Yours Truly (Post Malone)

15

Austin had stayed with us for longer than I thought but he was helpful with everything. He took Winter to and from school and helped cook meals. He helped her with her homework and she got to watch him make his music for his next album. They were having a great time together.

We hadn't gone without attention from fans or the media. We had met a few fans while out one time and I was sure that I had seen someone take pictures of us. It had never been when Winter was with us, which I was thankful for. But I was starting to get attention from the media. I had seen posts that fans had made about who they thought I was and trying to find my account. I had all my social media on private and I didn't have my face as the profile picture on all of my accounts. It was only a matter of time before they found my accounts or where I worked. I hated the idea of fans finding where I worked.

Austin was planning on leaving in a few days and we didn't know how to break the news to Winter. She had grown quite close to Austin and spent as much time as she could around him. I had never seen her as happy as she was around him. It warmed my heart that she had found someone she liked that much but also broke it that he was leaving.

I returned late from a shift at a bar to find the living room in disarray. I looked around to find Winter and Austin cuddled in a mess of blankets and pillows. It was quite possibly the most adorable thing I had ever seen. I pulled out my phone to take a picture and sent it to Austin, hoping the notification didn't wake him.

I went up to my room to sleep. It had been a long and busy day at the bar. There were a lot of people there and I had a performance as well. I had gotten a lot of tips and once I was in my room, I put them in the jar that I put any tips I made in. After changing, I got into bed and fell asleep rather quickly.

The next day, I woke up late. I got up and went downstairs to find Austin and Winter making breakfast. Austin was doing the cooking while Winter sat on the counter with her crutches leaning next to her. I joined them and started helping with the food. I got the dishes ready and we all sat down at the table.

Austin looked over at Winter with a sad smile on his face. "Hey, baby girl, I got some sad news."

Winter looked up at him, her eyebrows creasing in concern. "What's wrong?"

"I'm going to be leaving in two days," Austin said. "I don't mean to break your heart but it's time for me to go back to my house to finish working on my music."

Winter's shoulders slumped. "Why can't you do it here?"

"Because all of my equipment and my team is at," Austin said. "I promise that I'll fly you and your mom out to me so you can visit soon."

"Would I be able to see the recording room?" Winter asked.

"Of course!" Austin replied. "I promise you'll get to meet everybody and see how the music gets made."

Winter perked up a little. "Can I meet Teddy Swims? I love his music and I would love to meet him. I would literally die if I met him."

Austin chuckled. "I can see what I can do about that."

Winter sighed a little, poking her food. "I'm going to miss you, Austin. It was a lot of fun being around you."

He smiled at her. "You've been great to hang around with too. I'll see you soon though. Maybe when school gets over for the summer, I can bring you out."

Winter rolled her eyes. "I guess that's okay."

We both chuckled. Winter took the news well but still seemed sad that she wasn't going to be seeing Austin anymore. They had grown quite close in the time that he had been there. He was basically her dad at that point. 

When Winter was done eating, I sent her to get changed. I started getting the dishes cleaned in the sink. Austin came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and buried his head into my shoulder.

"I think she took the news well," I said.

"Yeah, me too," Austin replied. "I'm going to miss that kid."

"You two have gotten quite close, haven't you?"

Austin snorted. "Is it weird to consider her my kid? I know it's early but she's such a good kid and she's so smart."

"Does that mean you want to keep dating me?" I asked.

"I wouldn't dream of breaking up with you," Austin said. "You're amazing, beautiful, and smart. I know it hasn't been that long but I love you more than anything. I know."

I dried my hands off and turned around to face Austin, his arms still around my waist. "I love you too. I want to come visit in the summer. I think Winter would really like it. We haven't really gone anywhere for vacation."

Austin kissed me. "Then we'll start planning it. I was also thinking that maybe I can set something up with Teddy Swims and talk to his team about meeting Winter. It'd make her so happy to meet one of her favorite artists."

"You're becoming such a father, Austin," I said. "It's going to make me throw up with how cute that is."

Austin laughed. "Then I'll keep doing that. I'm sure the longer that we stay together, the more I'll consider her my daughter."

Winter came back into the kitchen. We were spending the day in the house since it was a school holiday for Winter. It was also due to the attention that Austin was already getting attention for being in the city. He wanted to protect Winter and I so that we didn't face public hate from the fans and media. I had already seen some comments from the fans. They were mostly wondering who I was because I don't really spend time online but I was still worried they would find me.

We spent most of the day in the house or on the front stoop of the house. Whenever we had stepped outside, Austin made sure to cover his face. Because of his tattoos, he was very recognizable. I didn't mind as long as I could stay out of the limelight for as long as possible.

As we sat on the front steps, we watched the sun go down. I reached out and took Austin's hand. He looked over at me and smiled. With him right next to me, I felt better than I had before. I was enjoying the time we spent together and I hoped that we stayed together for as long as possible. He treated Winter and I with the most respect. I wouldn't trade him for anything.