The question catches me off guard. Was that all she got out of what I said? I scramble for an answer that makes sense. “Well, I wouldn’t call you ugly.”
Cricket studies my face like she’s trying to solve a puzzle. “I think you’re way off base, and River was only being nice. But okay. If it makes you feel better, I’ll be careful.”
Some of the tension in my chest eases. “Good.”
“So,” she says, gesturing toward my guitar, “what were you working on? New song?”
I glance at the crumpled papers on the floor. “Nothingworth keeping. Hey, do you have the next chapters of your book ready? I need something to get my mind off… things.”
Cricket perks up. “Oh, yeah. I’ll print them for you. I know you prefer paper to reading on your screen.”
She bounds up the stairs, and I’m left alone with my thoughts again. I go pick up one of the crumpled papers and smooth it out, reading the depressing lyrics I wrote. Why do I care so much about Cricket’s love life? Is it just because she’s never dated anyone before? Am I that overprotective of her?
Cricket returns with a small stack of papers, still warm from the printer. “Here you go.”
I plop down on the couch and start reading. Cricket goes upstairs, maybe because she doesn’t want to watch me read her novel. It’s getting good, and just as the characters are about to kiss… there are no more pages. “Cricket!” I yell, jumping off the couch.
I run up the stairs and find her sitting in the living room with her laptop.
She looks up at me. “What?”
“Where’s the rest? You can’t stop there.”
She laughs. “I’m sorry. This is all I have. You’ll have to wait until I write more.”
I let out a huff. “Just tell me. Does he ever figure it out? That she’s in love with him?”
Cricket shrugs, shifting in her chair. “I don’t know yet.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? You’re the author.”
“Sometimes characters surprise you. I won’t know how it ends until I get there.”
The answer frustrates me more than it should. “But you have to have some idea. I mean, they’re perfect for each other, right? Anyone can see that.”
Cricket gives me a strange look as she pulls her legs under her. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
I stare down at the pages, but the words blur together. Why doesn’t she know how it’s going to end? And why does that make me so upset right now?
CHAPTER 17
Cricket Jenkins
Saturday, November 28
My phone vibrates,and that little zing goes through me. The one that I can’t help when I think Micah might be wanting to chat. I pick up my phone, but it’s not Micah texting. It’s River.
I didn’t get the part. I fly out tomorrow. Do you want to do something today, since it will be my last day here?
I sigh, disappointed that River didn’t get his role. He was so hopeful that he’d get it. I feel really bad for him.
Sure. Let’s do something fun.
I’ll come pick you up in an hour.
I hurry and get ready, putting on a lightweight sweater and a pair of blue jeans. It’s a little chilly today, so I grab a jacket in case River’s taking me somewhere outdoors.
The doorbell rings, and I rush to get it. When I open the door, River stands there smiling, but I can see it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Come on in. You look like you need to talk.”
