Chapter 26
Romeo tilts his head in question.
I zip my pants then gesture wildly at him with my hands. “That night outside the theater in the smoking area.”
He scoots to the edge of the bed and nods. “I always wondered why you never said anything about that night. Never considered you didn’t recognize me. I thought the bad ass drummer was embarrassed.”
I ignore the bad ass comment. “But you don’t smoke.” And he was dressed different, but sometimes he does change right before going on stage.
“Once in a while I bum one from Sam, especially if I’m feeling nervous.”
I frown. “When are you nervous?”
“I am human, Riley. Playing in front of huge crowds gets to me sometimes.”
Yeah right, and I’m Wonder Woman. “Why did you give me that card?”
“You seemed distraught, lonely, depressed. The card never hurts.”
Another revelation hits me. “That’s why you were asking Marcus about me.”
He nods. “Mostly.”
I pause buttoning my pants. “Mostly?”
“I was interested in you from the start.”
My mouth falls open, thinking of our meeting in that dark, smoky alley. “Why?”
“Your sadness drew me to you first.” His expression turns pensive as he rubs the scruff along his jaw. “Then the fact you were mature enough to respect someone’s wishes without hate. And even then you didn’t seem like other girls...you’ve never wanted me for something I’m not.”
My mouth falls open even more. “Then why were you such an ass at tryouts?”
“You were with Marcus, actually wrapped in his arms.” His eyes turn hard at the memory. “I figured he was the guy you were crying about that night. And you didn’t look like a lost and lonely girl anymore. You looked sexy and full of confidence. Suddenly unbelievably fucking jealous, I couldn’t seem to help myself. Then you played like a drummer goddess and I imagined long practices watching Justin and Sam flirting with you. Of course, I was right. The whole thing drove me insane, especially while I thought you had a boyfriend.”
I’m a bit overwhelmed with his perception but I manage to ask, “Do you always carry those cards?”
“I do.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet. Under the front flap he shows me a stack of cards. “I also volunteer twice a week for the Child and Family Services’ suicide hotline. It’s where I met April. Her cousin committed suicide when they were in high school.”
My fingers pause reaching for my bra before I scoop it up. Poor April. I almost wish things had worked out for her and Romeo. “So she knows about that girl and…well you know.”
“A little. Not much. I’ve never told my past in its entirety to anyone before.”
I can’t help frowning. “I shouldn’t have pried.”
He reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “I wanted to tell you. You…we…” He shakes his head. “This just feels real. And keeping secrets doesn’t feel real.”
“It does feel real.” I reach out to touch his face and my bra rubs against his cheek. I yank my hand down and we both laugh. I quickly stuff my bra in my pocket. “Do you know I didn’t want to try out for the band?”
His expression becomes confused as he shakes his head.
“Marcus and Chloe thought it was the greatest idea ever. I thought it was the stupidest.” I reach for my jacket hanging from the bedpost. “Even after I watched you guys and thought you were awesome, I had no intention of trying out. But while we waited for you to come out, I looked at the card. I hadn’t until then because I thought it was your number.”
A winged brow arches.
“I was floored when I read the card. Though I’d never thought of…” I can’t bring myself to say that word after his story, “hurting myself, I realized something was wrong with my life and that I needed something. I decided it was playing in the band.”
He scoots to the very edge of the bed. “So you’re telling me I helped you decide to try out?”
“In a weird twisted way.”
His lips curve into a closed lipped smile.
“But what I really want to tell you is that you’re amazing.” He puts out a hand for me to stop. I grab it and hold it in both of mine. “The past you’ve overcome, that you volunteer, and that you care enough about strangers to offer them bandanas and cards and encouraging words…well you’re just amazing.”
He stares at our entangled hands for several long seconds then says in a hoarse voice, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but don’t get too big of a head,” I say with a smirk. “There’s a bit of asshole in you too.”
Though I expected a laugh, he yanks me into his arms and hugs me tight. “I know you wanted to go to Virginia,” he says, warming my ear. “I know that was your dream, but I’m so fucking glad you’re here.”
I hug him back and honestly say, “I’m glad I’m here too.”