Meadowlarks Read Free Page B

she giggles, a sound that makes me smile even wider.
                  I have to take Rex back home. He needs to rest that leg, and I need to look in a mirror to give myself a pep talk to grow the nerve to actually see this girl for a third time.
                  Addison Cole...wow.
                  I open the rear door of my Ford and lift Rex in. He winces.
                  “Sorry, boy.” I pat his head and close the door.
                  Looking back into the window of the vet's office, I see her sitting in the same chair, Luca at her feet, and she's watching me.
                  Okay, Blackstock, show her the goods.
                  I open my door, give her a smile, and extend my arm to hoist myself up into my truck, ensuring the muscles in my biceps are at their best.
                  See you soon, gorgeous.
    *               *              *
                  Rex is sleeping comfortably on his oversized dog pillow. I quickly check myself in the bathroom mirror, run a bit of water over my hands and rake my fingers through my hair. It's unruly, but when isn't it? I smell my armpits. Not bad. I spritz on a little body spray anyway.
    I'm wearing my usual well-worn jeans with a few rips in the knees, my boots, and white t-shirt. Unlike Quinn Masterson's wardrobe in high school, this does compliment my body very well.               I feel a buzz from my pocket, signalling me that I have a voice mail. Must be the call I ignored while engaged to the lovely Miss Cole.
                  It's Jeremiah.               “Where are you? You will not believe what time I woke up this morning. We didn't even drink that much!”
                  He sounds groggy; he doesn't do hangovers well. I decide to call him back, and he picks up in two rings.
                  “Jer, buddy—you really can't handle a few beers anymore?” I laugh, and he groans. “Are you still coming over today?”
                  He tells me he is going to shower and be over within an hour.
                  “I have to go out for a bit, but I'll be back later.” I don't want to tell him who I'm going to meet. Not just yet.
                  “Okay, bro. See ya.”
                  We hang up and shoving my phone back in my pocket, I head out the door.
                  Addison met me at the entrance of Bean There, and we walked in together. It's actually pretty cool on the inside. An odd Mediterranean theme for a coffee shop, but the warm peaches and cool blues tie in well with the brown tables and chairs. The young brunette behind the counter blushes when we approach her to order.
                  “Welcome to Bean There! What can I get for you today?”
                  I look at Addison, who smiles and orders a black coffee.
                  “I'll have the same, please.” I hand the brunette, whose name tag says Kelly, a ten dollar bill. Addison and I look at one another and smile, her fingers twirling a small strand of hair.
                  “Thank you, Blaine.” She picks up her coffee. “Where would you like to sit?”
                  I suggest a round table by the window, one with only two chairs close enough together that I'm hoping our knees will touch underneath the wooden tabletop. I hold out her chair for her to sit, and she smiles and thanks me. Sitting down across from her, I can't believe that I'm having coffee with the same girl I was staring at a few days ago at the feed store.
                  “So, tell me about yourself, Blaine,” she says, and then takes a small sip of coffee.
                  “Well...” I reply, tapping my index finger on my chin, thinking of what people would usually say when asked this