“You’re lucky I want to see you, like, all the time.”
“I am,” I agree, running my nose along hers. “Thanks for listening.”
She sighs at me, her arms tightening around me. “That’s what you do in a relationship, catch the crazy and help tuck it back in.”
Searching her eyes, I wonder if she is listening to herself. Doesn’t she realize I’d do the same for her? When she glares, I know she sees it in my eyes. “Shut up.”
“Just sayin’.”
“Yeah, yeah, give me a kiss. I gotta go to class.”
I go to drop my lips to hers, but then I pause. “Why were you over here?”
“Had to get some equipment so Todd and I can work on our set for this weekend. I’m on my way to meet him.”
Instant jealousy eats me alive as I look down at her. They have been practicing for a while, and I don’t like it. While she says they are just friends, I’m pretty sure Todd wants more. How could he not? She’s amazing and gorgeous, with a huge wall keeping everyone out. Not that he knows that part. But she’s hot, and I don’t miss the way people look at her. Hell, the way Todd looks at her.
“Don’t look at me like that. We’re friends. I’m your girlfriend, remember?”
“Thank God,” I say, cuddling her up in my arms. “But still, blow him off. Sing with me.”
That has her bubbling with laughter. “Ha! No. Our duet was a one-time thing, and I still can’t believe you lied to me about being able to sing.”
I feign hurt. “What? Are you saying I can’t sing?”
Grinning at me, she searches my eyes. “Please tell me you know you aren’t good?”
I grin. “Yeah, yeah, shut up,” I say, squeezing her, which makes her giggle.
“But yeah, don’t worry about Todd. I’ve got my eyes only on you,” she says with a wink.
“You better keep them there,” I warn and she nods.
“No problem,” she promises and then we are kissing. I melt into her kisses as our lips tangle and our tongues dance. Her lips are flawless and everything I crave. If I didn’t feel good before her lips touched mine, I feel amazing now. I’m not sure why her kisses take my breath away like this or even why it feels like the first time every time, but I fucking love it.
I love her.
Ah, damn it.
Walking toward my bag, I reach for my phone to see if Jace has texted me. I’ve been so worried about him since I left him at the coffee shop. He just looks so tired and worn-down. I wish I could have talked him out of working, to just go straight home to sleep, but he’s too proud. He wants to prove he can do it all, and I wish he’d slow down. We’re going to have to talk because his sleep is imperative and he hasn’t been getting any, especially when we’ve been spending every moment together. Unlike me, where I only have to worry about classes and my gigs, he has hockey, work, and classes, not to mention his family. And he’s stressing himself out.
Finally unearthing my phone from my bag, I see that Jace did text me, right at two fifteen, too.
Jace: I’m home. In my bed. I wish you were here though. Call me when you leave my sister’s.
I smile, but I won’t call him. I’m going to let him sleep and just head over when I g
et done. I should probably let him sleep the whole night, but I know he’ll be upset if I don’t come over tonight. Plus, I want to go. I miss him. Like, all the time, and I want to be with him. Gah, I still can’t believe he questioned that. I feel like he’s been hinting that he wants more for a while. And now that I’m down, he thinks it’s not real? That I was just saying that to cover up for what happened? That irritates me. I know it shouldn’t, but it does because I meant it. I want to be with him.
But I know he wants to know stuff.
My past.
My demons that I’ve locked up tight.
And I’m unsure how to tell him, but I know I need to.
Letting out a long breath, I leave the music department building and walk out to the parking lot to my car. I guess I could just tell him one thing at a time, but to be honest, I don’t want to. I don’t ever want to tell anyone that. I don’t want to relive it, but I know him. I know he wants to know. It’s my fault. I make comments about it and then hide behind the wall I have between us. Only coming out when I want.