Page 15 of Wasted Oil

"He’s still Mr moody broody cowboy in a cut off. He broke up with Bailey about two months ago because she wanted more as in like marriage and he’s not ready for that commitment yet.” I listen cautiously thinking that something else will come up but she takes my empty cup and stands to dispose of them.

"You can breathe now Mav, come on I’ll walk you out.” I stand and we slip out before Roxy can notice me. I'm thankful that RJ doesn’t make my presence known and I’m sure that’s Alex’s doing. She will always protect me no matter if it's necessary or not.

"You should really go see him and show him this new you with admiring confidence and great hair. I love the blonde dime pieces by the way they flow perfectly with your dark hair.” I slip my aviators back on and smile.

"And I’m loving the bangs on you with your caramel tones, gives me major elementary/high school Alex vibes.” I move my hands in a circle motion with a kissy face and she gives me her classic Alex pose placing her hand under chin sticking her tongue out with a wink.

“Alright be ready by eight I'll swing by and get you, or if the visit doesn’t go well and you need out sooner just come back here and you can hang in my apartment.” She says pointing behind her up to the window loft area above her store.

Climbing into the truck and starting it up I yell over the loud engine back at her.

"Always my hero Goose, I love you and I’ll text you how everything is going once I get there. I may need an SOS call.” She stands on the sidewalk reaching up to give me a salute and I do the same as I pull away and feel my smile fade away.

Chapter four

“What are you my wing-woman now”

Rhett

Shit.

I jump in my truck, slam the door and bring it to life. I’m running so behind today. With the ice machine at Jansens breaking and staying behind to help mop up the water ,I got set back three hours.

Just before leaving the parking lot I reach for my phone from my pocket and dial Johnny.

"Sup." He answers on the second ring.

"Sorry I'm running late man. I just gotta stop at the store for my mom then go home shower, change then I’ll be by to pick you up.” I place the call on the speaker to reach for the cord connected to my radio to connect my phone so the call can run through the speakers.

"It’s fine dude, I’m really not in a big hurry to go to the oil princess’s grad party.” I hear clicking in the back round and firing of gun shots meaning he’s probably playing call of duty.

"She’s one of our best friends Johnny, and she went to yours. At least act like you care.” I say half annoyed because of running late but by the way his tone is every time he says that damn nickname Mel has been dubbed without her saying it was ok.

"I do care. Just not as much as you though. You gonna seal the deal tonight finally?” I roll my eyes.

"Be ready in an hour dude ok!” I hear a laugh before I end the call just as I pull into Whole Foods and hop out of the truck fast walking to the doors. Damnit what did mom need again? Walking in I glance around hoping something will help me figure out what it is that I came here for. When I come up with nothing I scroll through my phone to my messages from my mom.

Ma: Hi Honey. Can you please grab 4 cartons of heavy whipping cream, cinnamon sticks, and as much pecans as you can. Love you most.

I’m so dumb. I knew it was to do with our homemade vanilla bean ice cream we make for the fair every year. I seriously need to take a deep breath and chill. I feel completely off. Really, I woke up feeling completely dejected and I don’t know if it’s because my nerves are of actually sitting down and talking to Mel about my true feelings about her or—well that’s just it. It’s her.

My heart speeds up once I head to the front but stop when I see beautiful flower bouquets just before check out. I really wanted to grab some dandelions from the back fields as a gift for her but these daisies are just as pretty ...maybe I still have time. I can run up and grab a few before I head out, they would go really well with these. Without a second thought I grab the small bouquet check out and bolt for my truck laying them on the passenger seat.

As I look out the window my nerves start to rise once more.

God I don’t remember ever feeling this way about someone. I've had my fair share of girlfriends but these feelings don’t compare. Now that I’ve finally accepted my feelings for Mel and acted on them. Fuck I’ll forever dream of that make out in the back of my truck til the end of time. Fantasizing about what it would have been like if we had not been interrupted makes my dick twitch in my jeans.

Why can’t I shake this gut feeling that something is still extremely off. You know that feeling when you're waiting for something to rain on your parade like either you can’t eat or sleep, I get super tense just under my ears right on the back of my jaw like I’ve been biting down trying to brace for what's coming. Rejection maybe? Shit if this doesn’t go how I envision our friendship will never be the same.

Trying to regain focus I pull onto our long driveway and that feeling I had earlier is getting stronger. As I pull up to the house, I see flashes of red and blue lights. Something’s wrong, I’ve known all day that today was not going to be a good day no matter how many times I tried to talk myself out of that darkness.

Inhaling deep I climb out of my truck and head up the steps into the house.

“Rhett honey is that you?” I followed my mom’s voice to the kitchen where she and my sisters sat at the table crying. Fear and panic settled in, something was very wrong. My stomach has twisted in knots. I feel like I’m going to throw up. I place my stetson hat on the back of the couch before stepping into the kitchen. Looking around the room I feel that very knot pulling tighter.

“Ma whats going on?” I hear Sarah start crying again as she brings Roxy in for a tighter hug. I crouch down at her level putting a hand to her shoulder.

“Mom… what is it and where's pops?” She lifts her head to face me.

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