Page 57 of Fate Will Bring You Home

I was sitting on my bed. My anxiety was kicking in a little bit just thinking about how this place was starting to feel more and more like home every day. Although it felt good and I felt carefree here, I was really starting to miss my friends and family back home. Luckily, it’s only a few days until Brielle comes. She moved her flight to Friday night so we could have an extra night together. After this trip, I most likely won’t see her until my birthday weekend in March. I’m not sure what she and I will do while she’s here but, knowing her, she will want to hang out at home, watch some movies, probably check out the bookstore, and spend time bonding which I’m one hundred percent okay with.

I started to play some random notes on my guitar, trying to busy my mind. I’m pretty nervous about everyone coming here, but I’m also very excited for them all to finally meet—especially Link and my parents. My parents have been asking lately when I might start dating again. That’s the main reason I’m waiting to tell them.

At one point, they even thought I was hiding someone because I was staying at Callie’s so often. They thought I was actually staying with a boy and just didn’t want to admit I was seeing someone. Then I reminded them that we didn’t hide things from each other.

I guess I was wrong about that, wasn’t I? I wonder what else I was wrong about.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Lincoln

Isaw through the window of the restaurant that only Kayla and one other teacher were waiting at the table. I waved as I walked in, then went straight to the bar to get a drink but mostly to buy some time so I didn’t have to be there with just the two of them. I didn't want to be here in the first place. I told the bartender to take his time. He saw the way I was looking over at them, and I think he understood what I was saying, thank God.

Once I got my drink and saw that two others from our teacher’s group had finally arrived. I figured it was safe to head over to the table. We got right into the voting. The students voted last week. The top student choices were Grease, RENT, and Guys and Dolls. My vote would be for Grease because it’s one of my favorite movies. Unfortunately, when we took the teacher vote, RENT won by a landslide, everyone but me.

I started going over who was doing what, and when the subject of Aubrey helping came up Kayla had a lot to say.

“Why would we have her help? We don’t even really know what she’s capable of. What if she sucks?”

Some of the other guys looked at me with dumb smiles, clearly trying hard not to make a joke about Aubrey sucking. Some of these guys still acted like complete tools a lot of the time… I guess I was one of them still because I wasn’t sure whether to answer in a snarky way and be inappropriate or answer her actual question.

“She went to college and majored in music and voice in some capacity.” I couldn’t remember exactly what she told me, but I knew I was close. “She is a better choice to help us with this play than almost anyone in this room. She will play some of the songs for us on the guitar so they have more of an acoustic feel, and she will help the kids with some vocals, that’s it.”

Kayla didn’t like that answer and went on.

“I don’t understand why we wouldn’t hire a professional. She shouldn’t be able to help just because she’s staying at your house, and it’s convenient.”

“Do you have a problem with her, Kayla? Do you know her or something?” Jack, one of the other teachers asked.

“No, not really. I just don’t think it’s appropriate for Link to bring his flavor of the week around the kids. It’s weird.”

That was the last straw for me.

“Enough, Kayla!” I said, probably way too loud because people not even at our table turned to look at me. “You are being inappropriate. Number one, Aubrey is a professional. I just told you that and explained how she would be of value to this production. Number two, She’s not a flavor of the week. As much as you don’t like it, Aubrey is my girlfriend and she is here to stay. Number three, really just reiterating number one, she would never be inappropriate near the kids… her job is to work with kids teaching guitar. I would appreciate it if you would stop judging her simply because we are dating. If you want to explain why you’re so pressed about this, let’s go outside because we both know your issue with her is purely personal. If anything, we can do this without you. You’re only providing help with costumes. I can find anyone to help with that. My mother will be doing most of the hard stuff for it anyway. Let me know if you want to remove yourself from helping. It won’t be an issue, I promise we will be ok without you.”

Her eyes went wide with shock. She could only nod her head in agreement. Everyone else was just sipping their drinks, looking anywhere but at me. I think they were surprised that I responded that way. I’m usually a pretty laid back guy, especially at work, but I will not let anyone talk negatively about Aubrey. Ever.

“Ooookay! Since that’s settled, let’s move on to who’s building the sets,” Jessica said.

We ironed out all the details and planned for tryouts to be this week after school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Hopefully, Aubrey will be able to join because she will definitely be a big help with that.

I paid my portion of the bill and gathered my jacket to leave.

“See everyone tomorrow; drive safe.” As I was leaving, Kayla stood up as well. I was hoping and praying she wasn’t trying to follow me. Unfortunately, I wasn’t that lucky.

“Link, you got a sec?”

“Not really, Kayla. I think you and I have said enough, don’t you? I need to get home.”

“I wanted to apologize. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have acted like that.” I stopped walking because that surprised the shit out of me. I’ve never heard Kayla apologize for anything.

“Uh, thanks, I guess... I hope the third degree with Aubrey will stop now. She doesn’t deserve it. She’s been nothing but nice to you and you can’t even call her by her actual name. You keep acting like a jealous ex or something and, as far as I can remember, we only slept together once, a long time ago, and we were very drunk. I’ve tried to tell you time and time again that we are only friends, and you still try to make it into something more. I am sorry if you misunderstood or if I did something to confuse you. It was fine before because I thought you were just being flirty and funny. After all, you flirt with all of us. Just know it’s no longer okay—”

“Link, I’m sorry.” She cut me off. “I am jealous.”

My eyes went wide. “Why?”

“I’ve been trying to get with you for years, and you just haven’t seen me. No matter what I do, I’m stuck being your friend. You never see me differently. I even tried flirting with some of the guys to get you to care or maybe even get a little bit jealous, and itdidn’t even faze you. Then here she comes, little miss perfect, and you fall in love with her overnight, so I’m fucking jealous, okay!”

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