Page 35 of Tailwhip
Coming up to me and putting his hands on the side of my face, he says, “I didn’t tell you because it doesn’t matter. I told him to stay the fuck away from you.” That answer is enough for me! Smiling down at me, he continues, saying, “I’m sorry I won’t be here for Halloween. I know that’s one of your favorite holidays. We will spend the rest of the holidays together, though!”
I had almost forgotten that Halloween is in a few days. “It’s okay you won’t be here; I am more excited about Seattle. Will you please tell me what the surprise is?”
I bat my eyes at Anthony in hopes that will help, but it doesn’t. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I tell you, but I am going to take you to dinner at least once!”
Laughing at him, I say, “Well, I hope so. I do enjoy food and don’t want to starve!”After talking a bit longer, we both fall asleep. I must have been in a deep sleep because I don’t even feel or hear Anthony get up to leave for Portland. Finally, when he rubs a hand down my arm with a bit more pressure, I wake up, somewhat, anyway. He tells me bye and he will see me in a few days. Giving me a kiss on the forehead, “I Lo… I’ll see you soon!”
After sleeping for a few more hours, I lie in bed fully awake. I think about how this is the second time Anthony has almost said "I love you" but stopped himself. Maybe I need to say it first. As I walk into the kitchen for some coffee, I notice a folded piece of paper on my counter.
Thank you for letting all of us rowdy guys crash at your house!
~Signed a bunch of BMX dudes!
22
Ashlynn
Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
Once up and ready for the day, I head out for a nice long hike around Breckenridge. I haven’t heard from anyone today. I tried to text Neha to see if she wanted to come with me, since I know Nick left this morning to finish up some more videos with his sponsor. After hiking up into the mountains and finding a lake, I just sit and take in the beautiful surroundings of the White River National Forest.
After I hike back down to my truck and finally get cell service, I see missed texts from Neha and one from Anthony. I call Neha to see if she wants to meet me for lunch. Her phone just rings and rings. I give up and start to drive home.
Getting to our favorite little deli spot, I immediately see Neha at a table right by the big bay window. Once inside and sat down, I say, “Hey, how did your call go with your editor? Do they like the article?”
Taking a sip of her water and setting down her glass, she says, “Yes, they liked it a lot. They just need some photos. I haven’t been able to ask Anthony if he would be willing to send me some.”
“Oh, he texted me, letting me know they are safely on the road.”
“Well, then I guess I will text him later and ask.”
Once placing our orders, both of us get the same thing as always: turkey club on a croissant. Though, mine is without mayo, but adds avocado. Neha gets the mayo and asks for extra, which is disgusting! As soon as the waiter sets the plates down, we dig in. I am starving after my hike. Taking a bite, with her mouth full, Neha says, “Sorry I couldn’t go on your hike. I would have loved to–especially since it is starting to get cold now, and it has snowed a little.”
“Yeah, there was a decent amount of snow up there already. Speaking of snow, we should get in touch with Cora and try to go see her. It’s been too long; I miss our little gold medalist!”
Nodding her head in agreement, she says, “Let’s try to go see her in the new year, before you do your tour.”
That would be good to do a quick trip before my book signing and just relax with my two best friends. I always see Neha, obviously, but I haven’t seen Cora Hendrix for more than a year. She was away at the Olympics, taking the gold for the women’s snowboarding in park. I miss her. She and I go back further than Neha. Cora and I met in first grade and have stayed close ever since.
After lunch, Neha and I head to the coffee shop for a hot drink. I ordered my pumpkin spice chai tea again and also kept an eye out for the girl I ran into the other day on my way to Heath’s. Something about her has just stayed with me and I really can’t put my finger on it. Back at Neha’s, we both hang out under blankets and binge watch our favorite show, Shameless.
After about an hour of laughing from the show, Neha turns to me wide eyed. “Oh my god, I forgot to tell you. I nearly had a damn heart attack this morning at like 1:00 AM.” Turning to her, I ask, “What happened? You see your reflection in the mirror or your shadow from the streetlight that shines in your room?”
Busting out laughing, she says, “No, you smartass! I got up to get some water, and when I got down to the kitchen, Nick was standing there drinking water in nothing but freaking gray sweatpants–feet, chest, everything but his legs weren’t covered. My god, I wanted to let him put me up on that counter and just let him take me right then and there. He looked gorgeous. His hair was all over the place from sleeping, his green eyes were so bright, and the smile he gave me when he saw me–it was beautiful. I got the full dimples and everything. Ah, I can’t get enough of him.”
“So, I have to ask, what is so great about gray sweatpants? I have seen on Instagram that it’s gray sweatpants season.”
“Just buy Anthony a pair and make him wear them, and you will understand. What does he even sleep in, if not sweatpants or boxers?”
Smiling shyly and giving Neha the side eye, I say, “Anthony likes sleeping in the nude.”
Sighing, she says, “I would die if Nick slept in the nude, dear lord.”
All I can think to myself is this gray sweatpants thing must be a treat if people are doing a hashtag about it all over the place. “It’s a good thing you know about all this stuff, Neha, and keep me in the loop. I wouldn’t know about the fuck me pumps (FMP’s) if not for you. I just call those heels peep toes.”
“I agree–it is such a good thing you have me in your life for these things!”
After another hour of Shameless, we are all binge watched out. We decide to watch a suspense movie, Prisoners. Neha is beyond annoying with suspense movies, trying to figure it out instead of watching the damn movie! She finally goes quiet about 45 minutes in, with the movie holding her interest of the unraveling plot. I figure now is a good time to ask her a question. “So, you know I am going to Seattle to meet Anthony, right?”