Whereas the only thing I’m known for wearing is my cowboy hat, Anna never went anywhere without the leather-braided friendship bracelet I gave her on our first date and her heart necklace her and Mags each had. For mags, it hasalwaysbeen her strawberry lip balm.
There’s something about looking at her lips now that has my chest feeling tight in a strange way I’ve never felt before–a feeling that can’t be written off as anything other than ‘the thing that shall not be named’ that Lee put in my head.
Ever since our almost moment on the trail yesterday, I haven’t been able to shake the image of my best friend looking at me with those big green eyes of hers, warm and hooded orbs that I could easily have gotten lost in. That was before she realized what was happening.
I still can’t explain how it even happened–or almost did. All I know is that it felt like there was an unknown force pushing me toward her and I was powerless to stop it. My mind was blank, my conscience clear, and it feltright. Maybe it was just Lee’s hunch worming its way into my brain and my body was all onboard to make Mags and I become a reality.
Whatever it was, thankfully we both came to our senses before we did something crazy and made this whole road trip awkward…
Then again,isit that crazy?Damn Lee for putting ideas in my head that have no place being there…
“So, has Wy settled in alright?" Mags asks, breaking the silence. That tight feeling in my chest vanishes into thin air just at the sound of her voice.
“He sure has. There was a bounce in his voice I haven’t heard since he was a kid. Makes me feel better knowin’ he’s happy.”
Her smile widens. “He’s always been an energetic kid. Anna used to wonder if you were raisin’ him on sugar the way he used to run everywhere. Nothin’ can keep that kid down, I swear.
A snort escapes me. “True. I’m just glad I could hear it for myself. “I tap my chest. “Makes the heart beat easier knowin’’ he’s safe and settled now.”
“No regrets then?” she asks. For a moment I wonder if she’s asking about us and yesterday. But that’s stupid, ofcourseshe means Wyatt.
“Nope.” My voice is a little rough, so I clear my throat and decide that a topic change is best because until I get my head around these slowly changing feelings for Mags, I know I’m not ready to talk about it–with her or anyone else. Distraction may be the killer of success, but it’s also the savior of my sanity. For right now, at least. “I forgot to ask. Have you ever been to Ninilchik before?”
She shakes her head. “Nah. Been to Seward as a kid but not the other side of the peninsula. I guess you went there a lot when you were on the circuit?”
“Sure did. Enjoyed it every time too. It used to be one of our favorite stops on tour. The people, the beach there, the scenery, all of it is amazin’.”
“Can’t wait,” she says, cracking the window a little to let some air in.
“Do you mind if we stop somewhere on the way? There’s a place I think you’ll like. If you’re OK with it, I mean.”
“This is your trip, Red. I’m just taggin’ along, remember?” she replies, and suddenly the Call is the last thing on my mind.
I frown and shoot her a questioning look. “Mags, this isourtrip. I may have things to do as we go, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do whatever you want too. It’s a vacation for the both of us. I want you to have a good time. In fact, Iwon’thave fun if you’re not.”
She waves her hand in the air. “It’s fine, Red. Honestly. I’m just happy to be here.”
“Maggie,” I say, using her name so she knows I’m being serious. “This is your first vacation ingod-knows how long. I don’t want ‘go with the flow’ and ‘this is your trip, not mine’ Mags. I want the best friend I’ve known over half my life. I want to make memories with you, do things we haven’t done before, and see things we haven’t seen.That’sthe road trip I signed up for.”
Mags's brows jump sky-high. "What's this about, Red?"
I huff out a sigh. “Nothin’.”
“Didn’t sound like nothin’,” she mutters.
“I just wish you’d start puttin’ yourself first sometimes instead of bein’ the one always helpin’ people,” I rush out.
She scoffs. “You’re just as bad as me at doin’ that, Red. You’re always doin’ somethin’ for someone and never anythin’ for yourself. So, the way I see it, if you wantmeto change, maybe it’s high time you started lookin’ in the mirror too.”
My head jerks back so hard I’m surprised I don’t give myself whiplash. I stare at her speechless, my mouth opening and closing like I'm a damn fish sucking in air.
“Cat got ‘ya tongue there,darlin’,” she says, a smirk curling her lips. “Did you really think I wouldn’t dish it all back to you? Peopledotell us we’re like two peas in a pod.”
“That’s when they’re not gossipin’ behind our backs wonderin’ if we’re datin’ or not,” I muse.
"Yeah, that one I just ignore," she replies. "If people don’t think a man and a woman can be friends without it gettin' complicated, then they're stupid."
I shouldn’t go there, but after yesterday’s moment, one could say I’m a little curious. “I know Toby and Landry used to joke around about us, and the women at the ranch have hearts in their eyes about everyone. But who else has been runnin’ their mouth?”
