I’ve never left Montana before, but it doesn’t concern me. I have been volunteering at the local nature center since I was 16 years old, learning everything I could about the birds in our area.
“I think it will be fun. I need a break from being underground anyways.”
I work at the mine, four days on and three days off. The days I work, though, I am underground almost the whole time.
“Well, you know I’m not one to judge. Do what makes you happy.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“Maybe you will find your tweetheart on this trip.” He smirks and winks at me.
“I see what you did there, but I’m not interested in starting anything. I just want to have fun.”
Grayson pops the top off of a beer, slides it to me from across the bar, and I take a swig.
“So, when do you leave?”
“A week and a half. The guides are getting there a few days early to finalize plans.”
“Nice.”
The bell over the door rings and Riley walks into the bar.
“Hey Chris,” she says as she walks past me.
“Hey Ri.”
She hops into Grayson’s arms, and his hands wrap around her ass. I try not to look but damn, the girl is gorgeous, and she knows it.
“Get a room you two,” I say as their lips lock, and they don’t come up for air.
Riley hops down and looks at me, a smirk on her face. “If only you knew which rooms we have already christened in this bar.”
“Gross. I don’t want to know. Just tell me it wasn’t on this stool,” I say not really wanting an answer.
Riley lifts a shoulder and says, “I’ll never tell.” She turns and disappears into the back.
Grayson’s face is red, and his eyes are wide as he watches his fiancée walk away. Then he looks at me and laughs.
“Don’t tell me a thing. I don’t want to know.” I say to him.
“Wasn’t going to,” he says.
Grayson goes to tend to the other customers. All the locals are used to their relationship by now, so there is no need to hide their obsession with each other.
Troy and I are the only ones left that are single out of the four of us. Curtis got married last year and Grayson will be getting married this year.
“Gray, do y’all have a date for the wedding yet?”
Their wedding is going to be low-key. Only close friends and immediate family. Otherwise, they would have the whole damn town there.
“Yeah, the first Saturday in June. I can’t remember what day it is.”
“That’s a week after I get back. Perfect timing.”
“So glad we accommodated your travels.”
“Me too. I would have been devastated.” I push the back of my hand to my forehead and throw my head back dramatically.