Vote Then Read: Volume III

by Aleatha Romig

  “Yeah, I know you wouldn’t. So since you’re talking to me, I’m guessing, what, she bolted?” He chuckles.

  “How’d you know?”

  “Dude, you’ve known her a long time, but I’ve known her my whole life. Elle likes thinks that are clear. Ambiguity and change are not exactly her happy places. You’re trying to take her from a place that’s clear, you being her friend, to a place that’s uncertain. I’m not surprised if she’s acting weird.”

  “Okay, makes sense.” I pace across the balcony. “So, what do you suggest?”

  Andy asks if we’re working tomorrow, and I tell him about the trip to the Grand Canyon I’ve spent so much time planning. I’m taking her to the place with the best view, and I plan to have her open her envelope there.

  “You know, when we were kids, Elle was maybe ten, we had this border collie named Larry Tate…,” Seriously? I have to know more so I interrupt him.

  “Wait, your dog was named after Darrin’s boss from Bewitched?” I laugh.

  “Yeah, Elle was obsessed with having magical powers.” He scoffs.

  I think of my girl, red hair in pigtails, her cute little freckled face screwed up in determination as she practiced magic spells and it warms my heart.

  “Anyway, Larry Tate used to hide in his doghouse. So, Elle decided she could put a hinge on the roof so we could just open the top and scoop him out.” Andy laughs. “Dad told her to wait until he got home so he could help her. Her stubborn ass wouldn’t wait, though, so she starts pulling out the nails from the top, and one was bent. She stood on top and pulled so hard, the kid-sized toy hammer she was using slipped, flew back, and socked her in the eye.” He starts laughing, hard, at the memory. “Her face swelled up so fast, her whole eye was black and blue.”

  “Poor, little Elle.” I chuckle. “Did she cry?”

  “Are you kidding me? She hid. She went into our parent’s room and put on a ton of mom’s makeup which was just a tan, smeared mess on her cheek. She looked nuts!”

  “What did your parents say?” I’m laughing now, picturing her trying to cover up a giant black eye like nobody’d notice.

  “We sat down to dinner, and when Dad saw her cheek, he asked what happened. She grabbed her dinner roll, and without saying a word, slid off her chair onto the floor. She ate the rest of her dinner under the table as if that was perfectly normal.” He lets out a little puff of air. “See, Elle was embarrassed. She didn’t know what to do, so she hid out until it passed. When everyone left the dining room, she came out, grabbed a slice of strawberry pie, and locked herself in her room. With Elle, if she doesn’t want to talk about something she’s worried about, or embarrassed about, you just have to let her work it through in her own time. You can bring it up, but if she shrinks back, you just gotta let her do her crazy-ass thing.”

  I sit back on the lounge chair and look up at the sky.

  It makes complete sense. That’s exactly what she’s doing.

  “So you think I should keep our plans tomorrow as normal, and if she doesn’t want to talk about tonight, just give her time to process it?” I polish off the last of my beer.

  “Yep. Just give her enough space to get okay with it, and she’ll come around when she wants to talk about it.” Andy lets out a sigh. “Dude you’re working awfully hard for this. You really want to date her, huh?”

  “Andy, I want a helluva a lot more than that. She’s the one, dude. I just have to make sure she sees it.”

  I thank Andy for his advice for the second time in the last few weeks and hang up the phone. When I get into bed, some of my worry has subsided. I’ll get up early in the morning, and we’ll head out as planned.

  She’s probably going to say tonight was a mistake. She’ll think it’s the end of our friendship as she knows it. It’s not, though. It’s the beginning of our new life together. I know that she enjoyed what we did together. I could feel her starting to give in a little—giving in to what we were doing, but more importantly, giving in to feeling something. I just have to give her the space she needs to get her head right about how amazing this could be.

  I get up early and head downstairs to grab the keys to the convertible I reserved from the rental car agency in the hotel lobby. I also pick up a bag full of snacks for the road. When I get back to our room, Elle is, to my surprise, awake, dressed, and making coffee.

  She’s wearing a cute little sundress and she looks especially pretty on her. I instantly have the urge to grab her up into my arms and kiss her like I did last night, but I squash that idea.

  “Good morning! Make that coffee to go, we gotta get rolling.” I say as I lean into her shoulder.

  “Ugh, morning people.” She rolls her eyes and tried to hide a grin as she pulls two paper cups and plastic tops from the container next to the coffee machine. I’m instantly relieved that she seems to be cool as long as I don’t bring up what happened.

  “I am a morning person, and you love me for it.” I bop the tip of her nose with my index finger. “I’ve saved your ass from being late dozens of times.”

  She rolls her eyes and hands me my coffee.

  “Got your envelope?”

  She heaves an exaggerated sigh. “Yes! God, I can only imagine what horror you have in store for me. Just promise me there won’t be embarrassing video for you to show later.” Her head wags back and forth as she looks up at the ceiling.

  “Trust me, Elle. It won’t be so bad. You might even like it. You liked the Mberries after all, and you didn’t think you would. You surprised yourself by liking all kinds of things last night that you never thought you would.” I give her a wink and she turns beet red and clears her throat.

  Okay, couldn’t help myself with that one.

  “Um, we should get going.” She says as she puts on her shades and bolts for the door.

  Elle insists she needs to wake up a bit, so we leave the top up on the car for the first part of our drive and head out toward the canyon.

  “We have to stop. I have to pee. Bad.”

  “We literally just left Las Vegas,” I look at her over my glasses.

  “I know, but I didn’t pee enough before I left and I have to go. Please? This is going to be a long car ride if I pee on myself.” She bats her eyelashes and I relent, pulling into a gas station.

  I take the opportunity to put the top back on the car while Elle’s inside the store. I grab the sunscreen from my backpack, and I’m putting some on the back of my neck when Elle comes back to the car. She smiling and I’m relieved she doesn’t seem as tense as I thought I might be.

  “Ooh, I need some of that so I don’t burst into flames.” She smiles and holds out her hand. I squirt some of the sunscreen into her palm, and she applies it to her neck, arms, and chest.

  “Here, I’ll get your back.” I make a spinning motion with my finger, and she turns, holding up her ponytail. I press my palms to her shoulders, sliding the lotion along her skin. In truth, I could stand here doing this all day, just being close to her this way, feeling her muscles relax under my touch. I put the lotion on her shoulders, and when my fingers slide under the straps of her dress, she squeals, darting away from me.

  “That’s good, thanks!” She says as she contorts to rub the rest in herself.

  I convince myself she jumped because she was enjoying that a little more than she wants to let herself.

  I close the trunk and head into the store to use the bathroom and grab a soda while Elle waits for me at the car.

  When I’m walking back out to the car, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I open it and when I see the text, a broad smile creeps across my face.

  It’s a message from Andy and the five words he sends change everything.

  I read it twice to make sure I haven’t made a mistake, then my eyes move from my phone screen to Elle, who is standing, leaning back against the door of the convertible. She has on a pair of shades, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. Her pale blue dress is blowing in the light breeze. Her arm is crossed c
asually against her chest, her cheeks sucked in as she takes a long sip from the straw of her soda.

  Before I put my phone back in my pocket I look at the message one last time. Sliding my phone back in my pocket, I smile even wider.

  This might turn out to be a really, really good day after all.

  Chapter 21

  The light chambray shirt and khaki shorts Noah has on fit him like they’re made for his gorgeous, sculpted body. I realize I’m almost drooling as I watch him walk across the parking lot.

  I need some perspective. I pull out my phone as I lean on the car door, and text Andy.

  ELLE: hey…talk me down

  ANDY: what’s up?

  ELLE: ok confession time…don’t freak out

  ANDY: ok you have my full attention

  I stare at the screen for a long moment.

  ELLE: I have a thing for a guy. tell me how to make it stop.

  ANDY: a guy? what guy? does Noah know?

  ELLE: wait what? Why are you asking that?

  My phone rings.

  “Why are you asking me if Noah knows, Andy?” I ask without saying hello.

  “Is he around?” Andy asks.

  “No. We’re driving to the Grand Canyon. He walked into the store. What’s going on?” My heart is thumping out of control. My suspicions that Noah hangs out with my family without me seem to be confirmed. I knew it. He would be a much better fit into the tall, good-looking matching set of Baileys to which I’ve never looked like I belong.

  “First, who is it? The guy you have a thing for?” Andy asks.

  “It…it’s Noah. I don’t know what to do. He doesn’t see me that way, and usually I can keep my little crush in check, but lately…since we’ve been here especially…something has changed. I’m afraid he has met someone. I’m afraid I’m going to lose him forever and I’m completely freaking out.” I exhale with the confession, feeling a little relieved to share the secret with the only other person I trust as much as I trust Noah.

  “Okay, deep breath,” Andy soothes and I instinctively follow his instruction. “I think…it might not be just a crush. There might be something there…on his side. He likes you, Elle.”

  “No way.” I argue.

  “Elle, listen to me. Noah has feelings for you. Don’t ask me how I know, but you just have to trust me on this,” Andy replies.

  Is it possible? Does Noah have feelings for me? Absolutely not. I make a mental note to buy one of those home drug tests from the pharmacy and have Andy take it because something is clearly wrong with him.

  “I wish that was true, Andy. Because…I think I’m in love with him, and if he has met someone, and is going to get serious…I don’t know what I’m going to do without him. I can’t tell him the truth, but I can’t lose him, either.”

  “Elle, don’t get so up in your own damn head. You know how you get. Just…just chill out. You may be worrying over something that’s not even happening.” He pauses and blows out a long breath. “You know what? That’s not even true. He is interested in someone, but it’s you. He wants to start something with you.”

  “Why are you saying that?”

  “Just a feeling…when I saw you two together a few weeks ago, well, a guy picks up on these things.”

  “Did he say something to you?”

  “Sorry, sis. Bro code. I’m not going to confirm or deny. Just…could you trust me for once?”

  I see Noah through the window, paying for something at the counter.

  “I gotta go. Thanks, Bailey boy.” I may not feel better, in that I still don’t know what to do and I’m sure Andy is wrong, but talking to my little brother always calms me down.

  “Watch yourself, Bailey girl. I’m her if you need me. Love ya.”

  “Love you too.” I hang up the phone, toss it into my purse and lean back to take a sip of my soda.

  Noah walks out of the store, stuffing a piece of gum in his mouth. He looks like something out of a TV commercial. His dark hair is slightly messy. He has the perfect amount of stubble. I swear to God everything is moving in slow motion as I watch that delicious form walk toward me.

  He dips his hand into the pocket of his shorts. Lucky hand. He pulls his phone out, and when he looks at it, a grin starts to creep across his face, that slowly turns into a full-on smile. He moves his gaze from the phone to me, and I can’t help but smile back at him in spite of myself.

  “Why do you look like the cat that ate the canary?” I ask as he hops into the driver’s side and I sit in the passenger seat beside him.

  “I’m just in a good mood,” he says. “We have great weather,” he motions, palm up, in front of his before buckling his seat belt. “We’re going to see the Grand Canyon…,” the long, thick fingers I now know so well turn the key, then he turns to look at me. “Besides, I get my prize today.” He wriggles his eyebrows.

  I roll my eyes. “Can we please get it over with?”

  “Soon, Elle. Soon.”

  A couple of hours later, we’re at the Mather Point overlook on the south rim viewing one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.

  “Wow,” Noah exclaims. “I mean, just, wow. It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. Isn’t it beautiful?” Noah exclaims as we stand at the railing, looking out over the canyon.

  “I know! I didn’t expect all the colors. I mean, look over there…those rocks look purple.” I point to a layer of the earth’s strata out to our right.

  “Where?” Noah stands behind me puts his hands on the railing around me, effectively pinning me in. My whole body clutches at his proximity. I have to remind my girlie parts to calm the fuck down because they instantly go on high alert when his body is so close to mine and after last night, they’re practically screaming, “Hey, hot guy! Down here!”

  He puts his chin on my shoulder, and follows my finger to where I’m pointing. “Oh, yeah! That’s crazy,” he says. Then he leans his cheek against mine. “Thanks for coming here with me.” He moves his hands form the railing and slides his hands around my waist, hugging me close. My belly knots at his touch. It reminds me too much of him touching me the other night, and my body craves so much more.

  Something about the way he’s leaning against me, combined with everything else that’s been going on is overwhelming. The whole week plays like a sped-up movie reel in my mind. Him touching me after the party…his anger when I went to dinner with Ian Legare…not to mention the insanity of last night.

  Is it possible? Could Andy be right?

  He feels so damn incredible, I almost can’t think. His strong arms are wrapped around me, and his body is warm and firm at my back. In this moment, it all feels perfect.

  If he’s thinking of settling down with someone, maybe he’s trying to get all these moments out of his system.

  I glance to the side and see a slim, buxom brunette with long tan legs and perfect pillow lips ignoring her boyfriend to run her eyes over Noah as he holds me, taking in the view. She catches my eye, and feeling embarrassed, I look away, but not before I see her run her eyes up and down my petite frame and give a derisive little snort.

  And there it is.

  If Noah was wondering if our friendship could be more, if he was taking us on a test drive, that look, right there, is what would doom any chance of us ever being more than friends. People would never believe a handsome, charismatic, optimist like Noah would want someone like me. We would have an expiration date, and I never want Noah to be some ex who broke my heart. I never want him to be someone who used to be part of my life.

  We turn to walk away from the overlook and Noah puts his hand gingerly between my shoulder blades. When he slides his fingers further down my back, his eyes suddenly get wide. He clears his throat.

  “Um, Elle?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You…you don’t have a bra on.” He quirks up an eyebrow, and I think I see something I’ve rarely seen before. A moment later, I’m sure. Noah’s cheeks are turning faintly pink. Noah is actually
blushing.

  “I didn’t need one,” I say rolling my eyes. The fabric of the sundress is thick, and it’s lined. I’m not that big, so sometimes, well, lots of times, I can get away without one.

  He drops his hand from my back and we walk toward the gift shop.

  We spend some time at the visitor center, and Noah buys a couple of t-shirts at the gift shop, including one that I said was my favorite which I plan to add to my collection of stolen Noah t-shirts, then we drive back toward Vegas. We stop and have lunch at a little café along the highway.

  “I really loved driving out here,” I tell Noah as we get back in the car after lunch.

  “Oh, we’re not done yet,” he replies, grinning mischievously.

  “Oh? And just what might you have up your sleeve, Adler?” My curiosity is most definitely piqued.

  “Just you wait. We’re a little more than a hundred miles out from our next stop, so cue up some tunes, Bailey.”

  A couple of hours later, we’re pulling into another visitor center, this time on the West rim. We park, and as we walk up to the brick and red-mud-colored building, I see the sign, and know why Noah has been smirking. It reads, The Skywalk at Eagle Point.

  I’m not terrible with heights. I mean, I can walk out onto the balcony of our hotel with no problem. Walking out onto a walkway suspended above the canyon, though? That, I’m not so sure about. Noah must be able to sense my trepidation.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m good. Fine. Awesome.” I wring my hands in front of me as I slowly walk toward the building.

  “Okay,” he chuckles. “Got your envelope?”

  “Yeah, it’s…,” I point to my bag, then realize this must be the prize for the bet. “Wait, is this your prize? Seeing me freak out on a balcony over the Grand Canyon?”

  “Not exactly. And it’s not a balcony. It’s a glass-floored walkway,” he corrects.

  “Wait, what? A glass floor?” I stop dead in my tracks. “Have you lost your damn mind? That seems incredibly unsafe. No, no, no. That’s going to have to be a hard pass, Adler.” I plant my feet and shake my head as I put my palms out. “I’m out.”