Page 4 of Believe in Caloosa Springs

The bedroom was on the smaller side, I would say about half the size of the room I had stayed in for the last year at BoysTown. The walls had been painted the same dark green as the rest of the house, but the ceiling was clearly the focal point. Dense poly-fill was arranged in spun banks like cotton candy, making it resemble a thick, cloudy sky. “That looks incredible.”

“Just wait…”

Mandy plopped my suitcase down on the foot of the bed atop a quilted black comforter and picked up a small remote control off the nightstand before pointing it at the ceiling. Moody golden LED lights began to flash inside the clouds, making it look like there was a thunderstorm hanging over our heads.

“Oh, fuck! This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!”

“I know, right? It’s really simple to do, too. It just takes a bunch of stuffing, a few light strips, and a fuck-ton of hot glue. You can change the colors and dim the lights as well,” she finished, handing me the small remote. “I’m going to let you get settled in while I go order the pizza. You haven’t turned into a vegetarian since the last time I’ve seen you?”

I shook my head.

“Meat-lovers it is,” Mandy smiled as she left the room, closing the door behind her.

I clicked through a few different settings on the cloud lights and settled on a twinkling candy-green color. I opened my backpack, pulled out my phone charger, and plugged my phone in before beginning to unpack the larger of my suitcases.

I opened the closet and hung my shirts. I had amassed a nice assortment of long-sleeved options, which was good because it got cold as fuck here. It gets pretty cold in Vegas, but not nearly as chilly as it would get in Colorado. From what Mandy reported, snow was a regular occurrence. I wouldn’t admit this to anyone, but I was kind of looking forward to it. I’d never lived anywhere that snowed, but I’d always admired the aesthetic.

Strolling down the street, soft snow falls all around you as you walk in stride with a cute boy, each of you holding a steaming to-go cup of coffee. Cheeks flushed from the cold as he loops his arm with yours…

”Get a grip, T,” I muttered to myself as I shook my head. “This isn’t a Hallmark Christmas movie, and you’re not a cute blond attorney returning home for the first time in 15 years to save the goddamn Christmas tree farm. You’re a washed up scene kid who’s been spit out by the adult entertainment industry, and is now hiding from pervs who got too close—not to mention your parents—in a town without so much as a traffic light.”

(I also had extremely high self-esteem.)

“How are you feeling,” Mandy asked when I made my way back into the living room.

“Like I’m happy the Uber driver isn’t wearing my skin.”

Mandy snorted. “I don’t know why you didn’t just drive your car out here to begin with.”

“Brady’s borrowing it.”

“Really?” she said, raising her eyebrow. “How’d that come about?”

“Well, he managed to knock Cynthia up again, so they were quickly outgrowing their current vehicle. Then I got a sob story from Mom about how they were just so strapped and didn't know what they were going to do. Blah, blah, blah…”

”Eww. So she guilted you into it, as per usual.”

“That is Melanie Hartright’s superpower, isn’t it?” I deadpanned. “Guilt and banana nut muffins.”

“Aunt Melanie’s banana nut muffinsaresecond-to-none.” Mandy walked over to the couch and flopped down on one end before putting the pinched end of a pinner in her mouth and holding a lighter to the other. “Pizza should be here in like twenty minutes. I ordered a couple slices of cheesecake too.”

“Hey…” I said smoothly as I came over. She handed it to me, and I took a few puffs before giving it back.

“I can’t even remember the last time we smoked together,” Mandy said, clearing her throat after she exhaled.

“Probably because you were stoned.”

She giggled and elbowed me playfully. “No, but seriously. I’m really happy you’re here. I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

Chapter Two

Porter

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

—Isaiah 40:31

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