Page 41 of Second Chances
Chapter 16
Freddie turned to Joshwith a smile on his face, “Sorry for interrupting there.”
“It’s probably a good thing,” Josh sighed. “Who is Billie Jo Bunkstan?”
“Bunkman,” Josh corrected. “She was a few years ahead of me in high school. She was in my brother’s class. She grew up in the trailer park across the tracks.”
“Well, she must have a twin, because that girl’s name is Charlotte.”
“I mean, it’s been a few years, but it sure looked like her. She came to our house a few times to work with Logan on a school project. She had quite the uh, reputation back then. I think that they called her the BJ Queen.”
“Is that because her initials are B.J?”
“Hah, I never thought of that.” Freddie laughed. “I guess the Chance Rapids class of 2005 wasn’t too creative.”
“Well, Charlotte seems a whole hell of a lot classier than that. And I don’t think a girl from the trailer park is living it up over in Sugar Peaks.”
“I guess not.” Freddie stroked his beard, “I wonder what happened to Billie Jo.”
Josh shrugged.
“Want to go finish that pitcher?”
“I should grab Timber and get home. Megan is optimistic about opening on the fifteenth, but I know how things work around here, and unless I light a fire under those drywallers, she’s going to be opening up in the new year and missing the holiday crowds.”
“Fair enough,” Freddie said and opened the door. “Josh, I know you know what you’re doing, and I’m glad you’re moving on, but getting involved with someone across the bridge has never worked.”
“I know, Freddie. Nothing’s going to happen with her.”
Josh went inside the bar and said goodbye to the search and rescue team, hooked Timber up to his leash and trudged home through the snow that was now well over the top of his hiking boots. He thought about the almost kiss with Megan and although the stirring in his pants said otherwise, he was glad that Freddie had interrupted. Freddie was right, he was ready to move on, but he needed to find someone who was from his world. Someone who wouldn’t leave.
He shook the snow off his boots, looked around his tiny unfinished home and saw it through Megan’s eyes. He saw the plywood floor, the open walls, the kitchen with no cupboards. He had nothing to offer her.
He stripped off his clothes and crawled into his flannel sheets, Timber came to the side of the bed and gave him a nudge, Josh let his hand fall from the bed and patted Timber’s damp fur. “Get in your bed buddy, no wet dogs on mine.” He swore he heard Timber groan, but then he heard the creaking as he settled into his wicker bed.
His mind raced back to his day with Megan. It had been perfect, even after she saw his house. She wasn’t judging him, and Josh sat up and realized that the person who had been judging, was him. Megan knew who he was and still wanted to kiss him. Josh realized that he had been a fool. He reached for his cell phone and sent her a text:
You are in violation of Chance Rapids Bylaw 1.27
He was surprised when the phone chimed back immediately.
Bylaw 1.27?
One shall not partake in a shotski without actually skiing first – he added a ski emoji.
Unlike his first message, he didn’t receive a response right away. He saw the text bubble come up and disappear at least three times and knew that she was at a loss for what to say.
I like to live dangerously.
He smirked. She was good.
As a citizen of Chance Rapids, I need to ensure that you get onto a set of skis in the next twenty-four hours or pay the consequences.
And what might those be?
A mandatory polar bear dip. Your choice.
The text bubbles came and went again. Josh’s heart was in his throat. He hadn’t flirted like this in years. He felt himself growing hard under his flannel sheets imagining Megan’s body in a bikini, covered in goosebumps, how hard her nipples would be in anticipation of jumping into the icy river. How good it would feel to sit next to her in the sauna, sweating and kissing, He was growing harder imagining what he would do to Megan in the sauna pre and post icy swim.
