Page 28 of Ever's Last
I shouldn’t care about Skye or what she says, or Memphis, or the past. But I’m the kind of person that cares about everything and lets it bother me when someone doesn’t care about me or my friends and family. I just want everyone to be happy, even Skye.
We are ushered into vans and whisked away to Atlanta. Ariel won the challenge but she’s not the girl he brought. I see Tanya sliding into the limo with Memphis and I wonder what happened.
“So exciting. We haven’t done this in a long time.”
“Try like never.” We’ve been so wrapped up in making other people’s lives better by making sure their functions and galas go off without a hitch that we haven’t gone out. The three of us usually watch a movie or go to the lake. Sometimes I would ride Hughie at Linc’s. Other than that, we don’t do much. I was always in pageants and hardly had time to help my dad. Now that I have the time, I feel like I should do more with my life.
But gaining that ‘more’ in life, college, travel, life costs money that we didn’t have until this opportunity.
“I wonder what happened to Ariel,” Linc says as we pull up to a boot store. I roll my eyes as we exit the vans. Tanya is getting a new wardrobe before hitting the honky-tonk and I’m pretty sure that she and Memphis are out of their league in this store.
“I need a new pair of boots,” Ariel says from behind us.
“What in the world?” We all jump five feet in the air.
“Where did you come from?” Ivy asks.
“I’m staying hidden. Tanya can’t see me. Brick asked if I could come and Sal said okay,” she explains as she blushes.
“I’m really happy for you. Don’t worry, Memphis will turn on his fake charm and Tanya won’t even notice you’re here.” I link arms with her and Ivy as Linc heads over to help Memphis with his choices. Memphis was never a cowboy. He never wore Wranglers or boots. That was never his style. I don’t think he ever really defined his style— he just was. I study him from across the store and notice the differences in him. He’s definitely grown up, but he’s almost ten years older than me so he was always grown. His jaw is more defined and you can see scars from fights but they’re almost unnoticeable unless you’re really looking. His eyes look tired. They come to life if you ask him about his mom or fighting, things he’s passionate about, but he does look like he’s lived a long life. And while he smiles at Tanya and praises her, his smile never meets his eyes.
He glances over, catches me studying him, and just nods at me. Not sure what to make of that. I thought we connected a little bit in the barn. I didn’t want to but I let him in. Not sure where that leaves me in his life. At this moment, I’m sharing time with him and several other girls.
And I’m jealous.
“What do you think of these?” Ivy walks over in cute boots with an American flag motif.
“I like those,” I coo. They are cute and just her style. “You could wear them to your wedding.” I’m teasing her since neither she nor my dad will admit that they like each other. I think it’s cute.
She blushes and turns away as Ariel comes around the corner.
“I’m getting them, too,” Ariel says as Brick yanks them out of her hands.
“Hey.” She tries to grab them back, but his arms are too long so she can’t get to them as he holds them above his head.
“I’m getting them. Boots are my treat. You too, Ever,” he says, placating Ariel with a kiss. It’s rare to see Brick be all sweet, but yeah, it’s kind of cute.
Brick is always so serious, but I really hope that he and Ariel figure things out.
“I’ll take these.” I grab a pair of lace-up ropers. I know they’ll fit because I have several pairs of them in various colors, even pink.
“Ivy.” He holds his hand out for hers as well.
“Brick . . . ” she starts until he holds up his hand, silencing her.
“Please let me do this.” I think my heart melted for him. Yeah, I like this Brick.
“Ariel, if you don’t scoop him up, I will,” I tease her. She blushes again and shows us a necklace around her neck.
“He got this for you?” She nods. It’s a beautiful diamond necklace, a large diamond on a silver chain.
“Aww,” Ivy coos and Ariel giggles.
“Ladies, time to go.” Uncle Sal looks flustered. I forget that he doesn’t like the country. He prefers the city and traffic. Weirdo.
Ivy is bouncing in her seat by the time we get to the bar. We rush in past the crew. The place is crowded. I guess the hype of a TV crew filming on-site brings in people from all over.
I head straight to the bar, followed by the others. Ariel and Brick find a table in the corner to themselves. That makes me smile. I believe there is someone out there for everyone and I’m glad they found each other.
