Wild Horses

TEN

"Just 'cause I can't go on, just 'cause I die when you're gone, just 'cause I think of you in bed..."

- Jordin Sparks; Don't Let It Go To Your Head

Amber wiped the tear she'd felt slip from the corner of her eye just as Laci disappeared from the screen, in a hurry to get back to her dolls.

"Now honey," said Pauline, returning to the FaceTime call, "don't you start crying, or you'll make me into a big ol' slobbering mess."

"Sorry, Mom," sniffled Amber. "I just feel like I'm missing so much."

"Not really," argued her mother, trying to diffuse the emotions. "Just the everyday stuff. We're not doing much but going to preschool and dance class. And back home again."

"That's what I mean," Amber frowned.

"I know baby," Pauline said softly. "But you're living your dream, right?"

"Yeah," she replied with a sigh as she wiped another tear.

Taking the initial step to call her mom had been the hardest part. Amber had been reluctant to tell Pauline about the situation with Carter, and unload all of her grief in the process. She hadn't wanted her mother to worry, but even more, she'd felt ashamed. The call had proven to be productive, however, and after over an hour of hashing everything out, getting her mother's point of view and ever-present unconditional love, she felt better - albeit very homesick.

"So you've told me about your new drummer, and how your band's getting along, but what about Mister Cutie?"

Amber couldn't help but laugh. "Who's Mister Cutie?"

"Harry!" exclaimed Pauline with wide eyes. "Who else?"

"Mother," Amber shook her head.

"Oh c'mon, hon, even I can recognize a hottie! I'm not dead."

Amber laughed again as she rocked cross-legged on the bed. "Harry's a sweet guy."

"Well, that's good," her mom declared. "Wouldn't want to know my daughter's the opening act for an asshole."

"Mom!"

Interrupting their giggles, a knock sounded on the door. Almost like deja vu, Amber recalled the last time she'd been FaceTiming her mother and Carter had knocked on the door. With a sigh, she asked Pauline to wait, setting her phone on the bed. Unlocking the door, she hesitantly opened it to find an easy, dimpled grin on the other side, green sparkling eyes above it.

"Hi," he greeted, the one simple word in his deep voice making her insides flip and providing a sense of calmness at the same time.

"Hey," she grinned back, speaking in a hushed tone. "I'm on the phone with my mom, but you can come in."

"Oh, don't let me interrupt!" Harry held up a hand.

"It's fine. We were just finishing up."

Harry stepped inside and shut the door quietly behind him as Amber rushed back to her phone.

"Hey, Mom, I gotta go."

"Okay, honey. Call me soon, okay?"

"You bet," Amber agreed as she felt a poke on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw Harry gesture toward the phone, his brows raised in question. With another sigh, she smiled. "Mom, someone wants to say hi."

"Oh?"

Before she could say more, Harry leaned over Amber's shoulder so that his face could be in the camera's view.