I busy myself on my phone until we pull up to the arena. The first thing I do is find Lucia to let her know what’s going on. She, of course, is very understanding, especially when I add that I will be available by phone if anything comes up. She tells me she will figure it out and will only bother me if it’s something that can’t wait.
The guys and I take some photos before the show, since the team is documenting the entire thing. The first Monster Rock Star Tour. I heard it may be a movie.
I miss Leif setting up my kit, and I’m not sure where he is now. I haven’t seen him since we showed up here. In fact, I haven’t seen him since the morning after our date. We both got busy with our own stuff and didn’t get as much time together as I’d wanted. I was pulled left and right to do things with the guys, checking out New York City and using every waking moment as a photo op. We deserve a week off after that, even if we only have a handful of shows left. I’m tired.
I wish Leif and I could have spent more time together in New York, doing more of the things we did when we went to eat together. I wish we could have walked around and held hands, ate at more restaurants, went to a show, to bars, done everything that people who are dating do.
Only I don’t think we are dating, even though I told him we wereona date, to which he seemed surprised in a good way.
I’m not sure where it went wrong or why, but of course it did, because when it comes to us talking about our situation, we never seem to get it right. Then we ignore it until it comes up again, get awkward, get quiet. It’s a cycle. At least we’re consistent.
I am pretty sure I’ll see him after the show tonight. During, too. No matter when I’m playing, or what time during the show, I know I can look to my left and see him standing there in the shadows, watching me and nodding along to the beat. It never fails.
This state is small but mighty. These fans are just as crazy, if not more, than the other shows we have been to so far. The energy is wild. Addicting. It sucks we only have one night here because I’d love to be in front of these people again.
Every time I look to my left, Leif is there. A few times I get too caught up to acknowledge him, but I try to wink when I catch his gaze long enough. And I feel his eyes on me the entire time.
We pass each other as I walk off stage and he heads toward it. I stop abruptly.
“Leif!” I call out, turning and following after him. He hasn’t made it to my kit yet. He stops and turns to face me, raising a brow.
“What’s up?”
“I booked a house for the week.”
“Cool. Where?”
“Narragansett? It looks nice.”
“I’ve heard it’s nice.”
“It’s right on the beach.” He gives me a smile that’s almost relieving, like he’s happy for me. “I, uh…” I scratch the back of neck and look around at the rest of the crew who are in earshot but don’t seem to be paying attention to us. I step closer, lowering my voice. “You should stay with me.”
“For the whole week?” he asks, eyes popping wide.
“Yes.”
“How would I—someone will notice I’m gone.”
“I’m sure you can come up with something,” I say.
The expression on his face doesn’t change, and I can’t tell what he’s thinking or what his answer will be. Then a smile slowly forms, and I let out a sigh of relief. He’s going to say yes.
“Yeah, I’ll come up with something. Just send me the address.”
I can’t help the grin that splits my face now. “I’ll be there tomorrow at two.”
I take a few steps back, still staring at him. Still smiling. Warmth floods my chest in an almost overwhelming way.
“You’re going to bump into the wall,” he says.
I laugh, then turn to make sure I don’t knock into any walls. I’m happier than I have been in a long time.
Not only do I get to spend the next six days at the beach, but I get to do it with Leif.
Chapter Twenty
Leif
