Page 19 of One Small Spark
“You don’t mind if I ask Charlie?”
“Why would I?” I obviously don’t know what’s going on at the lodge lately. I didn’t even know about this gala, let alone whether or not Leo should find adate for it.
He makes a weird, strangled sound. “Okay. Yeah. That’s great. Thanks, man. I appreciate the trust.”
“Sounds like you’re putting your trust in Charlie.”
He laughs. “No kidding. Are we on for Friday?”
I do my best not to sigh. I love this guy like a brother, but our social batteries cap out at drastically different levels. I have to be dragged into a bar, and he has to be dragged out.
Switching up my routine is good, though. To an extent.
“We’re still on.”
“First round’s on you,” he says and immediately hangs up.
We both know he’s going to ignore everyone’s protests and pay for everything, but it’s one of his favorite phrases from his pre-NFL days.
Before I head back into the front to finish out the day, I text my sister.
Shepherd: How’s the barn coming along?
Charlie: Almost done! Stop by some time and see for yourself!
Shepherd: I didn’t know you were planning a big celebration for it
Which shouldn’t bother me as much as it does. I haven’t worked at the lodge for years. There’s no reason to keep me in the loop. But I’m still part of the family. It’d be nice to know about major events out there before the rest of the town.
If nothing else, I’ll know to expect traffic on the road home that night.
Charlie: I thought M&Dtold you already
This doesn’t ease my mind. Mom and Dad don’t space out on things. That means they left me out of the loop intentionally.
Shepherd: Leo did
Charlie: I should have told you
Shepherd: It’s no big deal.
It’s still weeks away, apparently. And it’s not like I want to go anyway.
Charlie: I’ve been busy. It takes a LOT of work to convert a barn and wrangle a golden retriever
Shepherd: You got a dog?
Charlie: I meant Leo
Charlie: I thought you were in a romance book club
I never should have told her that.
Charlie: I read the one you suggested
Charlie: I can’t believe you liked it
Charlie: So much pining
