Page 90 of Driving Beats

“Have a seat, Alexis, and I’ll get you a beer. Coop? Noah? Need another?”

I appreciate Owen’s manners. I hold up my can and say, “All good.”

By contrast, Noah the Roommate guzzles his—putting Río to shame. “I will.”

Owen disappears into the kitchen. I wonder if Nese has slept with him too? Enough with petty jealousy, Coop. Focus on why you’re here. I turn to Alexis. “Nese told me you’re applying to college.”

Her hand covers her heart. “You know what little old me is up to?”

“Of course I do. You’re important to Nese and she talks about you a lot.” She never mentioned Noah the Roommate… “What are you going to school for?”

She beams. “I’ve been accepted into a program to become a nurse.”

“Very nice. I’ve heard nursing is a growing field. I’m sure you’ll be in high demand.”

Owen returns to the room and passes out the beers. Noah the Roommate opens his new one. “Alexis is too good to wait tables all her life. I think she’ll be a fantastic nurse.”

At first, I thought he was poking fun at her, but I realize he’s actually supporting her. Perhaps he’s not that terrible?

Owen swallows his drink. “I totally agree. Whoever gets to have Alexis help them will be the lucky one.”

The two guys lift their beer cans toward Alexis, who blushes. Seems like they’re a good group after all.

Noah the Roommate adds, “I’m waiting to find out if my application at the new autobody shop down the street is accepted. I’d love to work closer to home.”

“I bet.” UC used to perform at places near our home in New Jersey, but now the best I can hope for is to play at a couple of stadiums local to LA. Commuting to a job means something different to me. I look at Owen. “What do you do?”

“I work at a warehouse that ships frozen foods to high end grocery stores and restaurants.”

How to respond? “Sounds good.”

He shrugs. “It pays the bills.”

“Hey,” Owen says. “Did you guys hear about the restaurant that burned down over on Mountain? The guys I work with think it was arson.”

The other two jump into his conversation. I suppose I should be grateful to him in diverting the others’ attention from me. All it does, though, is give me time to assess this situation. Nese raves about her roommates, and they seem nice—well, with the exception of Noah the Roommate. Jury’s still out about him.

Doubt creeps in. Should I even be here? Should I have stayed in LA and waited for Nese to return to UC instead of forcing her hand now? Was this a big mistake, urged on by Mom’s call? I can’t take much more of this.

Decision made to abort ship again, I rise. “I’m happy I got to meet the people who Nese talks about so much. However, I don’t think Nese is coming back anytime soon, so I’ll be on my way. No need to let her know I was here—I’ll catch up with her in LA before we leave for the next leg of our tour.”

“Nese is going to be sad she missed you,” Alexis offers.

That’s just it. I need her to be more than sad if she finds out I spent the afternoon in her apartment. My body aches for her, while she would simply be “sad.”

I cross the living room and pick up the dress I bought her. Perhaps I should put this in her bedroom? “This is for Nese. Which one is her room? I’ll leave it there.”

Owen’s gaze travels to the bag. “Follow me.”

Seeing as I have no other choice, I trail his footsteps to a door, which he opens. “Here you go.”

I’m about to step into her inner sanctuary when the front door swings open once more. A voice I’ve come to crave shouts, “I had to visit three different grocery stores, but I finally got the yeast. You’re going to love this bread!”

My breathing ceases.

25

NESE