Page 15 of Bourbon & Bonfires

“Like I said, there isn’t anything to tell. Y’all act like you’ve never had a random kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Now, are we playing cards or are you pussies too tired and need to go home?” I tease, and they all grumble a “hell no” in response.

An hour later, Wyatt has taken all our money, the pizza is gone, and the guys have all left me alone to clean up after them. As I’m breaking down the card table and chairs, I wonder what Addy is up to. How she’s settling in to her new place, the new town? Does she have more dresses like that red one? Would she say yes if I asked her out?

Maybe the guys are right, and I should talk to Taylor. It’s probably better to ask him for his sister’s number than try to figure out where she lives on my own. If I need to, I could ask the Larsons. They seem to be up to speed on the comings and goings of everyone in town.

When my dad offered me the, for lack of a better word, keys to the business on Christmas, I wasn’t sure if that was the life I wanted. Being a business owner is a lot of work and stress. Today I’ve had to deal with two late installers, field a few calls from vendors, I’m running thirty minutes behind for my own service calls. When I call one of the late afternoon appointments to let her know I’m running late, the woman tells me she needs to cancel anyway. The flu hit her house last night, and while I normally wouldn’t care, the way it’s hit people I know has me relieved for the cancellation. After telling the customer to call the office to reschedule, I realize that cancellation will allow me the time I need to get back on schedule.

When I’m pulling out of the driveway of the last appointment, my phone rings. Picking up the phone, I look at the screen and see Ashton’s name. That’s weird. I mean, we’re all friends and have been most of our lives, but I can’t remember the last time Ashton called me. A knot forms in my stomach, hoping nothing is wrong.

“Ash?” I ask in greeting.

“Hey, Landon,” she says between sneezes.

“What’s up?”

“I need a favor. I know it’s asking a lot, but you’re my only hope.”

“Of course, what’s wrong? Your heater not working?” I ask. We don’t get much of a winter here in Lexington but the minute the temps dip into the fifties, the need for a heater is an epidemic.

“No, it’s fine. I’m sick. Well, obviously. I need to go to the doctor. I’m not eating and J’s all freaked out that not eating is bad for the baby. I tried explaining it was fine, but he’s driving me fucking crazy, so I promised to go.”

“That’s good,” I say, still not certain why she’s calling me.

“Yeah well, as luck would have it, Jameson went out to meet with a client and blew a tire. He can’t get back to take me in and I don’t think I should drive. I called my brother and Piper, but they have a dumb meeting at the school and since J is gone, Minnie is stuck at the office. Would you mind taking me?”

“Of course, I will. But, wouldn’t you rather your mom take you?

“Oh, Jesus no. Have you met my mother? She’ll demand all kinds of tests. I don’t have time for that shit. I’m sure I just need a prescription that says ‘rest and fluids’.”

We both laugh, and I agree to come by and pick her up as soon as I drop the work truck at the shop. When I arrive at the shop, I run to my locker and swipe on some deodorant and pull on a clean shirt before rushing out to my truck to pick up Ashton. By the time I get to her house we only have a few minutes to spare before she’ll be late for her appointment.

“Don’t worry, I already called and told them my ride was running behind. Thanks for doing this, Lan,” Ashton mumbles as she settles into the passenger seat, resting her head on the window.

Ashton Sullivan is a beautiful girl, and one of the feistiest women I’ve ever known. But, here in my truck she looks frail and exhausted. I hear a little snore from her as we approach a red light, and I chuckle to myself. Just then, my phone signals a text. I look quickly at the sender and see it’s Jameson. The light changes before I can tap a response and I toss the phone in a cup holder and continue to the doctor’s.

An upside to living in a small town is the fact that you can make it across town in less than twenty minutes. Which means, we’re only about four minutes late for Ashton’s appointment. I shake her gently to wake her and when she opens her eyes, they’re wide as saucers.

“Oh shit. I fell asleep?”

“You did,” I reply before opening my door to come around and help her out. After helping her out of the truck I pause for a minute.

“What?” she asks before sneezing again.

“You’re like really pregnant.”

“Umm, yeah. What did you think? I was only kind of pregnant?” she asks, putting her tiny fists on her hips, which pulls her shirt tighter and makes her small baby belly more prominent.

“No, I just haven’t seen you in a few weeks. I didn’t know you looked like that,” I say, waving. God, I sound like such a moron.

“It’s okay, Lan. It kind of happened overnight. Come on, I need to get this over with and take my afternoon nap.”

I follow Ashton into the waiting area and while she’s checking in, I pull up my phone and tap a quick response to Jameson.

Me: Sorry, I was driving before. I’ve got your lady, and we’re at the doctor’s office.

Jameson: Thanks, man. Sorry about this. I just got the tire changed and will be back in town in about an hour. I’ll meet you guys at home.

Me: Okay.

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