Page 92 of No Strings

Once we’re parked, we all get out and meet at the entrance. Molly is bouncing with excitement, Dani and Miles are holding hands, Beau and Davis are with Brent, while I walk with Morgan, and when the back of her hand brushes mine, I have an urge to hold her hand.

Almost as if sensing my inner monologue, Morgan looks up at me and beams her smile and wraps her hand in mine. It takes me a whole of a second to realise what she has done. I look down at our joined hands, and wrap my fingers around hers having no intention of letting go.

“Morgan, Morgan, come on!” Molly has broken away from Brent and is pulling Morgan in the direction of the rides.

Morgan is laughing while allowing herself to be pulled away by a five-year-old. I groan as I watch her walk away. She is in a tight pair of jeans which hug her arse perfectly. Her and Dani went all out with their outfits.

Basic enough but it’s all planned. Blue denim jeans, tan Ringers Western cowboy boots that have white stitched in patterns, topped off with a singlet top thing. All I know is I’m going to be knocking some guys out, because the top is gathered at her breasts, showing them off and stops at her midriff. She is fucking gorgeous.

“Wait for me, you two.” Dani is running off after them.

We all stop and watch them leave.

“We’re not going to see them for a while, are we?” Miles asks as he watches his wife run after Molly and Morgan.

I shake my head, “Probably not.”

We decide to check out the barrel racing, after getting a much-needed beer.

We find the arena and take some seats about halfway up and get transfixed on the riders. They’re fast, and the way the horses move around the barrels, following the lead of the rider, amazes me. Being a station manager, you’d think I’d have experience with horses, but Brent didn’t want them.

“Oi, food?” I nudge Davis.

He does his typical head nod and motions to Beau. “Fucking aye.”

We approach the food trucks and spot the girls, who have their own food.

Food is a loose term. Molly has fairy floss as big as her head, Morgan is eating a pluto pup, and Dani is sucking away at some sort of drink, which I’d bet has alcohol in it.

“Girls.”

“Rhys. Tweedle-dee. Tweedle-dum.”

Beau rolls his eyes, Davis nods, “Barbie”

“You can’t even call me that anymore. I’m no longer blonde and cut all my hair off.”

Davis shrugs and throws an arm over her shoulders. A part of me wants to tell him to fuck off, but I swallow that down. Friends with benefits, no commitment, no strings.

Beau starts to laugh, and I turn to face him. “Something funny?”

“You like her. As in, like her like her.” He emphasises the like her like her with head bobs.

“I do not.”

“Oh yeah, strong defence.” He sarcastically retorts, before following Davis and Morgan.

Eventually, we’re all gathered around a table that has something from each truck.

Morgan eyes the food and places a hand to her cheek. “We might have gotten too much.”

“No such thing.” Beau tells her while throwing a chip into his mouth.

“This one needs to sober up.” Miles puts his arm around Dani who leans into his touch.

We all laugh, then dig in. Everything is deep-fried. I don’t think I can see one piece of fruit or vegetable.

These are the moments I really enjoy; all of us together around a table, laughing, sharing stories, and eating way too much food. I sneak looks at Morgan, she’s laughing and being carefree. I fight the way the corner of my lips tips up every time I see her throw her head back to laugh at something Dani has said, or the way she argues back with Beau.