AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Suddenly, the end of summer festival became the hot event every year, all because a little brewery opened up in Cedar Point and decided to sponsor the beer garden.
Now, Cedar Cider is one of the most successful businesses in town and a favorite of my father’s, although he wishes they would open up a physical location instead of simply providing beers to purchase from One Stop.
It was a proud moment for my friend Rusty when he launched his business, and I was a silent investor when he bought all the equipment he needed to get things off the ground. When he calls me on Sunday and reminds me that I’ve been in town for over a week and still haven’t gone to see him, I know I need to make the time.
The two of us meet Sunday morning at the crack of dawn for a cup of coffee. Rusty is still the main sponsor for the festival, which starts at noon, so the only free time he has is bright and early. It works well for me since I love to be up before the sun.
“I can’t believe you’re having to squeeze me in,” is the first thing he says when I walk up to where he’s waiting for me outside Ugly Mug.
I flip him off, but still yank him in for a hug, Rusty patting me on the back a few times before we step inside to grab a cup of wake-me-up.
“Things have been different this trip,” I say, tucking my hands in my pockets as I get in line.
“Different how? You’ve been a workaholic as long as I’ve known you. I’m not surprised you’ve been too busy to see me.”
I glance Rusty’s way and give him a smile. “I actually haven’t worked at all since I’ve been here.”
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Boyd.”
“I’m not,” I say. “I’ve been spending time with my family.”
I pause, enjoying Rusty’s stare.
“And a woman.”
His eyes widen, and a smile stretches across his face. “If this is more bullshit, I’ll kill you. I know where you live.”
I shake my head and step up to the counter, ordering a drip coffee and ignoring my friend’s empty threat.
Once we’ve both added our cream and sugar preferences to our cups and taken a seat at a table in the corner, Rusty demands to know everything.
“It’s only been two weeks since we last talked,” he says. “Where did this even come from?”
I tell him everything. Well, within reason. In the past, I might have spilled some dirty details about a hookup here and there, but for some reason, the idea of telling Rusty what happens between me and Ruby in bed, or even specifics about her body, feels oddly like an invasion of privacy.
I do tell him about how we met and the time we’ve been spending together, trying to be specific enough for him to understand that I feel this is serious without spending hours dissecting every interaction we’ve had.
Rusty and I are close, but we don’t need to waste time on reviewing dialogue and facial expressions.
“I gotta be honest, man—I’m surprised,” he says. “Happy for you, definitely—sounds like you found a great girl—but I thought I heard through the grapevine that you had something brewing with Corinne again.”
My head jerks back, confusion marring my previously happy demeanor.
“Where did you hear that load of nonsense?” I say, almost wanting to laugh at how much I’m starting to sound like my dad.
“From Corinne.”
“Wait, since when do you hang out with her?”
He sets down his coffee and crosses his arms. “I don’t, but she’s been hanging out with Abby.” Rusty’s younger sister. “She and Abby and Bellamy have been running around town together all summer like they’re back in high school. Drinking behind One Stop late at night, hooking up at bonfires, flirting with tourists for free drinks.”
“Why is Corinne even here?” I grumble, wishing she would leave my family alone. “I don’t like that she’s been hanging out with my sister, or yours. She’s not a bad person, but her attitude is toxic.”
Rusty nods. “Can’t say I don’t agree with you,” he says. “Corinne came back to town because her parents said they wouldn’t pay for her life anymore.”
“So now she’s just…living in Cedar Point again?”
“Yeah, and she’s been talking about you. A lot.”
