Page 24 of Rim Shot Rebound

Her eyes roamed over his body as she considered. “I shouldn’t.”

“I really think you should.” He patted the floor next to him.

Kelsey rolled her eyes and zipped her jeans. “Tempting, but I should get home.” She lowered herself to the floor beside him, fully dressed now, and kissed his cheek. “Like it or not, I’m going to be second-guessing this, and I’d rather not do that all night right beside you.”

It hurt him to his core, thinking she might second-guess their connection for one moment. To doubt what he felt so strongly. But he understood. She had every right to protect her heart and work this out for herself.

“Well, I’ll be here, not doubting this, if you change your mind and want to spend the night.”

She kissed him again, on the mouth this time. “Noted.”

And then she was gone. She took her notebook, her keys, and her phone, and she left him alone in the house that had always been too big for just him.

Maybe one day soon he could find a way to fill it.

The spare room had plenty of space for a drum set. They could put foam on the walls and rugs on the floor to buffer the sound. And there was plenty of room for that turtle of hers, too.

He lay back with his hands behind his head and elbows out to the sides and stared at the ceiling. A huge smile spread across his face as he closed his eyes and imagined Kelsey and her drums and her turtle living with him. Forever.

 

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