Midnight Rain; Cordell Walker

vii. celisa

    By the time Celisa arrived back to the bar, loads of cars were parked around and it was hard to find parking, especially when she was still driving Cordell's truck. At first, it was out of spite, but then the time started crunching in and she needed to take Calli to the groomers by the time she got home from grocery shopping. She ended up waiting until later that night to grade whatever it was she needed to.

    She hopped out of Cordell's truck with a grunt when she finally found parking and opened the back door, clipping on Calli's leash before letting her jump out. The good thing about Calli was that she loved being around people and was very obedient when it came to her commands. It was easy to take Calli places now that she was trained.

    Calli walks beside Celisa as they walk to the entrance of The Side Step, immediately being surrounded by music, people, and smells of different chili's being served from the competitors. She waved to the couple of students who waved at her and paused in her step when they saw Calli and asked to pet her. She talked among them for a second before she found Cordell's tall figure poking over the crowd and immediately saw the Walkers around him. She excused herself and walked Calli over, smiling brightly at the family.

    "Cel, I'm glad you made it!" Liam tells her over the hum of the loud chatter and music, already grabbing a bowl for her to try the chili.

    "Oh, I couldn't miss it, especially with Mrs. Walker's chili," she replies, smiling brightly. Calli sits by her feet while Cordell looks down at her. "Here," she says, taking his keys from her pocket. "I didn't grab my car."

    A look of mischief runs through Cordell's eyes, but he takes the keys from Celisa's small hands. "You actually returned it," he says to her.

    Celisa furrows her eyebrows, taking the bowl of chili from Liam. "Why wouldn't I? I didn't get a chance to grab my car."

    "After the fuss you made this morning."

    "Sue me," Celisa finishes. Cordell gives her a look, one that says that he's not convinced of her actions, so she scoffs and looks down at her bowl of chili. "Come caca, pues," she mutters, grabbing a spoonful of the food that already has her mouth watering.

    Her eyes close in euphoria as the chili hits her tongue and she throws her head back slightly. "Mm!" She moans, chewing slowly and looking back at Abeline. "Whatever it is you're doing, keep doing it. It's so good."

    Abeline smiles, serving another bowl for a guest who came up next to her. "Well, thank you," Abeline replies.

    "So," Celisa begins, grabbing another spoonful, "dare I ask where the Davidsons are planted?"

    Liam scoffs, looking off somewhere behind her. Celisa turns her head curiously, seeing the Davidsons' table set up directly across from the Walkers' and she immediately makes eye contact with Gale Davidson. She looked the same as the last time she'd seen her. At the courthouse when they had their trial against the Walkers.

    Celisa offers a polite smile, but turns back around and turns her smile into a grimace. "Yikes," she mutters.

    Cordell lets out an impatient sigh at her, giving her another look, this one saying 'seriously?' Innocently, Celisa shrugs. "Sorry," she tells him. "But I'll never forgive Denise. And at my dad's memorial?" She scoffs and shakes her head looking back at Liam and Abeline. "Made him turn over in his grave, for sure."

    "Sounds interesting," Cordell mutters, but she hears him even over the music.

    "You would say that," Celisa says. "Since you're BFF's with her now?"

    "No," Cordell says, holding up a finger. "It's not—"

    "Anyway," Celisa interrupts, "enough about that."