AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And the rest of the band.”
“Oh.”
“Why?” Her green eyes narrowed slightly as a smirk formed on Riley’s lips. “Did you want it to just be the two of us?”
What. Is. Happening?
Harlow’s brain felt like dial-up internet. It was sputtering and spinning and she hoped it would hum to life with a response at any minute. She wasn’t sure if she was overthinking Riley’s invitation to drinks after the show or wanted the invite to only be for two. The latter stressed Harlow out to no end and she didn’t fully understand why.
Despite the events being few and far between, Harlow had actually been asked out on dates before. She’d even accepted some of those dates. And some of those dates had gone well. Not well enough to still be dating that person, but fine in the grand scheme of what a date should be. Harlow understood the concept of being asked out and the act of going on a date.
What she didn’t understand was if Riley wanted to go on a date with her. For as dorky as she was, Riley also held an air of mystery to her. Well, mystery and peaches. Harlow could still smell her lotions from a few feet away. Her mind flashbacked to the night before when Riley was mere inches away from her. Although she never felt any sexual attraction, a part of Harlow just wanted to cuddle with her.
Which was a beyond strange thought to pass through her mind. Harlow had spent hours staring at the ceiling as she tried to evaluate that feeling. All she could come up with was it had been so long since she’d had any real physical touch that maybe her subconscious wanted that.
They didn’t talk about this happening on the asexual blogs.
“Harlow?”
Riley saying her name yanked Harlow from her thoughts.
“Yeah?”
“You okay?”
“I’m fine,” her voice squeaked and she cleared her throat. Her mouth was beyond dry, and she needed a glass of water. “Drinks tonight sound great. Count me in.”
“Will do.”
As she left Riley alone by the stage curtain, Harlow realized she hadn’t answered her question. She didn’t know how. Harlow didn’t know if she wanted to have drinks just with Riley or with the whole band. With everyone it definitely took any ambiguity away as to whether it was a date or not. But why did Harlow get the vibe that’s what Riley wanted?
It has to be my lack of sleep.
Checking her watch, Harlow noted they had less than a half hour to show time. That was no time for her to take a power nap, not when her nerves were all over the place. Now, instead of only worrying about the band, Harlow always had to worry about her confusing feelings about Riley.
The show thankfully kept Harlow preoccupied. She was able to focus on her favorite band playing her favorite songs again without worrying whether Riley wanted to go on a date with her or not. After all, that didn’t matter right now. All that mattered was that Maine Event sounded amazing and the crowd loved it. There had even been several standing ovations after the band’s biggest hits. Harlow had forgotten how exhilarating it was to hear that sound from behind the stage. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t the one performing; anyone could feel the electricity in the air.
But there was no one more excited than Riley. She was so excited that Harlow caught her crying happy tears as she ran around snapping as many pictures as possible. Riley knew every word to every song, and watching her enthusiasm was fun. Even if she did get on Harlow’s nerves, she was the right person for the job. Harlow could admit that.
By the end of the show, Harlow’s adrenaline was as high as her excitement. She made sure the crew was working on breaking down the set before meeting Riley and the band by the door. Barlow looked around, noticing two people missing.
“Where’s Skylar and Elena?”
“They went back to their buses.” Riley shrugged, but a smirk played on her lips. “They were tired.”
“What’s that smirk for?”
“Nothing,” she giggled. Harlow wasn’t in the mood to ask questions. She wanted a drink to celebrate the first show of the tour being over.
“Are we drinking or what?”
“Hell yeah.”
Walking outside the venue, Riley directed them down the street toward the bar. According to Riley’s ramblings, the Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour was inside a historic building that was the former Arizona Prohibition Headquarters. It had also won hundreds of awards, but Riley had forgotten which ones. Harlow was secretly thankful.
Johnny held the door open for them and the band as Harlow brought up the rear. She stuffed her hands into the pocket of her jeans as she looked around the bar. It was a gorgeous establishment with tall ceilings, multicolored lights, and people mingling about everywhere. A hostess led them to the bar that she claimed was the best seat in the house. Harlow was used to getting special treatment when she was with the band, but it always made her feel awkward. She wasn’t one that enjoyed the spotlight; she was a behind the scenes girl all the way.
“This place is so cool,” Riley looked around the bar, her eyes wide. She looked more like a child at Disney than a woman in a bar.
