“No. He’d be fine,” she answers, though it comes out like a lie. “I mean, I’m sure I could. I just don’t want toimpose.”
“Come on. Go get dressed. I’ll put this crapback.”
“I don’t know. Coy’s sleeping and I don’t want to wakehim.”
“It’s a ride up to Santa Barbara and back. We’ll probably return before anyone is even awake. A good friend would keep me company. And since we’re friends . . .” I steeple my hands over my heart and bat my lashes, working everything Ican.
She laughs and rolls her eyes. “You’re pretty hard up for aDJ.”
“I’d love thecompany.”
The indecision is there, bouncing between what she wants and what she should do. A better man would let her off easy, but instead, I’ve used whatever pull I have. It might not be enough, though, and that stings alittle.
She bites her lip once. “Okay, give me ten minutes. I’ll bequick.”
I smile so wide, I’m sure I look like a maniac, but the thought of being stuck in a car for a minimum of three hours with this woman pulls my lips so wide my face hurts. I nod but she’s already striding out of the kitchen. God damn. I didn’t think she had it in her to choose me over Coy. Not that this is anything other than a car ride for her. Completely innocent. But that’s not what this is to me. No, I’m an addict when it comes to Jess, and with the promise of more than just one hit, I’m already flying high. Crazy. Fucking crazy, and I don’t care. It’s why my smile is still intact while I put the pots and pans away in the kitchen as quietly as Ican.
Not sure how she’ll tell Coy, and not wanting to cause problems for myself or the band, I take a notepad out of the far drawer when I grab my keys, and scribble a note for everyone tosee.
Back bynoon.
Jess is withme.
Sean
Okay, maybe that’s a lie. Maybe I want everyone in the house to know I’m not sneaking around. But maybe I take too much delight in the simple phrase,Jess is with me. Fuck it. I’ll deal with the repercussions later. If Lex were off tour, I’d leave the exact same note. Nodifferent.
Liar.The difference isn’t in the words, it’s in my intent. I don’t think of Lexi the way I think ofJess.
“Hey.” Jess appears at the entry, having traded her shorts and old T-shirt for jeans and a new T-shirt. I may stare a little too long. “Is this okay? I canchange.”
“You’re perfect.”Shit. I can’t say shit likethat.
Her wide eyes hold a touch of apprehension and I hate that I make hernervous.
Schooling my features and careful not to let my gaze linger as if I’m interested, I walk past her toward the garage. “Let’s roll.” I push the door open and hold it for her to pass. I press the keypad on the wall to open the third bay and click the fob in my pocket to disarm my most prized possession. It chirps with a friendly greeting and Jess stops short, her stare on my gunmetal gray custom built Tesla. I understand her awe. The car is a beautiful sight. I walk over to the driver’s side and wait forher.
“So, is it a requirement? Rock stars must have hot rides?” She runs her hand over the curve of the hood before reaching for thedoor.
I meet her gaze over the car and wink. “You mean Stella? She is a sexy thing, isn’tshe?”
Jess slips inside the cab so I do the same. Her soft laughter stops me from pulling out of the garage. “You named yourcar?”
Lifting a brow, I meet her stare, revving the engine as I pull forward out the drive, through the gate, and onto the street. “Isn’t that a requirement? Don’t all guys name theircars?”
“I suppose you are correct.” She giggles, and even though it’s not loud or boisterous—more like soft and smooth and fades out with the engine—it’s my new favoritesound.
“Here.” I hold out my cell and sneak a glance at her wide eyes. “Now’s when I get to judge how deep our friendshipruns.”
She takes my phone and stares at the screen as if she doesn’t understand, or finds my wordsconfusing.
I was only teasing but it bothers me she might have taken it the wrong way. “Music.” I reach over and swipe across the screen until I find the app I’m looking for. “Play whatever youwant.”
“Oh, right.” Her thumbs tap on the screen and her lips purse together as she studies thecontents.
I follow the GPS on my screen. It’s early still and there are not many cars on the road as I turn toward thehighway.
She lifts her head and draws my attention fromdriving.
