“You know you are always welcome to come back to Baltimore with us.” Alex smiled at me eating his cereal. “You know how much I love when you clean my house.”

“Yes, Alex…I know.” I smiled over at him before turning back to my computer. “But I think California is in my best bet right now.”

I scrolled through the apartment listings on my computer. Charlotte had called me last night saying her longtime boyfriend Brian had finally popped the question. Now I knew I had even more limited time to move out of the room at her house.

“Aw, Rae. Will you get a puppy!” Jack asked excitedly plopping down next to me.

“Maybe, Jack.”

“I would come visit you all the time if you had a puppy!” He said.

“You wouldn’t visit me without one?”

“Fuck no.” He smiled making me laugh.

“I just can’t believe this tour is almost over.”

“Me either.” Alex said shaking his head. “Crazy how fast the summer goes.”

With a sigh I shut my laptop and handed it to Jack. “I have to go, Austin’s dad is here and he’s making a huge lunch.”

“Oh really?” Jack said with a smirk on his face. “Things seem pretty serious with Mr. Carlile.”

“Yeah, you’ve barely slept in your bunk the last few weeks.” Alex added.

I shrugged as I smiled thinking about how things had been between Austin and I. “I really like him.”

“Dawww!” Jack and Alex screamed in unison.

“No wonder she wants to stay in California.”

“She’s gettin’ the D!” Jack screamed humping the air.

I rolled my eyes with a laugh and left. I made my way towards the Of Mice bus, enjoying the feel of the sun on my skin. I had earned quite a tan this summer spending everyday outside in the heat. I knew Austin was planning on getting a house in Huntington Beach after his vacation. I was looking for houses in that area too. Maybe that was crazy, but I couldn’t help but want to be close to him.

“Alan, how can you be out in the sun? Aren’t you going to burn?” I teased as I saw him standing outside the bus.

“I’m a ginger, Raegan. Not a vampire.”

“Who’s that?” I asked with a smile.

“It’s no one.” He mumbled covering the mouth piece. “Go away.”

“Is it a girl!” I asked feeling my mouth drop.

“Yeah, stop.”

“Alan! Who is she!” I said feeling excited.

“I’ll tell you later!” He said pushing me away.

“Can I say hi!” I teased now just trying to annoy him.

“Austin!” He screamed keeping me at an arm’s length. “Austin! Call your dog off me!”

“You’re such a dick. I’ll get it out of you later.” I said sticking my tongue out at him and making my way onto the bus.

“Hey, babe!” Austin pulled me in for a hug when he saw me and gave me a quick kiss. “You remember my dad?”

“Hi,” I said walking towards his dad and holding my hand out.

“Please, Raegan. Austin told me about you two, we hug in this family.” And with that he pulled me in for a warm hug which I gladly accepted.

“It smells amazing in here.” I said pulling back from him with a smile on my face.

“I hope you like pulled pork.” He said with a wink.

“Are you kidding? I love it!”

“Well, good.” He smiled and turned back to the stove.

“What was Alan screaming about?” Austin asked looking up from the fan letter he was reading.

“He’s on the phone with a girl and I was bugging him.” I said taking a seat next to him.

Austin’s dad made enough food to feed an army and it was all delicious. It was amazing seeing the two of them interact, they shared so many similarities. The rest of the guys enjoyed the company too and it was a very relaxing afternoon.

“Will you be coming down with Austin in a few weeks, Raegan?” His dad asked me and I watched as
Austin tensed up slightly beside me.

“Oh, um…no. I don’t think so. I have some living arrangements I need to work out.” I answered.

“Yeah, dad. It’ll be just me coming down.”

His dad nodded, turning back to me. “And where’s home?”

“I’m from Vermont originally. Right now I’m living in San Francisco with a friend. But, she just got engaged. So, I have to find somewhere else to go.”

“Why don’t you take her down with you, Aust? Then you can apartment hunt together when you’re back in California?”

My stomach twisted into knots as I felt the tension consume the air. Alan met my gaze across the front lounge and I knew he wanted to bail just as bad as I did.

“Raegan’s a big girl, dad. She’ll figure it out.” Austin answered.

“Yeah, Mr. Carlile, I’m going to be fine. I wouldn’t want to intrude on you.” I offered.

“Nonsense!” He said shaking his head. “You’re welcome in Costa Rica anytime.”

“Thank you.” I said awkwardly.

“Dad.” Austin’s voice was hard and filled with aggravation. “I’m coming alone.”

“Austin, I don’t want to see you mess things up with this one. I like her. She’s not like all those other dumb broads you parade around with.”

“Dad.” Austin’s fists were clenched tightly and he was gritting his teeth.

His father sighed and looked away for a moment, “Your mother would like her, Austin.”

At the mention of his mother Austin’s body relaxed. He sighed running his hands through his hair taking a moment to collect himself.

“I should probably get going.” His dad said standing up and shaking Alan’s hand. He pulled me in for another hug and I thanked him again for the meal. Austin stood and followed him outside and Alan and I looked at each other.

“Does that happen a lot?” I asked.

“No. No that doesn’t happen a lot.” Alan said shaking his head.

We sat in silence until Austin returned and we both looked up at him.

“Sorry.” He said swallowing hard and looking towards the ground.

“It’s fine.” I said with a sad smile.