Page 22

Chapter twenty-two

Fuck Wyoming?

Lorilei

My chest tightens watching him throw clothes in a bag. It’s been less than twenty four hours since we’ve even kissed. Why do I feel an ache knowing he’s leaving?

“Will it take long to get the trailer hooked up?” Smoothing my hair back, I find myself drifting towards the door.

Because my other option is to wrap my arms around him and beg him to stay.

Don’t be ridiculous. He’ll be back before I know it.

Is it normal to want to touch someone constantly?

“Maybe half an hour? Depends on how out of it Sawyer is after staying up all night.” Mason turns, the whiskers on his cheek lift with a lopsided smile.

Wait. We are both running on no sleep, too. I can feel my forehead cinch. “Are you going to be okay to drive all day?”

He stops, tosses his bag on the bed, and steps to me. Pulling me against him, his warm thumb finds the furrow over my nose and he gently rubs it smooth. “Don’t worry, baby. Dixon will do most of it. He’s a control freak.” His palm moves down before he pats my ass. “I am glad to hear you’re gonna miss me.”

“I am.” It’s strange to admit it to myself. The sudden urge to cry strikes me mute and I bite the inside of my cheek to fight back the tears.

What is wrong with me?

An antsy energy buzzes through my body. I need to do something, anything, to make his trip easier. Pulling away from the heat of his chest, I turn and head to the kitchen.

There’s enough time, I can make him some food for the road.

Rolling up my shirt sleeves, fire moves through my cheeks when I catch a glimpse of my own teeth marks on my arm.

It’s only after I see it that the dull throbbing sets in.

I can’t believe he made me feel so good I didn’t realize I was nearly breaking the skin.

That’ll just need to stay covered. I don’t want to have to explain to anyone else why they’re there.

But, I won’t hide the goofy grin I can feel on my face at the memory.

It doesn’t take long to pack him a lunch that I know he’ll like. A little extra meat, light on the mayo. He prefers apples and not oranges. There’s room for the last of the biscuits he helped me make.

With a quick check of the clock on my phone, I brew a fresh pot of coffee and dig out a thermos from the cabinet.

My heart beats faster knowing that I can put in the right amount of milk and sugar for him.

I want him to think of me with every sip.

Sawyer slings the front door open hard enough it bounces off of the wall before he kicks it closed. His arms are nearly overflowing with half-full grocery bags and heavy coats, which he drops into a disheveled pile on the bench.

“What’s all that?” I ask as I pack up the food and coffee.

He groans. “Just junk from the truck to make room for Uncle Dixon.” He leans back and lets out another exaggerated yawn. “I’ll get it straightened out later.” With an idle wave, he drags his feet toward his room.

Did Mason leave already? Grabbing his lunch, I rush out onto the front step just as a big flat bed truck rolls to a stop in front of me.

Mason has his cowboy hat tipped back so I can see the smile lightening his eyes. “Hey, pretty lady, wanna ride?”

I stifle a giggle as I glance around. Being out here in the open, a trill of panic flutters through me.

What if someone sees us?

“I made you something for the road. There might be enough to share with your brother.” I haven’t met him yet. I wonder what he’d think about this whole thing?

Would he be okay with me being half of Mason’s age?

Ugh, I shouldn’t worry about it. But, it’s hard not to.

“Thank you. I didn’t realize until I was dropping the gooseneck that I missed dinner.” He puts my care package in the center console, then turns, letting his arm dangle out of the window. “Come here.” He holds out his hand, beckoning me to take it.

I don’t want to get caught. My head swivels as I grasp his warm fingers.

“It’s okay. Sawyer is dead on his feet.” Mason’s deep voice washes over me, soothing me as I crowd the dusty steel door.

The knot forms in my throat again, knowing he’s leaving. “Drive safe, okay?” I’m not sure what else to say. Asking him not to go isn’t an option, even though that’s the only thing on my mind.

He lifts himself off of the seat to meet my mouth with his. Tenderly, he cups my cheek, brushing my ear with his thumb as he sucks my lower lip.

It sends a flush of heat through my body that makes the outside world fade until every sense is focused on him.

He pulls away too soon, leaving me gasping and a knot of coals in my belly. “I already talked to Ford. He’s here if anything comes up.” He sits back, letting his hand linger on my jaw. “And, he knows. He can keep a secret.” Mason pulls away and props his wrist on the rearview mirror frame, then tosses me a wink. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

The empty trailer makes a racket of squeaks as it passes, leaving me to stand in a low fog of dust.

Knowing I’ll be going back to Missoula in just a few short weeks makes this harder. I feel like I’m on borrowed time, so there’s this sense of urgency that ripples through my limbs.

Maybe he’ll wait for me until I’m done with school? Is it stupid to think that?

A bitter taste forms in my mouth.

Why would he? I’m no one special.

My feet are heavy as I plod inside.

This is why it’s best to not let Sophia know. One summer of fun isn’t worth the sacrifice of our friendship.

It would make things too weird if she found out. I can’t imagine seeing her on campus and not being able to have our movie nights or coffee dates.

Besides, it’s not like there’s a hospital within three hours of here. What would I do for work?

I can just hear my mom’s voice in my head telling me I need to take care of myself because no one else will.

Pouring my frustrations into a scrub brush, it isn’t long until I have the kitchen gleaming. I have a job for now.

It will help me to finish my classes and get started in a new career.

I shouldn’t be silly and think that there are any other options.