Heart Strings

CHAPTER 7

The next morning, Bucky was tinkering with something on his bike when Holly went out to leave for work. She opened the car door and put her purse and violin case inside, rolled down the window then closed the door and walked over to where he stood.

"Good morning Bucky."

Bucky barely turned to look at her, "Good morning."

"Problems?" she asked, trying to sound like she didn't feel the tension between them.

Looking up and wiping his hands on a rag Bucky scrunched his nose, "It's nothing. Just needed to adjust the throttle a bit."

"Oh... well that's good. I'm glad everything is okay."

Bucky nodded at her, taking in her black pencil skirt and cream colored blouse. Her hair was pinned up and he could tell she had played with her makeup a little... not quite like the pros had done, but still, she looked so pretty he almost forgot how dismissive she had been the night before.

Straddling the bike, his back straight as an arrow, Bucky leaned his head back and sighed deeply. He wanted to talk, but knew that neither of them really had time. "Well, I better take off. You have a good day."

Holly nodded, "You too!" before quickly returning to her car. She pretended to be adjusting the radio and smoothing her hair, while Bucky's bike roared to life and he coasted to the end of the driveway where he put his helmet on. Instead of pulling out into the 'non-existent' traffic on their side street, he stayed there and watched her in the mirror. Why wasn't she following? It didn't look like she was on her cell; in fact it looked like she was staring a hole through his head. And then he saw her run her finger under her eyes, like she was brushing away tears.

"Shit" he was ready to turn around and go back to her, but she suddenly started the car and was rolling in his direction. "Damn it Holly," he whispered gruffly as he pulled out onto the street and headed to work, his stomach in knots again.

+++

After a light lunch, Holly found a bench outside the building where she worked and pulled out her phone to check for messages. There were reminders from Jean and Eric that they would see her tonight at Eric's place... The orchestra always did an afternoon performance on Thursday for children and any disabled adults who might be more comfortable attending the symphony then. Today was Tuesday, and the three of them would practice together once more tonight, then the entire orchestra would have a short practice on Wednesday evening...

She started shaking as it dawned on her how important this all was. She hoped Bucky would understand. And then she wondered if Bucky would even care. She was so upset with herself for pushing him away when she knew he only wanted to help. Then she had all but ignored him yesterday and now she would be tied up the rest of the week! After taking a couple of deep calming breaths, she continued to check her messages, seeing all of the ones that Bucky had left the day before she couldn't bring herself to read those. But there was another one from him dated that day, about an hour and a half earlier.

"Hey kiddo,

I'm sorry I can't seem to do or say anything right the past couple
of days. I know seeing Greg threw you for a loop and the whole
break-in and this violin thing... I don't understand it all but I've been
feeling bad all day for acting out like a little kid, pouting because you
had other things on your mind. I hope you can understand it's
because I love you so much.

Well shit. I didn't think the first time I told you I loved you would
be by text, but I'm leaving it here because I want you to know . I
should have told you before...