Dangerous Crush (Dangerous Noise 2)

"That girl asked if you were my boyfriend."

I've never wanted to be somebody's boyfriend, but I want it with her. I want more than that even. "We can make that happen."

Her eyes light up. "Yeah?"

"If this is serious, we need to tell everyone. I've hid shit from people for a long time. I can't do it again."

She nods. "Right." She presses her lips together. "I'll figure that out. Hopefully, soon. And then... then it will be officially official."

"Now?"

"It's unofficially official. We know it's real, serious." Her smile spreads over her cheeks. "My boyfriend, Kit Lockhart. I like the sound of that."

"So will every Dangerous Noise fan you ever meet."

"True. I'll have to skip the last name or something." She runs her fingertips along my chin. "Is Kit your real name or a nickname?"

"Christopher."

She laughs. "Christopher?"

"What's funny about that?"

"It's normal." She runs her fingers over my cheeks. "It doesn't suit you."

"Must be why I go by Kit." I reach up to press my palm against her cheek. "You taking the class?"

"Yeah." She lets out a low groan as she leans into my gesture. "You should take it too." She pries her lids apart to stare into my eyes. "Since you're such a bad actor."

I let out a deep chuckle. "I don't mind being a bad actor."

"It must be how stoic you are." She wraps her fingers against my wrist and pulls my hand to her mouth. One digit at a time, she plants a kiss on each of my fingertips. "You're not exactly expressive."

"You are."

She nods. "I looked into it. UCI has one of the best acting programs in California. I'm going to stay there. Mal offered to pay my tuition if my parents get fussy about it. But they won't." She shifts closer. Her arm curls around mine. "They don't notice anything I do."

"I get that."

"It sucks, huh?" Her voice gets low, vulnerable. "Do you ever see your parents?"

"At Thanksgiving and Christmas. Not last year." I was just out of rehab come Christmas. "We talk on the phone about once a month."

Piper nods. "Do you miss them?"

"No."

"Never?"

I shake my head. But that isn't quite right. I do miss certain things about them. "We catch up every few months."

With anyone else, I'd change the subject and be done with it. With Piper, that feels wrong. I want to share every ugly thing with her.

Even if it makes her run away.

She says nothing, simply runs her fingers over my forearm. It's the kind of gentle touch that means nothing from a stranger and everything from a lover.

"I miss how things used to be. When Dad loved Mom and Mom was happy." I point to the white stars that stand out against the dark sky. "Mom used to have a spark about her. She loved her job—she made fancy clothes and costumes—as much as I love music. As much as you love acting."