Chapter 8: ALL EYES ON HIM

After everyone else got out of bed, the day passed without any further incidents to suggest that Flynn liked me. I began to relax and felt comfortable again sitting with everyone. They talked about an eclectic range of things - from stage settings and technology, cars, and football - to the benefits of the latest smartphone Kayden had bought.

Adam got Flynn on to the subject of music and Flynn told us he was studying classical music at college, but he said he loved all genres. Adam dragged me into the conversation when he told Flynn I played the guitar. I wanted to punch him for telling Flynn it was my "party talent" when there was a cookout at our house. Flynn glanced at me and smiled.

"Maybe she'll play something for me someday."

"And maybe Adam will have that loose tongue of his frozen and stuck to a metal pole if the weather permits," I responded, scowling at them both.

Flynn and Adam chuckled, and Adam asked Flynn if he'd play something for us.

As soon as the spotlight fell on Flynn and his music, embarrassment painted his face.

"Sorry guys, I don't do public performances unless it's a necessity for a grade. My college gigs are bad enough. I'm more of a one-on-one performer. That's why I chose to study to become a mentor. I'd die if I had to get up on stage and play for a living."

I stared in disbelief, thinking he was joking. Until that moment, he'd seemed like one of the most confident people I'd ever met.

Martin had been on his laptop and was obviously well out of the conversation, but he tuned in when he heard Flynn talking.

"My mom and my grandpa died within seven months of each other. I went to live with my uncle for a while but - "

Something held him back as he sat silently, as if in deep thought.

"Where's your dad?" Adam asked, with a complete lack of insight into Flynn's foster care history.

"Don't be so nosy, Adam. Flynn pushed himself to learn music as a form of therapy. He doesn't like talking about his past," Martin warned.

Seeing how uncomfortable Flynn was, I tried to distract Adam from asking any further questions. "Anyone want a soda or anything?"

Flynn nodded and gave me a half smile before swallowing, and I watched pain pass over his face. A dark look settled in his eyes.

"Let's just say my dad isn't a very nice man. Anyhow, I ended up in foster care and after a few years in a children's home, I was placed with some awesome foster parents. They were much older, in their late sixties, when I was placed with them. I was a hard-to-place kid, but Yvette knew exactly what to do to get the best out of me. I had my grandpa's old classical guitar, and instead of sitting, questioning me about my life, she decided I should try music as a way of connecting with the world."

Staring straight at me while he spoke, I felt a little unnerved, like the conversation Flynn was having was too intimate to share for the short time we'd all known him. I'd heard someone say it was easier to talk to strangers on a late-night radio station program before, so I wondered if that's how Flynn was viewing it all. He went quiet for a few minutes and then he spoke again.

"I'll admit, I'd been somewhat unmanageable until then, but I thank my stars every day for that woman's insight, because music healed my soul. They were amazing people." His expression grew somber. "Both passed last year just after I left to go back to college. I could have stayed where I was with the short amount of time I had left at college, but I wanted a clean break from Atlanta. Too many memories."

Flynn's voice cracked a little at the end, and he turned his head and stared out the kitchen window for few moments, seemingly in deep thought again. We all sat silently until he smiled and looked up. "So glad I did too, because here I am in this awesome family, sharing Thanksgiving with you all."

When he'd opened up to us, I had the urge to hug him. Maybe I'd wanted to hug him for me as well. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be nineteen and lose the people I loved. It must have taken a lot for him to expose his soul like that.

Martin stood up and snapped his laptop closed. "Right. Come on, Flynn, get your coat. We're heading out for the night. I've rounded up some of the guys, and I heard through the grapevine there's a party going down. It'll be good to catch up with everyone, and I can introduce you to a few of my old buddies."

I didn't want him to go out. I wanted him to stay so I could learn more about him.

Flynn looked at Adam, then at me, like he wanted to stay as well. Less than a minute later, he tapped the table, and his wooden chair scraped back slowly on the tile floor as he stood up. A soft smile spread on his lips as he glanced down at me. "Thanks for listening. I guess I'll catch up with you later," he said, and excused himself.

Both Martin and Flynn went to find Kayden and, as usual, Kayden played chauffeur. Adam and I curled up and watched an old movie on TV about the world ending yet again. Once it was done, I prepared for bed. Mom and Dad had gone out to visit some neighbors and weren't back by the time Buster was creating havoc at the door, demanding to be let out.

We always went out there with him because we worried a bigger animal would hurt him after dark. I'd already changed into my pajamas, but I still wanted to protect him. It was freezing outside, so I pulled Dad's huge wax-proof jacket off the peg in the utility room to wear. Grabbing Buster's leash just in case, I unlatched the door, and he bounded outside.

Immediately, he headed for the old barn at the back, and I went after him when I noticed the light was on. I figured Kayden had forgotten to turn it off when they left. He'd been working on Susie, as usual, when the boys had gone to find him, and it wouldn't have been the first time he'd left without shutting everything off.

As I neared the barn, I heard Flynn's voice. I couldn't make out what he was saying, but I heard Martin exclaim, "Damn. That was amazing."