After All This Time

Chapter 2

"Finally, we made it." Maddie dismounted and tied whiskey to a fallen tree, Blake copied. They made their way over to a big oak tree sitting right next to a cliff overlooking the plains. They took a seat and were enchanted by the view. "This view never gets old." Maddie spoke softly. Blake hummed in agreement then things fell silent for a good minute. "what's buggin ya darlin?" "Hm? what are you talking about?" Blake sighed "Maddie, I have known you for 7 years, I can tell when somethings bothering you, now if you don't want to talk its fine just remember I'm here for ya." Maddie forgot just how much Blake paid attention to people and their emotions. She sighed "well my mom and I had a chat this morning... and... she decided... I was going to move back with my dad to New York..." "WHAT? But what about whiskey and your friends? The life you built?" "that's what I tried to tell her! But she just did what she does best, ignored everything I said and shut me down." Maddie let out a groan and flopped onto her back. "I don't know what to do... I can't fight with her, and I mean I love my dad, but I just started my job, and I finally got my grades up." her voice cracking as she spoke "I... I don't want to leave; I don't want to leave whiskey and you an- and Lilly..." at this point Maddie was softly sobbing. "Oh hunny, come here" Blake opened his arms and invited her into a hug. Maddie gladly accepted the form of comfort. She quietly sobbed into his shoulder. "I wish I knew what to tell you, but I don't know... but I do know you're a stubborn son of a gun and you're going to be ok; you will get through anything life throws at you." she continued to sob thanking god for giving her such a good friend.

Two hours had passed with the two making small talk and Blake trying to make Maddie feel better. "Man remember when Shawn threw up on that family at the fair" "YES and then the dad tried to come up and yell at us, but Shawn threw up AGAIN and the dad went running off screaming!" The two were on the floor laughing at the past memory. "Oh, shit its already sunset we got to get back like now" "race ya to the fork in the road by flat neck rock!" Blake yelled hopping on Muerte and taking off. "HEY, NO FAIR YOU GOT A HEAD START!" Maddie yelled. She wasted no time hopping onto whiskey and taking off after her friend. Even with Blakes head start he was having a rough time staying in the lead. "God damn girl what do you feed that thing, red bulls!?" he laughed out "hey theres a reason whiskey and I win first place!" They were now fighting for the lead, the fork by flat neck rock in sight. Maddie took the win by a nose "god damn that horse is a fuckin rocket, I even got a head start and you still won!" "hell yeah he is, I keep him fit" "hey Muerte is fit, I think you just give your horse red bulls" laughter erupted from the two as they started the walk back to the barn.

"Shit its already 8pm" "tell me about it, I didn't even tell my sister I was coming over" "WHAT-DUDE she worries about you SO much" Maddie exclaimed. "ahhh she will be fineee" Blake dismissed her statement. "Dude, she called the cops when we went to the football game because you weren't home, and she didn't find your note on the fridge" she said with a matter-of-fact face. "Ah- shit she did, didn't she" he said scratching his neck. Maddie rolled her eyes in a playful manner "come on let's put the boys away and I'll give you a ride" "fuck yeah! I LOVE your truck!" Blake said ecstatically, throwing his arms in the air. Maddie let out a chuckle as she shook her head. The two made it over to the house "I have to grab my keys I'll be back in just a sec." Maddie rushed into the house up the stairs to her room. She grabbed the keys hanging on her wall and rushed back down the stairs. "Alright you ready?" "Yes ma'am" they walked to the truck and got in. "oh by the way you're not getting to pick the music" "WHAT WHY?" "My truck my rules sucker!" she laughed and blasted 'Step Back!' "Man, every time with this song!" Blake yelled out in laughing.