“JesusChrist.” He huffed a sigh and I heard a door close. “I meanMolly,” hehissed into the phone. “I’m offering my kickass bodyguard skills right now,dude. What do you need me to do?”
“Oh.Uh, just keep an eye on her,” I told him, staring ahead at the beige walls.Beige floor. Beige blanket. Christ. So much beige. Even this hospital gown andthe stupid socks they had me wearing were beige. I had never craved color somuch in my damn life. “You know, don’t let anybody near her unless you know andtrust ‘em.”
“Wow,staking claim already. I got it.”
“I’mnotstakin’ claim, you ass.”
“So,if some guy asks her out—”
“Nofucking way. She’s notgoin’ out with anyone.”
Sebastianlaughed. More of a cackle, really. “Bro. You should hear yourself, getting allriled up. ‘No fucking way,’” he mocked, deepening his voice and adding a hintof southern twang. “Just admit you’re staking claim, and I won’t let anybodynear her.”
Isighed. He was impossible, and Ifreakin’ loved himfor it. “Fine.”
“No,no, Chaddington. Yougottasay it.”
“I’mstakin’ claim,” I grumbled, finding it hard to fightmy smile.
“Thereyou go. Now, when she asks why she’s not permitted to go out, am I supposed tosay you’re a protective psychopath?”
“I’mnot—” I sighed, dusting a hand over my hair. It was gettinglongerand I needed to buzz it down. “Just tell her it’s not safe.”
“What’snot safe? Being a normal woman with a healthy appetite for sex?”
“Sex?” Jesus. My voice was a step awayfrom shrill. “Who the hell’stalkin’ about sex?”
“I’mjust asking, dude! If some guy comes up to her after a show and asks if she’slooking to hook-up, what am I supposed to do? Step in and say herboyfriendwouldn’t approve?”
Mythroat felt like sandpaper and my tongue was a dry sponge, sticking to the roofof my mouth. Why hadn’t I thought about this when I’d told her to go back onthe road? Without me around, she was free to do whatever shewanted—Imean, of course she was. She was independent and capable of making her ownchoices, sure, but the only choice I wanted her to make was to be with me.
“Christ,”I croaked, wiping a hand over my mouth. “Is she around?”
“No.We decided to let her walk to the next show,” he drawled sardonically. “Yes,she’s here. Where the hell else would she be, idiot?”
“Puther on.”
“Whoa!”he exclaimed. “Is something about to happen here? Should I get the camera out?”
“Comeon,Seb. Just put her on.” My parents had run down tothe cafeteria. For the past few days, they’d lived either in my room or in thecafeteria, and I knew they’d be back any second. I had no time for his bullshitright now. “Please.”
“Okay,okay. Hold on,” herelentedand I listened as a dooropened. Then, he called, “Ohh, sweetheart! Yourgentleman caller would like a word.”
Inthe moments it took for him to pass the phone to Molly, I quickly wondered whatthe hell I was going to say. WhatcouldI say? To not go out with anybody until I’d had a chance to make mymove?My palms were sweating, and thanks to that persistentmonitor beside me, I was forever aware of my heartbeat. Right now, it waspractically prancing along. This wasn’t how I wanted to tell her about myfeelings. This wasn’t the way I wanted it to go.
“Hey,miss me already?” Her voice hit like a Cupid’s arrow to my heart, and I laid apalm against my chest.Beep, beep, beep.
“Youknow it.”
“Imiss you, too,” she replied softly, and there was Sebastian in the background,saying, “Aw, you guys!”
Ichuckled, elated to hear she missed me. “Don’t be afraid to kick him in theballs, okay?”
“Oh,believe me,” she giggled. “I won’t.”
“Good.”I smiled and picked at the blanket.
“So,what’s up?”
