40

On Saturday morning, Tyler met me in my room with his backpack, duffel, and guitar.

"Oh, we're getting a show this week?" I put my backpack on, grabbed my duffel, and threw my jacket over one arm.

"Let's not exaggerate, darling," he said.

"Give yourself a little credit, I've seen what you can do" I said, grabbing my keys and phone. I put my phone in my back pocket as I closed the door behind us.

"How long is the drive to your house?"

"Fifteen minutes."

I tossed him my CD book as I backed out of the parking space and left the parking lot. "Find something to listen to. My radio doesn't work."

"If it doesn't sound like ‘90s country, I don't want it." He read the sticker on the front. "Interesting."

"Does that surprise you?" I asked him.

"Little bit."

He read the names of various artists aloud while he was flipping through, before settling on Toby Keith's greatest hits and put it into the CD player.

"Why the ‘90s?"

"Because it's the best, obviously," I said.

"Ali, that isn't an answer."

I shrugged. "I don't know. It's just what my dad has always listened to and now it's my favorite."

After listening to the first song, Tyler said "I'll have to listen to more, I guess. It's good stuff."

I really might be in love with you.

We got stuck behind an accident just as we left November Falls.

"I thought your dad lived in November Falls," Tyer said as we came to a stop.

I shook my head. "Blue Haven. Most people just lump it in with November Falls though. Unless you're talking about the Bobcats. That's about all this town has going for it."

"The Bobcats?"

Have you been living under a rock since you've been here?

"The professional football team." I looked at him, but there was no recognition on his face.

"They're not very good. But we love them."

"Wouldn't it make more sense for November Falls to have the professional team? Since it's the bigger city?"

I nodded as traffic started moving again.

"It would. I don't really know the history. That would be a question for Everly's sister, Elodie."

"I'm not that interested," Tyler chuckled.

"You'll have to be a little bit. My dad is watching the game Thursday night, and he'll be upset if you cheer for the wrong team."

"We can't have that, can we?" he asked, pulling up information on the Blue Haven Bobcats on his phone.