the day, actually.”

  Reed laughed, his amusement fading as thunder rumbled in the distance. As they continued to talk he reminded himself that he had a few weeks, and it was her turn to ask him out. They continued to debate his predicament until the dropping temperatures drove them inside.

  Abruptly tired, Reed got ready for bed and then wrote a note to Harold and Pepper that included the money for the fuel pump. Distracted as he was, he didn’t want to forget. When he was finished he fished through his desk until he found a stamp and left it ready on his desk. Then he climbed into bed with his phone.

  I enjoyed today, he sent to Kate.

  Her response came quickly. So did I. But I was afraid of your response.

  Why?

  Because I didn’t know what you felt. Our challenge is fun, but we don’t really talk about those kinds of things.

  Reed hesitated, and then said, I don’t want our challenge to end.

  I’m ready to listen when you’re ready to talk.

  I know. He said.

  Reed waited for a response but none came, so he plugged his phone in and then put his head down. He watched the phone, hoping for another text, but the next thing he knew his alarm blared for him to wake up.

  Over the next week he cancelled the only two dates not with Kate. He’d already stopped planning new ones because it wouldn’t be fair to another girl. It did mean he was only dating Kate, but they hadn’t advanced their relationship, so it wasn’t technically exclusive. He hoped.

  A week after his date, he sat back and stared at his wall calendar of the year. Just four months ago it had been packed with dates, sometimes four in a week. Now his schedule just showed Kate’s name scribbled in. Although the calendar was open, it didn’t feel empty.

  He stepped out of his room and shouldered his backpack just as Jackson appeared in his door, also shouldering his backpack. They shared a grin and stepped to the door together. Reed swung the front door open to reveal a bright sunrise cresting over the homes across the street.

  “Looks like a nice day . . .”

  Reed trailed off as he caught sight of his car. He’d parked it the previous night in its usual spot, right next to Jackson’s truck. Although it was obviously still his car, several objects were missing.

  The wheels.

  Set up on cinder blocks, the car looked like an aged brick. The steering wheel was gone, as were the seats and sections of the interior paneling. Wiring and steel framework were visible like bones on a carcass.

  Reed’s eyes flicked to Jackson’s truck, a far newer and more expensive vehicle, but it was untouched. He’d waxed it recently and it glimmered in the light. Shocked at the robbery, he turned to Jackson, who bore a smirk on his face.

  “Need a ride to class?” he asked, sliding on his sunglasses.

  Reed blinked in recognition. “Kate?”

  “Who else?” Jackson asked.

  Reed began to laugh and approached his stripped car. As he drew close he spotted a note on the front seat. He unlocked the door and swung it open. Picking up the note, he unfolded it to reveal a message written from lettering cut from magazines.

  Your car has proven inadequate. If you want to see your car whole again, be ready on June 21st at 6:00. It’s time you drove a real car.

  Jackson leaned over his shoulder. “She seems to have taken issue with your car breaking down.”

  “But what does she mean by a real car?” he asked.

  “You’ll find out on Thursday,” he said with a smirk. “Right now, we should get to class.”

  “How did she do this?” Reed asked, sweeping a hand at the car.

  “Marta’s cousin is a mechanic,” Jackson said.

  “He did this?”

  “Kate and her roommates came with him last night,” Jackson said. “Apparently they wanted to have a part in dismantling your car.”

  “You saw it all?”

  “I watched from the window,” he admitted. “I was supposed to keep you inside but you went to bed early. It was surprising how fast they finished.”

  “When do I get it back?” Reed asked, finally turning away from his demolished car.

  “I suppose when you agree to accept the date,” Jackson said, unlocking the door.

  As they pulled onto the road, Reed took out his phone to text Kate, but hesitated, an idea forming in his mind. It had never occurred to him before, but then, he’d never had a girl ask him on a date before—not like this.

  A sly smile spread on his face as he mulled it over, considering the ramifications of responding to the invite in such a manner. Kate clearly thought she had him figured out, but if he did this, it would make for an incredible surprise.

  “What’s that smile for?” Jackson asked, accelerating onto the main road.

  “If I needed your help to answer her invite, would you help?”

  He cracked a smile. “Is it going to be fun?”

  “Definitely.”

  “Then I’m in,” Jackson said. “What’s your plan?”

  Reed detailed his idea of how he intended to answer Kate’s invitation. It wasn’t complicated, but the preparation would be a challenge. It would also show Kate what he felt, a fact not lost on Jackson.

  “This is going to show Kate you like her,” he said. “A lot. Are you sure you want to do that?”

  “She went out on a limb to tell me what she felt,” Reed said. “I need her to know that I feel the same.”

  “Without saying you’re committed,” Jackson finished.

  “Exactly.”

  Jackson came to a stop at a light next to the stadium and leaned back in his seat. “We’re going to need a freezer. A big one.”

  “You think Marta will help?” Reed asked. “Her uncle owns a restaurant, doesn’t he?”

  “Of course,” Jackson said with a smirk. “Ember may be the ringleader, but Marta is just as clever.”

  “You’ll have to drive me around,” Reed said. “W
e’ll have to move fast to set it up, but it will take time to freeze.”

  “She’s going to wonder why she hasn’t gotten a response.”

  “I’ll take care of that,” Reed said.

  His phone was still in hand, so he sent a quick text to Kate. Not feeling well this morning. Can I text you later?

  Evidently expecting a response after he’d seen his car, her answer was quick in coming. Do you need medicine? Can you not make it to class?

  The first question was obviously intended to console, while the second was trying to see if he’d seen his car. He considered his response carefully and then typed back.

  I think I’ll be fine. I’ll take something and go back to bed.

  Do you want me to stop by after work?

  It would be nice to see you, but I don’t want you to get sick. I’ll call you when I wake up.

  Okay. Hope you feel better.

  “What did you say?” Jackson asked.

  “That I’m not feeling well,” Reed said. “It’s true enough. Walking out to see your car stripped to the bones is guaranteed to make you sick.”

  Jackson nodded and glanced at the clock on the dash. “You think we have time before your class?”

  “I’ll be late,” he said. “But Dr. Caldin will understand.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Jackson asked.

  “I just bought us some time,” Reed said, smiling at the image of Kate’s face. “Let’s make it count . . .”

  Chapter 2

  They drove to the store and he jogged in, returning a moment later with a single rose, fishing line, and wood. Dropping the wood into the truck bed, he kept the rose and the fishing line and got back into the truck.

  “I called Marta,” Jackson said. “She already talked to her mom and she said we could use the freezer in the back.”

  Reed laughed to himself. “Marta’s family just robbed me, and now they’re helping me. Have you ever considered how bizarre this has become?”

  “Love is like that,” Jackson said. “It gets out of hand.”

  “And what would you know about love?” Reed asked.

  Jackson grinned and pointed to the glove compartment. “See for yourself.”

  Reed opened the glove compartment and found a small box. His breathe caught as he pulled it out and flipped it open—to find a ring. He swiveled in his seat and raised it with a questioning look.

  “Are you serious?” Reed asked.

  “I’ve had it for a couple weeks,” Jackson said, a broad smile on his face. “I just haven’t figured out how to propose.”

  “I don’t believe it,” Reed said.

  He suddenly became aware of the two women standing outside the truck. They’d been walking by on their way into the store and came to a halt, their expressions lit with amusement. Reed suddenly realized he was holding the ring up to Jackson, who was still smiling.

  He snapped the ring box shut and waved at the women. They gave him a thumbs-up and walked away. Reed and Jackson exchanged a look and burst into a laugh. Then Jackson put the truck into reverse and backed out.

  “I knew you loved her,” Reed said. “I just didn’t know you wanted to propose.”

  “I have you to blame,” Jackson said. “When you started your thesis, I thought I’d humor you, but going on the dates you planned made me realize just how much I care about her. Then one day I decided I never wanted to play another game without her on my team. That’s when I knew.”

  “Should I apologize or say thank you?” Reed asked.

  “Both,” Jackson said. “Because I want you to be the best man—if she says yes.”

  “She will,” Reed said confidently.

  Jackson grinned, but the expression bore a trace of nervousness. “I hope so. Will you help me plan the proposal?”

  “Of course,” Reed replied. “But you shouldn’t keep this in the car. It’s not very safe. After all, my car got stripped in the driveway.”

  Jackson laughed and agreed, and shortly after, they pulled into the restaurant that Marta’s family owned. As they were unloading, Marta parked next to them and got out of the car. Clearly excited, she helped pick up the wood.

  “Are you sure this is going to work?” Marta asked.

  “Positive,” Reed said.

  They walked around back and approached the kitchen door. Marta’s uncle opened the door and ushered them inside, waving to the freezer door at the back. It was still early but he’d already begun to cook, and savory smells filled the kitchen.

  They carried their loads to an open corner and Reed directed them in the assembly. Using the tools from Jackson’s truck, they screwed the boards onto the plywood and Reed sealed the gaps with caulk. When they were done the pieces had become a big wooden box.

  “We should put it on a cart,” Jackson said. “It’s going to be heavy when it’s done.”

  “Good idea,” Reed said, and then looked to Marta at the stove. “How’s the boiling water coming?”

  “Almost ready,” she called. She had nearly every pot on the stove.

  Marta’s uncle appeared and shook his head. “Why boil water you intend to freeze?” he asked.

  “It’s the only way for the ice to come out clear,” Reed said.

  Cutting the fishing line, he tied it to the corners of the box and hung the rose in the center. Servers and Marta’s family visited often to observe, and on occasion, help. They laughed and talked about his intentions like they were part of the event.

  When the water was finished they poured it into the box. Reed was careful to check the seals to make sure none leaked out. Servers jumped in to help lug the pots of boiling water to the box, laughing as they added it to the box.

  “It’s going to be a three-foot ice cube,” Jackson said, wiping sweat from his brow.

  “With a rose inside,” Reed said.

  After the last bucket had been poured they gently pushed the makeshift ice tray into the freezer and set back to examine their handiwork. Jackson grinned, imagining Kate’s face when she found it on her porch.

  “Let’s go,” Reed said, and then looked at the clock on the wall. “But I think I missed class.”

  “Priorities,” Jackson said. “I’ll drop you off and you can explain it to your professor.”

  “I’ll let you know when it’s frozen,” Maria said, and then abruptly pulled Reed into a hug. “And take care of that girl.”

  “I will,” Reed said, surprised and gratified by the gesture.

  They gathered their things and cleaned up the workspace before heading out. Jackson smirked as several of the other waitresses whispered about how romantic the gesture would be. They stepped outside and got back into the truck before heading back to campus.

  “Kate might stop by,” Jackson said.

  “I’ll hang out at home after I talk to Dr. Caldin,” Reed said. “Just in case.”

  “Just how long will it take to freeze?” Jackson asked.

  “It’s in a freezer that’s colder than a normal freezer,” Reed said. “I hope it doesn’t take too long, but it might.”

  “You can’t fake sick for long,” Jackson warned. “She’s smart. She’ll get suspicious.”

  “True,” he said. “But I think I have till tomorrow morning to discover my car. Finding it will give us more time before she’ll expect an answer.”

  “Then we just let the freezer do its work,” Jackson said.

  They stopped at the campus and Jackson said he’d pick Reed up after his own class. Reed made his way to class and spoke to Dr. Caldin, who let him take the quiz he’d missed. When he finished, he gave his teacher the paper.

  “Thanks for letting me take the quiz,” he said.

  Dr. Caldin peered over his glasses. “Least I could do. Good luck with your research.”

  Reed grinned and left. As he walked to where Jackson would pick him up, he pulled out his phone and messaged Kate. Throughout the day he did his best to keep her from realizing he was stalling. But as Jackson had said, her texts
began to sound suspicious, with Jackson confirming she’d reached out to him in an attempt to get an answer.

  The next morning he sent her a message.

  So…you wouldn’t know anything about me being robbed, would you?

  Nope, came the reply. Unless you agree to the date.

  You know I’m going to say yes.

  I hoped.

  You’ll have your answer by tonight, he replied, and then added a smiley face.

  The silence indicated she didn’t know how to respond to that, and he grinned at the image of her confusion. Several times the dots appeared as she tried to write back but didn’t. Finally she said,

  I look forward to it.

  He showed Jackson the text string when he arrived later that day and Jackson grunted in amusement. “She doesn’t know what’s happening.”

  “That’s how we surprise her,” Reed said. “Let’s go get the block of ice.”

  They piled into his truck and drove to the restaurant, arriving just as it was closing. Several of Marta’s cousins had stayed late to help them load the enormous ice cube, and they even offered to follow Reed to help unload it at Kate’s house.

  “Which one of you stripped my car?” Reed asked.

  They all looked to one and he grinned sheepishly. “I’m Roman.”

  “You can help,” Reed said.

  Eager to do so, he jumped into the truck and they drove to Kate’s house. Jackson sent a message to Marta to confirm they would not be seen and then eased the truck into the driveway. With great care they carried the cube to the porch. Reed winced as he undid the strap, the sound emitting a soft ting as it came apart. Jackson shoved a screwdriver between the wood and the board and it came loose. Moments later they had the wood off and they retreated to the truck. Jackson moved the truck up the street and then they returned to the bushes.

  “Be right back,” Reed said.

  He darted to the door and rang the doorbell, and then sprinted to the bushes. His heart hammering in his chest, he dove into the shadows just as the door opened and Kate appeared.

  Chapter 3