Free Reviving Bloom by Michelle Turner

fishing and a group of girls not far from them standing around talkin g. Bonnie already parked and is making her way to the group of girls anxious to join in the gossip. Climbing out of my truck I h o ld the door open for Pike then beg i n unloading my fishing gear.
     
    I cast out my last line then decide I might as well join the girls. Other than Bonnie I do n’t know the girls very well, we hung around the sam e circles in school but I’m not close to any of them. A couple g i ve me a nod acknowledging me and one who’s obviously feeling the effects of the beer in her hand thr o w s her arms around my neck pulling me into an awkward hug. Pulling her off me Bonnie innocently direct s her attention at someone else, “ Jenna, I think I just saw Paul pull-in. Didn’t you tell me you were looking for him?”
     
    Looking around she slur s , “Yeah, where is he?” She lock s eyes on her target in the parking lot, and then straighten s up and t rying to do her sexiest walk heads his way.
     
    Glancing over at Bloom I catch her attention and mouth , “Thank you!”
     
    She mouths back, “Any time,” then goes back to her conversation with the girl beside her.
     
    “Poor Paul, he has no clue Hurricane Jenna’s about to hit him,” Maddy the girl beside me giggle s .
     
    “I feel bad for him, but I really didn’t want her spilling that beer down my back , ” I say smiling at Maddy.
     
    “So what’s your dog’s name?”
     
    Looking at Pike standing at attention beside me I reply, “Oh this is Pike.”
     
    “Cool name, so what kind of dog is he?”
     
    “I’m not sure. I found him hurt in the woods beside my house a few days ago and he’s just been with me since. Mr. Harris thinks he might be a wolf hybrid. ”
     
    “Wow that’s nice of you to take him in. I’d have been frightened to go near him if I’d seen him in the woods. He’s just so large !”
     
    “I didn’t even think of him being dangerous. I heard his howls and just felt the need to help. ” Thinking about it I guess it is strange that I didn’t question running into the woods. Who honest l y does something like that? Most people would’ve heard the howl and ran inside, but I felt the need to go to him and help.
     
    Breaking into my inner rambling Maddy says, “ Well you’re definitely braver than me.”
     
    “ Maybe , ” I reply clearly distracted. Can it be that simple? Did I not question it because I’m braver ? It seems like something more yet I can’t quite put my finger on it. I look down at Pike and his eyes are on mine. Those ocean blue eyes that are so breath - taking and seem to have way more knowledge behind them than a dog should have.
     
    “ Blu , don’t look now but Trace just arrived , ” Bonnie whispers in my ear at the same time Pike breaks eye contact and turns his attention towards the parking lot.
     

“He isn’t coming this way is he?” I ask turning to look at her instead of searching out Trace. I need to make sure he’s a safe distance from me. When she doesn’t answer right away I ask again, “He isn’t coming over here is he, Bonnie?”
     
    Hearing me use her full first name instead of the abbreviation I’ve used ever since we were kids or maybe it’s the shaky way my voice is coming out, she finally brings her attention back to me. “No, he’s not coming over … yet. But h e hasn’t taken his eyes off you since he noticed your truck in the parking lot.”
     
    “Crap! I really hope he isn’t moronic enough to make a scene with everyone here.”
     
    “He has that oh so perfect reputation to uphold so I doubt he will.”
     
    “That’s true , he like s everyone to think he’s the good guy.”
     
    I keep my distance from Trace and keep Pike and Bo nnie by my side until it starts getting darker. Most of the people are gravitating towards the now roaring bonfire or sneaking off into the woods for so me alone time. Bon just happens to be in that last group. She found herself the