Page 22 of We Own Tonight
“I’m just saying that we didn’t have it all that easy. There were no silverplatters.”
Randy laughs. “You were eighteen when we were signed. Since then, have you had anyissues?”
“Have you?” I gesture toward the walls around us. They act like they’re struggling. This nine million dollar mansion they’re living in doesn’t seem to be roughing it if you askme.
“I remember Mom having to work an extra job for us to eat and take music lessons, doyou?”
It always comes back to this. Of course, I remember. When our father passed away, everything changed. Yes, I was young, but that doesn’t mean I have no memory of it. My mother was great at hiding things, but no matter how hard you try, some things show through. When his child support stopped coming, we stopped doing alot.
“Why do you think I took care of her when we gotmoney?”
“Because you wanted to be her favorite,” he tosses back and chugs hisbeer.
“I already was, I didn’t need to buy her that house to solidifyit.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” Randy laughs and shakes his head atme.
“Okay, boys. Back to my point. You’ve had a pretty easyadulthood, Eli. Girls flock to you, the band succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations, and then you landed the role onA Thin Blue Linewithout having any acting experience. Things fall in your lap, but this time . . . not somuch.”
She has a point, but it doesn’t mean I don’t bust my ass. Sure, I was scouted and asked to joinA Thin Blue Line, but I immediately started taking acting lessons. I hired the best coaches to make sure I earned my money. I can’t say anything about Four Blocks Down, that was a guy who promised us we’d be huge if we signed with him and a shit ton ofluck.
Heather, though. She’s something completely different. For the first time, I don’t have someone chasing me because of who I am. Hell, she fuckingran.
I want to know why. I want to know what she’s hiding behind her tough-girl exterior. I’ve never spotted a girl in a concert like that. It took every ounce of self-control not to stare at her all night. There’s a pull between us, and I know she feltit.
I mentally scoff. It’s absolutely ridiculous that some girl is having this effect on me. But yet I keep wanting to go back which only proves that there’s something different. Why is this girl the only thing I can think about? The truth is, I wasn’t going to kick Heather out of my bed that night. I wanted to hold her in my arms, breathe her perfume through the night, and feel her skin against mine. Instead of getting any of that, she bolted. The worst part is then, I fucking chased after her, and I’m debating doing itagain.
Savannah waves her hand in my face. “Well?”
“I think you’re wrong, Vannah. It has nothing to do with the thrill of the chase.” And it’s not, it’sher.
“Oh?” she asks with surprise. Shit, I said that aloud. “What is it then?” Vannahpushes.
“I don’t know,” I admit and take a drink. “It was something in her eyes. I’m sounding like a pussy, but I’m serious. It was like there was this . . . thing . . . and I just want to figure out what itwas.”
Savannah does her best to hide her smile, but I see it. The eternal believer. She laid eyes on Randy and knew they’d be married. I’ve heard the story a million times, and each time, I fight back the need to puke. She swears that when it happens, you can’t goback.
“I’m not in love with her,” I quicklydefend.
Randy elbows me. “Sounds like the first time I laid eyes onSavannah.”
“You were an idiot. Hell, you stillare.”
“As is every man when he falls inlove.”
“For fuck’s sake!” I throw my hands up andstand.
“Mouth!” Savannahyells.
“Sorry! But I’m not in love withanyone.”
I can’t believe these two. How does thinking about some girl equate to falling in love? Itdoesn’t.
It means I need one more time with her to prove that it’s all in myhead.
That’sit.
I grab my wallet and keys, grumbling as I walk off. They’re wrong, and I’m not going to sit around with them as they try to convince me otherwise. All I know is her name, that she’s a cop, and her address, that’s it. How do you fall in love with a name? It isn’t realistic, and I have no intentions of ever loving anotherwoman.
