Purposefully Coincidental ✓

13. Shoot

Leo

Wednesday morning arrives and I'm wired.

I'm nervous for multiple reasons.

It's the first time I'm going out with someone who's not a family member. And it's a girl.

A really pretty one.

At first I didn't know what we should do. I didn't want us to go to a restaurant. Because it's basic and knowing myself, there'll be a lot of moments of silence. I need something going on around me to pull a conversation forward.

At last, I decide on doing something I have a lot of knowledge about.

Twelve o'clock on the dot, I send her a message telling her I'm here and enter her building complex. At the last step of the stairs leading to her apartment, she exits it, closing the door behind her.

"Hey," she greets me when she sees me.

My eyes quickly scan her. She's wearing dark washed jean shorts and a black top that has a v-neckline. Her hair is in a ponytail high on her head. To complete the look, she has on high ankle converse. Black.

"I'm excited to see what you have planned." She says, her excitement showing as she hurries to my side.

"Well, let's go then." I chuckle and motion for her to walk in front of me.

•••

Our previous two car rides together were filled with music, and this one is no different. Forty minutes of listening to tunes, both of us singing the lyrics.

After parking the car in the empty parking space, I put my hand on the small of her back and walk forward. The sliver of skin between her shirt and pants is warm against my palm.

"Just so you know, Anya and Candy have my location, so if you're here to murder me, think again."

A laugh burst out of me. I can't really blame her for thinking like this. We're in an isolated area outside of town and there are no other cars besides mine since they don't open for another two hours.

"I'm not a Ted Bundy wannabe. Trust me." I assure her. She chuckles, catching my reference to what Candice said to me a few days back at my uncle's event.

After walking down a manmade path between tall grass and bushes, we breach an opening and a small hut comes into view. We enter and JB is standing behind the desk, counting bullets.

"JB." I call out. His head snaps up, and he smiles. He comes from behind the desk to give me a hug.

"Leo, good to see you. How have you been?" He asks.

"Okay." I flash him my cast. "Broke my arm."

"Oh, man. Sucks." He looks down at my company.

"JB, this is Josie. Josephine, this is JB."

They shake hands.

"Does JB stand for Justin Bieber?" She asks, trying to hide her smile.

JB throws his head back, laughing.

"Good one."

JB is a veteran. We were together for a few months before he got badly injured and went back home. We kept in contact since he lives close by. He owns a shooting range. Which is where we're currently at.

"Well, you know how everything works, so I'll leave you to it." He slaps my shoulder. "I'll be out back."

"Thanks, man."

"We're playing with guns?" She asks, taking in the display of different guns and rifles.

"We are."

"That's so cool." She takes out her phone and takes a picture of the display. "Wait, am I allowed to take photos?"