Page 59 of Unrecognizable Player
Stefanos walks to the subway with me, even though I try to tell him I’m fine.
“I grew up in Brooklyn, and I play hockey, I don’t need protecting.”
“I’m not protecting you,” he says, pretending to be offended. “This is a nice neighborhood I’ll have you know.”
“Apologies.”
“I’m just keeping you company, and making sure you don’t get lost.”
I snort. That’s fair. I don’t recognize these streets at all.
I clear my throat before speaking, suddenly nervous.
“You were really good by the way.”
“Hm?”
“Playing the violin, and that other instrument, back there in the restaurant.”
“Oh, it was a bouzouki.” Under the streetlight, I’m sure I can see him blushing. “And thanks.”
We walk in silence for a few beats before he speaks again.
“You don’t think it’s just a load of screeching? The violin I mean.”
“Screeching? No. Who said that?”
He shakes his head. “No one, it doesn’t matter.”
Did his ex say that? Fucking asshole.
“I’ve never really heard anyone play the violin like that before, live I mean, and it was…” I rub my neck, my pits tingling, “… amazing. You’re amazing.”
Now he’s definitely blushing.
“Thank you.”
We’ve reached the subway and we both pause at the steps. The huge bag of take-out weighing my arm down.
“Enjoy the food,” he says.
“I’ll be enjoying this for a week,” I laugh. “Tell your dad thanks again for me.”
“I will. He loves feeding people though, so you don’t have to thank him.”
“Yeah, but he’s trying to run a business over there and he keeps giving out free food. He’s worse than my babushka.”
“I know, I keep trying to tell him, but he doesn’t listen.”
We laugh, our eyes meeting before I drop mine.
“See you back at home later then?” He asks.
“You’re not staying here tonight?”
“Nope, got classes tomorrow.”
Why does the thought of him spending the night in the next room make me nervous?
