Page 44 of Loving the Sinner
Apparently everyone in their little friend group, other than Sean, went to University of Texas at San Antonio, and that’s where Robin met Matt in one of her business classes.
Sean joined the Army right out of high school and was deployed to Afghanistan shortly after finishing tech school. That was apparently the last deployment the US made to Afghanistan, but it really messed Sean up. He didn’t reenlist when his contract was up, wanting to be home more. When he left the Army, he came out as gay, but hasn’t had any serious relationships that anyone knows of.
Drew is a cyber security analyst, and works for the government in some capacity. He and Sav have been dating for four years and she’s expecting a ring anytime.
The day flies by, and I end up with a really cute outfit for Wes’s show, and the feeling that I’m exactly where I need to be.
Chapter 19
Wes
The next few days, I bury myself in writing. It’s like Elli smashed through my writer’s block with a thousand pound wrecking ball, and the music won’t stop flowing now. I have four new songs completely composed, and lyrics to a few more scribbled across notebooks, napkins, and the shower walls. Yes, shower walls, because inspiration strikes at the most inconvenient times so I’ve learned to keep a dry erase marker in my bathroom.
I feel bad because I’ve only been sending Elli one word answers to her texts, but I’m trying to keep my focus. Robin texted me on Sunday and told me all about their girls’ day on Saturday. Where they went, and what they bought, and if I stop to let myself think about Elli with a new vibrator, my mind isn’t going to focus on the music.
It’s Tuesday, the day before the show. The day before my grand plan to confess my feelings for this girl and win her over.
Hopefully.
Did I have a panic attack yesterday when I thought about what would happen if she rejected me?
Yes.
Did it make me want to finish a bottle of whiskey just to stop the panic?
Yes.
Did I do that?
No.Go me!
I’m not going to use alcohol to numb my feelings. In fact, I poured the rest of the whiskey down the drain so I couldn’t.
I want to look my best for the show tomorrow, so it’s time for my semi-annual hair cut with Jess. I’ve been seeing her since she got her license, and I don’t trust anyone else with my hair. Her shop is just down the street from my apartment, nestled between a quaint little flower shop and a barbershop. It’s small, just Jess and another stylist, and that suits me just fine.
The bell above the door jingles as I walk in, and I hear Jess shout “Be right with you!” From somewhere in the back.
I look around, taking in the pale pink walls, floral furniture, and gold accents. I look so out of place here in my dark jeans, black shirt, and tattoos, it’s actually kind of funny.
“Westley Jones as I live and breathe! How the hell are you?” Jess exclaims, enveloping me in a tight hug. She smells like hairspray and hair products, but it’s a comforting, familiar scent that I love that’s soher.
“I’m doing good Jess, thanks. How are things with you?”
“Good, good. Come sit in my chair so I can interrogate you about your life.” She says dragging me to her station. She plops me down in the chair, ties the cape around my front and starts running her fingers through my hair. “God, I wish I had your hair. I get so jealous every time you come in. What are we thinking today?”
“You flatter me Jess. Just a trim I think. I have a show tomorrow night. A big one. I want to look my best.”
“Ooo. A big one, eh? What’s so important about this one?”
“Well, you know…” I trail off, unsure how to explain that I’m confessing my feelings for a girl I’ve only known for a few weeks.
“Come on rockstar, let’s get you washed up and then you can tell me all about this girl that’s got you twitterpated.” Jess says with a firm pat on the shoulder.
“I never said it was about a girl.” I grumble.
“Didn’t have to, I’ve been around long enough to know that love struck look in a young fella’s eyes. This girl has got you all tied up in knots kid. Not to mention, I’ve seen you when you’re in love.”
“Yeah. I guess she does.” But I don’t like that Jess is comparing Elli to Shelby. The way I’m feeling is completely different. Shelby was a soul-sucking leech that didn’t care about anyone but herself, and Elli is…
