Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 73930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Before either of us can say anything else, our new associate comes into the room with a question for Garrett, and I take the opportunity to leave.
42
Duke
On my nights off from Club Red, I usually prefer to stay home and enjoy the peace and quiet, especially on my back deck. Lately, however, I’ve become a semi-regular customer at Rusty’s. It doesn’t make much sense to spend my time off at a bar, when I already work at a club, but after just one, ahem, performance, I’ve become a big fan of Autumn’s, and I want to see her perform again.
I’m talking about her singing, but I want her back in my bed, too.
Finally, the stars align one night, and the voice of an angel greets me when I walk through Rusty’s front door. Autumn looks more beautiful than ever. Her eyes are closed as she loses herself to the music, her long hair flows over her shoulders like a waterfall, and her red shirt dips low enough to set my mind wandering.
I never expected to be here looking for her. When she moved out, I figured I’d get over it, but the hole she left has only grown bigger.
I find a table near the back where I can watch her without it being likely that she’ll notice me. I can change my mind and leave any time, but the two scotch and sodas I drink while she plays convince me that I’d be an idiot not to talk to her.
Something’s missing in my life, and sure, things are a little too quiet without Trevor and Adrian around, but I was feeling this way before they left. I’ve been feeling this way ever since she left.
The patrons in the bar give her a good healthy round of applause after the last number in her second set. The way her face glows with pride is a sight to see, but the smile on her lips doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
I approach as she’s taking down her mic stand. Her back is to me when I say, “I like your new songs.”
“Thanks.” I can tell she’s not expecting me when she turns with a smile. Her face falls into seriousness when she sees it’s me. “Duke.”
“How are you?” I ask.
“I didn’t know you were here.”
“I missed the beginning, but I was here for most of your performance. Quite a crowd.”
“Yeah, it’s a nice turnout.” She’s paused, equipment in hand.
“Can I help with anything?” I ask.
She glances around at her amp and guitar. “I guess I could use help carrying things out. Are you here with someone?”
I shake my head, frowning. “I came to see you.”
“Oh,” is all she says before she resumes packing up.
We don’t say anything else until we’re out in the parking lot at her car. After I load her things into the back, she closes the hatch and turns to face me. “Thank you.”
I restrain myself from pulling her against me and crushing my mouth to hers. Instead, I say, “I miss you.”
Her lips part, but she pauses, her eyes searching mine. Finally, she says, “I miss you, too.”
It’s not a happy thing, both of us missing each other, but I grin nonetheless. “Are you hungry?”
She smiles back at me. “I could eat.”
My fingers brush over her forearm. “Come to my place. I’ll make you something.”
When she hesitates, I think I’ve pushed too far. I exhale a relieved breath when she says, “Okay. I’ll follow you.”
The drive is short, and that’s good, because for some reason, I worry the whole way there that she’ll turn off course, but she follows me home, pulls into the driveway, and turns off her engine.
“Did you have other plans tonight?” I ask when I open her car door and she steps out.
“No. Why do you ask?”
“You seemed hesitant about coming over.”
She shrugs, not denying it, but not explaining. She was definitely ambivalent, but something made her agree to spend time with me, so I won’t question it. We parted as friends, of course, but things are different now. Maybe she can see how I feel when I look at her.
I unlock the front door and hold it open, and the enticing honey scent of her hair sends blood in my body rushing south as she moves past me.
Inside, she sets her bag on the nearest chair and turns to me. “I wasn’t sure about coming over, because I know it’s going to hurt later.”
I frown at her; this isn’t what I was expecting to hear.
“I hate to even confess this,” she says, “but I’m having a hard time forgetting about everything. It’s silly, I know. It was only a few nights — four nights with Trevor, only a couple with you — and I can’t seem to move on.”
“You’re hung up on Trevor?”
She shakes her head. “On all of you. All four of you. It’s just my inexperience … latching on to the first men I’m with —”