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“When do you guys leave?” I ask the band.
“Day after tomorrow,” Derek answers. “I’ll take you home and make sure everything is okay, and then I’ll come back here and pick up the guys. You’re not far, right?”
“Nope, not even a half hour, I don’t think.”
“I’m gonna hit the hay,” Brent says. “I’m so tired.”
“Thanks for being here, Brent,” I call after him.
“I wouldn’t have been anywhere else, kiddo.”
“Be there in a bit,” Aiden calls after him.
“I think I’m going to sleep on the couch tonight,” Emma announces.
“Why?” I ask her.
“I just feel like you two could use some peace and quiet.”
“Gross,” Aiden says, shaking his head. “We just buried Dad.”
“We’re not gonna do anything,” I try to reassure everyone. Derek, however, stays quiet.
“Oh, come on. Who knows when you’ll be able to see each other next,” Emma says, heading into the house.
It’s just Aiden, Derek, and I now.
“When will you two see each other again?” Aiden asks.
It’s the uncomfortable question. The elephant in the room. The question I haven’t asked because I’m terrified of the answer. So, I do what I do best and avoid the topic altogether.
“I’m not sure,” Derek admits. “We haven’t really talked about it. The last time I brought it up, she changed the subject.”
“You guys might want to have that conversation sooner rather than later.” He gets up and heads for the house.
“You’re headed in too?” I whine.
“What’s the matter, you don’t want to be out here alone with Derek?” He watches me as he speaks.
“No, I just thought it was nice with the three of us out here like we used to do.”
Both guys nod and take seats back around the fire.
“Does anyone know who bought my grandparents’ house?” Derek asks.
I look over at the house he’s speaking of. “I’m not sure, but Mom probably does.”
“I can’t really ask her about that now. I was just wondering what they’re like.”
I had almost forgotten that this might be weird for him. He grew up right next door and never really got to say goodbye to the house. It was sold out from under him by family who didn’t care that Derek wanted to say goodbye to it.
“Are you thinking of asking them for a tour?” Aiden asks.
“Nah, I noticed there was kids’ stuff in the backyard, so they probably don’t want someone like me hanging around.”
I snicker. “Come on, you’d be a great influence on kids.”
“Just as good of one as Ace over there.”
