A Fighting Heart

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Rally Stables has become our place. The fields and woods are quiet, undisturbed until we come riding through. It’s the only place I would want to be today, and Chase knew that. It’s perfect. 

I’ve been able to slow down lately when riding, enjoy the view. Riding next to Chase is comfortable, safe. 

We picnic by the river where we had our first kiss with peanut butter sandwiches and sweet tea. Laying on a blanket, Chase lays on his back, his head on my stomach. 

“Excited for the Monday?” I ask, running my fingers through his hair. 

“Yeah, how about you?” he asks, turning and giving me a smile. 

“Of course, I love traveling.” 

Nodding, Chase goes back to looking at the sky. “You worried about me yet?”

“Sit up,” I say.

Chase does, sighing, and says, “Look, I know today of all days probably isn’t the best time to bring this up, but we were here the other day and I told you I’ve fallen in love with you.” 

“You said you were pretty sure,” I say interrupting. 

Shaking his head, Chase grabs my hand. “Well I’m sure, okay? I’ve fallen completely in love with you and you don’t have to say it back, because this is fun, with no consequences. But I can’t not say anything anymore”

Playing with his fingers, I smile. “Chase,” I say softly, but he doesn’t hear me. Instead he continues his speech.

“And so what if this is just for the summer, so what if we don’t know what’s going to happen. It doesn’t matter to me.”
“CHASE!” I yell with a laugh, grabbing his chin and making him look at me. 

“What?” he asks frowning. 

“I’m worried about you.” 

***

The rest of my birthday is really wonderful, and Saturday morning Gigi and I head over to the local spa. She wants to get mani-pedis before we head to the rodeo with the guys.

“How you feeling about tomorrow,” Gigi asks, once we’re settled in the large pedicure chairs. 

“What do you mean?” I ask, flipping through Cosmo. 

“Oh come on, I see the way you two look at each other. I know you’re all about ‘not caring’ but lately your faces betray you.” 

Sighing I put down the magazine. “I don’t know, it’s hard, isn’t it. I didn’t want to care, but..” 

“You do?” she asks, finishing my thought. 

Nodding, I run my fingers through my hair. “We’ve got what, a few weeks left? And this has been the best summer, but it hasn’t really been reality, you know?” 

“Yeah, I can’t even imagine going back to school right now..” Gigi agrees. 

“So we just don’t think about it,” I say with a laugh. “Don’t think, and live like we are now.”
“I’m gonna miss you,” Gigi says with a smile, grabbing my hand. “You’re definitely coming down to visit me.”

“Well yeah, you’re the one with the warm weather,” I say with a shrug. “You’ll be seeing more of me than you like.”