Page 114 of Here With Me

I miss him so much already, and my heart aches to touch him again. Even if our hands only touched for the briefest of moments, it had my chest tightening. I'm happy for him that things are progressing with Jase, but that means our relationship suffers for that to happen.

The jumping show begins, and each one does so well, it's anyone's win at this point. Harlow's still new to it, so she's in the beginner level and managed to jump over all the poles without knocking any over. The girls and I cheer loudly for each one, getting the crowd hyped up as well.

Ian continues sitting next to us and although he stays quiet, he keeps looking over at Magnolia and me, which makes me uneasy. When he does try to engage, we pretend he doesn't exist. If he wasn’t so pushy about wanting a date with her and wanting to know who I was with, it wouldn’t feel so tense having him here.

Once each rider has gone through, the twins remove all the equipment as Dad announces that mutton busting is next and to stick around for a fun time. Then he brings out Mr. Billings to talk more about their charity.

“I'm grabbin’ some food. Y'all wanna come?” Magnolia asks.

I shake my head. “Gonna stay here, but can you bring me back somethin’?”

“I'll go!” Ellie jumps to her feet.

They walk down the steps and more people follow suit.

When my phone vibrates, my heart races in anticipation, and I smile when I see Fisher's name. I shouldn't get my hopes up about a future between us, but I can't help it.

Fisher

Was Ian bothering you?

Noah

Nothing I couldn't handle. How's judging going?

Fisher

If he becomes a problem, tell me.

Noah

You just sit there and judge. We're not outing our relationship in the middle of the fundraiser.

I'm only half joking, but honestly, this would be the worst possible time for Ian to recognize Fisher and make a scene with my family and clients around.

Fisher

Doesn't mean I can't find him later and remind him how to keep his mouth shut.

I smile like a stupid lovestruck teenager at the thought of him sticking up for me, and even though it's not necessary, it's nice to know he has my back.

“Who's makin' ya this giddy?” Ian leans over, gradually scooting closer, and I quickly lock my phone.

“What do you want, Ian?”

“Talk me up to Magnolia so she'll go on a date with me.”

I scoff, nearly laughing in his face. “If she were interested, she woulda told you she was.”

“Maybe if you say nice things about me, she will be.”

“I'm not gonna get you dates. I'm not a pimp.”

“You owe me, remember? I didn't report you or call the police, and it woulda been in my job description to get you in trouble. You and your little boy toy.” He arches a brow, and I'm tempted to smack it right off his smug face.

“But ya didn't, and there's nothin' you can do about it now. Is there? You have no proof and there’s no cameras behind that buildin’. So nice try at blackmailin’ me.”

I stand, walk to my dad, and whisper in his ear to get Sheriff Wagner here.