Chapter 25 Lucy
My Goldie
The way he says it so casually, as if it’s inevitable, makes my skin heat and tummy plummet.
“Your Goldie?” I parrot popping my hip out against my dresser. Biting my thumb nail, I smile and preen a little. God, it’s been forever since I’ve felt eager to hear someone want to talk to me.
His deep rumbled chuckle on the other line makes my legs tighten, and has wetness pooling between my thighs.
“Yeah, my Goldie, anyone else callin’ you that?” He asks as if he already knows the answer. The confidence of this man.
“I can’t say they are,” I tease, “but there’s still time.”
He laughs again, this time deeper and oh my stars, I think I might combust.
“No one’s callin’ you Goldie but me,” he says, the little edge in his voice has me closing my eyes and taking a breath.
“Mhmm,” I breathe.
The line’s quiet for a moment, just the two of us breathing together in separate worlds. It has me desperate to know his world, since he’s shown up in mine for a couple weeks now. It’s scary, but enticing.
“Well, Goldie, I’m guessin’ you called because you changed your mind?” He asks, his voice breaks a little. Is he nervous?
“I did,” I admit.
I can almost feel his smile through the line when he says, “And here I thought you’d make me wait longer.”
Rolling my eyes, my lips pull up and I bite down on the bottom one. “You’ve been waitin’ by the phone for me to call?”
I love a good tease, and I have a feeling Reese gives as good as he gets.
“Oh, Goldie, I’d wait years if I had to.”
I want to squeal, to throw myself on my bed and kick my feet, but instead I choose to flirt a little, feel him out. “That sounds like a long time, Old Man, wouldn’t you be all dried up?”
He chuckles down the line, “Mmm, you’ll find this forty-two year old can hold his own.”
“Forty-two, huh?” I remark, remembering I told Spence he wasn’t that much older.
“Mhmm,” he rumbles.
“I guess I’ll have to wait and see then,” I flirt.
“You will,” he confirms with a yawn followed by a chuckle. “Fortunately, I won’t make you wait long, and as much as I would like to talk to you all night, I’m dead on my feet. I’ll call you in the mornin’, Goldie.”
“Until then, Old Man.”
The line clicks and I throw myself on the bed screaming into one of my pillows since it’s so late and I’d rather not wake Mawmaw. Snuggling into bed, I think over and over about our conversation until finally my eyes are too heavy to hold open.
Indy’s texts come through in rapid succession, waking me from my dreamless sleep.
Goose: Are you awake?
Goose: I have an idea!
Goose: Wake upppppp
Goose: GIRL!
With a smile, I click on her contact to call.
“Finally!” She screams through the phone once the call connects. “I’ve been pourin’ over this idea forever!”
“Indy, my friend, have you slept?” I have to ask, she’s been known to get busy and lose track of time. The crash out is never good.
“A little, it’s fine,” she says and I can see her so clearly shrugging away my concern. “Anyway, are you ready to hear my idea?”
“Always,” I yawn, throwing the covers off my body, or at least, what was left anyway. I must have shifted a lot last night.
“What if we host a carnival down on Main?” Her question doesn’t feel like the end of her rant so I wait, and sure enough she continues. “We can find donations, sell your pies, or hell maybe we could raffle them off. Somethin’ like that would be fun, right?”
My thoughts won’t process this early I guess, because I can’t think of a single thing to say.
“Buttercup, you alright?” Her question throws me off.
“I’m just wakin’ up that's all,” I promise with a slight sigh. “Let me get goin’ and–”
“But this is a good idea, I know it. If we ju–”
“Goose, I. Need. Caffeine.”
“You’re a grump in the mornin’.”
“Come to the diner in a bit, okay? I’ll feed you.”
“Deal, love you,” she says before hanging up.
I need coffee, something to perk me up before I have to head into the diner. Mawmaw’s already up, I can hear her messing about in her bedroom. There’s a knock at the door, just as I finish pouring my coffee and adding the perfect amount of creamer.
Briar’s on the other side of the screen door, her face is a bit ashen, but other than that she looks fine.
“Aunt Loo,” she sighs, opening up the screen door and rushing in. Wrapping her arms around me, I’m glad I didn’t bring my cup with me.
“Hey Flower,” I run my hand down her hair, enjoying the little comforts of a Briar hug.
“Colt and I have been fightin’, and I know, before you say anythin’ he’s my first high school boyfriend.
It’s rare that these things make it long term, there’s plenty of options out there…
blah, blah.” She’s on a roll, words pouring out of her like word vomit.
“But he’s graduated now, you know, and everythin’ with Jarrett’s spiralin’ out of control.
I just need someone to talk to who’s not Colt.
Colt’s not worried, he’s never worried and I don’t get it. ”
Giving her a second to catch her bearings, I wait then lead her into the kitchen where my steaming mug of coffee waits and she snatches it up and takes a sip.
“Sure, B, you can have mine,” I joke, laying a hand on my hip.
She shrinks a little and smiles. Moving to sit down at the table, she waits as I make another cup of coffee and join her.
“So, Colt’s not takin’ the charges seriously, and you’re upset with him?” I ask, just to clarify.
She nods and drinks more coffee, as if she needs it.
“He’s entitled to how he reacts, and even though it’s not what you would do, it’s his life.” I know that’s not what she wants to hear, but sometimes I can’t give her all the answers she wants, instead all I can give her is the truth.
“But he could go to jail!” She hollers, as Mawmaw walks in ready for the day.
“Pft,” she waves her hand as if Briar’s worry could never be reality. “Colt’s never been in trouble a day in his life, that youngin’s angry, but he’s also wrong for hittin’ that boy.”
“Mawmaw,” I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Don’t Mawmaw me,” she swats the air behind her as she pulls the coffee pot out and drains the last of it into her own mug. “You know I’m right, Loo. That boy needs to start thinkin’ of all the ways this could go.”
“Now let’s not–”
“So what, you don’t think Jarrett will drop the charges?” Briar asks, placing her mug down on the table.
Mawmaw doesn’t say anything, choosing instead to sip her coffee and let Briar think.
“If he doesn’t, what could that mean for Colt?”
Placing my hand on top of hers, I squeeze. “It could mean whatever the judge decides is right.”
“A judge?!” Briar squeaks, as if the thought hadn’t crossed her mind.
“I don’t see it goin’ that far,” I assure her. “Colt’s a good boy, he made a mistake.”
She nods, looks at Mawmaw and relaxes into the seat.
I only hope I’m right.