Page 12 of Little Monster
“Mr. Reid, leave the girl alone,” Wes says, and I know I’m about to melt into a puddle of embarrassment. “Ms. Miller, take it from the last measure.”
I nod and lift my violin once more.
From here on out, I’m not looking Dex’s way again.
Once we’ve wrapped the recording for the rhythm section, the producers call it a day. I’m so grateful we’re done; I’m not sure I could take another minute in that room with Dex.
Despite what the producer said, Dex kept staring at me from across the room, and not in a vaguely curious sort of way; no, he was staring in that way you stare when you see someone you know from a distance or a few cars over and you’re desperately trying to get their attention with nothing but your eyes. But I didn’t give him the satisfaction.
After that first blunder, I stayed completely focused, and we finished my tracking with little fanfare. Now I’m wiping my violin down and putting it away while the band chats behind me.
“Nice job today, Nora,” Naomi tells me when I straighten up.
“Thanks. That was . . . fun.”
I wasn’t sure it would be, but it was. There’s something invigorating about playing live music with other musicians, and there was a special spark with the band that can be hard to achieve with such a large orchestra.
“I’m not sure if or when we’ll need you again, but I’ll letyou know.” She gives me a quick hug, then leaves the room with Wes, and I’m left feeling unsure.
Is that it? Was this the only time I’ll get to play with the band? It makes sense, I guess, since they’ll be recording vocals next and certainly don’t need me for that. But in a small way, I’m a bit disappointed.
With my violin put away, there’s nothing left for me to do except leave. I pick up my case and head toward the door.
“Nora, wait!” Sebastian jogs over to me. “Thanks for playing with us.” He holds his fist out like Lucas did earlier, and I bump it with mine.
“I enjoyed it,” I say.
His eyes crinkle in the corners when he smiles.
The others notice I’m leaving. Michael gives me a friendly hug, and Lucas just lifts a hand lazily from across the room.
“I’ll walk out with you,” Dex says.
I have no idea how to respond, so I just stand there in the doorway while he gives the guys parting fist bumps and handshakes. Then he’s heading my way, and I quickly slip through the door and start down the hall.
I can feel him walking behind me. His proximity makes heat rise in my stomach.
What iswrongwith me? He’s just walking with me, for god’s sake.
“See ya later, Nora,” Morgan says from the front desk as I walk by. “Bye, Dex.” Her voice takes on a feminine edge, and when I glance over at her, she’s watching Dex like a lioness about to devour her prey.
He smiles back but doesn’t say anything as he slips his mirrored sunglasses on and eases around me to push through the door.I step through after him, and then we’re on the sidewalk in the weirdly warm winter air.
“Um, I’m parked over here,” I say, pointing vaguely in the direction of my car.
“Sweet.” He puts his hands in his tight jeans pockets, then steps off the curb toward my Honda.
I follow a step after him, trying not to admire his long legs and easy stride.
Why is he even doing this?
When we get to my car, I quickly unlock it and slip my case into the back, then close the door and turn to face him.
“Well, I—”
“Are you on Tribe?” he asks suddenly.
When I look up at him, all I see is myself reflected in his sunglasses—straight hair, brown eyes, a splash of freckles across my nose. A silver cross hangs from one of his earlobes, and the hint of a chain is visible beneath the neck of his baggy hoodie.
