The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 57- Sports Bras and Surprises

_____________________________________________

The way Luke says goodbye sends chills down my spine. He says it as if it's final. As if I'm not seeing them tomorrow in Chicago.

That's when it hits me. Luke might think that's what I meant when I said I was going home. Does he think I'm not coming back? If he does, he doesn't seem that upset about it. In fact, he seems almost relieved to be rid of me.

The thought starts wheedling deeper into my mind. Maybe I shouldn't go back on tour. Maybe I should just stay here and leave him alone. I wonder what Adam would think. There's not much left of the tour, so maybe he would be okay with it. Plus, he probably would've fired me anyway by now if he knew that Luke and I had really been in a relationship...

My mind continues to spin as I go out to take pictures of the show.

After the boys' performance, it's not hard to slip away unnoticed. I manage to make it through the back hallways and nearly to the door out to the parking lot before a hand falls on my elbow. I jump and let out a squeal before I realize that it's just Calum.

"Why are you so jumpy?" he asks between chuckles. "Are you sneaking away or something?"

Was I sneaking? Aren't I sneaking away because deep down, I know this might be the last time I see these guys and I'm too much of a coward to give them a proper goodbye? I don't say anything, but my face must say it all because Calum's joking demeanor vanishes.

"Where are you going?" he asks seriously.

With a sideways glance at the ground, I answer him, "Back home."

"But we fly out tonight..."

"I won't be on the flight," I respond.

"What? Why?"

I know he's staring at me, but I can't lie to his face, so I continue to look anywhere else. "I'm going to spend some more time with my brother." Since the rest of my statement isn't a lie--at least not yet--I manage to look up at him. "I have a ticket to Chicago for tomorrow."

With a nod and a small smile, he pulls me into a big hug. "We'll miss you on the plane."

I snort at his words.

"No, really," he continues, rocking back and forth with his arms around me. "Without you, someone else will have to sit next to Luke and hold his hand during liftoff. We were excited when you took over that role. How dare you leave us!"

I try to laugh again, but it comes out as more of a shudder as a pang of sadness and guilt slices through my brain. Calum lets me go.

"Bye, Cal," I say, forcing a smile as I open the door to leave.

"Bye!" He waves. "Oh, and Steph?" He calls to me as I'm halfway to my car.

I stop to look at him over my shoulder.

"You better show up tomorrow."

It's like he's reading my mind...

"I will." With a nod, I wave and open my car door to leave. Inside, I let out a deep breath, not sure if the last thing I ever say to Calum will be a lie.

Once at the apartment, my first thought is to get into the comfiest clothes possible. In my room, I find a pair of sweats and a hoodie and carelessly throw them over my body. After changing clothes, I stand in the middle of my room, unsure what to do with myself next. My idleness gives my brain a chance to wander and without realizing it, I can feel the tears starting to slide down my face.