Page 28 of Your Fan Forever
Nine
Callie
I was noticeablyquiet on the ride back to the cabin. They guys hadn’t returnedyet.
“Let’s open a bottle and sit by the fire.” She held up her phone. “Guys will be here in aminute.”
I spotted Nip and Valentine in one of their great debates in an enclosure in the backyard.
Katie’s puppy sat in the grass watching them as if contemplating on whose side she should beon.
I shook myhead.
“I’m going to grab Nip and take him for a walk.” I pointed outside. “It looks like he could use some time away from thegirls.”
I grabbed his leash off the table near the back door. I pulled my hat down over myhead.
“Call—”
“I’ll be back soon.” I interrupted and slipped out the door. The sun had set below the mountain range and the temperature had dropped. I was fueled by anger, but at who and at what, I wasn’tsure.
“Hey Valentine.” I knelt down and picked her up and kissed her little noise. She yelped and wiggled in my hand. I couldn’t feel angry when I heldher.
I sat her down, reached in and placed the collar on Nip. He yelped and wiggled himself when he saw that he was going to have some uninterrupted alone time withmommy.
I heard him laugh in hisbarks.
I rubbed his head and sat him down on theground.
“I’m sorry, Val. I don’t want you to get eaten by a mountain lion orsomething.”
She gave me one of her patentedwhimpers.
I blew her a kiss and headed in the direction of the driveway with Nip at myheels.
I wasn’t sure why I was feeling so out of it about the wedding. I wanted to marry Noah and spend my life with him, but his expectations of what that looked like and how I pictured my life didn’t jell,yet.
I shuffled down the driveway and noticed a trail opening near theroad.
“What do you think, Nip. Feel like ahike.”
He answered me with ayelp.
I peeked down the road, hoping not to step out as the guys pulled up. I ran across the street and up a few steps that marked the head of the trail. I heard a SUV rumble by behind me, but soon I heard no noise. It was peaceful and quiet and cold, but the raging noise in my head made it hard to enjoy it. I walked up a few more feet up the steps and the trail flattened out. I looked back to make sure I could find my way back. I walked for another ten minutes, but hadn’t made it much distance from the house. I came through a clearing and found a small man made wooden deck sticking out over the side of themountain.
Nip jumped up on the deck and I followed. He inched towards the edge and thought better of it and came runningback.
“Don’t worry Nip.” I scooped him up. “I won’t let youfall.
I sat down, my legs dangling over the edge. I leaned over the edge a little andblinked.
The drop wasn’t far, but it wouldhurt.
“Why don’t you stay back here?” I scooted back and tied Nip's leash to the edge of the back of thedeck.
He came as far as the leash would allow, and laid down. A leaf blew off a nearby tree and he wasoccupied.
I took out my phone and snapped a few photos of him. @Lifewith89 Instagram followers would love theview.
