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“Whoever I sleep with is going to have to be okay with me tossing and turning,” I said. “Can’t help it. ADHD makes me restless. Have struggled since I was a kid.”
“Must be why Gayle divorced you,” Perry deadpanned.
I lifted a pillow and tossed it at his head. “You ass.”
Perry deflected it, then said, “Well, that’s settled. I’ll let Nolan deal with you. I’ll sleep with Anthony.”
“Gee, thanks a lot,” Nolan said, clearing his throat, and I looked away, trying not to blow it. Of course this scenario was playing out exactly as I’d hoped.
“Sorry, not sorry,” Perry replied.
“Hey, don’t I get a say in this?” Anthony whined. “Hope you don’t pass gas or anything.”
“Dutch oven for the win,” Nolan said, and Anthony flipped him the bird.
Perry laughed. “Let’s grab something to eat. I’ll be sure to order something with tons of beans.”
“Fucking hell, I’m getting my own room,” Anthony griped as we stepped into the hall.
Once back in the van, we drove to Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights, parking as close to the venue as we could get. We ate at a packed restaurant, enjoying the eclectic vibe of the area before heading to the Grog Shop, where we unloaded our equipment. Thankfully, we didn’t have to haul any amps down the steps to the lower-level bar because the acoustics were already set for us.
The space was hopping as we set up onstage, and the headline band came over to greet us. Perry offered them some weed, and we made our way to the back room to smoke a bowl.
Despite the edible I’d eaten, I was still feeling the nerves until the first note was played. And then the music took over. It helped that the crowd seemed into it, and for the first time since the robbery, I felt like myself, even hamming it up on the mic. It was awesome to play for an energetic crowd, even though they weren’t there to see us. Just how it was when you opened for a popular band.
After our set was finished, we packed up our equipment, then headed to the bar to order drinks and watch the headline act.
Damn, they were good.
“Think that’ll ever be us?” Perry mused with that ever-present glint in his eye for bigger things. It was why he always harped on us getting our music recorded and out there for public consumption.
“I’m cool as long as we keep getting gigs and playing,” Nolan replied.
“True. But it would be nice to perform for a crowd like this.”
Right then, we were approached by a couple of dudes who’d listened to our set, and they complimented our music. It was one of the many reasons we did shows on the road. Sometimes we got new fans who downloaded our music and even traveled to Ann Arbor to see us on a random Thursday night. So it was a win-win.
Perry, emboldened by the accolades, turned to the two attractive women standing near us and started a conversation. Anthony headed toward the exit, where it was quieter, to check in with Maris. Nolan and I stayed put against the bar with our beers. In any other scenario, we’d likely join in on Perry’s conversation. Maybe flirt and buy them drinks.
I lifted my phone to text Nolan. I’m sorry if this is weird.
He glanced at his screen and smiled before replying: But why should it be?
My fingers flew on the keys. Because Perry and Anthony would kill us? It might throw off our whole vibe?
True. Damn. If you’re interested in anyone here, go for it.
My chest throbbed. No. Fuck no. I texted: Not interested in anyone but you.
And Nolan replied: Same.
My heart fluttered. When our eyes met, I could see the fire in his as he stepped nearer. He pretended to point out stuff onstage, but I knew he was just trying to be close. When his hand skimmed the small of my back, I shivered. The urge to touch him back was strong.
We stood there with our shoulders pressed together, pretending we were just friends, and for a few precious moments, it felt as if nothing in the world would ever come between us or force us apart. My heart was pumping so erratically it felt like it might never beat normally again. Christ, what this man was doing to me. And don’t get me started on those eyes of his—like a warm blue liquid I could swim in for days.
By the time we got back to the motel room, it was late and everyone was tired, but my stomach still felt like it was falling through the floor from the sheer anticipation of sleeping beside Nolan.
“Did you get anyone’s number?” I asked Perry.
“Nah, they live too far away.”
“Not that far,” Anthony said around a yawn.
We each took turns in the bathroom. I was last, and when I came back into the room, the lights were out, and Anthony and Perry were snoring in chorus. Great.
