Page 44 of Infatuated
“Yes, Tristan. We’ll be back in time for that. It sounds nice,” Mom says. Dad gives her an annoyed look but doesn’t offer anything else.
Tristan and I both smile at one another. “Great. I’ll save you a seat next to me on the ride over. Have a great day.” He waves to us and leaves.
* * *
This town is like a never-ending series of museums. We had to have gone into four or five of them, and let me tell you, Dad was in his glory. He loves learning about the history of different places. But just because he likes it doesn’t mean I have to.
I spend the majority of my day looking for a few minutes, and then pulling a book out to read. When Dad would scold me, I’d put it away for a few minutes and then bring it out in the next exhibit. It was a never-ending cycle, really.
The coolest museum is the state prison historic site. It’s neat being able to walk through the same halls as the infamous Butch Cassidy. It’s a self-guided tour, but there are enough signs so I can follow along with what I’m looking at. I keep imagining what it would have been like to roam these halls in the late eighteen hundreds.
The actual highlight to my day, though, is getting cell service. My phone starts erupting with text messages and Facebook messages from various friends back home.
“Someone’s popular,” Dad says.
“It’s all the messages Bethany has been trying to send to me this week. I’m going to call her.” I dial her familiar two-zero-three number and put the phone to my ear.
“Holy shit, Lana. Where the hell have you been?” Bethany squeals through the phone.
“No service out here. We’re in town, and I found a random spot with service, so I don’t know how long it will last. Tell me what’s been going on.”
She proceeds to tell me what’s been going on for the past week and how Joe has been upset that he can’t explain things to me. Apparently, the girl came on to him, and he couldn’t push her away in time. I’m not sure how much I buy his story, but Bethany seems to.
She keeps telling me how sorry he is and how much he wants to talk to me. Maybe some of the incoming messages are from him. We talk for a few more minutes, and when Mom and Dad are out of ear shot, I tell her all about Tristan.
“You really like this guy, don’t you?” she asks.
“Yeah. I do. He’s really great.” I blush as I speak the words.
“What about Joe? I thought you liked him.”
“What about him? I did. Tristan is just different,” I say wistfully. I look at Mom, who’s asking me to wrap it up. “Listen, I gotta go. I’ll see you next week when I’m back.”
I hang up and scroll through some of the messages. Most are from Bethany and another friend, Amanda. There’s one from Joe asking for us to talk when I get back home. I’m not sure I’m ready for that conversation, so I ignore it for now.
I open up messenger and see a few messages from Tristan. I smile as I read them.
Tristan:I hope you’re having a good time in the city. I’ve been having a lazy day here. Miss you.
My heart soars. He misses me.
Me:I miss you, too. It’s been boring, but I got cell service and could call home for a few. Lazy day, huh? Send me a picture.
Within seconds, a picture starts downloading, and I suck in a breath when I see it. He’s taken a picture of the crotch of his blue bathing suit, and I can clearly see the outline of his dick through his shorts. I swallow, suddenly in need of water.
“Come on, Lana. We’ve gotta go,” Mom calls.
I fumble with my phone as I close the app and pocket my phone again. Now more than ever, Ineedto be back at the ranch hanging out with Tristan. I wonder if any of the new people are going to be around my age.
“Pumpkin, did you have fun today?” Dad asks from the driver’s seat.
I’d be lying if I said no, so I tell him the truth, that I did indeed have fun. I assume we’re going to another museum, but he surprises me by heading back to the ranch earlier than expected. We drive down the familiar dirt road, and I’m buzzing with the anticipation of seeing Tristan.
When we pull in and park, Mr. Ellis greets us, but I don’t see Tristan around. There are some new families mulling around, and I see another girl a little younger than me sitting at one of the picnic tables. I start to head to her, and a boy sits down next to her. They both look up at me, and I blush.He’s cute… like really cute.
Holden sidles up to me. “How was your day, Lana?”
I break eye contact with the boy and look at him. “Fine. A bit boring. I did get service though in one part of town, and I could call home, so that was a bonus. How are you doing?”