Page 472 of Rock Me All Night
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It's nota party as much as an extra fancy hangout session. The band, plus significant others and a few roadies, laugh, eat, and drink in a hotel suite. There's no fancy bartender. Just a row of liquor and mixers and a plentiful supply of mostly healthy snacks.
No one comments on Tom and me arriving together, but Meg throws him some pretty serious side-eye.
She pushes off her boyfriend’s lap and moves towards us. Usually she wears flats but today she's in heels that put her about an inch above Miles and several inches above Tom. It's intimidating, how tall she is, how confident she is, how she's going to be a doctor.
Miles is so supportive when he talks about her. I can only hope Tom is as supportive of what I want.
"You've never showered after a show before." She looks him up and down. "Do you have a date or something?"
"Shit. I thought Miles told you about our plan to double team you," Tom teases.
Miles laughs.
Meg blushes but stays strong. "In your dreams."
"You know I don't date," Tom says.
"Things change." Meg's eyes drift to me. "It could be nice, taking someone special out after a long day—"
"And making her come until she begs for mercy." Miles pulls his girlfriend onto his lap. He presses his lips against her neck.
She's putty. It takes her a full minute to pull away from Miles enough to talk to Tom. "Whatever you're doing, I hope you’re treating her..." She looks at me. "Whoever that is. Well."
Is subtlety a lost art? I can't exactly blame people for tiptoeing around me and Tom's relationship, but this is clomping.
"Babe, that was the worst hint I've ever heard." Miles teases his girlfriend. "You're lucky everyone knows that Tom and Willow are fucking. Everyone except Drew."
Tom shoots him a death glare.
Miles laughs. "Not as much fun the shoe being on the other foot, huh?"
"I wasn'tthatobvious." Meg motions to Kara and Drew cuddling on the couch then turns to me. "As long as Guitar Prince is busy, how is Tom?"
"I'm right here," Tom says.
"Please. You'd not only ask that, but you'd subject us to some truth or dare bullshit just for the excuse." Meg folds her arms over her chest. "So..."
"Must be good if she's sticking around," Miles says. "It's not for his wit."
"I don't know. Tom's pretty good-looking once you get past his personality," Meg teases.
"Come on." Tom glances at Drew as if to check if the coast is clear, and slides his arm around my waist. "I need to talk to you."
"Enjoy theconversation." Miles winks.
We find an empty space in the kitchenette. There's something about Tom's expression. Something bothering him. Of course there is. Tomorrow, he's going to find out if his mom is going to live or die.
"Can I come tomorrow?" I'm too tired to hold anything back. "I want to be there for you."
"Yeah." He runs a hand through my hair. "I want you to be there."
"Really?"
He nods.
"Tom, I—" I barely bite my lip in time to keep the words in my throat. The man has enough on his mind.
