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I smiled but didn’t want this conversation to get too sappy, so I moved on. “Okay, best friend, what’s the idea?”
He smirked. “You’re going to fucking hate it. It has to do with me teaching you how to play guitar better.”
I didn’t even have to think about it. I was all in. “If it’s for her, I’ll do anything.”
AUBREY
March 1st
Meeting day is finally here. We are about thirty minutes away from Tennessee, and my parents are about to meet. Technically, I guess Mom and Pops are meeting again. I just hope it goes well. I started to get a bit anxious but Mom gave me some water and helped me breathe through it. I’ve had quite a few anxiety attacks leading up to this trip. Hopefully, they will get better once this meeting is over.
Mom and Dad thought it would be more appropriate if we stayed at the hotel and rented a car so we didn’t disrupt anyone. It was probably better and would be less awkward anyway.
We went down the escalator to grab the car as soon as we landed, and there they were. All three of them were holding big signs for us and had huge smiles on their faces. I felt a bunch of anxiety lift off my shoulders. This is a great start.
My dads shook hands, and Mom and Liza hugged for what seemed like forever. Pops and Mom looked at each other for a moment. They finally embraced and cried together, almost in unison. They were both saying “I’m sorry,” repeatedly. Then Lincoln came up next to me.
“Hey, beautiful. Let me grab those.”
I turned to Lincoln and wrapped him in a massive hug before he could grab my bags. He looked surprised but recovered quickly by picking me up and spinning me around in his arms.
“This is the best hello ever. I missed you too, Songbird,” he said as he chuckled. I turned my head towards my mom because I saw her eyebrows go up out of the corner of my eye, so she must have heard him. I never did tell them what really happened.
I looked back at Lincoln. He was still holding onto me. “Uh, Hey, yeah, I guess I missed you too.” I blushed and couldn’t get any other words out. I was just glad it wasn’t awkward. It felt so good to have his arms around me again.
After all the hellos, they grabbed our luggage and helped us outside to the rental car area.
“Head right to our house. We have both rooms set up for you guys to stay with us.” Pops said nervously.
My mom looked at him shyly. “Oh no, that won't be necessary, We would never want to impose. We have already booked the hotel for the stay.”
Pops gave an embarrassed look as he grabbed Liza’s hand. “I know for a fact I overstepped, but I canceled your reservation.”
My insides immediately twisted like I was going to hurl up the cookies that I had eaten on the plane.
No, no, no
This can’t happen. I was going to have a somewhat easy time this trip being able to just go back to the hotel to get some space from Lincoln. We cannot stay there. Under no circumstances can I let this happen. I looked over at my dad, hoping he was going to insist we stay elsewhere, but Liza added the winning blow.
“We thought it would be nice for all of us to wake up with Aubrey on her birthday since it will be our first.” This woman was good.
My mom and dad gave each other a look. Not even two seconds later both of them looked at me.
Mom touched my arm softly. “As long as you are okay with that, sweetie, then I think it is a great idea.”
Shit.
I looked around. They were all watching me with hopeful smiles. How the hell could I say no to them now? I tried to speak in my most enthusiastic tone. “Sure, great idea.”
As we were loading the car Lincoln leaned in. “It will be okay.” He smiled when I looked at him.
“I hope so,” I whispered back.
The first few minutes of the ride were quiet but Mom broke the silence as soon as I put the signal on to take the first turn.
“So are you sure you’re okay with staying there?”
“Of course, why wouldn't I be?” I was grateful for being the driver at this moment so I had an excuse not to look at her. I could feel her eyes boring into me.
