Ａｌｍｏｓｔ Ｙｏｕ

chapter six : the next town over

Songs for the chapter: Yellow - Coldplay
cowboy like me - Taylor Swift

I didn't see Harry at all on Friday, but he text me through the entire day. He would send me more things for us to bake or food he would like us to cook. He asked me what my favorite thing to eat was, favorite movie and more. I couldn't help but smile every time a text came through, Sal catching me more than once at work.

"So that superstar and you? What's going on there?" He said raising an eyebrow and I chuckled.

"He's just a friend, Sal. He's literally like you said a superstar. The fact he'll be out and doing superstar things before I know it is enough for me to know that all we can be is friends." I said, wiping the table I was working on cleaning up.

"Mmm. Okay, just be careful sweets. Especially cause he seems to piss Eric off."

"What doesn't piss Eric off?" I said, throwing the towel at the table and sitting down, "I still can't believe he embarrassed me like that. I'm still waiting for the next town scandal so I can go to the grocery store without getting stared at."

"Ah, you know those old ladies aren't harmful, they just don't have anything better to do than knit and gossip." Sal said, picking up the tray of dishes I had set aside and carrying them to the back.

I took a deep breath looking out the diner window. My phone went off and I peeked down, seeing my mom had text me. When I opened it, I got a picture of her and Rosie on their way home. I smiled big, excited to see her when I got home. Eric taking her on a day that wasn't his really threw me off, and I couldn't wait to have my baby back with me.

The rest of my shift flew by and I couldn't get out of there quick enough. I began my drive home, the streets empty in the best way. I pulled into the driveway, unlocking the door and moving quickly into the house.

"Posie!" I called out and I heard a squeal from my moms room and soon Rosie was running out to me.

"Momma, I no like!" She called out and I didn't bother correcting her. I took in her scent and smiled big.

"What don't you like babes?" I said pulling back and responded, whispering like it was her deepest secret.

"Daddy. Mean to Harry. Mean things." I narrowed my eyes at her, trying to piece together what she was trying to say.

"You dad was saying mean things about Harry?" I said and she quickly covered my mouth, as if I said something bad. She had a look of fear in her eyes and I hated the sight of it.

I lowered my voice to a whisper as low as hers, "Did your dad say mean things about Harry and then tell you not to tell me?"

She nodded and started tearing up, "Trouble."

I felt anger flow through my body. I felt it want to seep out of every pore on my body, but I couldn't do that to Rosie. Not like at the carnival. I took a deep breath, my finger reaching up and twirling a curl on her head.

"Don't listen to him, okay? Harry is is your bestie remember? He's nice. And funny. And bad at baseball." I said and she giggled a bit nodding.

"And he's Bluey." She said and I burst into laughter.

"Yes baby, he's Bluey." I smiled, squeezing her cheek softly, "If your dad says mean things again about Harry. You tell me, okay? And in your head, not out loud, you say 'Harry is my bestie. Harry is my bestie'."

"Thank you mama." She smiled and I nodded.

"So, tomorrow, I'm going to hang out with Harry, but just me and him. Are you okay with this?"