AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It was supposed to be a surprise, dummy. I asked someone else for help.”
I looked back at the door and Pops was standing there smiling. I put her down.
Pops nodded. “I will give you guys some time to talk.”
I looked back at her.
“You think I would miss your play Lincoln? I know how hard you have worked on it. Friends show up for each other.”
My stomach dropped a little at the thought of her just being my friend.
“Yeah, of course.” I tried my best not to show how crappy that made me feel. Hopefully, it worked. “Aubrey, you have to stay for the cast party. The kids would love to see you.”
“I planned on it as long as it was okay. I’m flying out early tomorrow, so this is a quick trip thanks to Pops. I told him he didn’t have to pay, but I knew I was going to find a way to get here to support you.”
“You never have to ask,” I told her
She smiled really big. I love that smile.
After the play, the kids presented me with a photo album of my time as their teacher… some of them I’ve had for over six years because I first taught at the middle school, then moved into the high school. They mentioned me leaving in their speech, and I saw the surprised look on Aubrey’s face, but I can’t tell her yet what’s going on. It will ruin my master plan, and it’s not ready. She seemed to let the wondering look dissipate rather quickly, but now I’m hoping she won’t ask me questions.
AUBREY
After the cast party Lincoln invited me to his place to catch up. We talked briefly about Callie and how crazy she was driving me with all the wedding stuff and Brie, who is doing amazing in school. Brie took up painting again after leaving here. Helping with the play showed her how much she missed being creative. She said something about changing her major back to art which made me really happy. I missed the old Brie. It was good to see her genuinely happy again. He was busying himself with straightening up his kitchen, which had some dishes in the sink. I thought it was a bit odd because he never ate in here, let alone cooked.
“You cook now? Or did you have a guest?” I looked at him with a curious smile. I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to know the answer. I definitely didn’t have the right to ask.
He turned and gave me that grin that made my insides go wild. The butterflies immediately kicked up inside me. “No guests since you unless you count Elijah. I’ve just been teaching myself to cook simple stuff. Gotta prepare to be on my own.”
“Oh right, you’re leaving soon. You didn’t mention it last time we talked. Are you staying in White Mountain?”
He gave a scared look like he was hiding something.
“I’m not sure yet. Elijah’s band needs a summer tour manager. The guy they hired got arrested for drug possession. I’m taking over for the summer, so for now I will live on the road. The tour ends in November, so I may stay on until then or leave at the end of summer. We will see. I honestly have no idea what it entails other than keeping them organized, but we have gotten closer over the past few months. He helped me through some of the hard stuff, so I owe him. When he asked, I delivered. I start next week. I have a substitute covering my last few weeks of classes.”
Hearing him talk about moving hurt my heart a little. It made me think back to when I was thinking about him moving for me. If only things had gone down differently. Suppose I hadn’t sent that message to him by mistake, or even if he just responded differently.
He turned toward me because I got quiet. I was so deep in thought.
“You okay, Songbird?”
“Oh. Um, yeah, I was just thinking.” I smiled to ease his mind. “Are you excited about meeting some groupies? I’m sure that would be fun for you.”
His face got somber. Why the fuck did I just say that? What is wrong with me? I guess the awkwardness isn’t going anywhere now.
He turned back to what he was doing. “No, I haven’t even thought about it. That’s not me anymore.”
I felt like such an ass. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said—"
He turned and looked at me, cutting me off. “Don’t worry about it; I get it.”
I was making this more awkward by the second, so I needed to go. “I should go. I have an early flight. I’ll see you next time I come down.”
I stood up, and he walked over and hugged me. I felt my body react to his touch. He held me a little longer than expected for just being a friendly hug. We stood in each other’s embrace, and neither of us was really ready to let go. I felt his lips on top of my head.
“I’m thrilled you came, Songbird. You don’t know what it meant to me to have you here. I miss you more than you could possibly understand.”
I pulled away just enough to look at him. “I would do anything for you, Lincoln.” Then I hugged him again. This hug was quick and final. “I’ll see you soon.”
