Page 18 of Just My Type of wrong guy

“Why?”

“Band’s weekly vlog. Dani needs material during the tour to keep us trending.”

“Do I need to be in the vlog?”

“You’re the unknown opening act there, if I were you, I’d make sure of it.”

“Who would’ve thought those dimples had so much power of persuasion?” I tease, giving his shoulder a tap.

A.J. takes off his glasses and looks me up and down, eyes fixed on mine for three seconds.

“I’d even demonstrate their persuasive power,but you said I have to keep my distance, right? Well, yeah.” A.J. teases me, and just as he’s about to take the damn photo, I push both my hands forward, giving him the middle fingers.

Funny little jerk.

***

I could’ve gone straight from Christ the Redeemer to my place, but A.J. said we needed a coconut water, so we stoppedatIpanemabeach to grab two coconuts and dip our feet in the sand while still rocking our penny-pinching disguise. After that, I would’ve gone home, but A.J. wanted to film some short videos with bits of the song, since the Vagabonders already have it down, and it’d be cool to have us “rehearsing” for this week’s vlog. And I definitely would’ve taken an Uber home after that, but A.J. didn’t even hear me. He just asked if I’d get in the car willingly or if he’d have to carry me.

So, after that display of such great manners, here we are. Me, afraid this guy is going to get lost, and him driving around Rio with a GPS that’s recalculated the route four times.

“How do you feel knowing we have just five hours before we catch the flight to the next tour stop?”

His question makes me smile so big, I feel embarrassed.

“Excited. Nervous. I was scared, you know? That I wouldn’t be able to handle it…”

“But you did.”

“Because I’m really good. I was proud that I didn’t let myself get too caught up in…that complicatedsubject and just kept going. I know it wasn’t just my talent that got me on that stage, but it’s definitely what’ll keep me there.”

“And how’s that complicated subject in that head of yours?” he asks, giving me a quick look before focusing back on the road, making a turn.

“Complicated. How do you deal with it?”

“I don’t. Left home a while ago, things just flowed. I try not to blame myself for not being the doctor my parents wanted and keep moving.” A.J. shrugs and looks at me out of the corner of his eye, his golden hair swaying like it’s never seen a bad hair day.

“At least you did what you did, and it worked. I’m still here with my flop career,” I joke, stretching my legs and letting my head fall back.

“Don’t say that,” A.J. scolds.

“A.J., my career is a flop, but it’s fine, you and your friends are my stepping stones to fame.”

“When you say it like that, it almost hurts, but I like being a stepping stone for a beautiful woman, so I’ll let it slide.”

I’m so shocked by what he says, I can only laugh.

“Ugh, man, shut up.”

“There you are, the laughing, sassy Alexandra.” He smiles, showing his dimples like, he’s been waiting forever for this version of me.

“What?”

“Nothing, just feel like you’re finally back to being... Alex. A sunny morning, no thunderclouds overhead.” A.J. looks at me sideways and laughs to himself before speaking again. “Though, you’re more like the clouds and thunder, but you get it,” he says, shrugging as he makes a last-minute turn, eyes still glued to the road.

I realize I could’ve gone straight from Christ the Redeemer. We didn’t need to record any music videos, we’ve been singing it for the last twenty days, they’ve definitely already got some informal material recorded. Plus, A.J. is driving around in a city he doesn’t know just because he thought I was upset...

“You can’t organize your life based on the mood of the people around you,” is all I can say.

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