Amos still scrunched up his nose. “Why didn’t you go live with him after your mom…？”
“He’s not on my birth certificate, and I was already with my uncle and aunt when he found out what had happened. It was better for me to stay with them.”
“That’s messed up.”
“I’ve had so many other sad things happen, that it isn’t even in the top ten, Am,” I told him with a shrug.
And I knew I’d made it awkward when imaginary crickets chirped afterward.
So I was beyond surprised when a hand reached over and patted my forearm.
It was Amos.
I smiled at him and happened to glance over into the kitchen to see another pair of eyes looking in our direction.
The faintest smile was on Rhodes’s face.
Chapter 17
I knew that Jackie had something on her mind when I’d caught her—for the third time—peeking at me and then immediately looking away when she realized she’d been caught.
We still hadn’t talked about the Kaden situation. We just kept on pretending like everything was the same, which it technically should be. She had already known from the beginning.
Now that I’d had time to think about it, I had a feeling that she hadn’t said anything to anyone because then Clara would find out that she’d snooped through her account. And I wasn’t willing to throw her under the bus and get her in trouble either. It really wasn’t that big of a deal to me.
So I was a little surprised when she eventually wandered over and asked slowly and very sweetly, “Aurora?”
“What’s going on?” I asked as I flipped through one of the fishing magazines that we sold in the store. There was an article about rainbow trout that I wanted to check out. The more I learned about them, the more I realized fish were pretty interesting, honestly.
“Amos’s birthday is coming up.”
What? “Really? When?”
“On Wednesday.”
“How old is he turning? Sixteen?”
“Yeah… and I was wondering…”
I looked at her and smiled, hopefully encouraging her.
She smiled back. “Could I use your oven to make him a birthday cake? I want to surprise him. He says he doesn’t like or want one, but it’s his first one without his mom, and I don’t want him to be sad. Or get mad at me. And I’d order one from the bakery but they’re expensive,” she shot off, wringing her hands. “I thought I could make it the day before and then give it to him after I get there, so he’s not expecting it.”
I didn’t even have to think about it. “Sure, Jackie. That sounds nice.” I thought about offering to buy him a cake, but she seemed kind of excited to make it and I didn’t want to ruin it.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Come over Tuesday. I’ll put it in the fridge until you’re ready to get it.”
She squealed. “Yes! Thanks, Aurora!”
“You’re welcome.”
She smiled briefly before glancing away.
I figured I was going to have to get this over with once and for all. Clara was in the back. “You know we’re good, right?”
Her eyes drifted back over, her smile staying small and tight too.
I touched her arm. “It’s okay that you know. It used to be a secret, but it’s not anymore. I just don’t like telling people unless I have to. I’m not mad at all. We’re fine, Jackie. Okay?”
She nodded quickly, then hesitated before asking, “Are you going to tell Amos?”
“I will one day, but I’d like to be the one to tell him. But if you do accidentally, or if you don’t feel comfortable keeping it a secret, I understand that too.”
She seemed to think about it. “No, it’s your business. I’m just sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“It’s okay.”
It looked like she had something on her mind still, so I waited.
I knew I was right. “Can I ask you something?”
I nodded.
She seemed shy all of a sudden. “Did you really write his songs for him?” she whispered.
And that wasn’t what I’d thought she would pull out. I thought maybe she’d ask if he was cute in person or why we’d broken up or anything else. Not… that.
But I told her the truth. “Most of them. Not the last two albums.” I wasn’t taking credit for those hot messes.
Her eyes went wide. “But those you wrote were his best albums!”
I shrugged but inside… well, it was nice.