Page 11 of Salvation

“It’s not for me.”

My brows scrunch. “Do you have a date?

The idea was almost laughable. Not that I’m much different. I’ve been on a few dates over the years and have had a few flings, but none that truly ever came out of the bedroom. We shared a mutual understanding of what we wanted from each other, and that was that. I had no interest in committing to a relationship anytime soon. But Wyatt? Wyatt didn’t date. At all. The only thing he’s ever made time for is the ranch or my mom and I, but even family time has its limits.

“I know that’s a weird concept for you, brother, but yes, I have a date,” he quips.

“With who?” He answers me with a look that saysI’m not telling you.

“I’ll tell Mom.”

That causes his head to snap up. “You wouldn’t.”

I’m not above snitching on my big brother, even as adults, but I won’t. It’s just too good of an opportunity not to get a rise out of him. Our mother has a habit of trying to set us up with every girl in Clover-Hills, and she’d probably have a heart attack or gossip about it to the whole town if she heard that one of her boys was finally dating.

“I won’t pry if you won’t pry,” I suggest.

With that, he shrugs as if to say,“Fair enough,”and turns on his heels, heading for the door.

“You have to pay for that,” I tease, because why not take the chance to annoy him a little more? He doesn’t pay, because I wouldn’t let him even if he tried, but again, I can’t resist.

“Payment is my silence, asshat.” He flips me the middle finger and strolls out the door, my laughter following him.

Chapter 11

Blake

After catching up with Whitney, talking about the job and agreeing I would start on Monday, as well aspromising to make plans to hang out, I decided to walk the town. One of the things I’ve always adored about Clover-Hills is that you can see the whole town’s layout from wherever you’re standing. It’s open, shops wrapping around the town square in a circle. A walking path circles all around, with tall black lanterns and trees spaced every couple of feet. Street parking is available in front of almost every shop. A large white gazebo is placed in the center of town with a clock tower directly behind it, attached to the only church in town. Various benches and perfectly manicured bushes are scattered throughout the square.

It’s cloudy overhead, making the beating sun far less intimidating. It’s currently creeping towards the end of July, and it’s typically unbearably hot around this time, so I’m grateful for the reprieve. As I stroll, I bask in the feeling of the light thattouches my exposed skin, glad that I chose to wear jeans and comfortable shoes while I take in the familiar buildings. The Clover-Hills Diner, Jake’s Quick-Stop and Convenience, Clovers’ Vet Services, Dusty Layne Boutique, Benson’s Motor Shop, the Clover-Hills police and fire station attached to the town’s local news station, and Maurice’s Antiques.

As I pass Maurice’s, I pause in the window, my eyes catching on the various glass figurines gleaming from the afternoon glow. So many glass turtles; it’s borderline scary.

There’s a little one with giant glasses holding what looks like a joint, and I can’t stop myself from outright giggling at how ridiculous it is. Vivienne and I both smoked for the first time together in college and while we decided it wasn’t something we wanted or needed to relive, it was easily one of the funniest nights we’ve ever spent together. I just know she’d get a kick out of this, and the thought of her makes me want to crawl back into bed and cry because of how far away I am from my best friend.

She has always had a weird obsession with sea turtles, even though she’s quite literally never left the confines of New York to see one. I feel a smile creeping onto my lips at the reminder, so I snap a picture of the figurine and send it to her. I’ll be wrapping it up and mailing it to her, but I’ll keep that a surprise.

Viv:

OMG!!

That reminds me of the night we got stoned, and I forced you to watch a live aquarium cam with me

I would book a flight just to see that

And you, of course

I miss you ??

I miss you too. Call you later?

I almost debated on telling her about Whitney’s current situation, but I know it’s not my place. She’ll tell her when she’s ready.

Yes, please! I think I’ll start to break out into hives if we don’t talk soon

I laugh at my phone before tucking it into the back pocket of my jeans and swinging open the door to the shop. I silently thank the gods above that I don’t recognize the young girl scrolling through her phone and smacking on bubblegum behind the cash register.

“Welcome in.” She murmurs from where she’s seated, not even glancing up from her phone. “Hi.” I mutter back, pivoting to grab Vivienne’s turtle before bringing it to the checkout counter. The store is crowded with all sorts of random items, and I’m extra careful not to bump into anything. The young girl places her phone down after typing furiously on it. Her eyes light up when she sees what I’ve set down, but then scrunches into a look of surprise when she sees me.

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