Private Lessons

Chelsea

After the first week of playing the same songs over and over again in the room, I grew a bit bored. I think Antonio could tell as well. Even after having plenty of time to fool around and polish my skills, I hit my peak. We’d need to do something different if he wanted me to continue to grow.

“Grab your tablet, we’re leaving,” he instructed one afternoon.

Having been draped across our bed, I stared at him confused. “Where are we going?” And why would I need my tablet? If it was for the sheet music, I could play the songs without even looking. “Do I really need to bring it?”

He nodded, already standing by the door. He hadn’t even bothered grabbing his jacket. Must not have planned on going far. “Trust me, you’ll need it.”

Pressing my lips together in a firm line, I remained suspicious. Moving to collect my keyboard, he stopped me once more to say we didn’t need it. Even more confused, I grabbed my tablet and followed him out of the room. We didn’t even stop by to grab Travis.

Something told me he didn’t want to confess where we were going because I wouldn’t like it. Thanks to that thought alone, my feet dragged. Antonio liked to remind me how often training never stopped.

Even in the elevator, he remained silent. When I caught him sneaking a glance at me, my stomach swelled with butterflies. Damn him for making me scared and warm all at the same time. The two sensations should never cross.

When we stepped out, I noticed how busy the lobby looked. Everyone was either checking in or out of their rooms. Kind of like a rush hour for the place. Keeping close to him, I tried not to accidentally bump into the passing traffic.

“Still not going to tell me where we’re going?” Catching his attention, I even batted my eyelashes at him.

He laughed and I swore I could die without any regrets knowing I caused the sound.

“Travis is pushing me to announce who my partner is. Media is giving him one hard time.” One of his arms quickly wrapped around me, pulling my body close before a cart had the chance to bump into me. “This hotel also has a beautiful piano in the corner of the lobby. I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone.”

If it weren’t for his arm keeping me secured at his side, I would’ve made a run for it. “You can’t be serious.”

He nodded, “I am. We’re going to play for all of these people, and I’m sure someone will capture your essence on their phones. Media will get all taken care of.”

Oh god. I was going to throw up. At least on stage, I didn’t have to see all of those people when I messed up. It was well lit up here. I’d see everything.

“I don’t think I’m as good as you think I am.” Goosebumps covered my skin, causing my hair to stand up on my arms like sharp pin needles. Now was not the time to start panicking.

“Chelsea,” he said firmly, pulling me from my fearful thoughts momentarily. “If you can impress me, you can impress everyone. Before, you thought I was embarrassed to show you off. That’s not the case, my sweet girl. I want to keep you close, all to myself. That’s true. But I also want to let you burn bright. No one has the ability to hide away from the sun, not even the sun itself.”

If the fear of performing didn’t stop my heart, Antonio sure would.

We came to a stop and I noticed the piano. My mouth felt so dry. “What if I mess up again?”

His hand slid across my back before rubbing small circles between my shoulders. “If you mess up, own it. Fuck what anyone else thinks, their opinions don’t matter.” Hearing him curse made me shiver. He didn’t do it very often. “I’ll be next to you the entire time, playing alongside you.”

“The hotel doesn’t care if we play?”

His lips curved upward making the heat in my body double. “It’s not there for decoration, love. Just one more obstacle to face before the real show begins.”

Nodding my head, I moved to the piano and he claimed the seat next to me. While I fumbled with my tablet while fighting against trembling fingers, he sat there with patience. Though, I think he purposely tried to make me feel more stressed.

“People are starting to look. I think they want to hear us,” he whispered. Apparently, Antonio could be mischievous. Now that he learned he could smile, the damn guy wouldn’t stop.

“Shush.” Cheeks hot as hell, I set my tablet down and sucked in a deep breath.

“Too stiff,” he corrected before I could even touch the piano.

Damn him.

“Show me how well you can play on a real piano, Chelsea.” His words were soft, it was hard to look away from his loving gaze.

Nodding my head, I relaxed as I ignored the eyes already collecting on us. Right now, I only needed to play for myself. Pretend I’m still in our room, creating music. Feeling a smile pull on my lips naturally, I began playing.

As promised, Antonio picked right up alongside me. If it were possible to translate love without words, this would be it.

Nerves melted into light air, and I enjoyed playing alongside him. I wished I could watch his expressions. His face was always what drew me in. Not his good looks, that was just a plus. But knowing that he went into his own world as he played. Doing the same, I easily slipped into my own. Unlike the other times I’ve played, I was no longer alone in my world. We shared our beautiful world together.

After the song ended, I didn’t end up dying from embarrassment. When I came to, I realized we’d drawn a crowd. Damn him for knowing what would happen. I didn’t even have time to get shy. He made me play through the entire setlist. The entire time, I felt alive. Loved it, even. Why else couldn’t I get the grin off of my lips?

How often did Antonio play freely like this? Apparently, there was still much I didn’t know about him. I had plenty of time to learn.

“A couple of days of this and we’ll see if we can take your keyboard to the streets. Then we’ll have even a bigger audience.”

Plenty of time unless Antonio killed me beforehand.