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We both break out laughing as she eats hers off her lap.
“Seriously, though. What’s happening? Do I need to worry about you?”
“Not unless you hear of me dying of too many orgasms.”
“Ah! I did not just hear that!” Addie covers her ears with her hands and scrunches up her face, making me laugh even harder.
“No, everything is…good. I mean, Chance is really opening up to me and I think we’re hitting a groove, and not just in bed,” I add, just to wind her up.
“I’m going to ignore that. But really, I just can’t reconcile the asshole that picked you up that night with the one that you’re telling me about now.”
“I know; I can’t explain it, but it’s true. Last week at the rodeo he was—different. The last day it’s like something changed. He took me out into the stands, got me the most amazing pulled pork you have ever tasted in your life—seriously, it was better than what was offered in the sponsor’s suite. Then he took me and introduced me to some of the riders. I even got to pet some of the horses!”
“That must have been the highlight.”
“It was one of them. But then he also told me about his dad and how they would walk around the rodeo grounds together and I don’t know, it was different.”
“There you go with that dreamy look again.”
“Did I tell you he introduced me to the woman that heads up the local animal rescue organization? He invited her specifically to introduce her to me.”
Addie’s eyes open wide with her mouth agape. “Did you tell him about your dream?”
“I did. That morning, actually.”
“Wow.” She leans back against the couch, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Yeah, wow.” I eat another fry, thinking about everything that happened over the course of my time with him. It seems like it was so long ago, but really, it’s only been weeks. “Yes, Chance can be an asshole, but he’s also so much more.”
“I’m starting to see that,” she answers, still stunned.
“So I would like it if you laid off a little on the hate-train. Chance is a good guy—mostly.”
“Fine. But no promises when he’s around.”
I laugh. “I’ll take that.”
I pick up another fry when both of our phones make a high pitched sound, screens flashing at us from the table.
“What the hell?” Addie says, as we both grab our phones.
ALERT: EMERGENCY ALERT
The town of Whiskey Falls has issued a wildfire alert for everyone in town. Everyone is being asked to evacuate. Take your pets, important documents, medication, and food and proceed to the HILLSIDE RECREATION CENTRE in Cedar Valley Springs…
“Wildfire, here in Whiskey Falls?” I stand, dropping the rest of my fries to the ground as I scan the alert on my phone.
“Do you think it’s that close?” Addie’s eyes meet mine, the panic all over her face.
“I’m sure they’re just being cautious, but we should get moving. Why don’t you go home and gather your things and I’ll pick you up in twenty minutes?” I stand cleaning up what’s left of our meal and rush into the kitchen. “I’m going to call Chance and grab what I need. We’ll go together. I don’t want you to be alone.”
Addie rushes up behind me and pulls me into a hug. I know this is one of the moments when we need to switch on being strong for one another. Addie’s alone in town and hasn’t made all that many connections other than me. She’s scared, but I won’t let her go through this alone.
“Hey, we’ll be okay.” I hug her back quickly before putting her at arm’s length, making sure she’s looking me in the eyes. “I just need you to go home and pack a few bags, okay?”
She nods with tears in her eyes before grabbing her purse and rushing out the door.
Now that she’s gone, I give myself a moment to feel how scared I am. Rushing for my phone, I call Chance, praying for him to pick up.
