Nineteen

Bobby

The drive home seemed to take forever when it was actually less than thirty minutes. But when I pulled up to the small house that sat on my parents' property, I still wasn't ready to go inside. So many thoughts ran through my mind. Every one of them centered around Cole.

We'd only been together a few short hours tonight, but in that time, I felt like I found out more about him than I had in all the conversations we'd had. Most of the time we chatted it was just me asking if he was better, or him telling me he'd found out new information. There was more in that kiss than I expected. More emotion, and undeniably more connection.

Getting out of the car, I hurried to my door and let myself in. It was a good night. I thought back to Cole telling me he could read my thoughts. I still wasn't sure how to feel about it, and I definitely wanted to find out if there was possibly a way to block him. It wasn't so much that I didn't trust him. I just didn't think he needed to know more about me than I was willing to tell him.

My phone alerted me to a text, and I was happy to see it was from Cole.

I just made it home and I wanted you to know I had a great time tonight. I mean besides the whole . . . well you know what. I hope Miss Avery can see us tomorrow because I'll be counting down the days until we can see each other again. PS please don't think I'm being weird. I just really like you.

I smiled as I read the words he'd written and imagined him tapping and deleting until he got it just right. He was older than me, and in some ways, he was more mature. But I didn't get the feeling he was any more experienced at relationships than I was. Which was really not at all.

I don't think you're weird. I think you're sweet, and I was just thinking about that kiss.

I nearly erased it but then I pressed send instead.

Goodnight Bobby xo

Goodnight Cole xo

The next morning there was a new text from Cole waiting for me then I checked my phone.

Cole: I talked to Miss Avery. She can meet us later today. What time are you done with work?

Bobby: Good morning. Just let me know what time is good for you and I'll make it happen. We work today but the store isn't open.

Cole: I'm done at four. Want to meet me at the store?

Bobby: Sure, give me directions.

Hickory Crossing was a small town, but I wasn't that familiar with it, so once he sent me a link to a map, I googled it to see what was there. Happy to know I'd see him soon, and I'd also get to see where he worked. There was a website for Brian's Sporting Goods, and smiled when I saw Cole pictured on the staff page.

He looked younger in the picture, and I wondered how long he'd worked there. Neither of us had really talked much about where we worked other than the bare minimum. But I wanted to know more about him, and I wanted to share more with him about me. And not with him reading my thoughts.

I googled that and found a few suggestions, which surprised me. Who knew other people would be worried about the same thing. But then I thought about all the weird shit people said they believed and somehow it didn't seem so strange. It suggested a few things, one of which was to use apps that use algorithms to scramble your brain waves making them harder to read. It also suggested head gear and meditation.

"Might as well try an app," I said and found one to download.

"Go ahead and start on these booklets and I'll work on the flyers," Dad said as the two of us settled into work and getting through two large orders. "Any plans for today?"

I sorted through the supplies I'd need and checked the proof for quality before setting up the print. "I'm going to meet Cole in Hickory Crossing later." I tried not to smile when I said it but lasted all of zero seconds.

"Do you two have plans once you get there?" he asked while he was busy setting up his own print job.

"There's a lady there that saw him get hit by the lightning, we want to talk to her about it." I didn't tell him everything this time, it had gotten too strange, and I didn't want to worry him or make him think I was losing my shit.

"I didn't realize you two were still working on that," he said and glanced at me.

"Yeah. Cole wants to know what she saw. besides what she already told him. He's doing great, and nothing new has come up, but I think he's just curious."

"Well, I'm glad you're going with him. I doubt he remembers too much. I hope he's able to find out what he needs to put it all to rest."

"It's been weighing heavily on him. It's not like it's something that happens every day." That part was true. Cole was very focused on the event, and I didn't think he'd ever be able to completely put it to rest until he had more answers. Especially after he found out about that guy Nox.

"I'm glad you were there to help him," Dad said again, and I wondered what he would think if I told him it seemed Cole now had the ability to read minds. "Bobby?"

"Oh, sorry, I was daydreaming."

He huffed a laugh at me and went back to working on the pamphlets he'd started, and I hoped the time passed fast, because I wanted to know what Miss Avery could tell us too.