Page 1 of Let Me

Chapter 1

“I can’t believe I let you drag me out here in this heat,” my best friend Riley gripes as she trudges along behind me with her oversized Michael Kors bag and Dollar Tree flip-flops.Her fashion sense kills me.She’s one of those girls who pinch pennies on certain things to save money on others – like a dollar and twenty-five cents flip-flops over a purse that costs two hundred bucks.She unzips it, takes out a small battery-operated fan that she probably bought from Dollar Tree, too, and moves it in front of her face like she’s seconds away from passing out, then lifts her shirt and holds the fan in front of her boobs.

It’s hot.

It ain’tthathot.

I’m used to the low nineties in the dead of summer.Riley says it’s because I have some Native American in my blood.I say it’s because we go through this every year and I’ve adapted.Granted, I could’ve just gone home and avoided this altogether, but I really wanted some ice cream after I got off work.Most of my colleagues opt for the liquor to kick off their weekend.Me?I don’t have to have alcohol.I stick to social drinking and even then, it’s a two-drink max.Plus, who can avoid this ice cream at The Decadent Freeze?It's top-tier.If you ask me, it’s worth having a mild heat stroke behind it.

I look at Riley and say, “Girl, if you don’t put that fan up.”

“And ain’t.The girls are sweating, and thanks to you, I didn’t even have time to go home and splash some water on them.”

“Don’t worry.This delicious ice cream will cool you off.”

Riley gives me a strong side eye.She’s not into ice cream like I am, but place a drink in front of her and watch her eyes light up.Honestly, I might be hard up for a drink, too, if I had her job.She’s a high school P.E.teacher.High school…

Yeah, no thanks.I spend my days working at the recreation center in Arden.It’s tucked away down a tree-lined, two-lane road, immersed in nature.It’s challenging at times, but I love it there.Riley says I love it a little too much.Said I was a tree hugger – a title I’ll never take offense to.If more people loved nature, they’d spend less time destroying it.

I digress.

We step inside the ice cream shop, immediately greeted by ice-cold air conditioning and the smell of freshly baked waffle cones and sugar.I caught a contact high the moment I walked in.

“What are you getting, Autumn?”

“I’m thinking two scoops of dark chocolate in a cone.”

“Ugh…if the words dark and chocolate aren’t describing men, you can miss me wit’ it.”

“Girl, hush.You ain’t looking for any kind ofchocolate.You’re too busy chasing them kids around.”

I chuckle and take a step as the line shifts forward.

“I think I’ll get the vanilla,” she says.

“Of course.Youalwaysget the vanilla.Talking about me and my chocolate.Why don’t you try something different?”

“Because you can’t go wrong with vanilla.”

“Riley, get the—”

“Nope.I’m good.You stick to your dark chocolate and leave me alone,” she says, crossing her arms and pattering those cheap flip flops on the floor.

“Welcome to The Decadent Freeze,” the girl behind the counter says.“What can I get for you today?”

“I’ll have two scoops of the dark chocolate in a regular cone,” I say.

“And give me the big-back special,” Riley says, humoring herself.“That’s three scoops of vanilla and add chocolate syrup and peanuts.You happy, Autumn?I switched it up.”

I smile and say, “Good job.I’m proud of you.”

“Did you want that in a bowl or cone?”the girl asks.

“How about a waffle bowl?Then I can get the best of both worlds.We big-backin’ and snackin’ all summer, baby!”

“Chile…” I say, shaking my head while looking at the worker.“Don’t pay her no mind.She works with a bunch of teenagers and tends to get a lil’ rowdy.”

“It’s cool,” the worker says.

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