“Me too,” he responds and there’s a hint of mischievousness and thrill behind his eyes that sends a flutter through my stomach. I’d wondered if Cody would be making an appearance at my casualbirthday party Georgia’s planned, but this confirms it. At least, I think it does.
Just then, I hear Georgia's voice from behind Cody.
"Will youpleasemove out of the way? I’m trying to get to Mae," Georgia demands, her voice sharp and her foot tapping with impatience. "Aren’t you supposed to be feeding the animals or something?"
Cody just smirks, clearly unfazed by her attitude. He shoots me one last lingering smile, complete with a wink, before turning to leave. “Hello, Georgia. Good to see you too,” he mumbles under his breath, but she ignores him completely, already tugging me by the arm like a woman on a mission.
We make our way to Dolly’s office, where we ditch our aprons in the bin by the door and practically sprint out to my waiting car, Georgia moving with the kind of determination that only she can muster.
She hitched a ride to work with Cody and Wilder this morning so we could drive back to Ashwood Ranch together later for the pool party and sleepover she’s decidedhasto happen. The whole idea of a party—even a small one—feels a little foreign to me.
My parents never made a big deal out of birthdays. Unless you count the stiff, formal dinners with their affluent friends, where I’d be stuffed into an uncomfortable dress and paraded around like a future success story. And since moving to Lonestar Junction, I haven’t exactly been the town’s most social resident.
But honestly? I don’t mind. I have Georgia, and for now, that feels like enough.
Tonight, it’s just going to be us and the Cameron twins, which sounds perfect. Georgia’s got the whole evening planned—night swimming under the stars, stuffing ourselves with greasy pizza, enduring a little harmless teasing from Cody and Wilder, and then crashing at her place a few miles away on the Cameron ranch.
As I turn onto the long dirt road leading to Ashwood, anticipation hums in my chest. The thought of cool water beneath a sky full ofTexas stars, the easy warmth of Georgia and the boys, and the rare freedom of a night that belongs entirely tous—it’s the kind of thing I used to dream about back in San Angelo.
“So, my aunt Jovie and Uncle Nash have a large pond on their property. How would you feel about sneaking off on some 4-wheelers to go skinny dipping in it?” Georgia says from the passenger side seat, her eyes glowing with excitement.
“I’ve never gone skinny dipping before.”
She claps her hands and jumps up and down. “I think we need to make a check list of all the things you haven't yet done because of your parents.”
I laugh from the driver’s seat because that sounds like a great idea. Since getting to know Georgia better these past few weeks, I’ve opened to her about my real name, Mae Beaumont, and who my family is but swore her to absolute secrecy. Once she realized just how- in her words – sheltered I’ve been, she’s made it her personal mission to expose me to small town living and all the freedom that comes with not having parents who plan out every detail of your life. And a bucket list of things to do before college sounds like a perfect plan.
The long, winding driveway to Ashwood Ranch stretches ahead of me, and my mind begins to wander. I can't help but wonder if Cody and Wilder will join us tonight, or if Georgia will tell them to stay away. I’ve never said it out loud to her because I love spending time with Georgia, but I’ve also secretly hoped for more time with Cody.
The little bits I’ve picked up about him so far have piqued my curiosity—there’s something more beneath that chiseled exterior, his athleticism, and his easy smile. I’ve caught glimpses of a depth to him that most people probably miss. But I’d never admit that to anyone, especially not Georgia. Her friendship means too much to me. It’s the one thing here that feels real, the one constant I can rely on in this small town that’s still so new to me. And if it ever came down to it—if I had to choose between her and Cody—there’s no question. I’d sacrifice the chance to get to know him better without asecond thought for Georgia’s friendship.
Gravel crunches under my tires as I pull in front of the Ashwood home. I hop out, slinging the bag we’ve packed with our bikinis and towels over our shoulders. It looks like Cody and Wilder still aren’t back from their shift working at the rodeo which is probably for the best.
“Hi Uncle Nash and Aunt Jovie. This is the friend I was telling you about, Mae,” Georgia introduces me as soon as we step inside the home.
No wonder Cody and Wilder look like models and are by far the most attractive boys that I’ve ever seen. Their parents don’t look a day older than thirty. Uncle Nash has bone structure that could cut glass and Aunt Jovie with her big, round emerald, green eyes and dark hair is breathtaking.
“Mae, it’s so nice to meet you. Georgia has told us quite a lot about you,” Aunt Jovie says with a wide smile and a warm hug.
“My Aunt Jovie always wanted a daughter, but she got stuck with twin sons instead. Cody and Wilder were too much for them to risk having a third boy, so I became like a daughter to her," Georgia smiles affectionately as she gazes at her aunt and uncle. I wonder what it’d be like to have a relationship with family like this. My own aunt would never describe me as like a daughter to her and could care less what I’m up to if it doesn’t involve something that puts our family in positive light.
Uncle Nash laughs as he places his hand protectively on his wife and then guides her towards the back of the home. “You two have fun tonight and if Cody or Wilder give you any trouble, just call us, Georgia.”
Georgia grabs my hand and tugs me in the opposite direction to one of the guest bedrooms, where we change out of our uniforms and into swimsuits. We head out to the pool and immediately dive in, splashing and laughing while taking turns hopping out to grab slices of the pizza that her aunt and uncle picked up earlier.
An hour passes, and I start to think that Cody and Wilder won’t be showing up tonight. I shouldn’t mind, this is still the most fun I’ve ever had on a birthday before, but I still can’t help the pang of disappointment that’s filling my chest.
It's nearing ten at night when Georgia grabs my hand and points. “Look, my uncle and aunt turned their bedroom light off,” she says, indicating a window near the back of the house. She winks at me. “Let’s go steal those 4-wheelers and I’ll take you to the pond I was telling you about.”
She jumps out of the pool and pulls on a pair of shorts, and I quickly follow suit while we creep through the darkness to a barn nearby. Underneath the cover of the darkness, we find matching red and green 4-wheelers with the keys already in the ignition. Quietly, we coax them out before zipping towards the fields in a loud rumble of laughter and noise. I've never driven a 4-wheeler before, and Georgia gave me no instructions, but I do my best to keep up and keep my eyes on her despite the pitch-black darkness covering the entire ranch.
After what feels like a five-mile ride through the flat terrain, I finally catch sight of the pond ahead. The full moon is shining, causing a dreamy reflection off the water as it laps against a tiny, sandy shore that surrounds the water. Georgia parks close to the edge and hops off while I pull up next to her.
“Here we are!” she shouts, waving her arms dramatically towards the dark pond.
“Aren’t you afraid of… I don’t know, coyotes, scorpions or something?” I ask her.
She smiles. “With no risk, there’s no reward. Come on, this will be fun! It’s something you’ve never done before, and it’ll be a way for you to remember your eighteenth birthday for forever!”
