Page 8 of We Own Tonight
“I’m Heather, by theway.”
“Heather,” I repeat, allowing her name to roll off my tongue. “Want another beer?” Her face turns red. “Did I saysomething?”
“No,” she says as her hand touches my arm. “I’m sorry. I’m justnervous.”
I like that I keep her slightly off kilter. Most of the girls that come back here are almost too sure of themselves. Like we should be so lucky to have chosen them. Then, it’s sexual promises and over the top offers. Ninety percent of the time, I never even go there. I guess after this long, I’ve becomepicky.
I blame my niece and nephew. I’m not saying I want to settle down, because that’s the last thing I need, but it would be nice to have someone to talk to once in a while. I’m surrounded by actresses most of the time, so I’ve had enough fakerelationships.
“Don’t be nervous,” I try to reassureher.
Heather smiles and tucks her hair behind her ear. Is there anything this girl won’t do that I find attractive? I must be losing my mind. “It was a greatshow.”
“I’m glad you thought so.” And I am. I sang and danced my ass off. Whenever we come home, we give a little more. “I enjoyed a few parts more thanothers.”
“Me, too.” Her eyesbrighten.
“Why don’t we go somewhere a little more private and talk? The after-show area is always crammed, and I won’t be able to avoideveryone.”
She looks at Nicole and then back at me. Nicole nudges her a little, and I decide that girl is my new best friend. Of course, I want to do a lot more than talk, but first, I want to get her away from all thenoise.
I catch my manager’s attention and jerk my head in Nicole’s direction. He’ll make sure she staysoccupied.
“I don’tknow.”
“I promise, this place will become something neither of us want to be a part of.” I go for the truth, hoping she’ll catch my drift. “I just want to talk, if that’s what you want.” So, I lie alittle.
Nicole smiles, whispers in her ear, and shoves her forward. I extend my hand, hoping that her friend helped me out a little. Heather looks down and then entwines ourfingers.
Fuck this is going to be a goodnight.
Chapter Four
Heather
Oh my God.Oh my God.I’m going to a private place with Eli. What the hell am I thinking? I’m not. Clearly, I’m having some kind of out-of-body experience. I would never do this. Yet, here I am, holding his hand and walking away from the meet andgreet.
“You okay?” His deep voice is laced withconcern.
“I’m great.” I’m such aliar.
“Yeah? Because you’reshaking.”
My entire body is trembling. I haven’t pinpointed whether it’s because I’m excited or scared out of my fucking mind. I’m pretty sure it’s the latter. I focus on my breathing. I’m in high stress situations all the time, this should be a cakewalk.
This is, as Nicole says, hooking up. Apparently, people do this all the time and it’s normal. I can be normal. I can put all this crazy shit aside and be in themoment.
Just let tonight be what it is and enjoyit.
I clear my throat and smile. “This kind of stuff never happens tome.”
He chuckles as he comes to a stop in front of the tour bus. “What kind ofstuff?”
“This,” I say a little high-pitched. “I don’t typically drink, scream at random people, get serenaded, get asked backstage, and now . . .” I trail off. There’s no way I’m finishing that statement, because I don’t know what exactly is happening. Maybe he wants to ask me about something dumb. He may not want sex. I don’t know that I wantsex.
That’s alie.
I totally want sex. I want to let loose like Nicole told me to. To be completely without fear of consequence for just one night. I’m always responsible. My life is practically a billboard for sensibility. I uphold the law, care for my sister, work to support myself and Steph, volunteer at the youth center, but I never letloose.
