"I warned you about doing that." I fall back on my bed, my head resting comfortably on a soft pillow. "I'm going to fall in love with you if you keep it up."
"Thought that was talkingHunger Games."
"No. AnythingHunger Games." I run my fingertips over my comforter. It does nothing to ground me. I'm still floating.
"How was your first day?"
I launch into the longest story in the history of the world. I include every boring detail, from the honey mustard dressing on my salad bar lunch to the last names of my new professors. Pete listens with rapt attention the entire time.
His voice is light. Happy. "Fuck, wish I was there. Bet you're beaming."
"I am. I miss you." That's too much too fast, but it can't bring me down from my cloud. "This would be our life if we really were boyfriend/girlfriend, huh?"
"Close to it."
"How much of the year are you on the road?" I ask.
"About a third. Sometimes more."
"That's not so bad." Not that I'm entertaining a million ideas about being with him forever.
"You change your mind about picking up a bass?"
"No, I just mean, if we—"
"I know."
"Was it hard, with your ex, being away?"
"She went to school in New York. Columbia. Didn't make much of a difference whether I was touring or staying home."
"Oh."
He lowers his voice. "Gotta tell you something before I ask what you're wearing."
My cheeks flush. I like where this is going. "What's that?"
"I had an issue today. Took care of it. But it means you're gonna see something tomorrow that's gonna surprise you."
"You're speaking in riddles."
He chuckles. "Guess I am."
"Is it bad?"
"It's taken care of." He clears his throat. "Want you to know that I wasn't under duress. I weighed my options, thought about the potential consequences, and made my decision."
I'm not coming close to following. "What?"
"It's not a big deal. You'll see tomorrow."
"Promise it's nothing bad and I'll drop it until tomorrow."
"I promise."
"We're not allowed to lie to each other."
"I know."
