“I lied,” he said as he ushered Ryan and Tiggy away. “So it all started with this mermaid named Abigail who decided she wanted Sam to eat her flounder, if you know what I mean….”
When they were out of earshot, Morgan said, “Mermaid, Sam? Do I even want to know?”
“No. Definitely not. It was this whole… thing that turned into an ordeal and did you know getting splinters in your ass is not a fun way to spend a Tuesday?”
“I can’t say that I do. Especially on Tuesdays.”
“So what’s up, mentor-mine? Everyone is gone now. You can tell me you miss me without embarrassment.”
“You have enough embarrassment for the both of us,” he said.
“Yeah, yeah. I hear the words you aren’t saying. I love you too. No one believes me that you’re secretly a big ball of sap.”
“Lies,” he said. “All of it.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Sam.”
“Morgan.”
“Crap,” he said. “Now I am going to sound like a big ball of sap.”
I grinned. “Go ahead. I won’t tell everyone the moment we get done speaking. That would just be rude.”
“How’s the situation with Ryan?”
And, of course, my smile faded. “Right for the heart. Good aim.”
“I find it’s easier than dancing around words.”
I glanced down the road to make sure the others were far enough away. Ryan’s head was rocked back, his mouth open as he laughed, undoubtedly at Gary’s story about my naked tree mermaid adventure. It was a good look on him.
Who was I kidding? All looks were good looks on him.
So I lied. “It’s fine. I’m handling it.”
But, of course, it was Morgan I was talking to. “Sam.”
“We danced,” I said suddenly. “In a tavern when the song was slow. He asked me to dance and I said yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I could. Because I wanted to. Because I wanted to know what it was like to have something that I’ll never actually have.”
“I wish,” he said and then stopped. He took a breath and let it out slowly. I could picture him, sitting in the labs, his face scrunched up in concentration. His forehead lined, eyes narrowed. The tip of his tongue sticking out between his teeth like he did when deep in thought. “I wish things could be different for you.”
I laughed. It wasn’t nearly as bitter as I thought it’d be. “I know. And that’s why I love you.”
“You’re almost done.”
“Am I?”
“With this part, yes. It’s all about the journey, Sam. One day you’ll get your
ending, but until then, remember it’s about the journey. The things you’ve learned. The future you’ll have. I know it may not seem like it right now, and I know it might hurt, but you will be okay. You’re my apprentice. I expect nothing less of you.”
“I wish you were here,” I admitted to him. “It might get tough.”