“Hey, this place is so quiet why don’t we both go and play?” Robbie asks, a mischievous look on his face as he eyes up the carefully stacked pile of bean bags over in the corner. “I’m feelingbouncy!”
Normally, I’d take Robbie up on his offer.
Bouncing around and having fun in the playroom would be super-cool. I know it would. But Pace’s words are ringing in my ears and not even the perfect juice or the prospect of having a play with my friend Robbie is bringing me out of my funk.
“Okay, maybe next time,” Robbie says. “Spoilsport!”
Bille laughs and blows me a kiss as he spots another club member enter.
“Thanks,” I say, managing a smile as Robbie prepares to go and say hello the new customer. “You’re the best.”
“Hell yeah I am!” Robbie giggles. “Listen though… why not give yourself a break? You know, like take yourself out of the city for a while. You could do an apartment swap? That way youwouldn’t need to pay out any extra rent and you could even work on your book while you were away too.”
“I don’t know…” I say, wondering how I would convince my boss at work to let me have the time off.
But deep down, I know that Robbie is right.
I need a change of scene.
I’m definitely not going to let Pace Slade put me off writing or chasing my dreams as an author. No way. But that’s not to say I can’t find a little peace and quiet away from the city for a while. And who knows, maybe by the time I come back Pace will have forgotten all about me and won’t bother trying to hurt my career in the process?
“What do you think, Lightening?” I ask, turning to my fox stuffie as he sits patiently next to me. “Foxes love the country, right? Maybe you could introduce me to all your friends and family?”
I pick Lightening up and give him a big hug. His soft fur feels so comforting and as I look into his pitch-black eyes I feel something inside me change. It’s been a tough morning. And to be honest, the last few months have been pretty difficult what with everything that’s happened with Pace Literary.
I probablydoneed a change of scenery. And it might be the inspiration I need to really polish my manuscript and get myself feeling confident about my work again.
But I can’t really move away from the city on such short notice.
Can I?
Chapter 2
Kaleb
The sounds of Hardrock Park never cease to amaze me. Whether it’s the wind whistling through the tall trees or one of the many waterfalls sloshing against the rocks, it reminds me that this is where I call home.
And not just me either.
A certain black dog by the name of Racer calls it home too…
“Easy boy,” I holler, my deep voice carrying over the sound of the nearby rapids as I watch Racer powering along the dirt track, no doubt in hot pursuit of a damn rapid he doesn’t have a hope in hell of catching.
It’s a hot day today. Real humid. The sky might be blue right now but I can sense that come the evening, the clouds will be out in full force and full of rain too.
Now tell me why the hell I need an app to figure out the weather?
I’ve got my eyes, ears, and senses for that.
And at forty-two years of age I’ve lived long enough around these parts to be able to tell when a storm is heading in. I mighthave a couple of grey hairs but I’m far from losing my mind to old age. If anything, I’ve never felt stronger, smarter, or more capable of living my life in exactly the way I want to.
I’ve worked hard to get my life like this.
Aside from my trusty canine companion Racer, I live alone. My rules. My way. And no one complaining or making demands on me. I get to live my life in the best way for me, and that’s the way I like it.
Some people in the town might call me grumpy. Some might even say that they never see my smile. Hell, why the hell do I care what they think anyway? As long as I’m happy, then that’s what matters.
Sure, some people like to go on dates, socialize every night, and probably end up talking on the damn internet all night long too. None of that is for me. I’m happy in my own skin. I don’t need romance or a social life to feel good.