But at the same time…it’s Collie.
“Who is it, East?” Palmer asks, and I lift my head with a glare. “Thought so,” she murmurs under masked laughter.
“What’s going on?” Mom asks again. “I feel like I’m missing something.”
“Oh. Easton met a wo?—”
“Palmer,” I scold. “Thanks, but I can handle it from here.”
Mom and Pops still look clueless. Rightfully so. I never told them about Collie, more so because there wasn’t really anything to tell.
We left what we had in Yellowstone…until I realized that’s the farthest thing from what I want. Still need to get her on board, but it may be worth mentioning to my parents at this point.
I send a message to Collie, quickly telling her I’ll call her right back and turn to face my mom. “I met a woman. Her name is Collie.”
“Hell yeah, boy,” Pops gets the first word in, causing me to chuckle. I try not to look at him, but it’s kinda hard when he throws his beer back to celebrate.
“Jesus, Dad,” Palmer retorts, her eyes bugging wide. “Chug it, why don’t ya?”
“You met a woman named Collie?” Mom reiterates, ignoring Pops. She doesn’t look upset, but clarifies what she heard.
“I did. We met in the Nashville airport the day after the wedding.”
“Oh, boy. And this woman is…was…a stranger?”
I nod, expecting where this is going. “Yes, of course. I didn’t know her beforehand, and trust me, meeting her was a surprise to me, too.”
Palmer is the only one who knows about Collie. Although they’ve never actually spoken, she was the only one I talked to on the phone while I was still therewithCollie. She hasn’t pried me with questions, thankfully, but I know she’s dying to know more.
“Alright. Well, that’s good, I suppose. And this woman…was she traveling to Wyoming as well?”
I shake my head. “No. I invited her to come with me, though. We spent the entire two weeks together.”
“Holy shit,” Pops mumbles.
“Really adding to the conversation here, Dad,” Palmer jokes.
Mom looks bewildered, like she can’t believe what she’s hearing. “So, let me get this straight. You, my son, Easton Voss…invited a stranger who just so happens to be a woman, on a two-week-long trip with you right after calling off your wedding?”
“That’s correct.”
“You sure were ready for a change, weren’t ya son?” Pops laughs and fuck, I can’t help but join him. “Bye, Sydney, helllloooooo Collie.”
Palmer chucks a piece of bread at his chest.
“She was struggling and I couldn’t not offer my extra ticket to her. Her flight was delayed, she had mud on her ass, and no plans to head home after losing her job. It seemed like the right thing to do.”
“Sounds like it,” Dad mumbles, a wide smile ghosting his face. “’Bout time you do something spontaneous, son. I’m proud of you for that. Whether that was extend the invite or do the girl.” He winks.
Fucking hell.
“Then, East went and fell in love with the woman,” Palmer chimes in.
“Love? You love this woman, honey?” Mom asks kindly, finally deciding to contribute.
Do I love Collie?
Can you really love someone after only knowing them for a month and a half? I don’t know the answer to that, but I know what I feel is real.
