AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sorry. I was practicing with the guys.” I turn to him, hoping my news will change his mood. “Guess what.” He glances my way but doesn’t say anything, so I continue, “We got a gig!”
He lifts his eyes in interest. “Really? Already?”
I jump in my seat toward him. “Yes. Can you believe it? I’m so excited!”
His mood changes, and his expression flips to meet mine. “That’s amazing! When is it?”
“New Year’s Eve!” I say, prouder than ever.
His face drops. “New Year’s Eve?”
“Yeah. That’s pretty cool, huh? We’re opening for some band in Rebel River.”
I see him mentally fighting with something, so I reach for his hand. “Why the mood change?”
He looks around, then at me. “We’re supposed to go to New York for New Year’s. My dad already bought the tickets.”
My heart sinks, and I close my eyes, wanting to slap my own forehead.
How could I be so thoughtless? All I was thinking about was how we got a gig. I didn’t even put it together that it was on New Year’s Eve and I already had plans with Matthew. What is wrong with me?
When I open my eyes, I have the worst feeling wash over me. “I’m so sorry. I completely forgot.” I pause, looking out the window. I don’t want what I’m about to say to come off wrong. “I feel horrible, but …” I pause again, taking a breath. I don’t want to say this, but I know I have to. “Matthew, I can’t go.”
He turns to me with a jolt. “What?”
I reach for his arm, holding on to him with a plea, hoping he feels just how sorry I am. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t. This is a huge deal for us.”
“It’s only been a few weeks. There will be more gigs. When will we ever get to do New Year’s Eve in New York together?”
“Well, with Justine still traveling back and forth, I’m sure she can make it happen again next year too.” I try to ease the sting of the situation.
“You’re joking, right? Getting to see the ball drop isn’t like getting to eat at a fancy restaurant. This is the first time Justine’s been to it, too, and she lived there for years, so, no, we probably won’t be able to go any other year.”
I bite my lip in thought. I feel horrible, but there’s no way I can give up this opportunity. If this is my dream, I know I have to make sacrifices, just like he has with baseball. He’s missed school dances and events because of his games. I just pray he understands that this is the same kind of thing.
“I’m sorry, Matthew. I can’t. Maybe they can switch the ticket to Tony or someone?”
He narrows his eyes, and I get the feeling my suggestion doesn’t sit well with him.
“Tony? Did you really just suggest I spend New Year’s Eve with Tony over you, my girlfriend?”
I sigh. “What am I supposed to say?”
“That you’ll cancel the gig and still come with me.” His voice rises with every word.
My eyes open big. “Do you hear yourself right now? Would you cancel a baseball game? Do you know how many school events and dances I had to go to by myself because you were at baseball?”
“That’s different.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Explain how.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not going to fight with you over this. Either you go or you don’t. Looks like you’ve already made up your mind either way.”
I reach for his hand. “I’m really sorry. I was excited to go, but you have to understand that this is really important to me.”
He puts his truck in gear. “Yeah. Okay. I guess I’m going to head home now that I know you’re safe.”
He doesn’t look my way, so I open the door and exit the truck without another word said. If he doesn’t understand why I need to do this, then there’s no reason to try to explain it to him.
