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“Can we go back now?” Her voice is low and monotone.
I fucked up.
“Of course.” I say
For the next half hour, the only sound I hear is the crunch of the rocks under our shoes, the rushing waters of the river, and birds.
I wonder idly if Chris has come up here to bird watch. Anything to keep from thinking about what just happened.
The hour drive back to her campsite is hell on wheels. She plugged her phone in and turned music up to an appropriate volume to effectively shut me out. I pull up next to her Jeep, she unlatches her seat belt, and her hands are on the doors as my tires stop rolling.
“Riley, listen.”
She looks toward me but not at me.
“I can’t right now Grayson,” she says and gets out of my car. I watch her as she climbs the ladder and disappears into her tent.
Stupid. Why did I do that?Because I have fallen for her, hard.
Her spirit and sense of adventure, everything about her makes my heart skip a beat whenever she is around. But I’m pretty sure I astonishingly went and fucked that up. The fact that she wouldn’t even look at me should tell me all that I need to know, but maybe she’s never had someone ask her to stay. She loves
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how she lives, and I don’t know that she has loved anyone enough to stay in one spot, but I could be that person.
I could show her that staying put isn’t all bad, especially when there is so much opportunity and places to explore within a few hours of us. And my family, they would love her.
I’ve brought a couple of girls around in the past, and my mom has always had a “bless your heart” mentality about them, but Riley is different than anyone I have ever introduced her to.
If there is a way I can get her to stay, even one more month longer, I know I can show her why being with me, here, is the right decision.
Pulling out my phone I see that I have a text from her. I swipe it open quickly.
Riley: Hey. I’m sorry about giving you the silent treatmenttoday. You kinda caught me off guard.
Grayson: No need to apologize. I should have kept my mouthshut. We can just pretend it never happened.
Riley: That might be for the bestI debate for a minute, on asking her about my family reunion. I may be pushing it. I’ll wait until I see her at work on Friday.
Grayson: See ya Friday.
Riley: Yup!
Chapter Eighteen
Grayson
FRIDAY NIGHT WASN’T AWKWARD, like I thought for sure it would be. Riley and I worked behind the bar like we regularly do, and her smile lit up everyone’s face that walked through the doors.
She told me she was excited to meet my family today and even asked if she could bring something. I told her my mom usually overdid it with food, so not to worry. Having her there with me will be the highlight of the reunion for me.
“You ready to meet everyone?” I say as she gets in my car and buckles.
“I am.” There is an excitement to her voice that makes my heart happy.
As always, she looks hot in a Guns-N-Roses band t-shirt that’s tied at her waist and black cutoff jean shorts. Her red hair is in a high ponytail with a few loose strands around her face. She has black converse on with red socks peeking from the tops.
