Page 14 of Mud, Love, and Chemistry

“So, Brynn, where are you from? I’m guessing not Grand Junction if you’re staying in a hotel.”

I give him an acknowledging nod as I finish my sip. Do I tell him I live in Greeley? It’s only four hours from Casper, so there’s a chance we could still see each other. But that will probably segue into me going to school and all the things I didn’t want to tell him about earlier. I still feel like I’d be bragging if I spill my guts about my promising future. I can deflect, though.

“I grew up in Aurora. It’s a suburb of Denver.” The almost-lie tastes bitter on my tongue.

“So, not close to here?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s like a four-hour drive, without traffic.”

“That’s a long way to drive for a mud race.” Sam’s mocking mouth tips up.

“Yeah, but it’s closer than Wyoming.”

The light in Sam’s eyes dims at my attempted joke. Maybe I ruined the fun by pointing out our limited time together. I also put more miles between us by lying about where I live. Good job, Brynn.

To further safeguard myself from details, I get up from my chair. “I’ve got to pee.”

Sam motions to the slider, and I take my leave. Goosebumps immediately rise on my skin at the stark difference between the warm, welcoming evening air and the frigid air-conditioned room.

The entire time I’m inside, I’m at war with myself. I mean, technically, I didn’t lie. I did grow up in Aurora, I just don’t live there anymore.

But why didn’t I tell him that?

I guess it doesn’t really matter anyway. Sam’s going back to Wyoming tomorrow, and we’ll never see each other again. What does it matter where we live after that? Long-distance doesn’t work. At least that’s what Connor said?

I shake my head. Don’t start thinking about him. He left a year ago and Sam’s here, right in front of me. For now, at least.

Once I’m finished in the bathroom, I step back onto the patio, shivering as I do.

Same gives me a sideways glance.

“Air-conditioning,” I say as I shrug. Then I notice our chairs have been moved. They’re right next to each other, the arms touching. “What happened here?”

“Oh, the wind kicked up. A huge gust blew your chair right up against mine.” Sam smiles mischievously.

I purse my lips as I glance around, playing into his ruse. “That’s weird. There’s not even a breeze now.”

“I know. Super strange.”

I round the chairs, biting my cheek to contain my excitement, but as I go to sit, Sam puts his hand on the arms of our chairs and turns his palm up. My heart flutters as I slide my hand into his, entwining our fingers. The little squeeze he gives prompts flutters in my stomach, too.

“I’m glad we got to hang out tonight.”

“Me too.”

His thumb caresses the back of my hand as he gazes at the darkened sky. “I really wish I didn’t have to go back to Wyoming tomorrow.”

Him voicing the inevitable slices through me like a sharpened blade, and I sigh. Why do the men in my life keep leaving me for other states? I don’t know what to say, so I don’t speak.

Sam turns his body so our eyes meet, his flicking between mine, but he keeps our hands entwined. “Brynn, if you could have one wish, just for tonight, what would it be?”

I jerk my head back. “That’s a loaded question. Let me think about it.”

“No, don’t think.”

“Ha. Overthinking is what I do. I weigh all my options against the possible outcomes, and go with whichever one would yield the best results.”

“So, you treat everything like a science experiment?”

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