“When do you leave?” Ember leans forward, nearly falling off Declan’s lap.
“In a week.”
“A week?” There’s a unanimous gasp.
“Guys, it’s a summer tour.” I chuckle.
“Yeah, but summer starts in June,” Brinley argues. “Typically, the end of June, if we’re being technical.”
“Tour starts on the fifteenth of June and ends just shy of the start of senior year,” I clarify.
“Then why are you leaving next week?”
“There’s this thing called rehearsals,” I tease. “I need a few weeks to not only figure out what songs I’m going to be playing but also get acquainted with the team. You know, meet Gracie and Colson for the first time.”
“This is so exciting!” Avalon squeals. “I can’t believe you’re going on tour.”
“We’ve talked about this since we were kids.” Brinley shakes her head. “I always hoped it would happen for you. And I don’t mean to take all the credit because you’re like super talented and everything, but this never would’ve happened if I didn’t push you to post your singing.”
Fletcher and I exchange a knowing look.
“I know, Brin. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
“For starters, when Gracie Dunn comes here this summer, you get us some really good tickets. I’m talking top-notch, pulled some strings, type tickets.”
“Deal.”
Jeremy’s phone buzzes on the table, and he glances down at it, quickly types a response, and then shoves his phone into his pocket.
“Hey guys, I hate to run, but I have an appointment I need to get to, and I’m already running late.” Jere jumps out of the booth, circling the table to give me a kiss on the head. “Proud of you, Tate. If anyone deserves an opportunity like this, it’s you.”
“Thanks, Jere.”
The second the bell rings above the door, announcing Jere’s departure to the group, Jax slides off the barrier between our booth and the one behind us, stealing Jere’s previous spot.
“Has anyone else noticed he’s been acting super weird in the last couple of weeks?” Jax looks over his shoulder towards the door.
“I think finals made us all a bit crazy this year.” Fletcher grabs an onion ring from the plate in the center of the table. “I think it started to become real that next year we graduate and are tossed into the real world.”
“Not all of us.” I can’t tell if Brin is bragging or kind of disappointed that her friends will be moving on next year, and she’ll be the only one stuck at Rockford.
Even Alex will graduate next year, so she won’t even have him to lean on.
Maybe I should introduce her to Becca next year; that way, she’ll have a buddy when we graduate.
“Jax might be right,” Brooks rests his hands on the back of Maia’s chair, leaning forward into our group circle. “When you confirmed you were dating, Jere had to rush off then as well.”
“He was meeting Coach. I think you’re all just overthinking it.” I shake my head, grab my soda, and take a long drink. “He’s got a bad back, guys. He still does PT about four times a week to prepare for next season and whatever comes after that. He’s probably just talking about that.”
“Then why wouldn’t he just say PT?” Ember asks.
“I don’t know. What I do know is Jere isn’t acting any weirder than usual, not to me anyway.”
“Do you think it’s his back?” Jax ignores me. “Like he’s not telling us something about it?”
“I think we’re worrying about something that we don’t need to worry about.” Declan chimes in.
“Maybe he’s in a secret relationship and doesn’t want us to know yet,” Zeke suggests. “Our group has a knack for them for some reason.”
