Page 42 of Drive
Wasthat really better thanno?It was so casual it was almost cruel. Rainey hated herself for it. So she immediately followedup.
Rainey:Did the rest of the show go well? You were mind-blowing.
Again,his response wasinstantaneous.
Jacques:Went great! And thanks. I’m glad you likedit.
Rainey bither lip and squeezed her eyes tight before typingagain.
Rainey: I’ll never forget it. I don’t think Heroine will be playing in small venues muchlonger.
Jacques: :) I hope you’reright.
She could see him smiling.He had to be on a cloud. Heroine’s future success was practically guaranteed. So her next words were honesttoo.
Rainey:I’m so happy foryou.
She closedher eyes and sighed. Her phone chimedagain.
Jacques:Thanks.Really.
Jacques: I hope you feel better. I’ll call tomorrow. Goodnight,Rainey.
Tomorrow,Rainey would hide her phone in her sock drawer so she wouldn’t be tempted to pick up when he did. She’d focus all her attention on Holi. She’d clean the house from top to bottom. She’d crochet a bedspread. She’d do anything but look at herphone.
Rainey:Goodnight,Jacques.
Rainey wantedto tell him something more. To thank him for wanting to spend time with her. For getting her out of the house and out of her head — at least better than anyone else had ever done. She wanted to thank him for the music he’d shared and gifted her. And she especially wanted to thank him the kisses and for reawakening a part of her she didn’t think existedanymore.
She couldn’t say it, but she wanted him to know that when she saidgoodnight,it was reallygoodbye,and it was the hardest ofgoodbyes.
Chapter 11
Jacques awoketo the bars of “Jolie Blonde” on Pal’s accordion, and he didn’t even groan. Instead, he rolled over in bed, checked his phone, and saw that it was just after nine. His grandfather had let him sleep alittle.
He thumbed through his messages, but there was nothing from Rainey. Shutting his eyes, Jacques tried to snatch at the hem of the dream he’d just left. He felt sure she was in it. He was almost certain she’d been in hisarms.
He’d lied to her. When she’d asked how the rest of the set went, he’d told her it was great. Heroine might have sounded great, but he hadn’t enjoyed it so much after “Lazarus Night” because he couldn’t findRainey.
He hadn’t missed her tear-stained cheeks after the remastered song that had brought down the house. The sight of her moved him like he couldn’t believe, and he had to stop himself from flying off the stage and kissing her in front of the entire crowd. When they rolled into Kate’s song “Pilot,” and he’d noticed Rainey wasn’t leaning against that lone post, he figured she’d gone to the bathroom to dry her eyes and maybe get adrink.
But with the next song, she wasn’t back. He could see a line at the bar, and he knew the restrooms blocked his view of the right side of it, so he hoped she was simply out of sight, waiting on a drink or talking to someone sheknew.
Three songs later, his gut was in knots, and he wanted to call a break before one was scheduled. But the crowd was in full swing, and Kate said she’d kill him if they stoppedthen.
“Man, chill. She’s in the courtyard or something,” Kate hadscolded.
And Jacques had hoped she was. He knew Rainey didn’t go out much, and the bar was packed wall to wall. He’d told himself to relax, finish the set, and then golooking.
When he’d texted her in a panic, he also knew she’d lied tohim.
At least, she hadn’t been completely honest. If she didn’t feel well, it wasn’t because of a headache or too much to drink. His guess was that she’d used up all her courage, so he wasn’t going to make her fess up. Next time she came to one of his shows, he’d be sure she had a safe exit strategy, and that she’d give him a sign if she needed to bail. He’d make sure she was okay. Hewantedto make sure she wasokay.
And when he called her today, he’d say as much. If she had anxiety issues, she didn’t need to hide them fromhim.
He tapped their conversation on hisphone.
Jacques:Youup?
