Page 18 of Truck You

“How long have you known Ash?” I finally ask, hoping to get more information about the family from her.

“Practically since we were babies. We’re the same age and grew up together. My dad is good friends with Ash’s dad.”

“So … You two ever date?” I ask, curious if the attraction I sense from her is real or just my imagination.

“Oh, God. No.” She lets out a nervous chuckle. “I’m more like the annoying sister he never wanted. Although he does have a half-sister. She’s a lot younger than us. She lived with them a while when she was little but ended up back with their mom after a few years. She hasn’t been back in a long time. Ash always goes to visit her. Anyway, I’m rambling. Ash and I are just friends. Best friends actually.”

I nod, doing my best to hide my smile. I’m pretty sure the attraction vibes I’m getting from her are correct, but I don’t want to push away the first friend I’ve made since moving here. I like Clara. She’s a little quirky, but nice.

I look around at the crowd, and the number of people crammed into the blocked off streets is impressive. We have street fairs in Cincinnati, but nothing like this.

“Is the Apple Festival always this busy?” I ask.

Clara nods. “It’s the biggest festival in the area. Been going on for close to ninety years now. Plus, Friday nights are always the busiest with the pie contest and the concert. People come for miles to eat the pies. Of course, the feud between the Mutters and Kochs always attracts attention. Just you wait until it’s dark out. It’ll be nothing but elbow room close to the stage.”

I wrinkle my brow, suddenly filled with more questions than answers. I want to ask her more about the feud, but opt to hold off on that one for a bit longer. “There’s a concert tonight?”

“Oh, yes. Us southern folks love our country music. This year we got Mark Chesnutt. He’s always been popular around here. The streets will be filled with drunk, dancing fools in no time.”

“Sounds like fun. Can’t say I’ve ever experienced anything like this before. I’ve never even been to a concert, let alone one that takes place in a city street.”

“What?” Clara gasps. “Never? Are you not a fan of music?”

I shrug. “I like music just fine. I listen to it, but I don’t fangirl over any artists. I can’t even tell you the name of popular songs or artists.”

“Don’t let Mac hear you say that. That man loves music. He can sing too.” Clara wags a finger at me as she steps up to the counter and orders three sandwiches and three cups of fries. She gives the guy her name and pays before we step to the side and wait for our order to come up.

“Um, Clara.” I turn to her, feeling way more nervous than I should. Probably because the words I’m about to say feel like a lie. “There’s nothing going on between Mac and me. I just met him Wednesday night while playing skeeball. We hung out for a bit. That’s all.”

She stares at me for a moment, her expression completely unreadable. Then she smiles. “Do you want to go to a party with me tomorrow night? It’s in Beaver, so about fifteen miles from here. I can pick you up or you could meet me at my house. Whatever works best for you. It’ll be lots of fun.”

“A party? What kind of party?”

“A bonfire party. It’s at this place we call the Meadow, which is just a large open field in the valley between a couple of hills. There aren’t a lot of places to hang out in Beaver, so we make our own fun. Usually outside somewhere. But it would be a great way for someone new to town, like you, to meet more people. And I promise, I’m not some crazy person trying to drag you out to the middle of nowhere and abandon you. I just think you’d have fun.”

I chuckle and nudge her shoulder with mine. “I didn’t think you were trying to drag me out to the middle of nowhere to abandon me. I’m just asking questions. A party sounds fun. I’d love to join you.”

She lets out a long breath and a look of relief smooths her expression. I’m relieved, too. I have a feeling this is the same Meadow that Mac invited me to. Knowing my luck, after tomorrow, he’ll rescind his invitation. This way, I still get to go.

“Great. It’ll be nice to have another girl around. Especially one that I suspect can hold her own around the Mutter brothers.”

Before I can comment further, the guy inside the food truck calls her name. We grab our food and head in the direction Ash went. We run into him halfway with drinks in hand.

I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived on Wednesday, but this wasn’t it. I expected to feel like an outsider, but so far, everyone I’ve met in this town has made me feel welcome. Like I’ve always been here.

Hopefully, I still get this warm of a welcome after tomorrow’s race.

Chapter5

Losing never felt so good.

Mac

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I remind myself for the hundredth time since crawling behind the wheel of my car. My grip on the steering wheel is so tight, my knuckles are white. I have to force myself to peel them off one at a time and shake them out at my sides. I’ve held on so tight for the past few loops, my hands ache.

It wasn’t always like this.

---