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Spencer threads his fingers through his beard. “Well…I was hoping to show Lori around. But I suppose I could play a little something before I go.”
“Don’t let her pressure you,” Tony says. “You show your girl around and let us know if you need anything.”
My eyes go round at his assumption, but Spencer merely thanks him before meeting my gaze again, gesturing with a jerk of his head to follow him. He walks over to a short hallway next to the stage with me on his heels, coming to a stop in front of some framed pictures on the wall. I settle next to him, giving them my attention as well. There are various pictures of bands playing on stage, people in the crowds, and some more candid photos. The photographs are surrounded by more scribblings on the wall that appear to be autographs and various messages left for the owners.
“That right there,” Spencer says, pointing at a picture of one of the bands on stage, “is my dad’s band, With Grace.” I study the picture, immediately noticing the lead singer as the man from the photograph in Spencer’s bedroom, and he continues. “This is the first place that gave them a chance to play for a crowd, and it became the bar they called home.”
There’s a mixture of joy and sadness in his features when I turn to look at him, causing an aching in my chest. He meets my gaze briefly, giving me a sad smile before pointing to another picture on the wall.
“That’s me,” he says, his face a little brighter and tone a little lighter. “I think I was about six in that picture. Dad used to bring me here before the bar opened so he could teach me to play the piano.”
My eyes snap over to the picture, eager to see young Spencer with his dad, and I step a little closer to get a better look. Spencer is sitting at the piano, his hands working the keys, and his father is standing behind him with a huge grin on his face. The pride and love in his father’s features cause my face to tingle as tears threaten to fill my eyes, and I quickly step back. My brain scrambles for something to say as Spencer points to some markings on the wall underneath the photograph.
“And that’s my autograph with my dad’s underneath it,” he tells me.
My throat swells and words continue to fail me as my gaze collides with Spencer’s. My relationship with my parents may not be perfect, but I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like to lose both of them at such a young age. The fact that he lost them in sudden and tragic ways makes it even more heartbreaking. Being here with him is so overwhelming, and knowing he’s sharing a part of himself with me he hasn’t shared with Cat only adds to the emotions.
There’s an oddly comfortable silence that falls between us as we stand a little too close in the hallway, our locked eyes saying things we would never dare say out loud. And I find myself wishing the rest of the world would cease to exist so I can fully appreciate this moment. So I could be completely alone—with Spencer. I’m not sure how something can feel so right when I know it’s wrong. I don’t think I even know what’s true anymore. Maybe I’ve merely let what Spencer’s grandmother said get inside my head, but this feels right, and I want to stay inside this bubble with him.
Spencer’s lips curve into an awkward smile as if he can read my thoughts, and my face flames as he clears his throat. “Come on.” He turns to walk away, making my heart flutter as he takes my hand and pulls me along.
He drags me up the steps of the stage, and my eyes roam the bar. There are less than ten people in here, all of them watching us, and my pulse begins to race. We walk up to what appears to be the same upright piano from the photograph, and Spencer takes a seat, sliding over and giving me a tug so I’ll join him. Once we’re both seated, he lets go of my hand and cracks his knuckles, rolling his shoulders.
“My dad taught me to play on this piano. Do you know how to play?”
I shake my head. “Not even a little, but I’d love to see you work your magic.”
Right on cue, the microphone next to the piano makes a screeching noise as it turns on. “Play something,” Tammy yells from across the bar.
Spencer chuckles as he looks over his shoulder at her and shakes his head. He swings it back in my direction, and my breath stills as I realize just how close we are.
“Any requests?”
My throat bobs as I shake my head and wet my dry lips, his eyes falling to them for a blink before he shifts again and adjusts the mic. He hits a couple keys, as if trying them out, then speaks into the mic.
“Can you hear me?” The room cheers, and he grins as he looks at me out of the corner of his eye. “Okay, I might be a little rusty. Don’t be too hard on me,” he jokes.
My lips pucker and I roll my eyes, hoping the dim lighting is hiding my flushed skin as he begins to stroke the keys. “Mad World” by Gary Jules is one of my favorite songs, and I recognize it right away. His smooth voice begins to sing the lyrics, and my full heart beats angrily in my chest.
It’s official, I’m falling for him.
I’m completely fucked.
Spencer
“Stars in the night sky,” I yell at the television, throwing my hands up. The woman playing Wheel of Fortune spins again hoping to get some more money but ends up losing a turn, and I scoff. “See, that’s what you get for being greedy.”
When I look over at my grandmother, she’s studying me with raised eyebrows and pressed lips.
“What?”
Her eyes narrow as she mutes the television. “You’re wound tighter than a drum tonight, what’s going on with you?”
“Nothing,” I lie.
The truth is, my night out with Lori at Red Rose left me feeling a little raw. I’ve never shared all of that with anyone before. It was a big deal. But I think it blurred the lines of my friendship with Lori even more, which makes me feel like I’ve done something wrong. And maybe I have. Or am. My feelings for Lori are more than what they should be.
Lori was quiet and distant on our way home that night, only adding to my feelings of insecurity. We were finally in a good place—finally figuring out this whole friendship thing. Now, I’m worried she’s going to pull away.
