Off Sides

opens a drawer and pulls out two aprons, throwing one at me. "Mav, this is Ryan. He's my wingman tonight."
    I hate to admit, I don’t appreciate the Top Gun reference. The wingman is supposed to help the other person get laid and I’ll be damned if I’m going to help Danny do that.
    Maverick looks at me, taking in my clothes. "He's dressed kind of fancy. Are you sure he can get his hands dirty."
    Before Danny can answer, I say, "I'm sure I can get my hands dirty. Tell me what to do."
    Mav just grunts at me but points to a pile of potatoes on the counter. I take my coat off and hang it over a chair, rolling my shirt sleeves up. After placing the apron on, I pick up a potato and start peeling. Danny comes up to stand beside me and starts helping. We work in companionable silence, mainly because Maverick is standing there and I'm thinking he might fillet me if we are not diligent in our duties.
    When he leaves the kitchen, carrying the large pot that was on the stove with him, Danny leans her body toward me and gives me a nudge with her shoulder. "So, how are you doing?"
    "Awesome. I love peeling potatoes. It's one of my favorite things in the world to do."
    "First time, huh?"
    I laugh. "Yup. But I always like to try new things so I can mark this off my bucket list."
    We're both quiet for a minute, and then I say, "You know, Danny...bringing me here won't prove anything."
    She looks at me and I can see shock on her face that I figured out her motive. She starts stammering about not trying to prove anything, but I wipe my hand off on a towel and place my finger over her lips. I lean in a little and murmur softly to her, "Don't deny it. It doesn't become you."
    Her eyes are wide and confused, all for about three seconds then she bursts out laughing. "I guess I'm not going to be able to pull any fast ones on you."
    "I got your number," I reassure her.
    We talk about mundane things while we work as there is just no opportunity for deeper conversation. I do find out that Danny has been volunteering here a few times a week since she was sixteen, which also leads her to confirm that she's a Boston native like me. Maverick bustles back and forth between the kitchen and dining area, bringing in dirty pots and serving pans. While the residents and street guests actually clean their own dishes and utensils at a washing station in the dining hall, the lovely duty of scrubbing the cookware falls to me and Danny.
    After two hours of peeling potatoes, scrubbing pots and hauling garbage, I realize my back is actually a little sore. That surprises me because I'm a pretty fit guy. You can't play NCAA hockey and not be in top shape. I don't know how Danny does this twice a week and I'm finding myself respecting a girl for something I've never really experienced before in the opposite sex.
    Dedication.
    This is a crappy job and she actually volunteers to do it. It kind of humbles me.
    I'm wiping down the last counter top and I look over at Danny. She's holding my sports jacket out to me. "You did great tonight. How about letting me buy you a beer?"
    I put the cloth in the sink and take my apron off. Taking my coat from her, I drape it over my arm. I hold the other one out to her and she hooks her arm through it.
    I smile down at her as she looks so freakin' adorable right now, her arm linked with mine. "I asked you out so the beer is on me."

CHAPTER 4

    Danny

    I'm impressed. Ryan has taken this like a champ. I fully expected him to pitch a fit when I told him we were riding the bus. I was ready for a tantrum when he saw the area of town we were in. And then I waited for him to bail when he realized we were working at a homeless shelter on our date. But he did none of those things.
    Instead, the bastard kept a smile on his face and seemed to eagerly enjoy the work we were doing. And I say bastard because I also fully expected to finish this date tonight and we would go our separate ways. Now, I have to admit to myself I'm intrigued by him and more than a little attracted to him. I mean, I was attracted to him when I first saw him, but only in the way you see a really hot guy and think to yourself, “that's a really hot guy” and then you go on your way.
    But now, I really want to know more about him. I'm attracted to him in a way I don't want to be.
    I should have never asked him for a beer but here we are, back near campus and sitting in a popular hangout called Neely's . The waitress takes our order. I ask for a Bud Light and Ryan