“Frank Halifax broke his arm snowboarding and can’t play guitar for the Christmas concert.”
Nick grimaced, already knowing where she was headed. “Oh, mom…”
“Please! I need you to do this for your sisters and besides, even Frank didn’t hold a candle to your playing and he used to front a band!”
The Mistletoe Christmas Concert was the biggest event during the holiday season, besides the Festival of Trees. When he was a kid, his parents would drag him every year and it had been a blast when the Carters ran it. After they passed, he’d chosen to stay home with Noel instead of attending and that’s exactly what he wanted to do now. Skip it and keep a low profile with the breakup and new job, not stand on stage in front of the whole town playing Christmas songs. Watching people dance, eat, and make merry.
But with his mother making big puppy dog eyes at him, how could he possibly tell her no?
“All right, but you owe me.”
His mother scoffed. “Please, I gave you life, changed your diapers, did your laundry, fed you, and kept you alive for eighteen years. When I ask for a favor, it’s all for show.”
Nick chuckled. “When do they rehearse?”
“They haven’t started yet. Their first one is this afternoon. I just talked to Noel on Tuesday—”
His heart beat quickened. “Whoa, Noel’s doing it too?”
Nick hadn’t seen her since Thursday, although they’d texted and snapped quite a bit. The usual silly GIFs and faces when they were bored, being too careful with each other. The thought of being near her so soon made him as nervous as the first time he took a girl out, which was crazy. He’d been there for Noel when she got her first period and had to get her mom for her. She’d dabbed a washcloth on his neck and forehead when Nick drank for the first time and puked his guts out. They’d seen each other at their worst, yet crossing the line with Noel made him jitterier than a jackrabbit in a den of foxes.
His mother arched an eyebrow. “Yes, she’s singing lead. Is that a problem?”
“No, of course not.” Nick wasn’t about to tell his mom how he’d almost made out with Noel in her kitchen and since then, he’d given her a wide berth. She was right that they shouldn’t complicate such a great friendship. Even though Nick discovered he wasn’t the casual hook-up guy, that didn’t mean he needed to jump his best friend.
Although he still couldn’t stop thinking about kissing Noel, no matter how hard he tried.
“Good,” his mother said. “When you finish up here at four, you can meet them in the house.”
“I guess it works out I didn’t have plans tonight.”
“I suppose it does,” she said, patting his cheek. “Thank you. I appreciate you and your sister helping out this weekend.”
His mother turned, took one step and slowly swung back around. “Just so we’re clear…there isn’t anything you’d like to tell me about, is there?”
“Um, I don’t think so. Is there something you want to ask me about?”
“I heard through the grapevine that you and Noel might be more than friends.”
Her tone remained neutral, giving him nothing. “Only a rumor.”
“I see. If something changes, please be careful.”
“Of what?”
“With Noel. She’s got a lot of hurt built up inside she still needs to work through.”
“I know that better than anyone.”
“Which means if something is going on, you need to take it slow. Life doesn’t happen on some imaginary timeline.”
Nick’s mouth dropped open. “You think I’m going to push her into something she doesn’t want?”
“No. I think you have had your life planned since you were in middle school and Noel had hers blown to smithereens. She’s got some ideas that might not line up with yours and you need to be sure you can be patient with her.”
“So you don’t want me to date Noel?”
“Land sakes! I guess I need to be plain with you. That girl is as much my child as you are and if you push her away, further than she’s already run herself, I will be mighty sore. Proceed with caution.”
“All right…”
“However…if you two do end up taking things to the next level, I’d be happy as a clam.”
Nick shook his head as his mom went back to the checkout table, thrown for a loop. He had her approval, as long as Noel and he worked out, but if they didn’t, it wasn’t just his and Noel’s hearts they had to think about.