“Sorry, Kelley, but I can’t help but worry,” she said, leaninginto him.
“I understand… I don’t like it but I get it.”
Damn Crispinand his timing. Instead of spending their free time in each other’sarms, he had been running around reassuring her all week.
***
When Kell hadawoken the other morning and discovered Becky missing from herusual spot beside him, he had shot out of bed to go look for her.He found her sitting in the kitchen, quietly sobbing. The girl wasinconsolable. After much coaxing and reassuring hugs, she wasfinally able to get the words out.
“Crispin’s gone,” she whispered, wiping her tears with hersleeve.
“Gone where?” he asked, kneeling down in front of herchair.
“I don’t know. He wouldn’t say.”
“Did he say for how long?”
“For two weeks.”
“Well, then why the tears?” he asked, trying very hard to bepatient. While he understood her fondness of Crispin and viceversa, sometimes they’re quirky relationship gave him reason toponder.
“Because I’m worried about him. He’s been so sad lately. I’mafraid he might not come back.”
“Becky, if he said he would return then trust in that. He’s notthe leaving kind. Besides, it’s March Break. Maybe he just neededto get away for a while. You know, even I need time on myown.”
“But that’s just it!” she shouted with frustration. “Why is itokay for you lot to run off? It’s not okay with me. In fact, I hateit! Especially because I know he’s upset. Like when you used totake off in a huff. What if you’d gotten into a car accident? Whatif something bad happens to him? What if he hurtshimself?”
It then dawnedon him that while they all had their issues, Becky had her ownfears. This was not only about Crispin’s leaving. This went deeperthan that.
Her parents haddied when she was very little. They had gone off in a car to neverreturn. Naturally, she worried about losing people close to her. Itwas of utmost importance to her to keep her loved ones close athand. This incredible need for family, for creating strong bonds iswhat gave her the courage to reach out to him in the first place.It was the reason behind her desire to belong here, to move intothe House of Goths. She had witnessed their closeness and wanted tobe a part of it. To belong with them.
Thank God, hehad crashed into her that day. Thank God, she had chosen him. Hecouldn’t bear the thought of not having her with him now.
While he andCrispin dealt with their doubts by pushing people away, Becky wasthe opposite. She would do anything possible to keep everybodytogether. Crispin’s leaving must be pure torture for her.
“You’re scared, love.” He cupped her head between his hands andgave her the bravest of smiles. “Don’t be. I’m right here with you,no matter what.” He paused, gazing into her sad eyes. “Crispin willreturn. He said so himself. I believe him. Besides, nothing badwill happen to him. You’ll see. He’ll be back before you know.Probably even better for it. There are times when people simplyneed to step away. To clear their heads. It doesn’t always endbadly.”
“I know… I just don’t like it.” Reaching around his shoulders,she hugged him close.
“Even you used to hide in your room. It was just another reasonfor me wanting you in mine. Even still, you’ve locked me out acouple of times. You say it’s because you need a place to be byyourself. But I know better. It’s to get away from my lustyintentions for you, isn’t it?”
She sputteredat the idea. If anything she was always after him. “That’s not trueand you know it.” She smiled into his face. “You think you’re sosmart. But you’re right. Sometimes a girl needs to have her ownspace. Every now and then I need to get away from you lot.”
“Right.”
“Yeah…”
***
In the daysfollowing Crispin’s departure, they had all done their best toreassure Becky. “All I know is he wouldn’t abandon the band,”Keegan told her. “There, try that, you’ll like that one. It’s aD-chord.”
“You did. You took off,” she said with a frown, reluctantlystrumming the guitar.
“That’s because I’m an idiot,” he said with a sigh. “Don’tworry, it won’t happen again. I’ve learned my lesson. Besides,Crispin is not like me in the slightest. He’s not the leaving kind.Plus, he’s one hundred percent dedicated to the band, always hasbeen.”
“That’s right, Becky,” Dorian said from behind his drums. “Ifanything, Crispin is a professional when it comes to the band.Besides, we’ve got our summer tour coming up. There’s no way he’dmiss that.”
At the mentionof the summer tour, Becky couldn’t help but perk up. Ever sinceKell told her about it, she’d been looking forward to it. Shecouldn’t imagine a better way to spend the summer months thantagging along with her handsome Goths. What and adventure that willbe! If only Crispin hadn’t thrown her this curve ball.
“That’s what I keep telling her, but she won’t listen to me,”Kell said, leaning in, pressing his forehead to hers and flashingher his sexiest smile.
***
“So, here we are…” Kell sighed, resting his head on hers. “Thetwo of us, sitting out here on this bench when we could be upstairshaving our way with each other. March Break is nearly half over andyou’ve done nothing but worry while he’s probably off having agreat time.”
“I know and I’m sorry, Kelley.” Looking at him, she leaned inand kissed him. Sweet Kelley, always so patient, so kind. If hewere anyone else, he would be angry and jealous. Yet the handsomeGoth was anything but that. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Becky. If only there was something I could doto cheer you up, to reassure you.”
They bothturned when Dorian came jogging out of the house with his cellphone in hand. “Sure thing, Crisp. Hold on, she’s right here.”
“Crispin…” Afraid to believe it when Dorian held it out forher, she hesitated.
“Hold on a second. Give me that.” Kelley snatched it away. Witha wide smile on his
