Page 660 of Rock Me All Night
"Just… I thought you were all about facts and information. He's a little—"
"I was seventeen." He smiles. "It's not likeThe Hunger Gameshas consistent world building."
"You did not just insultThe Hunger Games!"
"And if I did?" He raises a brow, baiting me.
"I'll shoot an arrow through your traitorous heart."
He smiles. "I like you assertive."
"Me too." Might as well push it further. I cozy up to the spot next to him. "You haven't distracted me, you know."
Pete nods. He takes a long time composing his next thought. "I did love her. We didn't talk much, but I've never been one for conversation."
"You talk to me."
"Yeah. It's different with you."
"How?"
"Actually have something to say."
My heart sings. Does he realize what he's doing to me? No, he must not. He's still focused inward, pulling his thoughts together.
He continues. "She liked listening to me play. Not bass but the guitar. Should have been the first sign." He laughs but there's a sadness to it. "I'd look at her art. She was a painter. Does graphic design now. Advertising. She's good. Always was. She got into Columbia, full scholarship. I told her to go. Not like I'm gonna get in the way of her future."
"Reasonable."
"Yeah. I didn't see the point of college. Didn't really have a chance. Knew the only thing I wanted to do was play bass. Stayed home. With Mom. And Tom. Sinful Serenade was only half formed. Didn't have Drew yet." His face scrunches in concentration. "Maybe. Dates blur together. We got serious pretty soon after I graduated."
"You look cute thinking."
"Don't tempt me to take those shorts off, Jess. It's hard enough as is."
My cheeks flush. "Okay. No more comments about how cute you are. Unless you put on your glasses. Then I have to jump you."
He cocks a brow. "What if we lived together and I wore them to bed every night?"
"We do live together."
"But if we shared a bed. Would you jump me every night when you saw me reading in my glasses?"
Mmm. I want him already. But I'm not getting derailed. Especially not with how hard my heart is pounding over this hypothetical living together, sleeping in the same bed scenario.
I clear my throat. "I suppose I'd have to have sex with you every night. If that works for your schedule."
He smiles. "I'll rearrange some things."
Pete leans in to kiss me. I get warm all over.
He pulls back. His eyes turn down as he speaks. "We were young and stupid. She never told me she wanted me to follow her. I never told her it would gut me to be away from Tom and Ophelia. We never shared like that. Waited for the frustrations to build up until feelings were insults."
I press my fingers into my thighs so I won't move too close. It's not enough. I need to be close to him. "Did you fight a lot?"
"Normal amount. The particulars aren't that exciting. Long distance meant we got to live in bubbles. I had my life. She had hers. Then we had this bubble just for the two of us. The three of them didn't connect. She couldn't go to my shows. I didn't know her friends, couldn't follow the gossip." His brow furrows. "It's hard to explain."
But it makes sense. "I think I understand. It's like having a pen pal. You communicate but it's not as natural as being in the same place as someone."
