Save Me From Me by Erika Ashby

supposed to be working for the next six months. Our first run-in at the store, Rusty wanted to go fishing and said he knew the perfect place. I guess he’s from somewhere around here. Anyways, the time after that, my boss, aka my dad, was bringing me to my new job site. Which is now here for the next six months or so.”
    “And what, did I just get lucky today?” I ask wondering about him showing up here out of all places.
    “The getting lucky part is all up to you.” He winks before looking back out towards the lake. “Rusty came into town for the weekend to hang out and take me to another one of his famous fishing spots.” He bumps his shoulder into mine. “But we all know who knows the best spots, seeing that we’ve already caught six fish. Unless it’s the same damn fish we keep catching.”
    “I don’t think fish are that stupid, Holden.”
    “You never know.” He shrugs.
    “Well, I think I need to be getting home. I’ve been gone all day. It was fun getting to hang out.”
    He looks at his phone. “Yeah, I think Rusty has had plenty of time with them guppies. Don’t ya think?”
    “Sure thing.” I stand up, slip my flip-flops on, and pick up my phone and camera. Holden grabs my hand as I start to walk away.
    “Thanks for hanging out, Dani. Maybe I’ll see ya around soon.”
    “If you’re lucky,” I say, half teasing which earns me his body tingling smile as he shakes his head at me.
    The whole ride home, my thoughts are consumed with Holden. I loved hanging out with him and how easy going he is. Not going to lie, my mind drifted back to that night I first saw him, and it was hard to shake that image out of my head. I’m sure I was blushing from it, but if he noticed, he never said anything. Thank God.
     

     
    Holden has been popping into the store daily. It’s been a nice change of pace from the normal, everyday bullshit that I’ve been putting up with before he showed up in town. He always makes me smile even when he doesn’t try. Just seeing him makes me smile. That’s something very few people have ever been able to do.
    Along with Holden making pit stops, Gage has been making them as well. Gage’s visits aren’t as often as Holden’s. He’s still got the whole three-day rule thing he seems to live by. It’s pretty random and I don’t get it, but I just take him as he is. I like that he isn’t pushy and trying to fully pursue me. He seems to let me call most of the shots. Yes, he’ll ask me to hang out, but it’s usually up to me what we do. It doesn’t always work out. Just like that night when he ditched me last minute when we were supposed to go to the movies. What I like about both of them is the friendships that are growing. Yes, I flirt with both equally. Okay, that’s a lie. I most definitely flirt with Holden more, but it’s because I don’t want to encourage the feelings Gage already has by doing so with him. I don’t need a relationship with anyone right now. I’ve got too much baggage that I need to sort out before I even open myself up for that possibility, but I at least need friends that I can wholeheartedly rely on. I know Gage would drop anything if I needed him, but it’s when I don’t need him to that I still want him to keep his word. Holden, well, I’m still figuring that one out.
    I smile at Gage when he walks through the door. “Did you forget something when you came in an hour ago?” I tease.
    He walks towards the counter and braces his hands on it as he leans in. “Yeah. What are you doing tonight?” he asks. He’s got the whole messy hair going and clothes with all sorts of different kinds of car lube and grease wiped all over. And it works for him. The dirty, hot mechanic look is definitely one this guy should trademark.
    “Umm, I’m pretty sure nothing.” I turn around to hide my smile and act like I’m needing to stock something — anything.
    “You get off at six, right?”
    I just nod as I turn around in time to watch him push