“I’ve known her since high school.”
Chris gapes at me. “High school…here?Sutton Everettwent to high schoolhere? And you’ve never said anything?”
“Crazy, right? You’re taking it so well.”
He rolls his eyes. “It’s bro code, Teddy. If you know celebrities, much less ones who look like—”
“Chris.”
He holds his hands up and leans back. “Fine.” Then, he straightens. “Hey, Tanya.”
“Hi.”
I give my ex—I guess—girlfriend a hesitant smile as she sits down across the table. Aside from pleasantries, we haven’t really talked since that Monday on my front porch.
In a town as tiny as Brookfield, I knew it was only a matter of time before word spread about my summer plans. The Everett family mostly keeps to themselves. Lily has her bakery in town, but David rarely leaves their property, as much of a hermit as Joe was. It’s hard to picture him ever living in a bustling metropolis like Chicago. And neither Sutton nor Ellie have returned since graduation.
The past eight years have offered no shortage of gossip in town. For Brookfield’s residents, that’s far more interesting than the life of a mainstream music celebrity.
But now, I’m involved, garnering new interest, especially among the younger generations who don’t remember Sutton’s brief time here.
I wasn’t born here. I wasn’t happy about moving here when I was fourteen. But it became home, and Brookfield has adopted me, for all intents and purposes.
Chris takes another bite of peanut butter and jelly as he glances between us. News of our breakup has also been making the rounds on the Brookfield gossip circuit, I’m sure.
“You should try a cupcake,” I tell her. “They’re good.”
“Yeah, Hilarie said so too. I’ll have to grab one.”
“Is your classroom cleaned out?”
“Not yet. I’ve got to come back in tomorrow to finish up. You?”
“I’ve still got my sixth period Calculus class. I’ll box everything up afterward.”
Tanya nods. Plays with the edge of one of the paper napkins on the table. “We’re planning to go to trivia night at Duke’s tomorrow. Hilarie, Mia, Joseph, Tom—the usual crew.” She glances at Chris, who teaches physical education and coaches the football team. “There’s a sports section, so I’m sure you’ll get recruited.” Her gaze returns to me. “Anyway, if you want to come…”
I’m not sure how to take the invitation. If it’s a peace offering or regrets.
Brookfield High employs about a dozen teachers under the age of thirty, including me, Tanya, and Chris. We hung out as a group before Tanya and I started dating, and I assumed we’ll continue to now that we’re no longer a couple.
My phone buzzes with an unknown number before I can decide if it’s an invitation I should accept. “Sorry. One sec.” I tap the green button and lift the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
A woman’s voice asks, “Is this Teddy Owens?”
“Yes.”
“This is Hannah Thompson. I work for Sutton Everett.”
“Oh.” I straighten automatically. “Hi. Sutton mentioned you’d be reaching out.”
Across the table, Tanya stiffens, and I start to regret not moving away from the table before answering.
“Good,” Hannah responds. “I’ve got everything all set for your travel. I couldn’t get a direct flight on any airline from Madison.”
“Not surprised,” I reply.
She laughs. “I already like you more than Devon. He was an idiot.” I’m assuming that’s Sutton’s guitarist, but I don’t have the chance to ask before she continues talking. “Your plane leaves at seven-fifty p.m. tomorrow. You’ve got a two-hour layover at Heathrow, and you’ll arrive in Cologne at five-twenty local time. I sent you a full itinerary with the tickets.”