Page 158 of Stage Dive: Short Stories & Novellas
“Mm.”His tongue plays behind his cheek.“Good question.I don’t know.Guess we were too busy fu–”
Lena’s hand covers her husband’s mouth, ensuring that the rest of the sentence is a garbled mess.“Oh my God.This is why we can’t have nice things, Jimmy.”
He moves her hand and smiles.“That’s not true.You’re still the nicest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Aw.Good save.”
“Thanks,” he says, smacking a kiss on her cheek.
I can’t help but smile.They’re so cute together.Not that I should be looking in his direction.Stop.Bad Jude.My teenage crush seems to be slumbering at present.But you never know what might wake the beast.It is safest to just keep my gaze averted.
Dean gives the pair a long look before blinking and turning back to me.“Jude.Hey.How you doing?”
“Fine.”
The band walks out onto the stage, and the crowd cheers.In no time at all, live rock music fills the room.They’re a three piece with a drummer, guitarist, and a female lead singer who also plays the bass.The sound is sort of spare and moody with the singer reminding me a little of Phoebe Bridgers.
“Why this band?”I ask, leaning closer to be heard over the music.
“Ben liked working with Adam Dillon so much, he’s looking to do it again.The whole band wants to help and do some mentoring.”He rests his arm on the back of my chair, and his lips brush against my ear now and then as he speaks, making shivers run down my spine.“They asked me to come tonight and see what I thought of this group.As for why…they’re talented.They’ve got a good sound, and the audience is into them.I think with the right help, they could go far.What do you think of them?”
“So far so good.”
“Is this okay?”he asks, nodding to his arm and so on.
“Yes.”It’s much more than okay, if I’m being honest.
And the way he looks at me.I am such a fool for this man.“What are you thinking about, Jude?”
“I was, ah…just happy to be here.”
“Good,” he says.“Me too.Of course, what this band really needs is someone playing the flute.”
“Right?”I grin.“I could totally help them.This one time at band camp…”
His shoulders shake as he laughs.“I can’t believe you went there.”
“Please.You love it.”Our drinks arrive, and I thank the waiter and take a sip.“Yummy.”
His gaze moves past me and pauses on Lena.Just for a moment.Then his attention returns to me and my curious face.He studies me for more than a moment.“You know that Lena and I went out a couple of times way back when,” he asks.But it’s not really a question.He already knows the answer.“This is the first time we’ve been around each other for more than a minute or two.”
“Is this uncomfortable for you?”
He shakes his head.“That was a long time ago, and it’s not like we were serious.She was already in love with Jimmy, I just didn’t know it.Taught me a valuable lesson about not dating someone whose heart is already spoken for.”
I’m happy to hear him say that but can’t help myself from asking the question that’s been on my mind since last night.“And Frankie definitely doesn’t have yours?”
His gaze narrows on me just so.“No.She doesn’t.”
“Ignore me,” I say.“I shouldn’t have said anything.You already told me that–”
One side of his mouth lifts up.“Jude, it’s okay.Frankie is great.I hope we’ll always be friends.But I promise you, there’s nothing more going on.I know we only just met each other.But I’m going to prove to you that you can trust me.”
“Okay.”
“Guess I should be checking your heart is also free.”
“It most definitely is.”
