Me: I’ve been here two days and you haven’t come to see me? Get your arse over here, stat.
No sooner than I’ve shoved the phone in my pocket, it’s vibrating. Dragging it back out, I smile when I see Emma’s name.
Emma: Dude, so many times I’ve wanted to, but you kinda deserted me back then. You broke my twelve-year-old heart. Total honesty? I’m not sure how I feel about you, Aubs.
Immediately, I feel guilty. I’ve been dreading reconnecting with Em because of how I left all those years ago. I wouldn’t blame her if she hated me. In fact, that would almost be easier than realising everything I missed. Friendships like ours don’t come along very often. I’m lucky I found another close friend in Jacey.
I take a deep breath, knowing what I need to do. I press call and lift the phone to my ear, running over in my head exactly what I’m going to say. Only when she answers, I go blank.
“Aubrey?” she repeats. “Are you there?”
“I’m here,” I blurt out. Pressing my palm against my forehead, I let out a groan. “I don’t even know what to say to you other than you’re right. I was a bad friend.”
“No, a bad friend borrows a dress and doesn’t give it back. You left the freaking country. You went AWOL. I had no idea what happened to you. Dude, I thought it was me.” She goes quiet. “I thought you’d figured me out and that’s why you ended our friendship.”
“Figured you out…?” I repeat, confused. I stop when I understand what she’s saying. “No way would I ever end our friendship because of your sexuality, Em.”
“Why, then?”
“Because it was easier,” I sigh. It sounds just as weak when I say it out loud. “I needed a fresh start. With everything that was going on with my parents…”
“So it had nothing to do with my brother?” I bite my lip and don’t reply. She chuckles, her laughter ringing down the line. “Dude, I wouldn’t have told him. I was just teasing you. Honestly, I thought it was cute you were crushing on Drew.”
“It was more than a crush, Em. I was hopelessly in love with him.”
“Was? You sure about that?”
“No…”
“I didn’t think so. You need me to come be a buffer between you and Drew?”
“Please.” I’m ashamed of how needy I’m acting, but I do need the buffer. I need the space. I really need a fucking distraction.
“You guys at Max’s?”
“Yes. Are you really coming, Em?”
“On my way. You owe me, Aubriella.”
“I love you, Emmerson.” She giggles and disconnects the line. Thank God for Em.
*****
Twenty minutes later, Emma strolls through the front door carrying a bottle of wine.
“What’s up, Em? Did you need something?” Drew asks, stepping between Emma and me.
“Nope. Here for Aubs. You guys have some learning to do; I need to prep the music and I really need to catch up with Aubriella. It’s been way too long. Move it, brother.”
“You’re here for Aubrey?” he asks in disbelief. He glances in my direction, and I nod my confirmation.
“Yep,” Em nods. “Girl time. Apparently, she’s going through some stuff with a guy and needs a friend. That’s where I come in.” I quietly laugh when she holds the wine and grins a Ditner smile at her brother. Excellent job, Em.
“What do you know about guys?” Drew laughs.
“More than you know about women,” she retorts. The guys laugh as Em pushes past Drew and throws her arms around me. I grin and hug her back.
“I bet it’s that Nate guy again,” Max mutters, obviously stuck on the part where I’m hooked up on a guy. At least he thinks it’s Nate and not Drew. “This whole year has been about her yammering on about that dude. If I never hear his name again, it’ll be the best day of my life.” Drew’s head whips in his direction.