The week went by slowly as I waited for Harry to make up his mind and for John from the record label to call him. Harry wasn’t really hinting at what he would decide, and I chose to not nag him about it in hopes to give him so time to make the decision on his own. I obviously wanted him to take the offer, but this is his life. He needs to be the one to make the decision.

Harry was at class when I decided I’d confide in gran about this whole situation. She’d give me some good insight.

She was making tea when I joined her in the kitchen. “Would you like a cup, dear?” She smiled and pulled out a cup for me before I could even answer.

“Yes, thank you.” I smiled and sat down at the table. She placed my cup in front of me before sitting down in the chair beside me.

“Something on your mind?”

“Yeah, actually. I wanted to talk to you about something.” I sighed as I blew on my hot tea to cool it down.

“You’re not pregnant are you?” Gran asked instantly.

I almost spit out the tea from my mouth at that. “No, gran.” I laughed. “Not pregnant.” I assured her.

“Well good. I mean, I want grand kids in the future, but not now. You’re too young.”

“Don’t worry,” I smiled. “I don’t want a kid right now or for awhile, really. But anyway, I wanted to talk to you about Harry.”

She nodded so I would continue. “So you know he sings and plays the guitar every once in awhile, and after he kind of went off the deep end about feeling worthless, I tried to convince him that maybe doing something with music in the future would be good for him. He’s a little hesitant on that, for whatever reason, but I just know it’d be the perfect career for him. He’s so happy and carefree when he’s singing.” I babbled on.

“Anyways, I called a music executive from a popular record label in New York, and he came out to see Harry last week at the café where they had open-mic night. He’s a friend of my dad’s, so he came out here on a favor, but he honestly loved Harry. He offered him to go out to his label and record some songs, but I’m almost positive Harry is going to turn him down.”

“Wow.” Gran said. “Harry’s a lucky man to have you.” She smiled and took my hand in hers.

“I just want him to realize that he is worth something. He’s everything to me, Gran, and I want him to be happy. I know music will make him happy, and I’m terrified he’ll turn this opportunity down for whatever reason.” I admit.

“Aubrey, Harry’s a stubborn boy. You know that more than anyone. But you must realize that everything you’re doing is more than wonderful. If he turns the offer down, then that’s his mistake. I know it will be difficult to watch him pass it up, but that’s his decision to make. You’re support is everything. Just be there for him and pray he makes the right choice.”

“I hope he does. I know it’s a risk with the label being back in New York, but I don’t want him to go through school and end up with a job he hates just because he doesn’t want to take that risk.”

“Things will work out Aubrey, they always do.” Gran smiles and stands to hug me. “Why don’t you go talk to him, see what he’s thinking. Just talk to him, don’t pressure him into doing anything. Tell him how much you care for and support him. I don’t doubt that you love him, but sometimes Harry needs to be told that often.”

“Thanks, Gran.”

I took her advice and went upstairs to clean up the room a little before Harry got home. I was ready to finally sit down and talk to him about this, and hope it would end well.



An hour later, Harry came into the room looking tired from his classes. He took a quick shower, and it gave me time to think of what I would say to him. I know he hates talking about what he wants to do in the future, but this conversation needs to be had.

“You were waiting for me?” Harry smirks as he enters back into the room with his towel hanging deliciously low on his hips. “Why didn’t you join me in there?” He winks.

“We need to talk, Harry.” I smile even though I’m trying to be serious.

“Uh oh, what’d I do?” He teases as he pulls on a pair of boxers and athletic shorts.

He discards the towel in the hamper after drying his hair off, and joins me on the bed.

“Nothing.” I smile and wipe a droplet of water from his forehead. “Have you heard from John yet?”

“No, he hasn’t called.”

“Really?” I frown. It’s been a week, so why hadn’t John called him like he’d said he would? “Are you going to call him?”

“Probably not.” Harry sighed and laid back on the bed. “I figured if he didn’t call me, then he lost interest or found someone better. I don’t really mind though, it’s not like I could’ve taken his offer. I’ve already missed enough classes this year.”

“It’s such an amazing opportunity, Harry.” I reminded him, hoping to change his mind somehow. I didn’t know what else to say. I hadn’t known that John never called back.

“It’s not like I could actually make a career out of it, Aubs. It’s a waste of time, really.”

“That’s not true. It’s Universal Records, Harry!”

“Babe, I just don’t want to do it, okay? I love you for caring so much, but it’s just not my thing. It’s fine.” He distracted me with a kiss.

“Okay.” I sighed. I felt defeated.

I didn’t know what else to tell him, but I can’t be that nagging girlfriend. If Harry really doesn’t want to, then who am I to force him into it? And Harry's right; John didn’t call, so maybe he really did lose interest. I felt a little frustrated at that, but John did me a favor by coming out here to see Harry, it was never in the deal that he would automatically offer Harry something. It was up to John to decide whether Harry was good enough or not, that had nothing to do with me.

---

The next day in class, my phone began to vibrate in my bag. I checked to see if it was Harry, only to recognize a different number. I would usually just let it go to voicemail, refusing to miss class, but I knew just this time I had to take this.

I got up quietly from my seat and exited the lecture hall with minimal interruption to the rest of the class.

“John?” I answered, hoping I’d answered in time.

“Hello, Aubrey. I figured I’d give you a ring seeing that Harry declined my offer. I was a little disappointed, really. You’re boyfriend has exactly what I’m looking for, and I was thinking maybe you could continue to convince him to give me a call?”

What?

“He declined your offer?” I asked to clarify.

“Yeah, I called him the Monday after we met. He just said he wasn’t interested.”

“Oh.” I swallowed. “He told me you hadn’t called him yet.”

Why would he lie to me?

“Hardly.” John laughs. “I had to force myself not to find out where you lived so I could come convince him myself to come out.”

“John, I’m so sorry. I’ll talk to him and try to convince him. I don’t think he really understands what he’s passing up.”

“I really appreciate it, Aubrey. Like I said, Harry is someone I do not want to pass up.”

“Thank you, John. I’ll be in touch.”

“Thank you, Aubrey. Tell your father I said hello.” He says before hanging up.

I quickly decided to skip out on the rest of class to get home and talk to Harry. Thankfully it’s Thursday so Harry is already home from his classes.

I make it home in record time and go straight to our room to find him playing his guitar and humming along to a song. 'See, this is what you were meant to do.' I want to tell him.

“What are you doing home early?” He asks and moves his guitar aside so he can sit up to kiss me.

I kiss him briefly before getting it off of my chest. “Why did you lie to me about John not calling you?”

“What?” Harry says and looks away from me.

“I know he called you. Why would you lie and tell me he didn’t?”

He looks bewildered at the accusation, and I can tell he knows he’s been caught. “I just can’t take the offer, Aubs. Can we just drop it.”

“No Harry! I want to know why you won’t even consider it?” I beg.

“How did you even know?”

“John is a friend of my dad’s.”
“So he didn’t really have an interest in me?” He assumes.

“No, he’s actually very disappointed that you declined his offer. He did me a favor by coming out to see you, but he really does like you.” I tell him, hoping this won’t turn into another argument.

“Aubrey, I just don’t want to do it. I’m done talking about this.” Harry tells me and strides off towards the bathroom.


I grab his arm and force him to look at me. “Harry, I don’t want to fight, and I don’t want to make you mad, but please tell me what you’re thinking. You’ve been so closed off lately and I just want to understand what’s going on in your mind.” I ask him. “You don’t need to take him up on his offer, but please tell me why you won’t.”

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before picking me up and carrying me back to the bed. He leans against the headboard and holds me on his lap.

“I love you, Harry. I just want you to be happy, and I know I’m being annoying for nagging you about this, but I thought this would be something you’d want.” I explain when he doesn’t speak right away.

“I love you too, Aubrey. And you’re right,” He sighs. “I do want this, I just, it’s not going to work out. I don’t want to go out there and get my hopes up. I can’t make a career off of it, and even if I did, I’d be there while you are here I can’t leave you again, and I’m not letting you transfer schools again for me. I need to be here and graduate Cambridge so I can get a good job.”

“Harry,” I frown and caress his face. “I love that you are considering me in all of this, but don’t.” I tell him and mean it. “Tell me honestly; if we weren’t dating, what would you do?”

The thought stings at my heart, but I need to ask.

“But we are dating, so it doesn’t make a difference.” He countered.

“Just answer the question. If me and you were not dating, would you take John up on his offer?” I asked again.

“Yeah, probably.” Harry finally answered.

“Then you have to do it. Harry, I’ll hate myself if I’m the one holding you back. I want this for you so much, and you know we have a strong enough relationship to make it work.”

“I don’t know, I just don’t want to think about it. I don’t want to leave you. I’d rather be here with you than go. I just want us to stay in one place for more than a couple of months for once.”

“I know Harry, I don’t want you to leave either.” I tell him. “But who knows, maybe it’ll be something that is quick and that you can get done with in a week or so. Why don’t you call John and maybe just set up something where you only need to be there a weekend or a few days.” I compromise.

“Okay.” He nods wearily.

“I think you’ll regret it if you don’t even see what he has to offer.” I tell him and force him to look at me. “I love you, Harry, and whatever happens with all of this, nothings happening to us, okay? We’ve been through so much, and this will only make us stronger. It’s going to be a great experience for you whether all you do is record a few songs, or you become a famous rockstar that all of the girls drool over.” I smile and run my fingers through his soft hair.

“Thank you, Aubrey.” Harry says quietly. “I really don’t know what I’d do without you. I love you.”

Notes

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