Chapter 15
Donovan
Anticipation is a real bitch sometimes.
You know the old saying, A watched pot doesn’t boil?
That needs updating. A watched clock doesn’t tick.
The third hour feels like it’s lasted a lifetime. We've been shooting free throws for what has to be hours—realistically, it's only been thirty minutes.
Since the moment I got the well-paying job offer in my inbox, I’ve been texting my best friend, Mack.
We met in seventh grade. It was his first day, and a few kids were teasing him about the way he spoke.
His family had just moved to Canyon Hollow from Alabama, and the accent made him an easy target.
A kid named Chad Fenwick, in his best but worst attempt at mocking, said, “Bless your heart, your momma must’ve cried when she saw your ugly face.”
You could practically see steam billowing from Mack’s ears when Chad brought up his mom.
Mack didn’t scream. Didn’t yell. Didn’t say a word.
He just raised his right hand, pulled it back, and THWACK—Chad left school with a broken nose.
Mack was suspended for a few days, but that broken nose? It started a bond that feels more like the brother I should’ve had.
Me: Mack, I really don’t know how to tell Stella, we just started seeing each other again.
Me: Fuck, I think we started seeing each other again.
Me: We talk every day, video chat, and video chat ?? wink emoji ?? eggplant emoji
Me: But neither of us has actually said if we are back together or not.
Me: Shit, Mac. What if she’s just looking for hookups while back in Agave Hills?
Mac: Jesus, Slate. I’m knuckle-deep in Bessie. Get a grip.
Me: Whoa, brother, who’s Bessie? And does she know you’re multitasking, texting me, and helping her out at the same time? She sounds pretty lucky.
Mac: Only you, fucker, could go from a complete downward spiral to making some perverted comment while I am just trying to bring the miracle of life into the world.
Mac: Bessie is a heifer, and her calf is almost here.
Mac: And if you are asking me for my humble opinion. Just take a leap of faith, take the job, pack your shit, and move to Virginia. Don’t tell Stella women love grand gestures and romantic fairytale book shit.
Me: Idk, dude. What if I uproot my whole life, and I am not really what she is looking for?
Mac: Then I guess you have a fresh start in a new state, with a badass job to boot.
I think about what Mac said all day.
Playing it over in my head while I showered. Don’t tell Stella.
Can I truly surprise her like that?
I mean, you do hear women gush over extravagant grand gestures and all that shit.
I step out of the shower, grab my towel, and dry off.
I’m meeting Stella at Agave she insisted on driving herself.
That makes me nervous. Last time she was here, we drove everywhere in my car.
Maybe she wants to be able to make a quick exit… or maybe she’s got another date after.
Is this even a date?
Mac’s right, moving to Virginia will be the grand gesture.
But tonight? Tonight is me claiming what’s mine.
I’m telling Stella she’s the only girl I want, and I want to make things official.