Page 50 of Strum Me

“Things are so complicated between us, Brad. What happened before, what’s happening now…even today, that kiss in the fitting room. That can’t happen.”

“Okay, I’m going to ask one last time. Spell it out for me. I’m a clueless male.”

She opens her mouth. Then closes it. I don’t push her; I want her to have the space to tell once and for all. “I can’t be…I never could have been…just one of many.”

“One of many what, Butter?”

“Girls. Women. Just another warm body in the ever-revolving door to your bed!” she almost yells, and the nurse at the station gives her a look.

“What the fuck?” I whisper, struggling not to raise my voice.

“I know about Felicity, Felicia, whatever.”

“What about her?”

“I know you slept with her,” she finally says, her eyes narrowing and her hands balling up into fists.

I can’t really believe what I’m hearing. “That’s news to me!”

“You were flirting with her all through the interview yesterday, and then I saw her come out of your trailer, and Seb and Cadey said …you know, they could hear you in the room next to theirs!”

Her voice is rising again, so I take her hand and lead her into the empty hallway.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, firstly, I was flirting yes, but that’s just my job, plus I was pissed because I heard you talking to your boyfriend or whatever on the phone.”

“Wait, what? I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“You said you missed him and you love him and you wished he was here.” Now it’s my turn to narrow my eyes and ball up my fists.

“That was Ben, you idiot!”

“Oh.” I feel the large ice boulder on my chest melt completely away. She’s not involved with anyone! That’s the chance I need. Now to make her realize her mistake. “Sure, I flirted with Felicia. But that was it. I’m guessing it was Jez who was hosting Felicia last night, considering it’s his room next to Sebastian’s and I was passed out in your bus last night after dragging you to bed.”

“But…you weren’t there when I got up.” There’s a look of doubt in her eyes.

“I woke up around five and dragged my sorry ass back to my bus.”

“Huh. So you didn’t...?”

“I didn’t… no.”

“And you’re not intending to?”

“Not intending on anything with anyone, if you and I are in the same universe.” I reach down and take her hand and she doesn’t wrench it away. “And you don’t have a boyfriend?”

“I don’t.”

“Huh.”

“Yeah, huh.”

“So, tell me again what the problem is?”

“Brad.”

“Because all I know is that it’s taken me eight years to find my way back to you, and I don’t ever want to leave your side again.”

“I…but Ben.” She shakes her head and pulls her hand away.

It’s a lot to process. And she’s had enough to deal with today. I can give her some space, if it means there’s a chance for a future. And I have an idea.

“Just…okay, just shush. Forget the you and me stuff for a while, okay?” I say, and relief floods her eyes.

“Okay.”

“Get some rest. I’m getting them to set up a cot for you in Ben’s room. I’ll be back tomorrow. With a surprise.”

“Oh God.”

“No, not God, Brad,” I say.

“Just go away, cheesy ball-sack,” she says, shaking her head, unable to hide the grin on her face.

“That’s my girl,” I say as I pull her into a hug, and ignore her playful struggling. She stops and lets my body warm hers for a moment, and I feel her body relax against mine when I say, “I mean it. There’s no one else in the world for me.”