Page 113 of Stage Dive: Short Stories & Novellas
“Huh,” said Lizzy.Because this obviously wasn’t an even remotely private conversation.“That was almost wise, Mal.”
He sniffed as if insulted.“I’m wise.I know stuff.Tell them what I know, pumpkin.”
“Stuff,” she dutifully once more repeated with a smile and a wink.
“Hey.Psst.Want to run away from the party and go have sex in our apartment while our friends watch the baby?”he whispered far too loudly in her ear.
Lena snorted.“Go do it, you crazy kids.We’ve got Tommy.”
“Yes!”Mal jumped to his feet, hands raised in the air like a boxer in his moment of victory.“Sex.Quick, pumpkin.Let’s go.”
There was laughter and drinks and food and music.Lots of music.Most of my friends were swinging single, living their best lives.Going to parties and having fun being free.It was interesting to be around a slightly older group who were all coupled up.Back when we were together, I’d enjoyed having a partner most of the time.Some of the time.Like Adam, he’d been my first real major important relationship.I hadn’t lived with anyone else before.Not a someone I was in love with.
The more I thought about it, the more I wondered why I’d never told him I loved him.Maybe I didn’t feel safe enough in the relationship.Certain enough of his attention and intentions.I didn’t know.
He sat on the floor near Jimmy and David, a guitar in his lap.As Mal had said, despite being about to start his first European tour, he did indeed look relaxed and happy.And he kept looking at me.Swift glances to keep checking on me.To ensure I was okay and having fun.
“What’s your next album going to be about?”asked Ben, Tommy gently being rocked to sleep in his arms.
Jimmy quirked a brow.“You’ve done the brokenhearted rage thing.What’s next?”
Adam shot a look my way and I made sure to be busy inspecting my nails.Definitely not listening into anyone’s conversation because…rude.He swallowed.“Wrote a love song this morning.Kind of more upbeat but with a blues background.Feels like that’s going to set the tone for things on the new album.”
“Sounds good,” said Jimmy.
A nod from David Ferris.“Can only write what you’re feeling.”
“I wanna do something different.”Adam picked out a melody on the acoustic guitar.“Going to give the other couple of rage songs I wrote to Martha to sell.”
“Good money in it if you’re not interested in releasing them yourself,” said Ben.
My heart, meanwhile, hammered inside my chest.Adam had written a love song this morning?Something upbeat?
His head turned to the side, his gaze sliding over me.There was knowing in his eyes along with a question.I hadn’t fooled him in the slightest.He knew I’d been listening and wanted to know my reaction.Apparently, mouth gaping and eyes wide was good with him.While I didn’t want this to mean anything, I couldn’t help but feel that it did.Adam had written me a love song.Holy shit.Just the fact turned my world upside down.With a brief satisfied smile thrown in my direction, he turned back to his friends.
Okay then.No big deal.
Deep even breaths, that was the answer.When that didn’t work, I downed my half-glass of wine in one fell swoop.The man was pulling no punches.So walking away from him was going to be nigh-freaking-impossible this time around.Good to know.
With a faint smile, Ev reached over and patted my hand.“You okay?”
“He just…” Words.I had none.
“Yeah, I heard.”
Nice to know I hadn’t been the only one eavesdropping.
“It’s big, isn’t it?Looks like he’s throwing it all at your feet,” she said, tone low.Just between the two of us.“You just need to decide if you want it or not.”
I said nothing.
“It’s interesting.You have to be a certain kind of determined to make it in the music business,” she continued, calm as can be.“I like seeing that focus and determination turned to other areas in their lives, you know?Can’t help but feel like it means good things.A well-rounded existence or something.”
“I don’t know what it means.But it’s freaking me the hell out.”
She grabbed the bottle of white wine out of a tub of ice on the coffee table and poured me a fresh glass.“To life and love.”
“I’ll drink to that.”Lena raised her glass.
