“Stop! Shit, Blair, just stop for a minute. I referred to you as tutor nerd before I knew who the fuck you were,” he says, looking me straight in the eye. “I got your number from Hillman but never got your name. I don’t call you that now. As for why I call you Princess. Shit, I can’t believe this. I call you Princess because that’s what you are to me, not because I can’t be bothered remember your fucking name. Jesus, Blair.”
I’m taking in what he’s saying but the crying has made me all foggy and my glasses have misted up. I pull them off and go to wipe them on the hem of my shirt. He grabs a hold of my wrists and bends at the knee to bring his face level with mine.
“Don’t let her do this Blair, please. You know me, you’re the only person that does! Yeah, I’ve been a dick in the past but you’re different. I’m different with you.”
There’s desperation in his voice and I can’t process this right now. I’m a mess and I just want to leave. I turn and attempt to open my car door again, but his arms are around me in an instant, pulling my back against his chest. He places his head on my shoulder so his sweat-dampened cheek is pressed against mine.
“Don’t do this, don’t walk away from me Blair.” His voice quivers and he pulls me tighter to him. “Not over this.” He’s holding me like I’m about to disappear and I realize that I could never walk away from him.
He’s woven a spell over me. I take a deep breath and consider his explanation; I slowly feel my resolve break when I realize that I somehow know it’s the truth.
I twist in his embrace and bury my face into his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing as close to him as I can get.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I say into his shirt as I feel him exhale a long breath.
“Promise me,” he says so quietly I barely hear it.
“I promise.”
I’M SHAKING, THERE’S an insane amount of adrenaline cursing through my veins and I can feel my heart slamming against my chest so hard that I’m sure I’m about to have a heart attack. Blair’s pressed against me, holding my waist as I will myself to relax and calm down. She’s not going anywhere, even if she wanted to I can’t let her— I won’t let her. She may not realize it yet but I’ve given her my heart and I’m not about to accept it back. It comes with a no-return policy, She owns it; she owns me. As much as that thought scares me it's the only thing that keeps me grounded. She’s what makes me want to wake up in a morning. I feel like a junkie and Blair’s my fix; I can’t operate or function without her and I don’t ever want to try.
I cup her face in my hands and shakily bring her lips to mine. I kiss her softly, savoring the feeling of her, trying to commit the taste of her mouth to my memory. She lets out a tiny moan and I can’t help but increase the pressure of the kiss. I pull away and rest my forehead against hers in relief that she’s not running from me. The club doors fling open and Sam’s booming voice slices through the atmosphere shattering the stillness of the moment.
“JAMISON! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?”
Blair winces and looks at me wide-eyed. I squeeze her hand before dropping it and turning to see our manager storming towards me looking more pissed off than I think I’ve ever seen him.
“UNLESS YOU'RE DYING, GET YOUR ASS BACK ON THAT STAGE NOW!” he’s screaming at me and his shaved head is as red as the rest of his angry-looking face.
“Sorry boss, I’m coming,” I say, walking towards him. He promptly turns and heads back inside as I motion for Blair to follow me.
“I’ll wait for you in my car,” she says, biting her lip. “I can’t face going back in there just yet.”
“Are you sure? Please don’t just leave as soon as I’m back inside.” I know I sound needy as fuck but I don’t care.
“I already told you…I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here when you come back out.” She gives me a sad smile and I feel like a complete prick for leaving here out here on her own, but if I don’t get back in there I’ll be in the shit with the guys. Sam’s working his ass off promoting us and getting us gigs, and the guys are convinced he can get us signed. Me, I’m not so sure, and it doesn’t really matter. As long as my scholarship works out, I’m out of here, band or no band.
“Okay, Princess,” I wince as the words leave my mouth and she notices. I jog back to where she’s standing and kiss her forehead.
“Sorry.” She pulls my face down and presses her mouth to mine. “You can call me Princess,” she says against my lips, and I know I need to get my ass back into the club, but right now wherever she is, is the only place I want to be.
I step back into the club and am promptly pulled to the side by Sam.
“I want you to come and see me first thing tomorrow morning,” he says, his eyes still glued to the stage watching the guys play. “Make sure you show up, don’t fuck up everyone else’s chance of being signed, Ethan. I have some things I need to go through with you.”