Chapter 183
"Mom, would it be weird if I ask you how things are going with James? I know you don't like to talk about blokes you date, but it seems like you are on the phone with him a lot. You must like him a lot," said Xander as they were riding together by the Killarney dam.
"It is a little weird, but you're growing up, so I will talk to you a little bit about it if you want," said Stevie. "The truth is, we like each other, but we live really far away from each other. We can't just go on dates like adults normally would, that's why I'm on the phone with him so much. We have been trying to figure out how to get together again, but it means one of us has to drive very far and would likely have to stay overnight somewhere just to have a date," said Stevie.
"I think you should go visit him if you want to, Mom. I'll stay at Wilgul or Drovers or with Uncle Marcus if you need me to. If you like him, you should go see him," said Xander.
"Thanks Xander, I've been thinking about it actually. I don't want to interrupt our training schedule though. I know you've been really focused and dedicated. I'd be gone two full days, that's two days of training you'd be coachless for. I can wait and just see him when you and Joey compete at States, in Adelaide," said Stevie.
"I reckon I can live without you for a couple days, Mom. I can run some drills on my own. Maybe I'll take time off. Jaz told me that giving yourself mental breaks is important along the way. Either way Mom, I'll be okay for a couple days. You should go see James if you want to spend time with him," said Xander.
"If you insist, I suppose I will. Let me figure out a couple days that work and I'll talk to James. Thanks Xander."
"So, I thought about what you said, about trying to figure out how to see each other again, to have another date, and I want to see you too. I've decided I'm going to come out to Renmark to visit you, but I'm not quite ready to spend the night with you. I just want to be upfront so you don't have any unrealistic expectations for my visit. I'm going to book a hotel for the night," said Stevie, feeling a little nervous about how James would take the hotel thing.
"I think that's great Stevie, I really want to see you, but there's no need to pay for a hotel, I have a guest room. I promise I won't pressure you to spend the night with me," said James.
"I know you wouldn't pressure me, but I'd just feel better if I had a room booked somewhere else," said Stevie.
"Okay, I'm just happy I'll get to see you again. When do you want to do this visit?" asked James.
"I've got a couple dates that can work for me, so tell me which of these will work for you," said Stevie as they planned their next date. She knew it was a long way to go just for a date, but she felt like there was something different about James, something wonderful she really wanted to get a chance to know more about.