Chapter 1
chapter
one
Juliette
Online dating is not for the weak-minded. Or the weak-stomached, for that matter. I finally found an app that doesn’t unlock pictures until you go through several stages of communication. It can be frustrating, but it’s eliminated the dick pics, which I appreciate.
You would think that working as a mechanic at my family’s garage would mean I have loads of opportunities to meet guys. And I guess I do, in some ways. But the truth is, I’ve lived in Saddle Creek, Texas, my entire life, and most of the guys around here have been here the whole time.
I wouldn’t call myself an adventurous person, but I am interested in people who didn’t grow up here.
I want to meet someone who has life experience that looks different from mine.
Small-town Texas is a wonderful place to live.
I don’t even think I want to move away or anything, I just want to know someone different.
Kinda like my brother, Jude, and my sister-in-law, Emory. Technically, she’s a small-town girl too, but she traveled all over before she ended up here. She has some of the best stories from when she was on the road all the time.
In any case, I started this online dating journey a few months ago and it has been interesting and eye-opening, to say the least. But no real connections yet. I haven’t told anyone in my family about this venture. They’ll tell me I’m too young to be looking for my forever.
Age is irrelevant. I’m a legal adult, that’s all that matters. I’m old enough to do pretty much whatever I want. Except for renting a car, but I don’t have any need to do that, so I’m good.
But the raw truth of it all is that no one is guaranteed a nice, long life.
My family should understand that more than most. Our parents died in an accident when I was seven.
Jude was barely twenty, but he put his entire life on hold for me, Aria, and Sofia.
So we’d all stay together and not get put into foster care. I know it was a massive sacrifice.
I don’t remember a lot about my parents since they’ve been gone so long, but I do know they were wildly in love with each other. They planned to grow old together, but that didn’t happen. So yeah, no one is guaranteed anything.
If I don’t get to live a long life, I at least want to live one next to someone I’m wildly in love with. Thus, the online dating.
Randall#1: You’re gorgeous. Like, I can’t stop staring at your pics.
FleetwdLvr05: My pics don’t have any with my face.
Randall#1: But you’re curves are banging.
FleetwdLvr05: Uh… thanks.
Randall#1: Seriously, I think you might be my dream girl.
FleetwdLvr05: ...That’s a lot for a Tuesday.
And Randall#1 gets blocked.
FleetwdLvr05: Hey! How’s your week going?
Ryan89: Hey. Busy. You?
FleetwdLvr05: Same. Trying to survive on coffee and good intentions.
Ryan89: Lol same here.
I exit the chat. I won’t block him because maybe he’s just busy. But sheesh, learn how to have a back-and-forth conversation.
FleetwdLvr05: Hey, what kind of music do you like?
Fit4Life: Whatever you dance to, gorgeous.
FleetwdLvr05: Uh… okay, but seriously, favorite band?
Fit4Life: Anything fast with a groove so I can get my dance on. When are we grabbing drinks?
FleetwdLvr05: ...I think I’m busy forever.
Who talks like that? Moving on.
Mustang_Ranger: Hey, I saw you mention sunshine, dogs and tacos in your profile. That’s basically my holy trinity right there.
FleetwdLvr05: Haha, same. Add margaritas to the mix and we’re soulmates.
Mustang_Ranger: Okay, but crucial question — crunchy or soft tacos? This could make or break us.
FleetwdLvr05: Soft. But only if the tortilla’s warm. You?
Mustang_Ranger: Crunchy. I guess this is our first fight. We’ll need to talk it out over margaritas.
Lame screen name, but promising as far as the conversation.
FleetwdLvr05: Your profile says you make “the best coffee in town.” That’s a bold claim.
Joshua_TX99: It’s true. I’ve been banned from three cafes for stealing their customers.
FleetwdLvr05: Ha! What’s your secret?
Joshua_TX99: Can’t reveal it until our second date. First, you have to survive my bad puns.
Okay, Joshua, you have some promise too. I mean, who doesn’t love a good pun?
FleetwdLvr05: Okay, serious question. Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?
Mustang_Ranger: Absolutely not. That’s a war crime.
FleetwdLvr05: Wrong answer. You just failed the vibe check.
Mustang_Ranger: I’ll take the loss. But if you bring the pineapple, I’ll bring the pizza.
FleetwdLvr05: Deal. You’ve got good negotiation skills.
Mustang_Ranger: Part of my job.
FleetwdLvr05: Oh? What do you do?
Mustang_Ranger: A little bit of everything. Technically, I’m retired.
That’s when I should ask him how old he is, but I truly don’t care. I mean it’s not like he’s gonna be on this app if he’s a grandfather or whatever.
Mustang_Ranger: What do you do besides eating blasphemous pizza and listening to a lot of Stevie Nicks?
He cracked my code. The code I didn’t think was all that mysterious, but he’s the first guy on here to recognize Fleetwood Mac. Hard not to find that attractive!
FleetwdLvr05: I work with my hands. Mostly engines.
Mustang_Ranger: A woman who knows how to get her hands dirty. Color me intrigued.
FleetwdLvr05: Rough day. I think my coffee machine hates me.
Mustang_Ranger: Coffee machines can sense weakness. You have to stare them down until they submit.
FleetwdLvr05: I tried that. It hissed at me.
Mustang_Ranger: Okay, maybe it’s possessed. You want me to drop by with backup coffee?
FleetwdLvr05: Ha! You’re not local, remember?
Mustang_Ranger: Right. But I’d still bring it if I could. Everyone deserves good coffee and a better day.
FleetwdLvr05: You’re dangerously good at this, Ranger.
Mustang_Ranger: At what?
FleetwdLvr05: Making me smile.