Page 39 of Animal Beats

“I still have my overnight bag. I’m sure there’s a shirt in it for you.” I chuckle. “Not that I need one.” Before she can say a word, I grab the bag and pull out a t-shirt for her and a pair of sweats for me. Something tells me this is going to be a long night.

I use the shirt to point to the bathroom. “Here you go. You can change in there.”

“Thanks.” It looks like she wants to say something more, but she doesn’t. She merely takes my t-shirt and disappears into the bathroom.

I make quick work of changing into my sweats, and slip into the bed before she rejoins me. I let her tale about her parents wash over me. The only person I ever loved who passed away was Darren, and that was an awful time. I’d known him since fifth grade, and we’d grown up together like brothers. How much worse would it be with your parents. Assuming, of course, you had a loving relationship with them. Something I certainly don’t.

Hayden returns to the bedroom, wearing my t-shirt that falls to her knees. “Looks good on you,” I remark.

She tucks her hair behind her ear. “I had to remove the tags.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, well shirts and I don’t get much play.” I pat the bed. “Come on.”

She climbs up, careful to keep at least another person’s length between us. Makes sense, although I have an almost undeniable urge to pull her into my body and let her scream out her hurts. My fingers rub against the light switch.

“All set?”

“Yeah.”

The room plunges into darkness.

12

HAYDEN

Irouse, becoming conscious of being comfortably warm. This has to be the best night’s sleep I’ve gotten since I joined UC on the European leg of their tour. My eyes blink open.

Directly into brown ones.

I startle and push away. Sometime during the night, we must’ve ended up together. Río smiles and pulls me against his naked chest again. At least I can feel material on his legs. “I usually get a different reaction from the ladies when they wake up next to me.”

His words sink in as I try, unsuccessfully, to put distance between us. “I bet.” My voice is muffled against his skin. This is already more than it should be. My job. Mila. Everything waiting for me at home. Yet, I’m still here.

His hand skims down my back as I ensure that our lower halves are separated. No need to know, for sure, if Río wakes up with morning wood.

He croons, “How did you sleep?”

“Really well.” My head lolls backward. “You?”

“Me too.” The corners of his eyes crinkle when he smiles. “Must’ve been the altitude.”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks for loaning me your t-shirt. I promise to wash it and get it back to you.”

“No rush. Actually, you might as well keep it. It’s not like I wear all that many shirts anyway.” He licks his lips. “What should I expect at this awards ceremony?”

“I don’t know too much, but I did some research into the Philadelphia Drummers Society. The society has been around for over one hundred years. They’ve given out awards to some amazing drummers, like Phil Collins back in the day, and Dave Grohl.” I pause. “Before all the baby drama.”

“Serious chops, for sure.”

“Like you have. I’ve been watching you at UC concerts—you definitely deserve this award.”

“Thank you.” Río strokes my back a few more times. “Did you hear from Pop?”

“Not yet.” Since he didn’t ask, I’m not about to volunteer information that I gave his mother his phone number. No need to stir up that hornet’s nest. Besides, his parents’ divorce sounds like it was horrible.

“He’ll be there. This is too good of an opportunity for him to pass up.”