“Yeah. The band are rehearsing there tonight.”
“Well, if you hang on a minute, I can give you a lift.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, no problem. I’ll just get rid of these,” he lifts up the two black bags he’s holding.
Rosie looks over to me, her brows raised. She knows this is a bit of a breakthrough.
Once Scott has collected his stuff from inside, we walk to the back of the café side by side.
I cross my fingers, hoping our conversation won’t be awkward once we’re on our way.
“This is me,” he says light heartedly, pointing at the black Mini and opening the door on his side.
Thankfully, the awkward silence I was dreading doesn’t materialise. Scott asks about my uni, then explains his plans after the summer and how he eventually intends to take a carpentry course. The job at Rosie’s was only ever meant to be temporary, anyway. I had no idea he was interested in learning a trade, but then, I’m still getting to know him and learning to like him.
We reach the warehouse in less than 10 minutes, but he’s saved my legs for sure. It would have taken me another 10 and then some on foot. Before I leave him, I have something I need him to know.
“Listen, Scott, I don’t want to go on about it, but the issues I have with my mum; they’re complicated. At some point, I will call her, I promise you, but I need you to know something first.”
“Go on,” he says with a questioning look.
I take in a deep breath. “It’s just, I don’t want you to think I don’t appreciate what you said to me earlier; about not knowing what’s around the corner. I get your point, but you have to understand, not all mums are as special as yours was. Some don’t want to accept they are parents at all.”
Scott sighs before he says, “I just want you to realise we don’t have as much time in this world as you like to think, but on the other hand, I also want you to be comfortable asking your mum. If you’re not ready for her answers, then don’t doit.” We sit in silence for a second then he grins. “I’m still getting used to the whole brother thing. Maybe I’ll hold back on the advice for now.”
I smile towards him before getting out of the car and walking around to his side. When I get there, his window slides down. “Thanks for the lift, Scott.” I cup my hand on his arm now resting on the open window. “And thanks for the chat. It was good.”
“Yeah, it was,” he says looking pretty happy.
I wave as I say goodbye and head into the warehouse. When I get to the door, I’m surprised Ash is already holding it open for me.
“Where did you pop up from?”
“I needed a breather—good timing,” he half-smiles.
“You okay?” I ask, sensing something on his mind.
“Just nervous.” Ash pulls me into his arms and holds me there. “But I’m already feeling better now you’re here.”
“Hey, you’re going to be amazing.” I pull back and smile as the back of his finger brushes softly over my cheek.
“What would I do without you, Cal?”
“Luckily, you don’t have to find out.”
“You sure about that?”
I look at him side-on. Why would he say such a thing? “I’m positive.”
“Okay then,” he says, offering me his hand. Our fingers link, and while Ash guides me into the vast open space, I can’t shake the feeling, something has spooked him. I just have no idea what it is.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
ASH
I wake at 5am,and if I’m honest, I’m bricking it. The single most solid thing keeping me together right now is watching Cal as she sleeps. Her hand rests under her cheek like an angel. Soft dark hair cascades around her face and waves neatly along her neck. I run my fingers over the curve of her shoulder while watching her silent breaths. She nestles against the pillow; her lashes flutter, but her eyes don’t open fully. As if contented sleep has found her again, she settles, a moan leaving her lips. It’s a beautiful sound and one I’m not looking forward to leaving behind.
