Page 39 of The Comeback

“Cinderella does not turn into a pumpkin.”

I laugh at her fact check as I take the stairs two at a time. I’d rather she not rush off without even talking about what happened between us, but she’s clearly got somewhere to be.

I snag her black purse that says “Tea, Earl Grey, Hot” on it in white letters, laughing all the way down to where she stands at the front door bouncing on her toes.

When she reaches out to grab it I pull it away at the last second and lean in to meet her lips one last time. She freezes for a fraction of second before softening and returning the kiss. Our lips meld together as if they’re two matching pieces of a puzzle. She presses in as I pull back in a heated give and take. Soft lips, heated tongues darting in and out. Her fingers tangle in my hair to pull me in deeper, and I respond with a tug on her hips bringing her flush against my aching hardness.

Wrong move apparently. It’s like my cock is a reality check and she snaps back into herself pulling out of my arms and away from my tingling lips.

“I don’t have time for this. We have the practice room booked and I’m going to be late.” Her hands smooth out her hair and she takes a step backward. “I’ve gotta go.”

“Can’t you reschedule.” Man, I’m not too fond of the pleading note that slides into my voice, but I’d like nothing more than to spend the day in bed with her. Screw afternoon workouts and practice rooms.

“No! Practice time is limited. Dax and I have to book all our times at the beginning of the semester. I can’t let him down like that.” I can see her withdrawing back inside her shell. “Or myself.”

She’s right. What the hell am I thinking? I need to practice too. I can’t be losing myself in this girl. No matter what she means to me, what she’s always meant to me. I’ve got goals too and I don’t have any time left to waste.

“Right. I’m sorry. At least let me give you a ride?”

“Fine. C’mon.” Abby’s small hand closes over my still bare arm, tugging on it. Her soft skin touching mine is a fresh sort of agony for my poor dick which jumps in response to her.

“Can I at least put a shirt on? I mean I don’t really care if the entire campus sees my bare chest, but it’s kind of chilly out there.”

She waves her hands in a shooing motion that I take as agreement and run back up the stairs to grab a shirt, sweater and trade the shorts for some black sweats with the Lightning logo on the leg.

The wind is whipping her hair around her head through the open door when I get back down, and I barely have a chance to grab my keys before she’s tugging me out the door to my car. It’s not much, but it’s mine. Bought with money I earned from a summer job cutting grass for the city. Most of my teammates attend camps during the summer, but I couldn’t do that without relying on the unwelcome support from my stepfather. I try to keep his help to a minimum knowing the strings that come with his money.

I try to make conversation a couple of times on the drive over, but it’s like Abby is withdrawing a little further away with each mile we drive away from my house. We make it to campus in record time and I drop her off at the music building only a few minutes late.

I lean in for one last kiss as she shoves the door open, but she pulls away sending a pang through my heart.

“I’ll call you later, Fab.” The words I toss at her back are a promise. A promise that I’m not going to let her get away that easily. A promise that I’m the one for her and this is more than just a one night thing.

Her response is less than ideal. “Sure. See you later, Sebastian.” Ahh she’s back to full naming me. I prefer it when she calls me Bastian. She’s the only one left who uses that name and she’s the only one who’s allowed to. The use of my full name is a sure sign of her dismissal.

Chapter 29

Abby

Myheartisthreateningto leap out of my chest ahead of my body as I race into the practice room. Dax is of course strumming his guitar and picking out our tune. He’s changed up the bridge a little.

“I like that.” He jerks up, startled out his music reverie in spite of the way I exploded into the room as if I needed to safe my dog from a fire. I get it. How you can get so lost in the music the world around you ceases to exist. The only other thing that’s ever made me feel that way is…Well it’s not a thing, and I shouldn’t be thinking like that. He’s a distraction. I’ve never been late for practice or class or anything to do with my music. It’s always come first for me and I need to keep it that way if I’m going to succeed in the industry.

“Thanks, where’ve you been? Hot date last night?”

“What?! No!” His eyes widen and then narrow at the quick denial that sounds suspicious even to my own ears. My cheeks burn as I turn my gaze down to stare at my shoes (what kind?)

The corner of his mouth turns up to form that crooked grin that’s going to break millions of hearts when he hits it big in the rock world, and I have no doubt he will. He’s got the talent, the charisma, and the looks that will fill stadiums one day. It’s hard to believe I’ve surrounded myself with so many talented friends. Between him and Aura I’ll be sure to attend a few a list events in the future. I’ll be happy if I can stay in the background. Write songs and live my life a little more low key.

“Well look at you.” The smile spreads to crinkle the corner of his eyes. “Aura finally got you back out there. About time you scrubbed that asshole out of your brain for good. Who was it? Anyone I know?”

“Mmmm.” I shake my head, not trusting myself to form any believable lies.

He pushes up from his chair. “Wait. You didn’t. Sebastian???”

I rush over to the keyboard and throw my bag down. “Don’t wanna talk about it. Our time here is precious, right?” Gotta get him back on track. It’s bad enough Aura is going to be drilling me later, I don’t want to get into it with Dax too.

His dark brow curves up in an I-know-your-tricks arch, but he lets it slide. “Let me play this new version of the chorus for you, let me know what you think.

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