I completely forgot. I stand and run a hand through my hair.
“I guess not, then?” She smiles.
“It’s not what you think. I fully intended to, I swear.”
I got sidetracked by the best ride of my career and then the trash talk at the bar that centered around her. How the hell could I forget my way home?
“Hadley, don’t stress, it’s fine. Besides”—she pushes from the van, grabbing my hat from the top of the vehicle and pushing it onto my head—“I like your company. So I’ll take it for as long as I can get it.”
Until the season ends.
A minuscule amount of time, in my opinion.
The VW starts with a rumble and I finish up, sliding the side door closed. I open the passenger door to find my aviators waiting on the dash, Maggie checking her phone.
Mine buzzes as I slide in and pluck my hat from my head, resting it on the seat between us. I slide the phone from my pocket.
A text from Kayley.
Saw your big ride last night, Hads. Well done brother of mine.
Thanks, Kales. On my way home.
Don’t text and drive Hadley Matthew Jones!!
Not drivin’ Kales. Maggie is.
Um . . . excuse me?
Long story, but she gave me a lift to the second event. Talk to you later.
Yes you will.
I click the phone off and slide the glasses on. I relax instantly, the bright morning sun rising higher and higher as we roll out along the highway.
“Family checking in?” Maggie nods to the phone.
“Yeah, just Kales.”
“Like the hearty dark-green vegetable?”
I chuckle. “Kayley.”
“Ah, of course.”
“Siblings?”
“Nope.”
“Parents?”
“Two.”
“One for me. Mom.”
“Oh . . .”
She doesn’t ask anything else, and I’m glad I don’t have to hash out all the ways my lousy father let us down. Save that gem for another day.
