“Reid?” When he looked at her, his expression was devoid of emotion.
“I’m going to head to my room if you’re okay. I need to call Jess before it gets too late.”
Dejected, Chloe dropped her eyes. “Okay. Thanks for everything you did tonight. I’m sorry I ruined your birthday.”
A look of sadness crossed Reid’s face as he grabbed Chloe’s arm and gently pulled her into the hall. He looked back into the room, then turned his full attention to her. “You didn’t ruin my birthday. What you did was actually the best present I’ve ever gotten.” He pulled her against his chest and dropped a kiss to the crown of her head. “You inspire me,” he whispered before taking several steps back. “Good night, Chloe.”
Her eyes were dazed and her mouth hung slightly ajar as she lifted her hand and waved. “Good night, Reid,” she whispered before turning and heading back inside her hotel room where she would have to pretend that everything in her life hadn’t been turned on its axis in a matter of hours.
The music was too loud for the late hour. Chloe didn’t care. They had one more show and then she was going to New York to pack all her things to move to Los Angeles. Drink in hand, she danced around the room, her long blond and purple hair flying behind her. Images blurred behind her closed lids: the places she’d traveled, the faces she’d seen. But no matter how hard she tried, hazel eyes, light brown hair, and a strong jaw overshadowed everything. It took no effort at all to smell the rich, woodsy scent of his skin, to feel his smooth, yet callused fingers glide along the curve of her jaw. God, she wanted to feel it again. She wanted to press her nose to his chest and inhale the musk of his cologne. It was wrong. She knew it was wrong. He wasn’t hers. But, oh, how she wished he could be, that he didn’t have a girlfriend he loved, and that when he looked at her, he felt as she did.
“I’m so stupid,” she whispered into the empty room. Releasing a heavy breath, she moved to the dresser and pulled out her thigh-high rainbow-striped socks. They were completely ridiculous, but she loved them nonetheless. Sliding them up her legs, she grabbed her off the shoulder sweater and slipped it over her tank top, the bottom hanging just above the hem of her cotton shorts. Moving to the bed, she grabbed her notebook and dropped to the floor. Taking a sip from her beer, she flipped to the newest page and smoothed her hand across the paper.
You shouldn’t be here, you don’t belong
I don’t wanna write this kind of song.
Let me be, can’t you see
Don’t point your damn arrow at me.
Let me be, can’t you see
He and I aren’t meant to be
Chloe’s eyes shimmered as she read the lyrics. Her chest ached. Shame and regret weighed heavily on her shoulders. She’d done this to herself. Grabbing the pencil from her bedside table, she flipped the eraser to the paper when a soft knock caused her to startle. With furrowed brows, she dropped the notebook and pencil and stood.
“Who is it?” she asked, her heart inexplicably beating faster.
“Chloe? It’s Reid. I know it’s late, but can I come in?”
“Shit,” Chloe whispered, her eyes falling shut, her jaw tightening. Pulling in a cleansing breath, she opened the door and stepped to the side. “Is everything okay?”
She waited as Reid remained unmoving in the hall. His eyes raked over her body, leaving her feeling self-conscious and breathless. “Reid?”
He blinked and cleared his throat before walking into the room. Chloe watched as he looked around, his posture stiff, his hands shoved inside his pockets.
“Are you okay?” she asked again, his behavior making her uneasy.
Reid spun around and shrugged, his expression contrite. “Yeah,” he croaked, his voice raspy. They stared at each other in awkward silence before Reid gripped the back of his neck. “I heard your music.”
“Shit! I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”
“No. I couldn’t sleep. I figured since I was up, and you were up, that we could keep each other company for a while. If that’s okay,” he rushed to add, causing Chloe to smile.
“Yeah, it’s okay. I’m just having a drink and dancing around the room. You know, the usual.” Chloe moved to grab her beer from the table and tipped it in Reid’s direction before taking a long pull. “You want one?”
“Sure.” Reid moved to the small table in the corner and eased into the chair while Chloe pulled a beer from the fridge. She used the opportunity to draw in a deep breath and clear her mind. When she turned to face him, all traces of her internal struggle were gone.
“One more show,” Chloe sighed, falling into the chair across from Reid.
Reid nodded, his eyes downcast. “One more show.”