Page 25 of Impulsive Saint
“Kelsey Casablancas speaking.”
“Kels.” Her voice came out as barely a whisper, tears pooling in her eyes for reasons she couldn’t begin to explain.
“Ash?” Kelsey gasped, “Oh my God. Ashtyn? Is that you?”
“It’s me.”
“Oh thank God, I was so worried. We all were. Where are you?”
“Um…” She swallowed hard and cleared her throat, “Some hotel in the middle of Arkansas?”
“Arkansas?” She could practically see Kelsey’s face pinch like she smelled something rotten. “What the hell?”
“I decided I had to get away for a little while and you know how I have my bucket list? Well, I figured now was as good a time as any to start checking things off the list. So I’m on a road trip, to Las Vegas.”
“Uh…okay.” Kelsey’s voice was unusually calm, “That sounds fun.”
Ashtyn snorted, “I thought it would be.”
“Wait? Is it not? Is something wrong? Do you need me to come get you?”
“No. No.” Ashtyn shook her head even though Kelsey couldn’t see her. “It’s not that. It’s just… different than I was imagining, I guess. Not quite as magical as I pictured it being on the back of a motorcycle for 6 plus hours with a man that I barely know.”
“Whoa, wait, back up. Who and what in the God almighty are you talking about?”
“I met a guy outside the church. I think he’s a friend of Aaron’s actually. He was there for the wedding but when he saw me sneaking out the back of the church, he got me out of there. He offered to drive me to Vegas.” She winced, “Okay that’s a lie. I totally conned him into it and he’s been a really good sport about all of it.”
“Girl! Are you serious?” Kelsey giggled loudly, “You bolted from your wedding and met another guy in the parking lot?”
Ashtyn sighed, “It’s not like that.”
“Well, why ever not?”
“Kels!” she managed a laugh. “I just met the guy.”
“And?”
“Don’t. He’s a nice guy and he’s helping me and taking care of me and, I owe him a lot.”
“So he’s dog ugly then?”
Ashtyn laughed again, “God no. He’s gorgeous. Like, full-on movie star handsome.”
“Let me get this straight, gorgeous stranger picks you up, in your wedding dress no less, helps you make the great escape, offers to drive you to Vegas on the back of his motorcycle where you’ve spent all day clinging to his no doubt rock hard body… and you’re not thinking about jumping his bones?”
“Kels, I was supposed to be walking down the aisle with another man like, a day ago!”
“But you didn’t, because you knew it was wrong, so I don’t see the issue. You want an adventure? This guy seems willing to give it to you. He’s giving you a ride. I say you take him for one too.”
“Oh my God.” Ashtyn groaned, “This is not why I called you.”
“Are you sure?” Kelsey’s voice was teasing now. “Maybe you wanted permission to get down and dirty and knew I’d give it.”
“He’s Aaron’s friend, Kels.”
“So? He clearly took your side in the break-up.”
“God. The break up.” Ashtyn sighed, heaviness filling her back up at the mention of what she’d done. “How is Aaron? Is he holding up? Is Daddy taking care of him?”
