Page 40 of When You Stayed
Lifting my shoulder, I explained. “I do for the Hollow. For my own life, I don’t mind being chaotic. I like pink, that hasn’t changed. I like riding, and baking if I get to eat whatever I’m making.”
“Do you still like those fields out by your house?” The way his eyes seemed to brighten at the mention of those fields, I was nearly robbed of speech. How did he know about those? I loved walking in those fields as a kid. I used to do that for hours if Mom and Dad let me. I’d dance out there, I’d sit in thunderstorms out there, and write out ideas for the Hollow. I kissed Connor for the first time out in those fields because he knew they were my favorite place. Maybe he’d told Ford.
I opened my mouth to reply, but the band finished their set, which meant I had to run to greet them. “Shoot, hang on. I’ll be right back.”
I wasn’t sure if Ford would still be there when I returned, but I had to focus on my job. The band thanked our venue for hosting them, and I slipped through the back curtain onto the stage seconds later. The mic waited for me as I took position in front of it.
“Let’s give it up for Hankered.” The room exploded with applause. My face hurt from smiling as I stared out at the hundred or so people gathered along the floor. When I was a kid, there were couches and tables set up, but once Rodney took over, he’d cleared it all out for the dance floor. Now, there was just seating near the bar and along the walls, in some places. Otherwise, you’d have to go upstairs.
“We have another incredible set prepared for you, but while wewait, go give Charlie a visit and order my favorite drink from him. It’s a lavender sunset; you won’t be sorry!”
I caught Ford’s smile as he sipped the drink that I had ordered for him. There was an odd spark in my chest at seeing him sitting there, in my spot, and watching me work. The smile cresting his handsome face made my knees feel weak, and the words he’d spoken earlier became like an anthem in my head.
I wondered if I could test the no touching waters with him, see how serious he was about it.
I turned the mic off and turned back toward the band.
“Royce, you’re the best.” The band members began hugging me, which was normal, but when I got to the bassist, it got weird. His arms twisted around me in a tight vise, his lips landed near my ear, and with the way we were positioned near the curtain, I didn’t think anyone could see us.
“I saw that video of you. I haven’t stopped fucking my hand to that image, and I knew playing here tonight that I’d see you. Baby, your short skirt is doing things for me.”
My heart squeezed and thudded against my chest as panic swarmed me. My throat swelled, and my eyes burned as I pushed him away, but his hold on me was rock-solid.
“Let me go.” I rasped angrily, but all we did was back up, where I’d be hidden from sight within seconds. Tears gathered as I tried to breathe. His bandmate saw me struggle with him, but didn’t do anything to help.
“It’s a celebration, Royce. We just finished a set, let’s relax with a little fun.”
“Get off me!” My nails raked down the only skin I could reach, which was his arms.
The bass player was suddenly ripped away from me and pushed down. I followed Ford as he shoved the man further into the back, knocking over a table that held water and snacks. I held my breath as I watched the entire situation unfold. I knew there was no way I could stop this, nor did I really want to. The man was a fucking prick who deserved every moment of Ford’s wrath.
A few of his bandmates wandered close, and I wasn’t sure if theywere going to intervene or not, but they just stood aside and watched. It seemed their apathy wasn’t just for defenseless women.
“Motherfucker.” Ford landed a heavy hit into the bass player’s face. “Don’t deserve to fucking breathe.” Another hit.
The pathetic mess could barely stand as he tried to get up. I wasn’t sure if Ford was going to stop. I’d never seen him fight before. Dad had hit him twice, and Ford hadn’t fought back a single time. I knew he was only being a good friend, but there was an edge to his hits, and a rage that seemed determined.
The bass player hadn’t moved in a good while, while Ford continued to slam his fist. “He’s going to kill him.” Someone shrieked.
Oh shit. I stared at his patch, and something kicked into gear in my head. This was bad. For my dad, the club, for Ford…I had to get his attention.
“Ford!” I yelled, running closer. He didn’t stop.
Mom once told me that whenever Dad got into a mode where his protective instincts took over, there was only one way to make him stop before he killed someone. Remembering what she said, I pushed my fingers through Ford’s thick hair, grabbed a fistful, and yanked as hard as I could. His head reared back with a wince. “Ow, fuck.”
Holding his hair, I made sure he met my glare. “You are going to kill him.”
I could tell Ford considered continuing, so I squeezed harder. “Let him go.”
“Rose, he should have known he’d die the second he chose to touch you.” Ford’s voice was pure venom, all midnight murder. It made my heart twist around in an unfamiliar, alarming way. His words regarding touching me and not being able to stop made a little more sense. Whether this was a protective nature bursting from knowing me my whole life, I wasn’t sure, but regardless, heat swarmed my chest.
Releasing his hair, I kneeled next to him and cupped his face between my hands, ensuring he was still looking directly at me. “And you stopped him. You broke his entire face, Ford. He probably pissed himself. I’m still shaken up, and I’d really appreciate it if you came and talked to me.”
He released the bass player, who was coughing and groaning. Stillalive, so that was good. Ford got to his feet, and instinctually I wrapped my hand around his and began pulling him toward the back where an employee break room the size of a hall closet was located.
Once we were inside and the door was shut, I spun on him.
“What the hell was that?”
