“I like to keep busy, so it’s no problem. I get bored easily if I have nothing to do.”
“Super.” Roni envelops me in a big hug. “You’re such a special young woman, Astrid. I hope you realize that.”
“I’m just me,” I quietly say, always embarrassed when anyone says anything nice to me.
“Well then, never stop being you.” Roni hugs me again. “Callan can show you to the door on his way upstairs.”
“Subtle, Ma.Not,” Callan deadpans, rolling his eyes before flashing me a smile. “Come on. I’m sure you’ve had your fill of the shitty house for one day.”
“Won’t be shitty for much longer!” Roni hollers as we leave the room.
“On a scale of one to ten, how embarrassing was she?”
“Stop it. She wasn’t embarrassing at all. I really like your mom. She’s fun and easy to talk to.”
“Try living with her,” he says, opening the front door for me.
“Did something happen today?” I tentatively ask as I step out onto the porch. “You seemed to be upset this morning when you arrived at school.”
“Just the usual. Dad and I got into it before school, but it’s nothing new.” He looks everywhere but at me, and I get the hint.
“Remember, I’m only across the road if you ever want to talk or not talk about it and just hang out.”
He lifts his head slowly. “What does just hanging out look like?” He clasps his hands together, linking his fingers and stretching his hands out over his head.
I pat myself on the back for keeping my gaze focused on his face because it’s challenging with how his body flexes and rolls with the movement. “Watching a movie, going for a swim or a hike, or heading to Joey’s Diner in town. It’s where all the seniors hang out,” I explain. “Sometimes we head into Burly to catch a show or grab some food.” I chew on the corner of my lip, and Callan’s eyes follow the motion. “It’s a shame you missed the Vermont State Fair. This was the first year in a long time we missed it too. Maybe if you’re around next August, we can go.”
“I won’t be,” he says, quick to confirm. “As soon as graduation is done, I’m on a plane back home.”
Disappointment filters through my veins, which is ridiculous. “Of course. Maybe another time when you’re visiting your folks.”
He forces a fake smile. “Maybe.”
Right. “Okay, I’ve got to go. See you at school.” I turn around and hightail it out of there before my big mouth says something else I’ll regret.
“He sounds like a moody prick,” Gwen says later that night after I’ve finished recounting what happened with Callan on Sunday and earlier this evening. My bestie props up on my bed on her elbow, turning to the side to face me.
“He’s pissed for good reason.” I didn’t discuss the things Callan told me in confidence because I promised to keep it between us. “He misses home, and his team, and it’s a lot to handle along with the normal senior year pressure.”
“It’s no excuse for taking it out on you.”
I flip onto my side, facing Gwen. “He wasn’t taking it out on me. It wasn’t like that. All boys our age are moody pricks. He’s just got an extra layer of broodiness on top.”
“All the more reason you should keep your distance. We both agreed guys weren’t on the agenda this year, and look at us already? It’s only day three back at school, and our entire conversation tonight has been about a boy.”
“I know.” I flop down on my back with a sigh. “I don’t want to be thinking or talking about him, but I can’t help it.”
“Uh, hello.” She playfully nudges me as she drops onto her back beside me. “Every girl at school is doing that, me included. It’s normal when a guy looks as hot as Callan does.”
I turn my head to face her. “It’s not just that he’s hot. He’s got depth. A passion. Career goals. He’s not like the other guys at school. He’s different.”
Gwen’s eyes pop wide as she props up on her elbow again, peering down at me. “Holy shit, babe. Youlikehim. Like really like him.”
“It doesn’t matter if I do because it won’t go anywhere. It can’t. I don’t have time for a relationship, and Callan has made it clear he has no time for distractions.”
8
ASTRID
