He was right. There’s no way he’s going to beat Date Number One.
35
Reese
I didn’t expect us to fall asleep in the bed of his truck while looking up at the stars. But sometimes, the unexpected moments are the sweetest.
When my stomach grumbles for something other than hot dogs and s’mores, River throws everything into the back of his truck, then we make our way down the dirt road in comfortable silence.
But as soon as our cells have service, the messages start pouring in.
“Six missed calls from Milo and a dozen texts,” I mutter. “Did he message you too?”
“Yeah. Three texts from him and nine calls from mommy dearest. Which is a record, even for her. Any chance we could turn back around and disappear into the wilderness?”
“I’m not sure Milo would let me.” I grimace and turn back to scanning the demanding messages that could make a grown man cower in fear. “What do I say to him?”
After squeezing the back of his neck, River sets his phone down in the cup holder, then focuses on the road. “We gotta tell him, Reese.”
“Yeah, but I don’t know how,” I whine, sticking out my lower lip.
“Neither do I, but we’ll do it together, okay?”
“He’ll kill you.” Though my tone is light, there’s an underlying severity that’s loud and clear.
River’s laugh is dry as hell. “He won’t kill me. He’ll probably hit me. And I’ll likely have to see a dentist and-or plastic surgeon afterward, but it’ll be fine, Reese. The sting is going to come from us hiding it from him more than us having feelings for each other. The sooner we tell him, the better he’ll handle it.”
“W-what if you ask his permission or something? We can say we haven’t done anything yet––”
Knuckles white, a frustrated River sighs. “He’s not stupid, Reese. We both disappeared last night. He can put two and two together. He probably already has.”
My phone vibrates with another incoming text from Milo.
Milo: Gibson said he heard you in your room last night, so I must’ve missed you. I’m on my way to work but call me when you get a sec. Want to make sure you’re okay.
“What is it?” River prods as he watches me from the corner of his eye.
I read the message a few more times before answering, “H-he said Gibson heard me in my room last night.”
“But you weren’t in your room.”
“Obviously.”
“Which means he’s hearing things, or he covered for us,” River finishes.
Considering the options, I nod. “Yeah. I guess he did.”
“We still need to tell Milo.”
With another nod, my heart aches. “I know.”
“It’ll be okay, Reese.” He squeezes my knee, but it does nothing to ease the pain in my chest.
That’s the problem. I don’t know if it will be.
We sit in silence, lost in our thoughts, when River’s phone starts blaring.
My breath hitches as I turn to him and grimace. “Is it Milo?”
“Gina,” he answers with furrowed brows before accepting the call. “Hello?”
Her voice filters through the Bluetooth speakers and allows me to hear both ends of the conversation. “Hey, you. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.” He smirks, glancing over at me. “How are you?”
“Amazing. I tried calling last night, but it went straight to voicemail.”
“Yeah, sorry. I was out of cell range. What’s up?”
“I got a call yesterday…”
“And?” he prods.
“And it was from a certain casting director.”
I gasp and cover my mouth as excitement threatens to bubble out of me.
River’s gaze darts to mine as he fights his own elation before replying as cool as a cucumber, “And?”
“And they want you. We’re discussing terms and dates right now. But if everything lines up, they’ll be sending over the contract later this week.”
With a soft squeal, I dive right into my happy dance in the passenger seat of River’s truck while completely freaking out inside.
He did it! He freaking did it!
His stunned expression is priceless, and if I weren’t so invested in the conversation, I’d snap a picture for a keepsake. Slowly, he blinks, barely registering her words as if he’s still in shock.
“River? Are you still there?” Gina’s voice crackles through the speakers.
“Yeah.” He clears his throat. “I’m here.”
“You should be proud of yourself.”
Looking over at me, his numb expression morphs into a giant grin. It’s so wide, and boyish, and almost giddy that I want to jump up and down, screaming from the rooftops that he did it! But I keep my mouth shut as he answers, “I am, Gina. Thanks. Uh, keep me updated, I guess?”
“Will do. Congrats, River. This is a huge opportunity.”
He tosses me another glance. “I know.”
“I’ll talk to you later, okay? There’s something else I want to discuss.”
“Sounds good. Just let me know when you want to meet.”
“I will.”
“Thanks again, Gina.”
“You’re welcome. See ya.”
As soon as the call disconnects, I grab Riv’s arm and shake him back and forth. “You did it!” I scream. “You freaking did it!”
His laughter is loud and carefree, laced with childish disbelief that’s contagious. Then he releases a loud whoop and pumps his fist into the air. Rolling down the windows, we blast some upbeat music and get lost in the euphoria from Gina’s call.
And just like that, the heavy melancholy from minutes ago has evaporated into thin air, replaced with an electric buzz of enthusiasm thrumming through our veins.
Because he did it.
He really did.
And I couldn’t be more proud.
36
Reese
As we pull up to the house, I scan the driveway with my heart in my throat. Milo’s motorcycle is missing. River squeezes my knee as that same depressing funk returns to the cab of his truck.
“Come on,” he urges.
With my chin to my chest, I follow him inside. The place is quiet, and I assume we’re alone until the faint sound of a guitar whispers through the house.
The stairs creak beneath our weight as we make our way to Gibson’s room. His door is cracked open, but I knock anyway.
“Hey, Gibbs?” I call out.
“Reese?”
“Yeah, it’s me.” Pushing the door open a little further, I smile when I find him sitting cross-legged on the ground with his guitar in his lap.
“What’s up?” His lazy smile tenses when he zeroes in on my hand laced with River’s.
“I… We”––I correct myself––“wanted to thank you for covering for us last night.”
He shakes his head. “I didn’t cover for you.”
“You said you heard Reese in her room last night,” River interjects.