The shop is still buzzing. Orders being called, the espresso machine is hissing but suddenly I feel a little…outside of it.
Like everything’s moving forward, and I’m not sure where I am in it. I mean, I like doing kind deeds. But is this my new path? Social media business consultant?
I slip out the back door, the noise of the café fading behind me as I pull out my phone.
So, Avery and I are besties, going way back. And despite all the roommate drama that has unfolded here in Riverbend since I arrived, I haven’t yet updated her on all the happenings.
As in, I didn’t even tell her about the craziness with Logan. AKA Hot Cowboy slash baseball player.
I guess I’ve just been processing it on my own.
Avery picks up on the second ring.
“Well, helloooo stranger,” she says immediately. “Long time no talk.”
“I know. Sorry. Been getting acclimated to the new town.”
“Oh really,” she says.
“Very much so. How’s life?”
“Oh, it’s the same. No updates really.”
“Yeah? My brother’s good?”
Avery clears her throat and pauses before speaking. “Cass. Griffin, your brother—my man—is fine. But that’s not what this is about.” I can almost hear her squinting through the phone—she always does that when she’s thinking. “This is aboutyouandyour updates, girl. Also, whatever happened to that sexy cowboy at the Dust Devils concert? You never told me the whole story. Just briefly mentioned it.”
“Oh. Well, about that…” A few students walk past me on the sidewalk, heading into the coffee shop. I pace on the sidewalk until I find a spot in the shade, against a building.
“I need everything. Start from the top.”
I lean against the brick wall, exhaling.
“There’s, ah, not much to tell, really.”
“Cassie.”
“Nothingnewto tell.”
“Cassie. Spill. The. Beans.”
I close my eyes.
“Okay. So…first off…Imayhave gone back to the hotel with that hot cowboy at the concert.”
“Oh. My. God. And you didn’t tell me?!”
“I thought it was going to be one of those nights I just brushed under the rug!”
“Cassie. How dare you?” I can feel her smiling through her teeth. She’s not mad, not really.
Well, maybe a teensy bit.
“Remember who you hooked up with and didn’t tell me?” I fire back.
She clears her throat. “Fair point. Well…was it forgettable? He just looked hot but didn’t back it up? Or what?”
“Oh,” I chuckle. “He backed it up. Unfortunately.”
