There is a group of kids in front of us, so we wait in line while a girl who looks like she’s a few years older than us serves them before getting our own ice cream.
Once we each get two scoops, we go back outside and find an available table on a little terrace overlooking the main square.
“Seriously, you’re so lucky to have a sister. My brothers drive me crazy all the time! Can you believe my younger brother actually locked himself in the bathroom just so I couldn’t finish getting ready? I swear, one of these days, I’m going to strangle him.”
“That seems like a typical boy thing to do.” I laugh at the image of Becky pounding against the door and yelling at her little brother. She wasn’t joking when she said she’s surrounded by boys. I scoop some ice cream and put it in my mouth. “Oh, my Gawd.” I close my eyes to savor the rich chocolate taste.
“Good, right?”
“Amazing.”
“It’s the best ice cream in the whole county,” Becky says proudly.
“I’ll take your word for it. Is every flavor this good?” Not waiting for her answer, I scoop a little bit of cherry ice cream.
“Yup, I’ve tried them all, and I can never settle on which one’s my favorite.”
“Can’t blame you. This is so good! You should have started the tour here.”
“As if! I knew if we started from the ice cream shop, I wouldn’t get you anywhere else today.”
“It’s good ice cream.”
“That it is.” Becky nods. “I’m actually glad that we got to spend some time together outside of school. Without boys too. I love those guys but they drive me insane.” She looks up at me. “I just realized I say that about all the boys in my life.”
“Well, if the shoe fits…”
“Oh, it does. But it’s all I’ve ever known.” She shrugs. “I live on a smaller ranch between Emmett and Miguel so it’s always been the three of us together. You know, before we went to school. Then there are my brothers, of course. It’s nice to have female company for a change. You know, somebody who doesn’t barf and thinks it’s an accomplishment.”
“Got it, no barfing.”
We both chuckle. But it’s amazing how different our lives have been. While Becky has been surrounded by guys, in my life, it’s always been us girls. Mom, Penny, and I. And a string of faceless guys Mom’s dated, but that doesn’t really count.
I never spent much time with any of them because I knew they’d be gone before long. Well, except Penny’s dad. He stayed for a while, but when the reality hit of what it’s like to have a child, he ran for the hills too.
“So it’s always been you and the guys? Even when you started going to school?”
“Yeah, by that point, it felt natural for me to hang out with the boys. I’ve been doing it my whole life. I had some girlfriends too, but I always felt more at home hanging out with the guys.”
“That does make sense.”
“So, what’s going on with you and Emmett?”
“What do you mean?” I ask slowly, unsure of what she’s getting at.
“Don’t play innocent. I know my boys, and that guy has it bad for you. And I mean real bad.”
“He doesn’t!” I protest, but my cheeks betray me. I feel heat creeping up my neck, so instead of facing her, I look down at my bowl.
“Umm… yes, he does. Have you seen the way he looks at you?”
A shiver runs through my body, but I ignore it. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, Becky. Emmett is just being nice to the new girl, that’s all.”
“Since we’ve established that I’m the one who’s known Emmett the longest, let’s assume I know better, and that boy is smitten with you! And let me tell you, you won’t find a better guy than Emmett. He’s the most amazing, kind, talented guy in this whole town.”
“Even better than Miguel?” I lift my brow at her in challenge, happy that I can finally turn the tables on her.
A frown appears between her brows, her lips pressing together.
“I don’t see what one has to do with the other.”
“Seriously, that’s the card you’re going to play? I mean, I know I’m pretty new here, but even I can see there is something going on between you two.”
Becky pushes a strand of her hair behind her ear. “We’re friends, that’s all. And we’re not talking about Miguel and me here.”
“Well, we weren’t talking about Emmett and me either. Because there is no Emmett and me.”
Becky rolls her eyes. “All I’m saying is that he’s a good guy. And he seems to like you. You should give him a shot.”
“He’s the golden boy of Bluebonnet Creek, Becky,” I point out. “Even if I was interested, and I’m not, I’m just a girl passing by.”
“So, what? You’re not good enough for him?”
Not even close.
“He’s going places. He has people looking up to him, and I can’t stand in the way of that. Not with everything else I have going on right now.”
“I get it.” I lift my head to look at her. There is understanding in her eyes, but her mouth is pressed in a tight line. “I don’t like it since I think you’d be good together, but I get it.”
Just then, a commotion over her shoulder catches my attention. I look up, grateful for the distraction. Cars have taken over the parking lot that weren’t there just a minute ago, and people are getting out, guys and girls who I vaguely remember from school.
Emmett gets out of his truck. He’s the first one I notice. I’d be able to pick him out of a crowd any day of the week, and it’s not just his height. It’s just him. The way people gravitate toward him like he’s the sun. And I’m no exception.
His feet have barely touched the ground when two girls, Rose and one of her friends, join Emmett and Miguel, bright smiles on their faces.
I watch as they talk and laugh at God only knows what. Rose lifts on her toes. My throat dries as she reduces the distance between them. I expect her to kiss him, but instead, she swipes her thumb over his cheek, cleaning the red smudge off his skin.
“See what I’ve been telling you?” I ask calmly. My voice sounds foreign even to my own ears, but if Becky notices it, she doesn’t say anything.
Confused, Becky turns around, her eyes landing on the group. A deep scowl appears between her brows. “What is going on here? They were supposed to go to that team bonding paintball something or other.”
I guess that explains the color.
“I guess they’re done.”
Becky crosses her arms over her chest. “What’s with them? Since when are the cheerleaders part of the football team?”
I shrug, turning my back to the parking lot and grabbing my things. “Maybe they needed moral support to bond.”
“Of course, they did. Seriously, I’ll never understand these guys.”
You and me both, I want to say, but I hold the words in. “Ready to go?”
Becky crosses her arms over her chest and huffs. Unable to resist, I take a peek and see Rose’s friend plastered to Miguel’s side.