“Hey, Eli,” I said, walking around him.
Eli looked up at me in surprise and placed his hand on his guitar almost protectively.
“Uh, hey Riley,” he said haltingly. He took in my suitcase and raised an eyebrow. “Off on spring break, huh?” he asked, getting to his feet and taking my overstuffed bag. He carried it down the steps for me and I gave him a genuine smile. He was a nice guy and I felt like an ass for never giving him the credit he probably deserved.
“Yep. Off to St. Louis,” I said.
Eli crossed his arms over his chest. “St. Louis? There aren’t any beaches there. Isn’t’ spring break supposed to be about getting drunk, showing your tits, and getting a sun burn?”
I laughed at his crude description. “Not for me. I’m going to see my boyfriend’s band.”
Eli nodded but didn’t ask any more questions and I knew we were at an end of our brief civil exchange.
“Okay then, well have fun. Later,” he said, sticking a pick in his mouth as he leaned down to turn the tuning pegs of his guitar.
“Later, Eli,” I responded, hefting up my bag and carrying it to Gracie’s car.
“Was that Maysie’s Eli?” Gracie asked, watching Eli sit back down on the stoop and start playing again.
“Yep,” I answered, getting into the passenger seat.
“Huh. I don’t remember him being so cute,” she mused and I almost groaned. I recognized the hunting light in my friend’s eyes.
“Don’t even think about it, G,” I warned and she giggled.
“Is Vivian already gone?” I asked her. Gracie nodded.
“She flew out this morning. She’s only going to be out for the weekend. She has to be back on Monday for work. But you know she has to keep tabs on Cole one way or another,” Gracie said and I rolled my eyes hoping the Vivian and Cole sideshow wouldn’t create too much drama while I was out seeing Garrett. I was determined to keep away of all things angst related.
“I really wish they’d get their acts together or go their separate ways. It’s like watching a train wreck. Or a cow dying,” I muttered, making Gracie laugh.
“Preaching to the choir, girlfriend,” she said.
I looked over at her as she pulled onto the highway, heading toward Dulles Airport. “I hear through the grapevine that Mitch asked you to fly out. So why aren’t you coming?” I asked her and was surprised to see her tense up at the mention of Generation Rejects’ bassist.
It was common knowledge that Mitch had serious feelings for my dear, clueless friend, who I was beginning to think wasn’t as clueless as she let on. Poor Mitch. He was a good guy and it was now painfully obvious the feelings were not reciprocated.
“Yeah, I’ve got group and a meeting with my therapist that I can’t miss. I can’t really be around that scene yet anyway,” she said and I knew that while she was telling me the truth, there was more there than she was letting on.
“Okay, well you’ll be missed,” I told her and she smiled.
There was no more talk about Mitch. For the rest of the ride, Gracie and I talked about school and my plans to move to Massachusetts. And when she dropped me off at the airport, I gave her a hug and told her I’d call her once I got back to Bakersville.
“Tell Maysie I miss her. And tell the guys hello. And tell Garrett-” she cut off and looked at me as though she wasn’t sure she should continue.
“That you miss him?” I asked. Gracie flushed but nodded.
“He was a good friend to me when I needed it. Just tell him I said hi. The missing you part might be a little awkward. You know since he’s in love with my best friend,” she joked but I felt that momentary flare of guilt that always popped up when I thought about the feelings I trampled on to have the guy I wanted.
“I’ll tell him,” I insisted before heading through security.