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He opened the sliding door for her, and waited until she was outside before following. The rest of his crew, already several feet away, was huddled around the various parts that would eventually make up the pool.
Sophia took the pitcher from him and laid it on the table. “Eddie tells me you’ve got a hot date this afternoon.”
“Not you, too.”
She chuckled. “You know they’ll find out eventually. The more you keep it from them, the more they’re going to tease you.”
“I know.”
Going up on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek. “You’re a good guy, Drew Parker. I hope whoever she is that she’s good to you.”
Drew nodded. “I should probably cut out. I need to stop at home and grab a shower. Thank you again for keeping us in food and drinks.”
“Anytime. You know that.”
After saying a quick farewell to Baily, Romeo, and Irwin, Drew jumped in his car and drove to his apartment. Once inside, he peeled himself out of his dirty clothes, threw them on top of the washer, and padded naked toward his bathroom. He took his time taking a shower, making sure to wash off all the dirt and grime.
Satisfied he was once again clean, he dried himself off, and then wrapped the towel around his waist so he could shave. Date or not, he wanted to look his best for Beth.
By two thirty, he was ready. Unfortunately, that meant he still had an hour before he needed to meet Beth at the movie theater. He thought about driving to the café and seeing if maybe she wanted to ride to the cinema together, but he wasn’t sure how she’d react to that. The last thing he wanted to do was mess things up.
He lowered himself onto a tan couch, the newest addition to his living room, and tried not to let his nerves get the better of him. Needing a distraction, he pulled out his phone and dialed his parents’ number. His dad was most likely out in the barn, but he was hoping his mom would be home.
“How are you, sweetheart?”
Drew smiled when he heard his mom’s voice come through the phone. “I’m good. How about you?”
“Same old, same old. Not much changes around here.”
He knew that all too well. It was one of the many reasons why he’d left the farm for the city. Although Drew enjoyed the space, he had no desire to shoe horses or milk cows for the rest of his life. “Is Dad staying out of the heat?”
“Oh, you know your father. Ain’t nothing going to keep him away from his animals.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Don’t worry too much about your dad. He can take care of himself. And when he can’t, he’s got me.” She was full of confidence. His mother had always been a take-charge type of woman.
“I still worry about you guys.”
“And you don’t think we worry about you and your brother?” she asked.
“I know you do.”
“Speaking of worrying, are you coming home for the barbecue this year?”
Drew knew she was talking about the annual Memorial Day barbecue his parents held at their house. It was a big deal. All his cousins would be there, as well as many of the surrounding farmers. “I’m not sure yet. I’m going to try to make it, but if I come, I’ll have to leave before dark. I have to work Tuesday.”
“Don’t worry about that. We just want to see our son.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
He talked with his mom for a few more minutes before he realized it was already after three and he needed to go. “I’m sorry, Mom, I’m meeting someone at three thirty, so I need to go.”
“A woman?”
Drew bit back a groan.
“Andrew Raymond Parker, are you holding out on me? Have you met someone?” He could hear her hope.
