“Would you stop looking so glum?” Piper bumps into my arm. “It’s a night meant for new beginnings.”
“I’m merely enjoying the music. If you don’t like my vibe, go bug Parker.”
“Nah,” she shakes her head.
Beau raises his voice. “I think he’s trying to hit on someone right now.”
“Of course he is,” I mumble. He’s always trying to get some sort of date and doesn’t give up. One of these days that arrogance is going to bite him in the ass.
“We only have a few more minutes until midnight.” Piper squeals.
Her excitement makes me smile. The way she can always have a positive outlook is inspiring. If only I could have that sunny disposition after getting screwed over. She’s a forgive and mostly forget type of person. I…hold grudges.
Should I? Absolutely not. I can’t help it though. At least, not when it comes to Pierce. Not when he treated me like an equal then didn’t keep me in the loop. The sad thing is he doesn’t even feel bad about it. He didn’t offer any kind of apology to any of us. Except for Piper. But he was already in the dog house with her. I don’t blame her one bit.
Which is another thing he kept under wraps. I don’t understand why it was so important for him to not let anyone in on the fact he knew about Piper doing the marketing the way she wanted. It was a shitty thing to do to her.
“Ten, nine, eight.” The shout of everyone counting down until the new year breaks me from my thoughts.
Maybe I do need to be more like Piper. This year I’m going in with a focus on me.
“Five. Four. Three. Two. One. HAPPY NEW YEAR.” Everyone screams and I join in with them. Things are changing and I might as well change with them.
Both Piper and Beau pull me into a group hug to bring in the new year. They didn’t leave me out, and I’m grateful. The rest of the crowd is too busy making out with their dates.
“I think I’m going to head out.” This is not my scene and I can hear my sofa calling my name. Maybe Miles will be up for some video games. Assuming he isn’t out and about. If he was here, I’d at least have someone to talk to. Actually, scratch that. He’d be just like Parker trying to find a date for the night.
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen him. Or heard from him for that matter. We need to fix that. Mostly because I need space from my family.
“No, don’t leave.” Piper’s voice is high pitched. “Stay a little longer.”
“Sorry, sis.” I wrap my arm around her for a quick hug. “I’m wiped after moving crates of sangria all day.”
It’s not a complete lie. Between that and standing in the bar because there aren’t any empty tables, my feet are killing me.
“Fine.” She pouts. “I’ll come by tomorrow. We need to make sure you take your resolution to heart.”
Ignoring her statement, I wave at Beau before turning toward the door. At least I parked across the street. The fight against traffic won’t be an issue.
Within twenty minutes I’m driving down Starlit Road. Music is my companion as I make my way down the dark road to my driveway.
A blur of motion catches my eye and I slow down. What the hell was that? It’s too big to be a possum, but too small to be livestock.
I slow the truck’s motion to a crawl, trying to find whatever it is in my headlights. There isn’t anything, but then I spy a glint of metal further up the road. Instead of driving closer to whatever it is, I open my door and grab the flashlight from my console. Getting hit in the new year is not on my list of goals.
My steps are slow and measured as I make my way toward the animal. The closer I get, I can see it’s a dog. Damn, I should have brought something it could eat. If only to coax it toward me.
Right as my hand slips around the dog’s collar, a loud boom echoes across the countryside and sparkles light up the sky. The dog jumps and tries to bolt. Apparently, this pup is scared of fireworks. I pull it close to me and try to see if there’s a tag on the collar.
Alice is stamped into the metal tag adorning her collar. The only other information is a phone number and a town in Oklahoma.
“You’re a long way from home,” I whisper to pup. “Let’s get you somewhere safe while I try to find your owner, Alice.”
She licks my hand and I take it as a sign of trust. I’m only glad I found her before she really got lost…or worse.
Two
Callie
