Chapter 34 #2
When we make it to the river, neither of us are particularly tired and we’ve got plenty of time before we need to head back so we decide to continue on, jogging through town.
By the time his next alarm sounds, we’ve circled the town twice and I’m feeling the burn in my muscles.
We gradually slow our pace, heading back in the direction of the river to collect the RV and I mentally start going over the videos I need to edit.
What ones are ready to upload, and which shelters in the area might be open to me stopping by to groom some of their animals for more content.
I’m so lost in thought; it takes Mitchell grabbing my arm and yanking me to a stop for me to snap back to attention. When I do, I see what’s got his hackles raised.
“Can I help you?” I call out, startling the guy who is trying to peer inside the RV with interest. He spins around, and I uncap my bottle to take a mouthful of water.
“Oh, hey. Didn’t see you guys there.” He lets out a nervous laugh, his eyes flicking back to the RV before settling on us after I repeat my question. “This yours?”
“What’s it to you?”
“Oh, well, I came down for a swim-” My eyes take in his dry hair, lack of towel and Converse on his feet.
Not exactly the shoes you wear when you plan on going for a swim, no one likes putting their wet feet into a pair of socks after swimming.
“-and I noticed the logo. I have two Rotties.” He shrugs. “Thought I’d look you up.”
Yeah, I’m not really buying the bullshit he’s spitting. If he looked up the name, he would have found my videos easily. He would have instantly recognised me, and he definitely wouldn't need to ask if the RV is mine.
I’m probably being a dick, but the last person who came knocking on my door looking for a groom was also bullshitting and unleashed an emotional bombshell on me, a good one but still, I don’t have the capacity for another so soon.
“Never mind, you’re clearly not from around here so you’re probably on holiday, or maybe visiting someone?” He looks to Mitchell before refocusing on me and the way he says it, makes it seem like he actually wants me to tell him, and I find I don’t like his interest.
“Sorry mate, we’re just sightseeing, passing through. In fact, we’re here to move the RV now.” It’s probably a futile lie in such a smalltown, and I don’t know why I bother but I don’t want this guy looking for the RV, potentially drawing attention to Bonnie. I’d rather he think we left.
So far it’s just been the nosey mothers and parents who’ve taken an interest in our arrival, whispering their theories about us and our connection to Bonnie and Charlotte, and I’d like to keep it that way.
His eyes narrow slightly, like he knows I’m lying but doesn’t call me out on it. Instead, he just nods. “Sure, man. Sorry for the hassle, I’ll get out of your way.”
With that, he takes off, heading toward the road and disappearing around the corner. A few seconds later, the sound of a car engine starting up echoes back to us and I head for the RV, more than ready to get back.
“Wait,” Mitchell says right as I’m about to open the door and he gets down on all fours, flipping onto his back as he looks under the RV, pulling out a keychain flashlight.
“You think he did something to the RV?”
“I think you guys left it here unattended overnight. Anyone could have messed with it,” he mutters, checking the tires and running his hand along the inside of the tire guard before moving to do the same on the other side.
We spend a good ten minutes checking over every inch of the RV before he’s satisfied it hasn’t been tampered with and are able to get in.
Stepping inside, I wince as I take in the mess we left behind.
There’s clothes scattered over the blow-up mattress and floor, empty take-out containers spilling out of a garbage bag, and thanks to the windows being closed overnight not allowing any fresh air in, there’s an undercurrent smell of dirty socks.
My cheeks heat and I open a window, getting behind the wheel and starting the ignition so he will buckle himself in and not focus on the state of the interior.
I feel his eyes on me most of the way back, but every time I look at him, he’s checking the mirrors like he’s worried we’re being followed. Finally, when we’re almost there, he breaks the silence. “This is an alright set up. How’d you afford this?”
It's not exactly the first time I’ve been asked that, given neither Charlie nor I are swimming in cash, and it doesn’t help that Ariana and the guys didn’t skimp when they surprised us with this. Well, Eric did.
But I don’t think he’s trying to be rude or offensive, I get the impression he’s genuinely curious. Most people start making small talk and work their way up to that question, but I have a feeling that beating around the bush isn’t something he’s familiar with.
“We didn’t,” I answer honestly, explaining how Eric surprised us with it as a gift after we told them about our plans to start Bee Rose Furr-Ever.
“That’s…a big gift.”
“You’re not wrong. Ariana and the guys like to invest in small businesses, trying to give people a chance where they mightn’t otherwise have one and I’m not too proud to admit that I’m one of those people, I guess. Though I didn’t know they planned on doing this.”
“They sound like good people.”
“Yeah,” I agree, hitting my indicator before taking the next turn. “They are.”
Before Charlie found me, I had no friends. No one in my life who would even blink twice if I just stopped showing up, something I know for a fact given there were times I wouldn’t get out of bed for days, even weeks.
Now, I have one of the best partners anyone could dream of. Someone who loves and cares about my wellbeing. Amazing friends who would go to bat for me. Who will buy a ridiculously priced RV after I mention I planned on trying for a loan so I could make this dream come true.
I have Bonnie and her daughter, and even Mitchell who I’m pretty sure will end up being the rock that holds our little group up.
My life now is completely unrecognisable to what it was seven years ago.