Page 5 of Unsaid Things

Chapter Three

“Have you thought about auditioning for Marycliff?”

“Lance.” His dad’s voice came from the front seat, trying to get him to shut up.

Lance tried to keep back his smile, but the corners of his mouth kept twitching. He’d asked the question on purpose, knowing it would needle his dad for his youngest daughter to admit she was considering going to school so far from home. Lance rubbed a hand over his face to hide his smile while he waited for Gabby’s answer.

Her eyes cut to their dad, then back to him, her mouth open. “Yeah. I, um, actually turned in an application already, and they invited me to audition in February.” Her eyes flicked to the rearview mirror again, where their dad glowered at everyone in the back seat, their mom’s hand resting on his arm the only thing keeping him from having an outburst.

“Oh yeah? Are you going to go?”

Gabby swallowed, obviously conflicted about what to say. She lifted one shoulder. “I’m not sure yet. I’d have to get a plane ticket and figure out if I could stay in the dorms or not.”

Lance scoffed. “You know you can stay with Abby and me.” He glanced at Abby, who looked up at him, eyes wide, but didn’t register a protest. He couldn’t imagine her having a problem with Gabby staying with them, but she probably didn’t appreciate it being sprung on her like this without a conversation. But this was his sister they were talking about. Not some random stranger.

Gabby nodded once. “Thanks. Cool. I wasn’t sure.” Her eyes flicked toward the front seat again.

“So where else have you been invited to audition?”

Gabby relaxed at that question. “Um, SMU, Rice, uh, University of South Carolina. They have a really good strings program. My private teacher got her degree there.”

Lance nodded. “Cool. Well, let us know when your audition is in February at Marycliff, and we’ll make sure the couch is ready for you.”

Abby shifted against him, but she nodded. “Yeah. We have a super comfy couch. My friend Megan stayed with us for a few nights before Thanksgiving, so you won’t be our first houseguest or anything.” She offered his sister a smile. That was good. She’d seemed uncomfortable since they’d met up with his family, reverting into her silent mode. Maybe that meant she was starting to relax around them already. He planned on insisting they get some time to nap and settle in once they got to his parents’ house before more people and activities were thrown at them. Even though Abby had slept on the plane, that had been hours ago, and they were both tired. He needed a nap, and he knew Abby would handle his family much better if she got some rest and time away from them before the whirlwind of activity started. They’d spend five nights at his parents house, and he knew his mom would have it all planned out already—family dinners, a Christmas party with all their friends, shopping excursions, and Christmas Day itself, which he especially looked forward to.

He planned on proposing to Abby in bed first thing, waking her up before the festivities began, sliding the ring on her finger while it was just the two of them, safe and warm in their snug cocoon. Part of him wanted to do it in front of everyone, but he knew Abby would appreciate the private proposal more. Then he could announce it to everyone while they opened presents, and Abby could show off her ring. He couldn’t hold back the smile that came to his face. He couldn’t wait.

“What’s that smile for?”

His mom’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts, and he realized they were surrounded by large brick houses in the neighborhood where he grew up. “Oh, I’m just happy to be here to visit.”

Once in the garage, Lance’s dad got out and pulled the suitcases out of the bed of the truck before Lance could get out of the cab. He carried them both into the house and up the stairs, not waiting for anyone else.

Lance gave his mom one more hug. “Thanks for coming and picking us up. I think we both need a nap though. We had a really early morning.”

She stepped back and patted his cheek. “Of course. Y’all take a couple of hours to rest. Marissa and Peter will be here at five, so that should give you enough time. Don’t sleep too long or you’ll be up till all hours tonight.”

“Thanks, Mom.” He grabbed Abby’s hand and pulled her along behind him. “I’ll give you the full tour later. For now,” he gestured all around them, “this is the kitchen and breakfast area, here’s the living room, and all the bedrooms are upstairs.”

Abby stumbled along behind him, her shorter legs working to keep up with his. He led her up the stairs off the living room, wanting nothing more than to get her up to his room, get her clothes off, wrap her in his arms, and fall asleep. The caffeine and adrenaline that had kept him going had worn off sometime in the forty minute drive from the airport, and he was ready to crash.

Once inside his old bedroom, he shut the door and pushed Abby against it, his mouth immediately going to hers. He hadn’t gotten to give her more than a glancing peck in hours. She stiffened in surprise at first, but capitulated right away, her tongue sliding along his, her arms wrapping around his neck. His hands slipped under her shirt, sliding along her soft skin. Even after six months he still couldn’t get enough of her. And soon she’d have a ring on her finger letting everyone know she belonged to him. Maybe he could convince her to elope and not have a big wedding. He didn’t need one, and he doubted her mom would be able to handle coming to a wedding anyway. Wasn’t it the bride’s mom that always wanted a big production? That wouldn’t be the case for them. But that conversation would have to wait.

He pulled back, breaking the kiss, enjoying the way her lips had grown red from his kisses. Pressing one more kiss to her lips, he stepped away, leading her to his bed. “God, I’m so fucking tired. I feel like I could sleep for days.”

“Uh-huh. I know what you mean. How long should we nap for?”

He groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Maybe an hour or so if we want to get decent sleep tonight. And I guarantee you my mom has a schedule already for our whole trip, and it probably starts at like eight or nine tomorrow morning, so we can’t sleep late like we would if we were home.”

Abby sighed. “That’s alright. I’ve been sleeping late for over a week now, and I’ll be able to sleep in again once we get home.” She looked around his room, taking in the trophies and posters that his parents had never taken down from his high school days. Her brows scrunched together. “Um, Lance? There’s only one suitcase in here. Where’s mine?”

He looked around too, noticing for the first time that his suitcase stood alone next to the closed door. Confusion was quickly replaced by irritation and anger. “Dammit!” He took three big steps to the door and wrenched it open. “Dad!”

Not waiting for a response, he took the stairs as fast as he could without running, sticking his head in the den before proceeding through the living room to the kitchen, where his parents stood conversing by the breakfast bar. “Dad! Where did you put Abby’s suitcase?”

His dad crossed his arms over his chest, his face impassive. “In the guest room. Where else would I put it?”

Lance tried to hold back the growl that wanted to come out. “In my room. Where she’s staying.”

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