AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I kiss Eva's temple and tell her, “Have fun,” before I leave her in the safe hands of my mother. Dad is exactly where Mom said he would be. “Hey, Dad. Whatcha up to?”
He stands upright from where he was hunched over the engine of his truck. “Trying to figure out what's wrong with this damn thing. What are you doing home? It's been a long time.”
“Yeah, I know. I'm taking a girl out to Calico Beach for the day. I already told Mom I would stay for dinner, so we can hang out with y'all for a bit.”
Dad's white brows rise. “A girl?”
A smile appears on my face. “Yeah, her name is Eva. She's pretty great so far.”
“Good. I'm glad you're moving on; it always felt like you were waiting to reunite with Kelly whenever you would come home.” The only thing I told my parents was that we broke up because we were going to different colleges and Kelly didn't want to do long distance. It's no surprise to me that Dad would think I wanted to get back together with her when it's what I had been trying to do each time I visited home.
“Well, I've known her since kindergarten. Can you really blame me for wanting to work things out with her?” Was I supposed to move on without a backward glance, no matter why things ended or were put on hold? I had to try.
“Don't get your panties in a bunch, son. You've moved on, she's moved on, everyone's happy.”
“She's moved on?” I gulp, not sure how to take the news.
He shrugs, turning back to his engine. “I guess so. Your mom said she's seen her in town with a guy a few times. Are you going to need help loading the four-wheelers and hooking up the trailer?”
“No, I've got it.”
I leave him to get the trailer ready before I grab the keys from the holder and two helmets. I back my truck up to attach the trailer to the hitch and then one by one, I drive the two ATVs onto the trailer. The entire time, I'm trying to figure out how I feel about the fact that Kelly is seeing someone else. I figured she would. After all, it was part of the deal. But to have it confirmed and for my parents to think she's moved on means it's serious.
All done and ready to go, I return to the house, leaving thoughts of Kelly behind as I see Mom laughing over something Eva must have said. The sight makes me smile.
“I hate to break up the good time, but everything's loaded.”
They turn to look at me, standing. Eva hugs my mom, commenting on how it was nice to meet her.
“Y'all don't have too much fun,” Mom tells me.
“We won't,” Eva answers before I can.
“We'll be back around four, if you want to eat around five?” I say to Mom.
“Sounds like a plan.”
Once we hop into the truck and are on the road, Eva says, “I love your mom and I think she likes me. She may try to convince you keep me around.” She grins.
“She won't have to convince me. You do a pretty good job of that yourself.” Her grin widens. “Have you ever driven a four-wheeler before?”
She nods. “Why is this place we're going to called Calico Beach? We don't live near the beach, so it obviously isn't a beach, right?”
I laugh. “No, it's not. It does have a few lakes though. It's just a place people take their four-wheelers and such to go muddin'. Sometimes, people bring campers, stay all weekend, and ride. Dad, me, and a few of my friends would come a lot during the summer. It was the first thing I thought of when you said we should do something I liked.”
“So, we'll be caked in mud by the time we leave then?” I nod. “I'm excited! I've ridden on a four-wheeler before, but I've never been muddin'.”
“You'll never have so much fun getting dirty.”
It doesn't take us long to reach the ATV park. I pay for us to get in and then we both sign waivers before we're finally admitted entry. Eva is soaking in all the people, water holes, mud holes, hills, and everything that makes up Calico Beach. Once I find a place to park, we get out and I start unloading the four-wheelers while Eva grabs the helmets from the backseat.
“You have to promise me something,” she says as I go to back up the other four-wheeler.
“What's that?”
“Don't laugh at my hair when this helmet comes off. I can already tell you it will be a disaster of epic proportions.”
I laugh at her request and imagining her hair all wild and crazy. “How about if I do laugh, I'll be sure to tell you that you still look as beautiful as ever?”
