Page 73 of Denim & Diamonds

With a heavy heart, I drove back to my house.

When I arrived, there was a note taped to my door.

I guess I just missed you. On my way, but thought I’d try for one last kiss before I hit the road. Guess it wasn’t meant to be. Take care, Brock.

xo Your Red

We’d just missed each other? When I’d gotten up this morning, I’d been certain this wasn’t my day, but now IknewI was cursed.

The first thing I did when I got inside was call her.

She picked up right away. “Hey…”

“I can’t believe you came by.”

“Where were you?”

I let out a long breath. “I was at Sierra—tried to see you one last time.”

“Are you kidding?”

“I wish I was.” Pulling my hair, I paced.

“I assumed you not being home was a sign, since it would’ve only made me sadder to say goodbye again, but now I feel even worse knowing you came to seeme.”

“I picked you up some snacks for the road, but honestly, Red, that was just an excuse to see you one last time.”

“Aw, man. Snacks? I got a few things myself, but I could’ve used more. What did you get me?”

“I didn’t know what you liked, so it was a little of everything: chips, candy…Big Red gum because of your nickname. I gave the whole bag of stuff to Morgan, but I kept the gum.”

“You’re so thoughtful. If I wasn’t thirty miles down the highway now, I’d turn around just for the Big Red. And maybe a kiss, too.”

“It was all just a ruse to taste your lips anyway.”

“Well,Iwasn’t even gonna use an excuse. I tried to come to you for the very same thing. I heard Oak behind the door. He kept barking at me. I felt bad because I would’ve loved to give him a hug goodbye, but I couldn’t get to him.”

“He knew about my plan, so he was probably trying to warn you that I was looking for you.”

“What?”

“Never mind.” I chuckled. “Anyway, I’m sorry we missed each other.”

“What did Morgan say?” she asked.

“She showed me the video interview she did with you this morning. It sucked to see you looking so sad. But I have to say, you in my shirt really did it for me.”

“I’m still wearing it now. I love smelling you on my ride. Sweet torture.”

I groaned. “Damn.”

“Why didn’t you call me earlier and tell me you planned to come by?”

“I thought I’d surprise you. But I did try to call when I got to Sierra. Went straight to voicemail.”

She sighed. “Yeah. Service has been patchy out here. That’s why.”

“I figured it was something like that.”