Page 22 of Came the Closest
An event I’m not particularly looking forward to, considering I’m supposed to give Indi my answer regarding Milo. Panic spurs through me. Yes, I’m not working right now, but that won’t last forever. The rodeo circuit is not the place for a child. Besides, the most stable relationship I have right now is with my truck, and I don’t think that constitutes engagement or marriage.
My phone vibrates again. How about four at my place? I’m in the apartment above Hazel’s shop.
Right. Because not unlike my relationship with Tripp, my dad has always had a soft spot for Cheyenne. I don’t know how much they’ve talked since we broke up—or if he knows we dated at all—but they must be close enough that he spoke to Hazel about the apartment.
Works for me, I type back.
See you then, she replies.
And that’s that. Our first text conversation in years, nothing more than a dozen or so words each.
It feels like the single most important text exchange of my life.
TEXTS BETWEEN GRAN & THE BROTHERS:
Gran: Did you boys get fitted for your suits?
Graham: Yes.
Colton: See?? Passive aggressive
Jordan: Collie’s had to be let out because he’s eaten too many muffins bumming around like he is.
Colton: That’s not true and you know it
Jordan: Do I?
Jordan: *GIF of man smirking deviously*
Gran: Jordan, be nice to your brother. Colton, have you considered eating more vegetables? Graham, maybe consider adding emotions to your texts
Colton: I think you mean emojis
Graham: Ember wants to know if she can bring anything to supper tonight.
Jordan: This is where you put a smiley face, Grammy, like I’m putting the winking face. ??
Gran: Hazel is here at the house with me and she says just to bring your lovely selves.
Gran: I turned my phone away from her now because I don’t want her to see this text.
Jordan: Because…?
Colton: Jordan is sort of okay, we KNOW I’m lovely, but Graham…
Gran: Because your father is going to propose tonight and I won’t be the one to ruin the surprise!
Jordan: Should I come downstairs and ruin it for you??
Graham: If you do that I’ll ruin your proposal to Sydney.
Colton: Jordan’s proposing to Sydney??
Jordan: I won’t be telling any of you when I’m going to propose to Sydney for this exact reason.
Gran: You’ll tell me because I’m your grandmother. It’s my age-earned privilege!
Jordan: It’s unlikely.