Page 14 of Bronco

Of course you are, but with my baggage at the moment, there’s no way I’d put that on you. Plus, I’ve seen you around the club…

Again, she startles me with the truth. As if her, or Olive, could ever be that.Baggage?Right now, they are a package deal, I get that, but I hardly see it as baggage.

I dance over the snide club comment because lord knows I’ve been no angel. I just wish she’d tell me what the fuck is really going on and why there’s all this mystery around this little girl being dumped in her care without prior warning.

Me

Don’t see any baggage. Ben is a dumb fuck if you ask me, but maybe it’s fate lending a helpin’ hand and stepping in before it’s too late

Yeah, some of my mom’s woo-woo shit rubbed off onto me. I know more about crystals and essential oils than any man should know, courtesy of Mama dearest.

AJ

Or he really did catch the flu

Me

It’s fate

AJ

You and your hocus pocus

Me

You read your star signs every day, who’s the weird one now?

Amber is a Virgo, and often displays attributes associated with the sign; she’s always cleaning, she’s never late, and will go out of her way to make others feel appreciated. Perfectionism is her middle name, her only downfall is her tendency to worry. She does that a lot. Amber’s a giver.

AJ

You, weirdo. You’re the one who wears crystals on their body

I glance down. The shungite at my wrist is made up of pure carbon and assists with keeping bad elements away, according to my mom, and electro-magnetic field energy from computers andthe outside world. The black obsidian is in a small pouch that tucks under my shirt. It’s made from volcanic glass and lava. It’s said to cleanse dark energy, has grounding properties and helps relieve stress. I was a skeptic until I tried it out for myself.

Me

Walkin’ on sunshine over here, Little Lady. My mom knows when I haven’t been wearing them and she’ll only send me more

I can just picture Amber laughing her ass off at me, but that’s how we are. We tell each other every little detail, and basically leave nothing out. Except for the darkness I know Amber carries with her. I know she had an awful ex, and her childhood was shitty, but aside from that she keeps quiet about her past. And Olive. I want to help. If her sister-in-law is in trouble, I’m here to assist in any way. I’m also not a mind reader and it’s frustrating the ever-living shit out of me.

AJ

Your mom does sound adorable

Me

Wait until you meet her for real

The last few times she’s been in town, Amber has been busy at work, or out of town. Since I talk about her all the time, Mom is convinced she’s my secret girlfriend. She doesn’t understand that men and women can be friends without anything happening.

AJ

Can’t wait. So, are you keeping me hanging?

Me

Fine. You twisted my arm. But I’m only doing this bc you’ll now have to measure up every date you have after this one to see if it compares

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