“See? You and his ass are up close and personal now. He’s a real man. With real interest in you. Let’s just focus on that, and not the other stuff.,the rock star stuff,” she reasons. “Because we don’t even know anything about rock star stuff. Anything we throw out there as a potential problem is just hypothetical bullshit anyway. Why tarnish this lovely adventure with bullshit?”
I take a deep breath and let her words settle. Then I nod. “You’re right. Forget spiraling out and beyond what actually is.In this moment, all I know, is that I met a really hot guy who made me laugh and asked for my number.”
“And let’s not leave out the ass. We know about that ass,” she teases.
And I can finally laugh about all of this.
“Alright,” I say, putting the key in the ignition, “what’s next? Are we calling it a night? Or are we taking the party onward?”
“By party are you referring to pancakes?”
I start up the engine and grin. “Abso-fucking-lutely.”
CHAPTER FIVE
KNOX
“Is it too late to call her?” I ask when we’re all piling back into the bus. It’s nearly two a.m., two hours since I saw her. She could be home by now, tucked in bed and sound asleep. Except I’m way too wired to even sit still just thinking about her, and if I’m feeling this way, it’s possible she is too.
“The woman you met tonight?” Jason asks, laughing. “I’d go more with too soon. Don’t you want to give it a day or two. Let the anticipation build a bit?”
“If I wait two days to call her the anticipation won’t just build, I’ll explode,” I say dryly.
He laughs harder. “I meant for her. Damn, dude. I don’t even remember the last time I’ve seen you like this.”
“That’s because you’veneverseen him like this,” Matti chimes in, moving past me to have a seat on the sofa. “I say call her. Be in the moment. Don’t overthink it.”
Cass comes in last, pulling the door shut behind her. “I’m with Matti. Women hate games. Or waiting. Or guessing. We like direct. Honest. Communication.” Her eyes move to Jason, and I get the sense this list isn’t just for me.
“I’m gonna call her.” I start back for the same door we all just climbed in through.
“Where are you going?” Matti calls after me as I’m stepping outside.
“The only place I’m going to have any kind of privacy. The back alley. I don’t need you all in my ear while I’m doing this.” I throw the door shut before anyone can say anything. Not that they’d argue, but they’d sure as hell give me shit about it. And still will when I return.
As soon as I’ve cleared a bit of space between the bus and myself, I hit call. I keep walking the length of the alleyway. The House of Rock is attached to three other bars, so I’ve got plenty of walkway and enough nervous energy to make use of it.
“You called!” she says after just one ring.
“Woman, I told you I would.” I chuckle. “Is this going to be a thing with us?”
She laughs quietly on the other end. “I’m kind of enjoying it. The constant high of a pleasant surprise. It’s quite nice.”
I smile. I like her laugh. I like even more that I’m the reason she’s laughing. “Well, if it makes you happy far be it from me to change things.”
“Did you guys just get done at The House of Rock?” she asks, and I notice the sound of conversation in the background.
“Yeah. The place was packed, took longer than expected to get out of there, but it was good. Great crowd in there tonight, so it was easy to stay,” I pause when I hear a man’s voice offering someone more coffee. “Where are you at?”
“Denny’s. All you can eat pancakes.” She thanks someone, presumably her server, for the refill.
“You gonna be there a while?” I turn around and head back to the bus.
“It’s all you can eat pancakes,” she says, like my question has already been answered.
“Perfect. Make room for five more. We’re heading your way.”
KENLEY
