Page 27 of Feral Touch
“Are they not nice?” I frowned. I’d barely spent more than five minutes with the band, but they all did seem…well, nice. Kell was full of himself, Jayce had too much sex appeal for his own good and Morris was a bit intimidating, but they hadn’t seemed like bad people.
“They’regods.” Jen's voice was reverent, insistent. “Nice is for the boy next door who stutters when asking you to prom. A date with Ren should include the words hotandirresistible.
“He is good looking,” I admitted.
“Again with the understatement.” Jen's exasperation was evident. “Ren is gorgeous. Those cheekbones and those lips and that hair—ugh!” She threw her hands up in the air. “Why are you not at his place having sex right now?!”
“Whoa, hold up. Who said anything about…that?” I couldn’t help the blush rising to my cheeks. “It’s been years. We barely know each other anymore. He’s changed. I’ve changed. I don’t even know if he’s interested in me like that.”
And even if he was, I didn’t know if I could do it. Someone like Ren couldn’t possibly be with someone like me long-term and a one night stand wasn’t really my thing, not even with someone as hot as Ren.
“We’re not saying you have to jump into bed with him right away.” Natalie shot Jen a dirty look. “We just want to live vicariously through you. Throw us a few details. Satisfy our curiosity. It’s not every day a normal girl gets to date a rock star.”
“That’s the problem,” I murmured. Normal girls,nicegirls, didn’t date rock stars.
And according to one male fan, rock stars didn't date nice girls.
I tried to push back Mark's words. He was a stranger, and I shouldn't listen to the advice of just one guy.
But wouldn't a guy have more insight into another guy's mind?I couldn't silence that small voice in my head making me doubt myself again, making me doubt Ren.
“I just don't think it's going to work out, you guys.” I wandered into the kitchen to get a diet soda, hoping to avoid their disappointed faces. I knew they meant well, but they didn't understand the turmoil raging inside me. This whole Ren thing was a distraction I didn't need.
Yes, I was attracted to him—Ren might even be attracted to me—but the two of us were worlds apart. It would never work out.
I couldn't keep worrying about it. It was time to set it aside.
“Did I tell you I auditioned for a part time job?” I called out, not waiting for their response. “It’s for an for an events company. I'd be the person playing cello at fancy parties and corporate events. Kind of swanky, right?”
I poked my head out of the kitchen. They both still had expressions of dismay on their faces. I forged ahead.
“I think I've got it in the bag. That audition was some of the best music I've ever played. I wasn't even nervous! They seemed pretty impressed at least.”
Nat and Jen gave me mournful stares. I ignored it.
“Having the extra money will be nice. Maybe I can even buy a new case for my cello. Mine's gotten kind of banged up after all these years.”
I'd never told the girls about my financial situation. It would just worry them. Besides, they'd probably insist on paying for my part of our weekly groceries, or even worse, offer to cover my third of the rent.
There was no way I could let them do that. They were poor students, too, even if they weren't in quite the same dire straits as me. I was determined to do it on my own. My mom had to fight her way up throughout her whole career and my dad had given everything he had to his small business, putting every ounce of energy and passion into making it work. They never accepted handouts from anyone. I'd be damned if I'd let them down by doing so myself.
“What song did you play?” Jen asked tentatively.
Good. She was willing to let me change the subject.
“The Boccherini Concerto.”
Nat was shocked out of her somber mood. She gave me an approving nod and slow clapped. “Damn, you sure don't make things easy on yourself.”
“I really wanted the job.” I reallyneededthe job. “I had to impress them somehow.”
“I can guarantee you that no one else would have been as bold or self-confident as you to pull that off.”
Was I bold? When it came to my music, I supposed I was. I could probably give that blond lead singer a run for his money when it came down to it.
I just wished I could be so self-assured when it came to me and Ren.
CHAPTER 7
