Cash raises an eyebrow. “Are you actually interested in her?”
“I don’t know, Cash.” I let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s Ella.”
He smirks. “Right. Dumb question.” He reaches past me, grabbing the small bucket with leather cleaner and a rag. “Give her some time and ask her again.”
I stare at him. “Isn’t that a little pushy?”
“I prefer to call it persistent, but whatever,” he says, shrugging his shoulders. “Stay away from the bar for a while. Let her miss you.”
“I can’t believe I’m actually takin’ advice from you,” I laugh, the sound vibrating in my chest. “This is really coming from the guy who is so allergic to relationships that he broke out in hives when–.”
“We're not talkin’ about me,” he cuts me off, a scowl sitting on his face. “That was one time and I never want to talk about it again.”
“Fine,” I say, holding my hands up. “We’ll never talk about that again.”
“Thank you,” he gives me a curt nod, turning his attention back to his bridle and saddle as he finishes cleaning them. I do the same, cleaning off mine before we go back out to check on the horses.
They’re both rinsed off and washed, tucked away in their stalls with a flake of hay.
“I didn't mean to ask her out, you know?” I admit after a few moments pass as we stare at the horses. “It just kinda happened.”
Cash lifts his shoulders again. “I don't think you were wrong for doin’ it and you can't take it back now. I think it would be best to put a little distance there before you try anythin’ else.”
“How are you even qualified to give advice?”
His eyebrows pull together and he presses his lips into a flat line. “I’m sure I’m not, but you need someone’s help here.” He pauses, a softness entering his gaze. “Which, by the way–thanks for helpin’ me this mornin’.”
“That's what I'm here for,” I remind him with a smile, swinging my arm around the tops of his shoulders. “I'll always have your back in life.”
“I know.” He returns the smile before pushing me away. “Let's go get food somewhere or somethin’... and not at the bar.”
I can't help but laugh as I nod in agreement and wink. “Deal.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ELLA
My car does a weird little stutter thing as I pull onto one of the back roads that lead towards the petting zoo. Chloe is unsuspecting in the backseat as she plays with the small truck that Cole gave her and a few of her other toys. I glance down at the gas gauge that reads empty. The thing is messed up and I knew it when I bought the car. I have to keep track of how many miles I drive and I know the amount of miles a full tank will get me.
So far, I haven't had any issues. I keep track of my miles so I know when I need to fill it up. I stare at the gauge and pull the car off to the side of the road. I can’t remember what the mileage was on my car the last time I got gas. I haven’t been keeping track like normally and I have no idea when I was supposed to fill the tank again.
Dammit.
I ran out of gas.
After pulling safely off the road, I get the car in park just as it stops running. This has never happened before and my heart races inside my chest, my stomach churning with panic. Chloe pays me no mind as she continues to play with the small toys on her lap. I grab my phone and quickly find Remi's number. I holdit up to my ear, I listen to it ringing until it goes to her voicemail. I curse under my breath and end the call before trying Iris. The same thing happens.
What the heck am I going to do?
I open the web browser on my phone and look up the nearest gas station. It’s only a little over a mile away. I glance at Chloe through my rearview mirror, feeling guilty that we couldn't have at least made it to the miniature animal farm before this happened. Her bright yellow sunglasses hide her eyes and she still isn’t looking at me. I promised her we would go to see the animals on my day off, but it looks like the universe has other plans for me. We can walk to the gas station and I can get a can of gas, then bring it back to my car and we will be able to continue on with our day.
Even though Remi and Iris didn't answer doesn’t mean I can’t figure it out on my own.
I get out of my car and walk over to Chloe's side. She looks up at me as I pull open the door. “Did you want to go for a walk?”
Chloe looks up at me, her eyes shining brightly behind her sunglasses. “Are we dare?”
I shake my head, my lips lifting in a forced smile as I unbuckle her. “We have to make a quick little stop and I thought we could take a fun walk before we get to the farm.”
