The right thing to do would be to waltz in there and give a formal two weeks’ notice. Instead, I’m slinking in after-hours and dumping the news on Mr. Morgan’s lap.
When I round the building, a faint glow from the kitchen drifts through the back door that’s propped open by a rolling garbage can. The thought of finding Reed through that door and having to tell him Miles didn’t choose me has me wanting to run away.
The restaurant takes at least an hour to clean up and close which, whether he’s here or not, means I still have enough time to do the right thing.
I push through the back door to an immaculate kitchen, the stainless steel glinting against the fluorescent lighting. The doors to the stock room push open and a mop of curls six inches taller than me bops his shoulders back and forth in a jarring rhythm. He yanks a pair of Beats headphones from his ears and rests them on his neck.
“Wow, Teddy, is that you?”
Ronny Morgan. He hasn’t changed all that much from the memories I have of Reed’s goofy younger brother.
“Hey, Ron.”
He closes in and hugs me, smelling an awful lot like a garbage disposal.
“I heard you were working here this summer. I just didn’t think I’d see you after…”
“Oh, yeah,” I say, backing away from him and stuffing my hands in my front pockets. I rock back on the heels of my sneakers.
“Are you looking for Reed?” he asks. “Because he’s not here.”
I sigh in relief. “No. I was looking for your dad.”
“Ah.” He scrubs the back of his neck beneath his curls in an awkward sort of fashion. “He’s not here either. They hopped a plane yesterday. Reed got a mid-season spot on a handcrew.”
A smile splits across my face, and Ronny cringes. I’m sure he doesn’t love to see me happy at the news that his brother left town after I broke his heart, but I can’t help it. Reed’s doing it. He’s living out his dream just like I always hoped he would.
“You did a good thing by letting him go,” Ronny admits.
Tears spring to my eyes but don’t tip beyond my lashes. “Yeah,” I manage. “It would seem that’s my thing. Letting people go.”
“I heard you’re getting ready to leave soon yourself. Your parents mentioned it to my mom and me when we got back from boating yesterday.”
“They did?”
“Yeah. I can tell they’re proud of you.”
The tears crest my lash line, tumbling down my cheeks. If I were around anyone else, I’d be more embarrassed. But Ronny has a tender-hearted aura about him that makes me feel comfortable to let my emotions surface.
I swallow. “That’s why I’m here. I’m sorry I’m not giving more notice, but I was wondering if you could inform your dad that I’m leaving sooner than I thought. Tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. But no problem. I can cover your shifts until I leave for school in the fall. I think it’s awesome by the way… you heading off on your own. I just got back from backpacking across Europe after senior year.”
On your own, I think to myself.
“Sounds like a dream,” I squeak.
If it’s such a dream, then why does it feel like my lungs are caving in?
“Yeah, there’s nothing better than seeing the world,” he muses, staring off into the distance.
I dry my eyes with my shirtsleeve. “I guess I’ll find out.”
“Well, it was good seeing you again, Teddy. I never blamed my brother for falling in love with you.” He blushes.
I lean in and kiss him on the cheek. “Thanks, Ron. Take care.”
He waves and slides his headphones back in place, then dances down the hall and into the dining room with a mop as his tango partner.
