Page 37 of Can’t Say No

It’s been a long time since I woke up to anything other than an empty house. My penthouse in L.A., my parents’ house here, just big, empty rooms. By contrast, the cabin is bustling with life, a cozy contentedness reverberating off the log plank walls.

It makes my skin crawl.

“What’s with the scowl, Delaney?” Connor joins me in the kitchen where I’m making a mess of the pancake batter. “Didn’t sleep well? I’ll call and see if I can get the reservation fixed. Or I’ll sleep on the floor tonight.”

God he’s so endearing when he’s worried about me. Any normal person would be delighted that someone was being so sweet. But me? My palms are sweating and the room is starting to feel too crowded. The shiny, happy students, the look of concern on Connor’s face–it’s all a little too picture perfect.

“All good Captain America. Don’t need you to swoop in and save me.” I brush him off and quickly start another pot of coffee in an attempt to rectify the panic building in me. I thought the mountain air was supposed to be healing. Maybe the L.A. smog has damaged me beyond repair.

“Yooo, Miss James, can you pour me a cup?” Simon slides up beside me at the counter.

“Simon, aren’t you captain of the swim team?” I ask, pouring the kid a cup.

Are teenagers allowed to drink coffee? Adding that to my list of things a responsible adult should know.

He nods, accepting his mug with a happy smile.

“And you were trying out for track the other day?” Another nod.

“And you’re in the senior choir?”

His golden hair flops as he nods again.

“I like to keep busy. And cast a wide net for scholarship opportunities.”

Mrs. Crane joins us by the coffee pot. “We’ll be sad to see you go.”

A glimmer of genuine emotion crosses her face as she looks over to Simon with fondness, and I feel like I’m intruding on a private moment.

The moment disappears just as quickly as Mrs. Crane claps her hands, snapping all heads her way.

“Okay, people. We have a busy day. I’m sure you’ve all familiarized yourselves with the schedule,” she says, narrowing her eyes suspiciously and it's definitely meant as a personal insult to everyone in the room. “But in case you need a refresher, we’re performing at a local elementary school at nine this morning, then lunch and some sightseeing downtown before another performance and dinner with the residents at Golden Oaks Retirement Home. Polos, jeans, and your cleanest tennis shoes, please. We want to look sharp.”

The slow, mellow morning instantly turns into a frenzy, pancakes flying off the griddle and teenagers fighting over limited bathroom space. If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s getting ready in a hurry, so I decide to appoint myself as timekeeper.

“Three minutes left in the shower, Cass! Abby, you’re up next. Your time starts when I hear the water turn on.”

My phone chimes as I watch the timer count down.

Matty: You got service up there in the boonies?

Me: Yes lol just barely. Not enough beds tho… but that’s a story for another time.

Matty: OMG yeah I need those details asap.

Matty: Send me a selfie of you and the BF so I can post. We need more hype.

Me: On it boss.

Matty: Pretty sure you’re the one who signs my paychecks but I do like the sound of that.

Right on cue, Connor catches my eye from the doorway of the boys’ bunk room.

“Need something, Lanie Lou?”

Giggles erupt from behind the closed bathroom door, and for the first time since I’ve been back, I’m not annoyed that Connor used my nickname. I send up a silent prayer that the girls will tweet about it. A post like that would go viral for sure. Our English teacher calls Delaney James Lanie Lou!

Shit, that would be so good.