Chapter 7
"You got a job at a haunted house?"
I shook my head at the heavily draped tone my sister inflicted as I finished getting ready.
An orange button up laid easy on my body, my fingers fastening the final button.
My black jeans and my typical grey sneakers completed the look, the mirror revealing its approval when I double checked my reflection.
I flared the lapels of my collar down before turning back to Myers.
“I got an interview at a haunted house.” I corrected her, smoothing my palms over my jeans and plucking my phone off of the counter so I could slide it appropriately into my pocket.
“Are you sure you want to dedicate the time to something like this?” Myers dug the spoon in her hand into the pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream that was harbored in the other, scooping a bite into her mouth. “You know I support you no matter what, but what about writing?”
There it was again. As much as I appreciated my sister pushing me to achieve the goal I’d had in mind by joining her on this road trip across America, it was really starting to get on my fucking nerves how on my case she was getting when it came to how much I had written.
Or in this case, hadn’t written. I was fully aware of the lax job I’d been doing and I didn’t need the negative reminder.
Leaving the mirror and grabbing my shoes by the door to the RV, I sunk into the surprisingly comfortable inset couch and began sliding my black Converses on.
“I know I haven’t been writing lately, but I’m doing this for my writing, not in spite of it.
I think being surrounded by more horror focused stuff will really get my juices flowing.
” I nodded, hoping she was hearing me. It’s not like she was doing this road trip for anything else other than the break from school and her normal life.
She had different stakes than I did, and I’d made my peace about that.
But that didn’t give her the right to critique my methods.
“I appreciate you wanting me to dive head first in to writing more, but I’ve got it under control, alright? ”
It was hard to confront my sister about things of this nature. I was such a non confrontational person, to a fault. I hated anything unpleasant socially and never made it a habit in squabbling. I just wasn’t that type of person nor was I interested in becoming as such.
Her eyebrows did a little dance in surprise, but she gave me a nod and took another bite of her ice cream before answering.
“I don’t mean to overstep. I’m sorry, Krue.
” Her little nickname for me slipped out and I knew she was trying to do vocal damage control.
“I just want the best for you, but it’s not my place to keep pushing.
Maybe I’m just eager to read it.” She chuckled a bit, and I matched the energy of her smile as a grin of my own appeared on my face.
“Maybe the haunted house will get your inspiration tank to full.”
I nodded again. “I really think it will. Plus, having a little extra spending money is great too.”
“Definitely.” Myers agreed, but a sigh fell between her lips in a sizzled exhale. “But what am I going to do with all this time I’ll have not watching you dodge Lincoln?”
I rolled my eyes at her mention of Lincoln. He’d read my last text about how I’d enjoyed our time together, but he hadn’t responded. I never expected him to, but Myers was my sister and she liked to get her ribs in. I shook my head at her, standing up and giving her a spirited glare.
“Ha ha.” I mocked, pausing between each syllable. “You could always join me and work somewhere at the haunted house or the haunted maze. I’m sure they could use the help from what I was told.”
Her eyes moved from side to side as she mulled the option over.
“Possibly. I’m not opposed to the idea.” I heard her spoon scrap the bottom of her pint, an exaggerated scoff pouring from her as she placed the empty carton and spoon on the counter by the bench she was sitting on.
“I’ll think about it but good luck on the interview. I’m sure you’ll do great.”
“Thanks.” I cut the space between us as she stood up and gave me a hug of encouragement. “I’ll see you later.”
“Let’s do pizza for dinner.” She said once we unfurled our arms from each other. “I’ve got an appetite for something really bad for me.”
“Says the one who just downed a pint of ice cream.” I cut my eyes at her and her jaw dropped playfully.
“Let me have my vices.” She said. “Our trip is almost over and I’ll be good once we get back home.”
“Hey, do what feels right.” Sparkling options danced in her eyes as I could practically see the reply forming in her eyes, knowing that she wanted to tease me again about Lincoln. “Leave it.”
“Fine, fine.” Myers waved me off. “You’re no fun.”
“I’m gonna go.” I laughed. “Later.”
“Later.”
Looking forward to the reprieve from the constant picking about Lincoln, I threw open the door and sauntered down the stairs without a care in the world.
Only to almost run smack into Lincoln and nearly toppling us both to the ground.
Stumbling to get my bearings, Lincoln's eyes flared in recognition as he skidded backward. I don't think he expected me to walk out in that moment as much as I didn't expect to see him right after walking through the door.
“Lincoln,” I stuttered, trying to laugh off the nerves that were suddenly swarming my insides like wasps sensing fear. “Sorry, I didn't expect to run into you on my way out.”
Lincoln nodded politely, a minuscule smile curving one corner of his mouth. “Yeah, sorry, I was just going to see if you had a minute to talk.”
Oh, I so didn't want to have the conversation I feared was about to be on the table here. I would have preferred to avoid this potentially messy encounter to begin with, so the fact that I was having to face it head on was less than ideal.
He caught me wrapped in my thoughts, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he crossed his arms across his chest. “I just wanted to clear the air because it seems like you're avoiding me?”
I kinda am, I thought selfishly. The way he was posing it as a question more than a statement wasn’t lost on me either. But I wasn't looking to hurt Lincoln's feelings. Just because I didn't want to repeat our sexual encounter didn't mean I hadn’t enjoyed myself.
“I’m not intentionally avoiding you, Lincoln.” I stated with a steel jaw, trying to keep my voice even.
“So...you didn't have a good time like you originally said?”
“No!” I shouted, unable to keep from elevating my voice, earning me a stare from someone walking by. “No, that's not it at all.” I leaned forward, lowering my tone. “I really enjoyed myself. I swear.”
“Okay.” Lincoln shifted on his feet again, uncrossing his arms so that they hung by his sides. “You just don't want to do it again? Is that it?”
“I’m only here for a couple weeks.” I nodded, as if that explained everything.
Knowing that it didn't, I pressed on. “I had a hell of a time together, but I don't want you to get the wrong idea about where I stand.
I'm leaving after the festival so I'm just not looking to extend any connections I may or may not make while here in Phoebe.” I could see the wheels turning behind his eyes as he took in my clarification.
Grabbing one of his hands, I stared into his eyes as I tried to qualm the upset brewing behind his baby blues.
“Cliche as it is, it's truly me and not you.”
“I understand." Lincoln nodded. “I mean, we could just have more fun without getting attached, if you want.”
The sparkle of hope shone through his eyes, his mouth turning into a timid smile that told me just how promising he was feeling. But that sounded messy as fuck to me and I wasn't trying to get anything on my mind that would be considered even remotely messy.
“I just know myself,” I shook my head. “And I'm not sure I could separate that.” I squeezed his hand earnestly. “I’m really sorry, but I hope you can understand that I'm not interested in anything more than a one night thing right now.”
It took Lincoln a couple beats, but finally, I saw a brightness spread through his features as he stared back at me tenfold. His smile at least made me feel a little less guilty. Not much, but I'd take what I could get my hands on.
“I get it.” Lincoln nodded, still letting the grin keep his face sour free. “I just wanted to touch base and make sure we got on the same page.”
“I appreciate that, and I'm sorry if I didn't handle communicating well enough before now.”
“Enh, it's all good.” Lincoln laughed. “We can still hang out, as friends, with the group or whatever if you want.”
“Now that I'm totally down for.” I agreed. “But right now, I'm headed for an interview for a temp job so I hate to rush off, but—”
“Oh, no, you go. Good luck with the job!”
“Thanks, Lincoln.”
I walked away from Lincoln, turning to the back of the RV to fetch my bike.
Though it was tough to have those hard types of conversations, I'm glad I talked it out with Lincoln.
Now there was no assumptions about where we stood and hopefully, we could move forward as friends while we stayed at the RV park.
Now if I could just shake the adrenaline of said conversation in the hopes of acing my interview.