Page 13 of Feel the Rhythm

I shrugged at her. “It’s okay,” I said. “I don’t mind watching it again. The songs are pretty catchy.”

An hour later, after we ate pizza and Katy danced around the living room to her favorite songs, Amy and Lucas were fast asleep, curled up on the arm of the couch. While Katy watched the movie, enraptured, I took advantage of the opportunity to text Scott.

They’re here. Both very happy and doing well.

A minute later, he responded.Thank you for letting me know. I’m glad she’s in good hands.

I looked over at Amy and Lucas, lying peacefully together. I didn’t think Scott meant she was in good hands with Lucas, although that was true. I wished he could see how good they were for each other. He was still locked into his parents’ vision of success, and he thought Lucas wasn’t good enough for her.

Did he think the same thing about me? That I wasn’t good enough for him, either? It wasn’t news to me that I would never fit into his world. I grew up on a mini-farm, for goodness’ sake. But for some reason, things with him just clicked. Where some people might have seen him as harsh or stoic, I understood he was holding his deepest emotions below the surface. Because Amy and I were such good friends, I could understand where he was coming from and the things he had to deal with in his childhood. I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to have a mother who didn’t really care about you or your happiness, but only what she could brag about to her friends at the country club. At the same time, I was able to encourage him to let loose a little more, and he kept me grounded.

Do you think she’d be willing to see me?The alert from the text jolted me from my thoughts.

I peeked over at Amy, more peaceful than I had seen her in years. As much as she resented her relationship with Scott, she never held him responsible for the actions and emotions of her parents.

Maybe,I wrote back.It depends on whether or not you’d play nice with Lucas.

Scott had a lot to make up for. After all, he was the one who pushed them apart. He convinced Amy that Lucas wasn’t good enough for her, and that her family name dictated who she should love. The night of Hannah’s wedding, Amy and Lucas were on the cusp of finally being together, and Scott interrupted and pulled her away. It wasn’t until Amy realized she needed to speak her truth in her entire life that she finally valued her relationship with Lucas over the opinions of her parents and, unfortunately, Scott.

The three dots appeared, disappeared, then reappeared.

I’ll think about it.

Disappointed, I put my phone away. I hoped he would have understood how important Lucas was to her, but he wasn’t ready yet.

My parents entered the house shortly after that conversation ended.

“Ugh, not this one again,” my dad said, wheeling into the living room.

“Shh.” Katy pointed at Amy and Lucas. “They’re very sleepy.”

My dad grimaced, but it was too late.

Amy stirred and sat up, rustling Lucas’s arm. “Hi, Brent. It’s good to see you.”

“I’m so sorry we woke you up,” my mom said. “Brent has some strong feelings about Down Under.”

“How many times have you watched this movie already, Katy?” he asked, a smirk on his face.

“It’s not her fault,” Amy cut in. “I asked to watch it. But maybe I should’ve let Ivy pick, since we were so tired.” She smiled apologetically my way.

I shook my head. “I’m just excited to have my bestie back.”

“We’ll let you get to bed, and we can catch up tomorrow morning. I should have some cinnamon rolls left over,” my mom said.

Lucas hung his head in shame. “Yeah, not anymore.”

My mom laughed. “I’m glad they were enjoyed. Maybe we’ll go out to breakfast instead, somewhere by the beach. Our treat.”

I looked over at her with wide eyes, remembering our conversation about the bills. Now was not the time to be treating Lucas and Amy to a big meal.

Amy noticed the interaction. “Actually, we were hoping to take you guys out. To thank you for letting us stay here. Lucas is working for Stella, after all. We’d be happy to pay.”

My parents looked at each other and nodded. “Sounds great,” my dad said.

“Thank you,” my mom added.

I sighed with relief. One breakfast wouldn’t make or break anything, but I didn’t want my mom to feel obligated to keep up appearances.

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