"We will!" she assured him.
We left the ranch, and by the time I was back in Billings and had told Alex and Josie goodnight, it was after eleven o'clock. I knew I was going to text Ash, and I tried not to be in a hurry about it, but as soon as I closed my bedroom door, I started thinking about what I'd write.
There was a small padded chair near my closet, and I sat on it to compose a text.
Me:
Hey, I think I said I'd text you tonight, so I'm texting. We made it home a minute ago, and my sister wanted to talk, so I…
I paused my writing, deleted the entire thing, and started over.
Me:
We made it home. You played great tonight and last night!
I pressed send. I was still sitting on the chair, and it was about a minute later when I heard back from him.
Ash:
Thank you. Can I pick you up right now? Can I call you?
Me:
Yes to the call. I wish on the other.
I hit send, and within seconds my phone vibrated in my hand, and his name flashed on the screen.
"Why can't I pick you up?" he said when he first heard me answer the phone.
I smiled at the fact that he wanted to see me.
"Are you too tired?"
"No, no, I would, but my sister and Alex were still up when I came in here just now. I don’t know how long they're going to be in my living room."
"Just tell them you're leaving."
"I can't. There would be too many questions."
"Is Luna home?"
"No, not till tomorrow."
"Why can't you sneak out then?"
"Because I'm not fifteen."
"Just leave a note. Your sister wouldn't care," he said. I could hear a smile in his voice, and I wanted to see him so badly.
I had watched him perform for two nights, and I was all worked up about it. It was impossible to resist an invitation to see him, even if it went against my better judgment.
"Fine," I said, with too little hesitation. "But I'm seriously going out of my window for propriety's sake."
He laughed. "I'm not sure how that makes it more proper, but whatever you think."
"I don't know, I feel like it's easier than explaining."
"All right, well, I'll be at your house in fifteen minutes."
