“How about we go to the store, grab some steaks, chicken, and whatever else and have some fun?” Memphis says.
Oh shit, I forgot today is Friday and the town does a weekly get-together with rides. Smaller than the harvest festival, but still fun.
“I’m in,” I stand, handing Mercy my apron. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“You come whenever you want,” she winks.
“I’m going to ask Beau if he wants to come.” I head to his office and throw the door open.
“Really, no one knows how to knock,” he just shakes his head.
“You okay?” I take in that he looks older than he is. He looks stressed and frustrated. I feel like shit because he’s been dealing with this and my shit all at the same time.
“I don’t know. I feel like a school boy with a crush.”
“You are, but now you know what to do,” I tell him.
“What’s that? Egg the principal’s house?”
“No, you goofball,” I giggle, “play to win.”
He just stares at me for a second. “You going to do the same?”
“I think I will. I’ll give him his time, but when he gets back, all bets are off. I’m playing to win,” I stand straighter than I have in a while.
“Good to hear that.”
“Weekly town get-together, are you coming?”
“I’ll be down there later,” he nods, shuffling his paperwork.
“Be strong big brother and go for what you want,” I kiss his cheek and head out to join the others.
“All good?” Alexa asks. I nod as we head to different cars.
Alexa is proof that mean girls can be good girls. I misjudged her. I also helped her during an event without judging her. But I judged after that.
She’s turned out to be a good friend and I’m happy she is here. I’m happy I gave us a chance at being friends.
“You should have seen her egg on Kelsey and Kara,” Snow says as I follow her to Dayton’s car.
“Oh yeah?”
“She deserves an Oscar for her performance,” Dayton agrees.
“I wish I could have seen it,” I say.
“You didn’t watch the show?”
“No, I was holed up in my room, hardly came out to eat, wallowed in my self-pity,” I tell them.
“No more of that,” Snow replies.
“No more. I know what I want and when he gets back, I’m going to prove to him that I have always loved him, that I’m the person I was before I lost my way.”
“Thatta girl,” Dayton smiles.
Soon we’re all loaded up with a bunch of food to cook, Jimmy went to grab Shane’s grill, and soon we’re cooking up a storm. Well, the guys are taking turns, the girls are cutting up vegetables and mixing dips. This feels right, like I belong. But one person is missing. Don’t worry, Linc, we’ll be together. Oh wait, does that sound crazy? Maybe it does, but I’m crazy about him and I want him to know it.