He grunts.
“Boring to me,” I clarify. “But I’m so excited!”
“I knew everything would work out.”
“I am in shock still. It’s too good to be true. The pay is… incredible, and it covers housing.”
“Where are you staying?” He bends down to get Charli’s water bowl and refills it.
“It’s across from the arena. The Legends, I think. It’s a one-bedroom, looked pretty standard, but I won’t have to worry about transportation which is a plus.”
“That’s where I’m staying. We’ll still be neighbors.”
“Oh, good. I’ll have my side hustle as a fallback plan.”
He chuckles. “Let’s order some food and celebrate.”
“The girls have already claimed all of my remaining hours until I leave. We’re staying in tonight and then going out dancing tomorrow. No boys allowed.”
“Boo. That’s no fun.”
“I do have a favor, though.”
“Shoot.”
“Could I still take you up on the offer to ride up together? I’ll leave my car here and then rent something to drive back.”
“Yeah, of course. When do you have to be there?”
“Monday,” I say tentatively, hoping he hasn’t made plans beyond that.
“Perfect. We can leave Saturday morning, be in Minnie-soda Sunday night.”
“Great.” I squeal. “I cannot believe this is all working out. It’s too much.”
“Nah, you deserve it.”
“Oh, just one more tiny request.”
He grins. “What happens on road trips, stays on road trips.”
“What?”
“If you want to share a hotel room, maybe get naked and wrestle, then by all means.” He winks.
“Tempting,” I say sarcastically. “But my favor does solve the shared bed situation. I need to stop by my dad’s house and get a few items for the apartment. It’s on the way, and that will save me from having to buy a bunch of stuff when I get there. We can stay there Saturday night.”
“Ah, shit. The apartment isn’t furnished?” He looks stunned.
“No, but I don’t need much, and my dad said I could borrow a few things for the summer, so I don’t have to take stuff from the apartment here. The couch is Reagan’s anyway.”
He nods thoughtfully. “Sure. I have room in the trailer for whatever you need, or you can borrow anything of mine. Maybe just crash with me.” His eyes light up. “One bed… it was meant to be.”
“There isn’t enough room in your bed for me and the girls that hop in and out of it.”
He chuckles softly.
“A bed, a chair or couch, and I’ll be fine.” I step forward and hug him. His body is warm and hard. “Thank you, Johnny.”
A second passes with me squeezing his waist before his arms wrap around my back. When he speaks, the words vibrate against my cheek. “You’re welcome.”
Reagan plans a whole night of drinks and dancing for the four of us Friday night before I leave.
“It’s the first summer we’ve been apart since we met.” My best friend holds my hand as we watch Ginny and Sienna on the dance floor. We’re taking a breather and having our third shot. The bartender hates us. We keep making her split the shots into two glasses, so we don’t get hammered too fast. Plus, it’s cheaper because they almost always fill the glasses more than halfway. It’s like a shot and a half combined. Score!
We toss back the half shots, and then Reagan takes my other hand. “I know that I’ve been preoccupied with Adam and all the drama with my mom, but I love you so much. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Rea.” I squeeze her hands. My best friend is tough as nails. She had to be thanks to an absent mother who only shows up when she wants something from her beautiful and talented daughter. “It’s only two months.”
“I know.” She pulls her honey-blonde hair over one shoulder and fingers a strand nervously. “It’s just that with everyone graduating and leaving, it’s starting to hit me that we won’t be roommates forever. Promise we’ll always be friends no matter where we live or how long we have to go without seeing one another?”
It’s an easy promise to make. “I swear it.”
I get to my feet and pull her into a hug. She had a shitty mother, and I lost mine at fifteen. We’re so much more than roommates and friends. Neither of us has siblings, but I love her like I imagine sisters do, and there’s no future I can imagine that doesn’t involve us remaining close.
“Have you given any thought to the hockey hotties you’re going to be working with?” She fans herself. “I saw the roster. Damn.”
“I’m there for work, not to hook up.” But she’s right. I took a look at the roster, too, and wow.
“Yes, but you need the full Wildcat experience.”
I shake my head. “Come on. Let’s get one last dance party in and make it good because it’s going to be six long weeks without seeing you shake it.”
She smiles and shakes her boobs at me. “Nope. We’re going to do virtual dance parties. I just decided. Once a week. Mandatory attendance.”
“I’m in.”
7
Johnny
Dakota’s eyes are closed, brows pinched together as I drive. We just crossed into Oklahoma, and we’re an hour from her dad’s house in Kansas.
It’s been a long ass day in this vehicle, and Dakota’s so hungover from last night that she hasn’t been much company.
“I need to stop and let Charli out. Do you feel like eating yet?”
She moans without opening her lids.
“A little grease to soak up the alcohol, and you’ll be good as new.”
“Fine.” She sits up and stretches, sticking her boobs out in the process. “Where are we?”
“I don’t know. All these small towns look the same.” I pull into the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant and kill the engine.
As soon as I open the door, the air outside takes my breath away. “The humidity is killer. I always forget.”
“Oh right, you grew up in Chicago. Arizona suits you so well.” She gives her head a little shake. “Actually, scratch that. I think you could fit in anywhere.”
“I’m choosing to take that as a compliment.”
We walk Charli around in a grassy area between businesses. Dakota sits as if we haven’t been doing that all day.
“What exactly did you girls get into last night? I can’t remember ever seeing you this hungover.”
“Shots. So many shots. We swore our loyalties to one another by dancing our hearts out and drinking Rumple Minze.”
“Girls are weird.”
She nods. “What’d you guys do?”
“Played Xbox and ate four large pizzas.”
She snort-laughs and then stops and holds her stomach. “Did you hear that? My stomach just growled. I think it’s finally awake.”
“And wants pizza.”