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“Bad shit happens in my world, Apple. All the time. So, if you’re with me, you’re going to have to get used to me worrying and wanting to do everything I can to keep evil from touching you.”
“I get that, but I can’t stopliving,” she insists. “Do I miss you? Yes, of course. Do I wish I could do what I need to do for my career right there in Boulder City? Sure. I’d love to be closer to you. But I can’t get what I need to really jumpstart my career there, and I’m not willing to give it all up. What happens if we don’t work out, Malice? Have you thought about that? What happens if I hit it big and touring takes me away from you for weeks on end? Because I gotta tell ya, I won’t quit until I hit it big.” She sighs. “If we can’t survive a few days of me in LA, how are we going to survive anything long-term?”
I hesitate to reply as I process her words. It seems I’m not the only one with worries plaguing me.
“It scares me that you have nothing to say to all of that,” she says, her voice small.
“I’m… Fuck, Apple, I’m new to this,” I tell her honestly. “I don’t do relationships. Or I didn’t until I met you. You’re all I can think about, and I let the darkness of my world shroud the light you bring. There will never be a time I don’t worry so please don’t ask me not to. Because there’s always someone out for blood. But…”
“But what?” she prods.
“I want us to work long-term. I really fucking want that. But I don’t have all the answers.” I close my eyes and tip my head back. “All I know is, despite potential complications, I’m not ready to throw in the towel. You’re worth fighting for, even if you drive me mad sometimes,” I tack on, hoping to lighten the mood.
Apple huffs out a laugh. “I drive you mad? What about what you do to me?”
“What do I do to you?”
“You make me crazy,” she cries. “I’m supposed to be focusing on my singing, on my career, and I’m trying. But you’re always there. Right in the center of my mind, of my heart… You’re. Always. There.”
“That’s a bad thing?”
“No, it’s not bad. But you’re not the only one this is new for, ya know?”
“So now what?”
“Well, first I’m gonna shove my now cold pizza down my throat before I head back to the studio for the afternoon practice session. And then I’m going to come back to the room and call you so we can talk some more.”
“Take Mark with you to the studio,” I demand and instantly want to call the words back.
“Malice,” Apple growls.
“Sorry, bad habit. Just… be careful.”
“I will. I’ll be fine.”
“You’ll call me later, after you get back to the hotel?”
“I just said I would, didn’t I?” she snaps.
“Yeah, you did.”
“Okay. Now, I really do have to go.”
“Hey, Apple?” I say before she can disconnect the call.
“Yeah?”
“You’re amazing. Just want you to know that.”
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
Stretching out my arm, I pat the mattress, trying to find my damn phone. When I can’t find it, I spring from the bed and rub my eyes before pushing the blankets around as it continues to ring. I toss the pillow over, and there it is.
Ross’s name flashes across the screen, but that’s not what sends my pulse into overdrive. It’s two fifteen, and I’m late.
