If things do work out between Ella and me, I know I’ll have Addie to thank. I don’t know how long it would’ve taken me to ask her out on my own. She sped up the process for sure. While we seem to have picked up right where we left off, she still feels like a breath of fresh air, something new and exciting.I just want to do everything right. I was fortunate enough to get a second chance; I don’t want to mess it up again.
We stop talking when we hear someone coming up the driveway. Looking up, we see it’s Wesley, our neighbor’s son.
Our property backs up to the Stettler cattle farm; they raise beef cattle and do some crop farming. They’re a nice family and have been here about as long as we have. They have a daughter who’s Mason’s age and Wesley is the same age as Addison, seventeen.
“Speaking of Addison,” Cody mutters when the sound of the front door opens. Out comes Addie wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, and her brown hair up in a ponytail through the back of her hat.
Wesley steps out of his truck and says hi to us. Cody and I toss up a wave and head nod.
We watch Addison make her way into the passenger seat. “You’re early,” she tells him.
“You said any time after 8:30,” Wesley argues gently with a laugh. Addison bickers back at him but I don’t exactly hear what. Cody and I exchange a glance at each other.
These two have been best friends their whole lives. They do nearly every dang thing together but kiss. Swearing up and down that they’re justfriends.
As Wesley starts to back around to leave, Cody waves. “Have fun,” he says and turns back to me. “They’re definitely doing it.”
I nudge him in the shoulder. “No, they aren’t.”
“They’re at that age—”
I cut in, my voice tight. “Stop. They’re not.”
“You know they’re not twelve anymore, right? Remind me, what exactly were you doing at her age with … who was that girl again?” he plays dumb. “Oh, that’s right, Ella?” His smug smirk is irritating.
“You’re a pain in the ass, Cody, you know that?”
“I’ve been told.” He shrugs. “Does anyone else know you and Ella are rekindling your passionate burning love for each other?”
“No… and don’t mention it,” I all but demand. “We haven’t talked about anything.”
“Yet,” he adds.
“Well yeah, that was kinda the point of tonight,” I mutter and start to walk away.
I head back to my cabin with the dogs. By the time they’re cleaned up, I’m in need of a shower too, the smell of wet dog lingers heavy on my body.
* * *
Just as I’m getting ready to shower, I hear my phone go off in the kitchen where I left it. The anticipation building, silently praying it’s not Ella canceling.
Ella: Just wanted to let you know, I’m not sure what exactly you had in mind, but we don’t have to get dinner, we can just hang out too.
Me: How about both?
Ella: That’s good with me.
Me: 5 still good?
Ella: Perfect.
Me: See you then.
Ella: :-)
I step into the hot shower and daydream. I’m looking forward to seeing her again but I’m also pretty nervous. The breakup between us wasn’t exactly my proudest moment, and I know at some point we’re going to have to acknowledge it. I think she’d agree she was also at fault. We were young, still somewhat immature, and looking into a future together that looked vastly different in each of our eyes. I’m fully ready to apologize, forgive, and forget, but the big question that hangs in the air is if she’ll be ready as well. Does she want to try again?
* * *
