Page 4 of Come Back to Me

Her dark brows lift, and she looks like she’s considering my question. Finally, she says, “We’ll have to go at night. Can’t risk an agent or banker being there.”

“Great. Let’s go tonight.”

“Tonight?” Nettie glances back and forth between me and Giana. “We’re getting married in less than a week. I can’t risk getting arrested before my wedding.”

“Don’t be silly. We’re not gonna get arrested. We’ve been there plenty of times.” Pete assures her, running a hand up her bare leg.

My mind runs wild, wondering if my cousin and his fiancée have already had sex. It’s not completely unheard of. And they have been dating for a few years. The only reason why they delayed the wedding was that Uncle Jim, Pete’s dad was stationed over in Vietnam. He came home with shrapnel in his knee, a Medal of Honor, and now has a heavy addiction to alcohol. We’re all just relieved he made it back at all.

I make a mental note to have this much-needed conversation with my cousin later when the two of us are alone.

“If we leave now, we can make it back before anyone misses us,” Giana suggests.

“Let’s do it. We can grab some beer on our way,” Pete suggests.

“Now you’re talking.”

It’s three to one. Nettie chews on her bottom lip but doesn’t argue.

We stop at a small store, and I purchase two six-packs since Pete is borrowing his dad’s car to drive us to the cabin. I sit in the back seat next to Giana. With her so close, I can smell the scent of her perfume. It’s rosy and intoxicating, and I find myself craving to get even closer.

Even though it’s dark, the moon and stars are lighting up the sky enough that I get glimpses of the hills and mountains. It’s so different from Texas, where I’ve grown accustomed to the dry and flat land. Even the air in Colorado is different. Somehow, it’s crisper and feels cleaner. My heartbeat picks up speed when Nettie announces we’re almost there.

“We’re here,” Giana says, and I duck to peer out the windshield.

A log A-frame cabin comes into view under the glow of the moon. It looks dilapidated, with missing shingles and broken windows. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see the charm that Giana yammered on about.

Pete parks the car, and we all climb out. We unload the beer and blankets from the trunk. Pete passes Nettie a flashlight. And to me, he hands not only a flashlight, but his guitar as well.

My chest warms. “You brought your guitar?”

“He doesn’t go anywhere without it,” Nettie mutters.

“Let’s see if you remember how to play.” Pete shoves a six-pack underneath each arm, and we head toward the cabin.

The stairs to the porch are rickety and one is missing completely. I hike my leg, stretching until I’m on the porch, and then hold a hand out to assist Giana and Nettie.

Giana’s hand lingers in mine, and she sucks her lower lip in between her teeth. It’s the cutest thing I’ve seen all day.

“Thanks,” she mumbles.

When I turn to face the door, it’s already swinging open, and Pete is on the other side. “Welcome,” he greets, grinning.

I scratch my chin. “You got a key to this place?”

“I climbed through a broken window. We do it all the time,” he confesses.

As we file inside, Nettie says over her shoulder, “You see now why I was worried about getting arrested?”

Inside, the floorboards creak beneath my feet. If it’s possible, it’s worse than the outside. There’s a musty scent that I can’t decipher if it’s because this place is that old or if it’s a result of being exposed to the outdoor elements. The main room is spacious with a wood-burning stove in the corner, and there’s a decent-sized kitchen. There’re a few cupboard doors hanging from their hinges, and something scurries across the floor.

“Oh shit!” I yelp and jump back.

“What’s the matter? You scared of a little field mouse,” Giana teases, and her sultry voice immediately turns me inside out. “C’mon, let’s go start a fire. At night, it’s better outside anyway.”

Anything sounds more appealing than being in here with the rodents and God knows what else. My flashlight tracks Giana’s movements as she makes her way back outside. I stay close behind her, lighting the way for the both of us.

Pete and Nettie make quick work of getting a fire started in the pit outside. Giana collects more firewood, and I mostly observe them. It’s obvious they’ve done this more than a handful of times. It makes me think of my friends back home. But something tells me this group is tighter.

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