Page 35 of How to Love a Rockstar

He ignores my compliment. “I barely remember high school. It’s a blur of working late nights, studying for tests, and dealing with my sisters. The only good part was the band. I didn’t remember you asked me out until Indigo told me the dance was in November.”

“What was in November?”

He frowns. “I fucked up. I didn’t pay the gas bill. I thought I could skip a month and it would be okay. But it wasn’t. The gas company shut us off. My sisters were all frantic because they couldn’t shower.”

“The message,” I mutter.

“What?”

Gah! This is so embarrassing. “After I…” My face heats but I plow forward. “Asked you out. You got a message and rushed off. I thought you were running away from me…”

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “I would never run away from you.”

“But you never noticed me either.” The words are out before I can stop them. “Ignore me. I shouldn’t have spoken. You didn’t have the time to notice me.”

“Nonetheless, I can’t believe I didn’t notice you.”

I roll my eyes. “No need to flatter me. You’re forgiven for humiliating me in high school.”

How can I not forgive him? I know how it feels to have demons in high school. To keep your head down to avoid being noticed.

“Thank you. I’m not sure I deserve your forgiveness but I’ll take it. And I am truly sorry I humiliated you. I would beat the shit out of any guy who humiliated my sisters the way I did you.”

I raise my eyebrows. Dylan doesn’t seem to be the violent type. “Do you usually go around beating up your sisters’ boyfriends?”

“No, but I might have threatened a few of them. Well, me and my bandmates. Fender is especially handy in these situations. He doesn’t need to speak a word and the assholes run away from my sisters.”

“Were you always this protective of your sisters?”

Stop talking, Virginia!I don’t need to know Dylan is the protector type. It’s bad enough my body longs for him. I can’t get my heart involved.

“Even before Dad left, he wasn’t around much. Working full-time and carrying on multiple affairs is time consuming. Someone had to step up and be the man of the house.”

“Must be nice to have someone in your corner,” I mumble.

He brushes a hand over my cheek. “If you let me, I’ll be in your corner.”

I’m tempted. More than tempted. I’ve never had a protector before. I’ve always had to look after myself. My mom certainly didn’t protect me the way she should have.

But this isn’t Dylan from high school. The cute boy with his mop of hair always falling in his eyes. This is Dylan Mitchell. Lead guitar player forCash & the Sinners,a world-famous band.

“What do you say, Virginia? Will you go out on a date with me?”

I love how he doesn’t play games. He comes right out and says what he wants. And he’s nice about it. No demanding. No telling me I’m lucky he would date me.

But what happens when he leaves Winter Falls? He doesn’t live in town. He’s only here to record an album. Once it’s finished, he’ll be off back to San Diego. And I am not living in San Diego again. Never ever.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I finally say.

“It’s not a good idea. It’s an excellent idea.”

I roll my eyes. “Let’s stick to being friends.”

“I’m a great friend. I bring you food.” His stomach rumbles and I giggle.

“Let’s eat.”

He stands and holds out his hand. I grab it and he helps me to my feet. “I’m not giving up on you, Virginia.”

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