Page 40 of Mayhem

We’re the first ones here, and Charlie goes to the craft corner to start setting up the day’s project for her, June, and Hayley to work on. It’s all she talked about on the ride here, and I love her enthusiasm.

That leaves me and Tess alone, and the awkwardness between us now is grating. We need to move past this.

“So, are we still on for date number two on Friday?” I ask, trying desperately to stay cool, and not seem too eager. This has been a rollercoaster twenty-four hours, and the rise and fall of emotions is wearing me down. Between the high of yesterday morning, the low of Tess’s post, the anger afterward, the grief of Dakota’s story, the tenuous mending of me and Tess, to now – it’s been a ride. And I think it’s leaving me vulnerable.

Tess seems to be in the same boat, though, so at least we might be on an even emotional playing field. I’m sure she’s had her own journey to deal with. In that at least, I’m not alone.

“I would like that,” she says, biting her lip. “If you still want to.”

I can’t take it anymore and pull her into a hug. She tenses briefly, her muscles instinctively going rigid, but then melts against me, wrapping her arms around my back, her head leaning against my chest. Her heart is racing, and suddenly I want nothing more than to calm her down. Reassure her.

“We’re good, babe. Okay?” I whisper. “We’re good.”

Her arms tighten around me as she nods, but she doesn’t say anything. She’s keeping her emotions in check better than I am right now. I can tell she wants to let loose another apology, but it isn’t necessary. Not anymore. There’s no malice here. Not with her.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Charlie looking over at us with a sly smile, and when I catch her and give her a wink, she automatically goes back to pretending she’s busy setting up their project. She’s not fooling me, though. I know she likes Tess, and the idea of us together.

Me too, kid. Me too.

24

FALLING

TESS

The guys are in the middle of working on a new song that Dakota and Brad have written, and Ian has taken his daughters to register for school in the fall, so it’s me and Charlie left on the couch, playing Tic-Tac-Toe on the iPad while snacking on pretzels. She’s kicking my ass, but I’m distracted by the song. It's heartbreaking and makes me wonder about the story behind it.

I still need to have a sit-down with Dakota to get his history, so I know what I’m dealing with press-wise. Eliza said they did a background check and things like that, which were fine, but there’s always something getting ready to pop out of the woodwork. I need to know what it is before it shows itself. If this song is any indication, I’m in for some heavy emotions.

“I win again!” Charlie cheers, popping another pretzel in her mouth proudly.

“I think you’re cheating,” I say, clearing the screen for another round.

“Well, I think you’re just bad at the game,” she declares. Point taken.

“I think you’re right,” I smirk. “Want to play something else?”

“Nope.”

I sigh. “Of course you don’t. You’re kind of murderizing me here. Not sure how I feel about your liking that…”

“My dad likes you,” she whispers out of the blue, glancing over at the band.

I look over to make sure they’re not paying attention to us, or at least didn’t hear her.

“Well, I like your dad, too,” I whisper back conspiratorially. It’s starting to feel like a horribly kept secret. We’re not necessarily hiding it from anyone, but there’s still an air of secrecy around us. We sneak glances, and small touches, when we can if we think no one is looking. Chances are that we’re wrong, and everybody knows.

“Are you going to go on another date?” Charlie asks, placing an ‘X’ on the game that blocks my win. Again.

“We are,” I say distractedly, frowning at the game as I try to figure out a strategy to finally beat her. I’m starting to hate this game. “This Friday, actually. When you go for your next sleepover at Hayley and June’s house.”

“Aww. I wanted to go with you guys,” she says, a small whine in her sweet voice.

I look over at her, an eyebrow arched. “You want to go on our date with us?” It seems like an odd request, but then, coming from Charlie, it’s not really that out of character.

“Yeah. Remember that time we all went to dinner? And you guys were talking about work and stuff? I want to do that again.” She takes another bite of a pretzel and wins yet another game with a tap of the screen.

Jesus, I suck at this game.

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