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“I want to take a gap year to pursue it. If it goes nowhere, then I’ll go to college, but I don’t want to go to a college far away. I want to stay here so I can still spend time with the band.”
“One year?” she asks.
Caleb nods.
“And you promise you’ll go back to school if the music doesn’t work out?”
He nods again. “I think it’s reasonable. Lots of people take gap years.”
“You’re one hundred percent sure this is what you really want?”
“Yes, I’m positive. I know it’s a long shot, but I don’t want to look back at my life later and regret not trying.”
She tilts her head. “Okay. One year.” Then, she looks at me. “Do you think he can do it?”
“He’s your son. He can do anything he sets his mind to,” I say. “Where do you think he learned that from?”
She shifts back and takes me in. “What do you mean?”
“He learned that from you. You don’t settle. You work hard and go after what you want. He’s the same way, so if he says he’s going to pursue music, then I believe he’s going to succeed. Especially if you support him.”
She wipes the corner of her eye. “When did the two of you grow up so much?” She takes in a breath. “This is a lot to think about, but I’m going to try to wrap my head around it. Please give me time.”
Caleb’s shoulders relax. “I’m going to make you proud.”
She smiles. “You already do.” Then, she focuses on me again. “I can see how much you care about him, and I’m sorry I didn’t see it before.”
Jordy tugs on her sleeve. “Does that mean you like her now?”
I bite my lip to hide my smile.
“It means she can come over to help you with your homework. But . . .” She holds up a finger. “But don’t you dare make either of my boys cry.”
Jordy jumps up and gives me a side hug. “That means you don’t have to hide in the pantry anymore.”
Caleb and my eyes widen in unison.
Mrs. Park shakes her head. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” she says, turning to walk back to the car.
Caleb wraps his arm around my shoulders. He smiles at me. I smile back. As we head back to the car, following his mom, he kisses my forehead.
“Gross,” Jordy says.
“Hey, you better run,” Caleb tells Jordy. “I’m gonna getcha.”
Jordy squeals, taking off. Caleb runs after him.
I laugh, soaking in the moment in front of me. “Wait for me,” I say, running too.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
The cool airblows through my hair. I shiver, rubbing my arms.
“Hey, wait up,” Caleb says, following me down the front porch steps. In one swift move, he slides his suit jacket off and drapes it around my shoulders.
“I’m fine. My house is like three feet away.”
He adjusts it, making sure it covers me as much as possible. “It’s too far.”
