Page 14 of Tailwhip
Holding Ashlynn’s hand as we walk, she suddenly stops, eyes wide at the tent straight ahead. The name says it all, Nothing but Cinnamon Rolls. “I think I need a cinnamon roll!” she says, turning to me.
“Let’s get a few,” I tell her.
Once we go up to order, we quickly change our mind on each getting a few because these things are massive, and I am sure Ashlynn won’t even be able to put a dent in these giants. I let her take the first bite, and she instantly says, “Oh my god, it is so good!” She cuts a piece for me and brings it up to my mouth, and she is right, it is very good. Though I’m not much of a sweets guy, this would rank as a top cinnamon roll. I tell Ashlynn I like to drink my sweets, so now she is determined to find a shake or something for me. We find a milkshake and continue to walk around for what feels like hours. This place really is big, but then again, everything is bigger in Texas!
After leaving the fair and heading back to the hotel, Ashlynn turns and asks me, “Have you ever thought about moving out here? You seem to really enjoy it?”
Nodding my head, I say, “I think about it often, actually. It’s just hard because Greenville has been home, and I would miss it. Maybe I could buy a second home out here at some point.”
“That would be nice,” she says. “Tell me about your house in Greenville.”
“It’s a great house, more land than anything which is what I wanted. It's a modern farmhouse style. Nick and I even built a skate park.”
“You guys built a whole skate park; I don’t know why that surprises me!” she says.
“Yeah, we wanted a place, of course, to ride whenever and practice new tricks, but we also put on charity events at it to help with different organizations we are both involved in.”
“That’s amazing that you both do that. What organizations do you donate to?”
I finally get to tell her that I donate to one she always said she would donate to when we were younger. “My first one is for underprivileged kids, we put on a show for them, and when we are done, we let them ride around at the park; Shelter animals too is a big one for me. Last but not least, I donate to help protect Orca’s.”
Ashlynn turns to me so fast; I wouldn’t be surprised if she has whiplash. “You donate to help protect the Orca’s? That’s one I always wanted to donate to.”
I look over at her and squeeze her thigh, telling her, “I know, that’s why I do it.”
After returning to the hotel and entering the room, we're both exhausted from the busy day. We quickly freshen up and climb into bed. With her head resting on my chest, she lets out a long breath. Rubbing her back, I ask, “What are you thinking about?”
“I don’t want to leave yet, but I know I have to, and so do you. I just really enjoyed this weekend with you.”
Kissing the top of her head, I tell her, “I know, me too. Thank you for coming out here.”
Kissing the corner of my lips, she says, “I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else. When do you think we can meet up again?”
“I think it may be a while before I get back to Greenville. Chase and I are going to work on getting everything in order to do a road video of skate parks throughout the states. That will probably take a few weeks or more to get all filmed and completed. However, I won’t be riding on all of them, so I could possibly sneak some time away and come see you. That is, if you want me to.” I tell her jokingly.
“Of course, I want to see you. Maybe I can even come to one of the cities, too!” That sounds like a good plan.
“You know, we will be in Philadelphia for a stop at FDR Skatepark; maybe you can fly out for that one. After we film that stop, we can fly up to Boston, rent a car, and go to Salem, since it will be close to Halloween. I know that it is your favorite holiday–at least one of them!”
“That sounds like so much fun, yes! Let’s plan on that,” Ashlynn says with the biggest smile on her face. That has been my favorite thing about our time together: seeing her smile so much.
The next morning, I drive Ashlynn to the airport, and I am having a hard time letting her go–I don’t want her to leave yet. Without thinking, I blurt out, “I’m going to miss you!”
Looking up at me, she says, “I will miss you too, but we will see each other again soon!”
Smiling down at her, I give her a long kiss and pull away to kiss her forehead as well. “Safe travels, text or call me as soon as you land!”
“I will,” she says, before turning to head home.
11
Ashlynn
Waiting Game - Yellowcard
Getting to my seat on the plane, it dawns on me that I am dreading going home. Which is an odd feeling considering I love living in Colorado and love my house.
It all has to do with these past few days spent with Anthony. It is as if no time had passed with us. I know I asked to take things slow but am happy we both ignored that and did what felt right. Everything felt right, just like it always does with him. Even being intimate with him felt right, and I wasn’t planning on doing any of that, but God, it felt so good–he felt good. It now feels like I have an empty space again, but I know that this time it will be different. Once I land in Denver, I send him a quick text, letting him know I made it back safely. He lets me know that he just boarded to head back home, too.