“Yes. I got a treat before bed.”
“You weren’t supposed to tell,” Dad says over Max’s laughs.
“They always sneak you treats.” I shake my head. There’s no point in denying it. They have a soft spot for him.
“It was yummy.”
“Good. Are you going to bed now?”
“After we read books,” he tells me.
“Okay, well, sleep tight and I’ll see you in the morning. I love you so much.”
“I love you, Mommy. Don’t let the spiders bite.”
“Hey now.” I laugh.
“You started that one, Joey,” Dad says, coming back on the phone.
“What can I say; I’m terrified of the damn things.”
“Tell the girls I said hi,” Dad says.
“I will. Thanks for watching Max again.”
“You know, you’ve been seeing a lot of them lately.”
“It’s hard to get any time with Presley since she’s so wrapped up in Kade again.” The lie comes too easily.
I can’t tell him that I’ve been sneaking off with his best friend. It’s easier to say I’m with the girls. And as often as we do see each other, it’s an easy lie for him to believe.
“Maybe you’ll find someone soon.”
“One can hope,” I sigh. “I should get going. I’m here now.”
“Okay. Have fun.”
“You too. Thanks for watching Max.”
“Anytime, Joey. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I end the call and suck in a deep breath. I hate lying to my parents and friends, but I have no choice. I don’t think anyone would understand my relationship with Sam. How he’s the perfect guy for me. Maybe one of these days I’ll figure out a way to break the news to them in a way that won’t devastate everyone around me.
Stuffing my phone into my bag, I head inside.
“She’s alive!” Rylee says, wrapping me in a hug as I work my way through the crowd to get to our table at The Dusty Spur.
“I was only sick for a day,” I say, returning the hug.
“Not what she means,” Georgia says, sucking on her drink, no doubt the new drink Chase has created—the Tequila Tumbleweed. The perfect amount of fruitiness with tequila topped off with a dash of cinnamon simple syrup. It’s delicious, and being that my friends are amazing, there’s already one waiting for me.
“Oh?” I sip on my drink, casting each of them a side-eye.
“We’ve hardly seen you around,” Presley says. “I only see you at work.”
“Which means I never see you,” Rylee agrees.
