Read EndOfTheLeash :: Not A Date

CW: Language.

Xavier’s POV

I’ve been sitting back outside of Skyla’s place for about ten minutes. Don’t want to seem too eager. I’m not usually one to insert myself into anyone’s business but just couldn’t help myself this afternoon. I find myself wondering how I completely missed the old abandoned furniture warehouse building downtown being renovated.

After running home to check on my kid sister and bring her some greasy fast food, I leave the car keys for her on the table and ride my motorcycle back into town.

I didn’t tell her I’m ditching our usual movie night for some beautiful woman I just met, she’d only have a thousand questions. None of which I have the answer to. It’s been our thing most Saturdays for the last few years, usually just the two us now.

What time is it?

I’m too early, there’s still another ten minutes before I’m supposed to pick up Skyla, or meet up? I didn’t exactly clarify, details would have given her another chance to decline. Movement outside her building catches my attention.

She’s leaving? She didn’t exactly agree to dinner in the first place, she’s probably changed her mind again.

Just when I’ve decided to give up, I notice she sits on the bench out front; Skyla looks around at the people passing. Maybe she is waiting on me after all. Finally putting the kickstand of my motorcycle down on the street behind her building and smoothing out any windblown hairs... I look up to see she has already caught someone else’s attention.

Walking up behind Skyla, as I get closer, I can tell her posture is tense and she seems to be refusing to make eye contact. I can’t walk fast enough, but too fast might draw more attention, feeling the need to help her for a second time today.

“No, thank you, I’m actually waiting for someone.” I overhear her say.

“Well sweetheart, maybe you’re waitin on me... you just didn’t know it yet.”

I can’t help but laugh “Has that line ever worked for you, James?”

“Mathis!” his sneers, “The hell do you want?”

“I’m here to take her to dinner. Did you need something?” Squaring up to James Boston, business man, ladies' man, and the local MC’s parts guy... probably not my best idea since we’re right off of Main Street and everyone is watching this drama unfold.

It’s easy to wedge myself between them, being 6’5”, but he easily has some weight on me and knowing his temper this could go south really quick.

“Oh, fuck off.” he spits out.

Before I call ball my hands into fist, ready for the impending showdown, a small hand intertwines their fingers with mine. As Skyla stands from the bench, I’m shocked and amused to see her amber-colored eyes flash with anger and annoyance, and yet she has a polite smile plastered across her face.

“He said he is here for our date, now if you’ll excuse us...” she says to James before turning towards me. “So, babe, you promised me dinner. I’m craving Mexican food, unless you’ve made other plans.”

Confused by what she’s said, James still threatening to turn this quiet afternoon into a bare-knuckle brawl. Skyla's looking up at me with one eyebrow raised, eyes wide, like she’s silently pleading with me to play along. Oh, I’ll play along alright, I’m curious just how committed she is to this charade.

Gently kissing the top of her head “That sounds perfect, babe.” Standing up with a smirk plastered across my face “Anything for you.”

“What-the-fuck-ever! Let me know when you’re done with this loser.” James huffs as he storms off.

Sarah finally looks more relaxed as she watches James leave “Geez, what a creep!”

I don’t think she realizes that she's still holding my hand, I have no intention of reminding her. Standing this close, she smells like peppermint and flowers. I tower over her, even in the boots she’s wearing. What is it about you?

“Hey” she says softly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Shall we then? Mexican food, right? I've got just the place in mind.”

Skyla’s POV

Well that was awful! Can I just go back to being invisible again?

I’m headed to dinner with one, admittedly gorgeous, man... after chasing off another. Though the latter was a creep, and a bit older than my taste.

“It’s just a few blocks away, we could ride there... or just walk?” he asks.

“Ride?” I ask skeptically.

“Yeah, my motorcycle is parked on the backstreet” he says very matter-of-factly, “I don’t like parking on Main St, too many try to touch it and people in cars don’t pay enough attention.”

“No, walking is just fine. The weather is nice out so it’s about time I learned my way around. Lead the way.”

As he turns to walk down the sidewalk I am suddenly aware that I’m still holding his hand. Why am I? Why do my fingers being intertwined in his feel... right? Trying not to make a huge deal out of nothing; I slowly pull my right hand from his left.

Well crap, he noticed. Without breaking his stride, he looks down at me with just a hint of concern on his face. Offering a polite smile, his dark brown eyes are almost black. Suddenly feeling the urge to connect with him again, I gently place my hand around his elbow; walking closer to him while avoiding the crowd of Saturday afternoon shoppers.

“Almost there, I promise this will be worth the trouble” he says, turning us down another block.

“I guess we’ll see...”

A deep sexy laugh escapes him causing me to blush. Get a grip girl! You didn’t even want to come. He points to a food truck parked along the edge of a large, beautiful park “No five-star restaurant, but my friend has the BEST taco truck” Xavier says, walking over to open window.

“The flames along the side are definitely promising.”

“MATHIS!” a voice yells form inside the truck.

“David! My man!” he returns the enthusiastic greeting “How’s it going?”

“Busy as ever! The usual?” David says pointing to Xavier playfully.

Staring at the menu, wondering how there are so many options for tacos; only half listening to the friendly banter going on at the ordering window. Oh god, there's that laugh again. “It wouldn’t be my usual if I changed anything, now would it?” he replies “...and whatever she wants too.”

“Hot damn Mathis, finally bringing a girl around?” teases David.

Before Xavier can say another word, the man operating the taco truck leans out of the window, a friendly arm extended my direction for a handshake. “Any friend of this idiot is always welcome! I’m David, what can I get ya miss?”

After shaking his hand and introducing myself, I order place my order before thier banter continues, David turns back to Xavier teasing again “She’s got good taste, how much you paying her for the night?”

“Shut the fuck up man!” he says, slamming money down on the counter, “It’s not like that, keep the change asshole.”

David puts his hands up in surrender, smiling at Xavier’s agitation “I’m just messing around Mathis, I’ll yell when its ready.”

Following Xavier into the park, we pick an isolated picnic table. I sit across from him, hoping the small distance will help me get a grip but I only feel tiny under his intense gaze. He apologizes for his friend's comments, saying he has no filter but doesn't mean any harm.

Speak of the devil; David yells out “Yo Mathis! Order up.”

As he steps away, I check out the park behind me; families enjoying the weather, kids playing ball, joggers on the paths... and a few dirty looks. Turning back around as Xavier sets the tray of food down on the table. It smells amazing!

“Thank you.”

“No problem” he replies as he takes his seat.

My eyes widen at the amount of food he ordered, he notices but stifled laugh is his only response. We eat in relative silence, and if I’m honest, I’m impressed with the quality and flavors. I sip my water, thankful for a meal that I didn’t have to cook or eat alone. What do these people keep looking at?

“So?” he says, catching my attention.

“So.”

“What’s your story?” nodding in my direction “How’d you end up here?”

I dismissively reply “I’m here because you, sir, insisted on taking me to dinner... but it’s going to take a lot more than a few good tacos to get to the deep stuff.”

He narrows his eyes at me, almost studying my face “Deep stuff, huh?”

Feeling slightly annoyed and defensive I reply dryly “This was a bad idea.” I stand to leave, stepping around the table, thankful I had paid attention to how we got here. I'm not ready to answer any why’s or how’s or where’s. A firm grip on my wrist beckons me to turn around, the warmth of his hand on my skin gives me butterflies. Turning to see a warmth in his eyes, his apologetic expression preventing me from yanking free of his hold.

“Fair enough, my bad. Help me understand why you allowed yourself to be tormented by some dumb-ass teens for a dog then?” he asks.

“No one deserves what they were doing to that poor dog, I couldn’t-”

“No more serious questions” he promises, “Let me walk you back home, can't we sit a bit longer?”

Smiling and nodding, I join him on his side of the bench so that I can look out across the park. Be polite, get to know him too. “Let's just get all the superficial bs out of the way.”

Xavier smirks at my suggestion, though I pretend not to notice. “Like what?”

“I don’t know, all the usual annoying and meaningless stuff." I shrug. Isn't that what you do when you meet new people?

Xavier’s POV

Curious about the pretty little thing sitting next to me; distracted by the sun on her skin and watching her tuck a long strand of her brown hair back behind her ear... I don’t hear her ask the first question. Skyla clears her throat, snapping me back to reality. “Sorry, what?” I ask her.

Laughing as she repeats herself “Why does everyone call you Mathis?”

Xavier: “It’s my last name... is this a date?”

Skyla: “If it means you won’t ask that again, sure... why does everyone call you by your last name? Military?”

Xavier: “Dad’s a piece of work. Why did you agree to come out today?”

Skyla, looking down at the table with a shrug: “I guess I was tired of eating alone all the time.”

Well that wasn’t at all what I was expecting to hear, I’ve got to fix this before we go downhill any faster.

Skyla: “Any other family in town?”

Xavier: “Old man comes and goes, and Eloise... she's seventeen.” “What about you, any family nearby?”

She flinches just a bit as she considers her answer; looking down at her hands as she spins a tiny silicone ring on her left hand before finally meeting my eyes.

Skyla: “Just me. I guess we should actually go back to the basics. What is… your favorite color?’

Xavier: “Black. Favorite ice cream flavor?”

A few more back and forth questions later and I’ve learned she too loves Halloween, the color red and mint-chocolate chip icecream. Skyla favorite movies feature zombies, she hates cherries, and hiding a few tattoos. She’s definitely more relaxed now, her smile no longer faltering. She’s beautiful.

“Any girlfriends I should be aware of?”

Shrugging, “Met a girl recently actually, too soon to tell. How ‘bout you?”

She smiles.“Girls aren’t really my type. When was your last serious relationship?”

She's shocked to learn I haven't dated anyone serious in years, most relationships lasting a few months at best. I admit it's my fault, casual has just been easier.

“That’s a shame” she hums. The heat in her gaze catching me off guard. Our friendly game taking on a new tone as the bright sun of the late afternoon has faded into a warm orange glow; her amber eyes reflecting it so well. I smile as she fixes her hair again, “We better get you home, I’ve got to head off to work soon.”

She checks the time on her phone before asking me “What do you do that you have to go to work now?”

“I work at a bar on the otherside of town, usually security.”

I stand and clear the table, waving goodbye to David before offering her a hand to help her stand. I can’t hide the smile on my face as she takes it, only hesitating a moment as she looks up at me. She watches the few people still shopping and milling about. No doubt noticing the looks and whispers she’s getting for daring to be seen with one of the Mathis men.

As if sensing me tense up under the hateful stares, it’s one of those things you only pretend to get used to, she uses both her hands to lift my arm, ducking underneath to snuggle up close to my side. God, this feels perfect... like she was made for me.

She whispers “It seems you have a fan club.”

Laughing at her comment “They’re probably trying to decide if you know who you’re with, or...”

She stops cold, planting her feet. Losing my train of thought as I look down at her confused. What’s wrong? The mischievous look in her eyes catches me off guard. What are you up to?

Before I can gather my thoughts and finish what I was saying Skyla grabs the collar of my leather jacket, pulling me down, as she stretches up on her toes to press her lips to mine. Shock fades away quickly as I decide to play along.

Wrapping one arm around her waist and placing the other hand behind her head, I pull her closer, hoping to deepen the kiss. She smiles, parting her lips and inviting my tongue to meet hers. The kiss is full of lust and teasingly wicked; she giggles into my mouth as passersby gasp and groan their displeasure at our show. She breaks the kiss almost as fast as she initiated it, but doesn’t step away from my hold.

Proudly smiling, Skyla says “That should give them something to talk about for a little while.”

Narrowing my eyes “You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

“I guess it’s too bad you’re off to work and we’re only a block away from my place then, isn’t it?”

Guiding her gaze back toward mine with my finger gently pressed under her chin “Any time you want to give them something to talk about just let me know.”

Leaving my arm wrapped around her waist, she doesn’t protest me holding her close as I walk her to the backdoor; she thanks me again for dinner as she punches in the key code. Wait! I catch her hand before she can disappear inside.

Leaning down and kissing the top of her head, I can’t help but laugh at myself, the move feels so cheesy now. Finally asking “Since you agreed this was a date, would you be up for a second one sometime?”

A sweet smile and playful wink have me hopeful, until she replies “Nah.”

She laughs at my, no doubt, shocked face before holding out a card towards me. A business card? Clearly recognizing the confusion on my face, she explains “My cell number is on there you adorable idiot.”

With that she’s gone inside and I’m walking back to my motorcycle; headed to The Wolf’s Den bar for my shift. Doesn’t matter how the rest of the night goes, nothing is ruining my mood.