Page 95 of Love You Like That (Excess All Areas 4)

The meals arrived. You are most thoughtful, thank you.

The idea had occurred to him when he’d left Zoe on their street and driven off on the tour bus. A week’s worth of dinners ready to pop in the microwave.

You’re welcome. Eat them!

A picture of an empty container sat next to the sink.

Tasted delish. What do you recommend when you’re so nervous you can’t face sleep? Zx

“I’m going to go book these massages on my laptop,” he said, leaving his unopened beer on the table.

He climbed into her bunk because it smelled like her. Want to video chat?

No. I’m tired but wired. My head already hurts after a day with Mum and Dad. They were happy I’m going back, but it felt like a little bit of gloating from Mum. Can we just chat like this?

He was disappointed to not see her face, but he couldn’t imagine what it must be like to feel compelled to hold an in-person conversation and lipread when you were already knackered.

Of course. I’m happy to hear from you. On a scale from one to ten, where one is a cup of hot milk and ten is let me text you to an orgasm…what kind of recommendations do you want?

What does a solid six look like?

While he hadn’t considered a sliding scale, it made sense she’d want an answer.

That feels a little closer to naughty rather than nice, Rocky. Are you naked?

I didn’t say ten.

Honestly, we need to break the if-I’m-naked-it-means-sex thing you have going on in your head. Just get naked.

Fine. One second.

He imagined her grumbling as she took off her pyjamas. The idea she was getting naked turned him on, but he banked the feelings. She’d reached out to him. And it was a win. He wanted to prove to her repeatedly, that asking for something, for help, for anything, wasn’t a bad thing. It didn’t mean you weren’t independent.

And he wanted to be the guy she could rely on to help her.

I’m naked, but under the covers in my bed. Where are you?

On my bunk.

Are you naked?

Do you want to go up to an 8?

NO!

Alex grinned. I’ll keep my joggers on. He snapped a photograph and sent it to her. Proof.

I hope you aren’t expecting me to send proof.

Now he laughed. Rocky. We’re meant to be helping you relax, not stress you out even more. Of course, you don’t need to send me proof (although if you ever feel like it, I wouldn’t complain!)

Okay. Sorry. I’m just… urgh.

What’s got you wound up?

There was a long pause before she replied. Dots bounced, then stopped, then bounced again. I have an appointment with Dr. Boncaldo tomorrow. He’s part of the music faculty. I mentioned him the night I played in the hotel. He’s…we had this relationship. He was so hard on me, and I liked it. I like being challenged, Alex. I like being pushed, and he did that. He was blunt. Brutally honest. Which is why I know he’ll tell me the truth as to whether I can do this or not. But I’m terrified I’m going to go tomorrow and see disappointment in his eyes.

Fear was such a strange beast. It took so many forms. Tangible fears like heights and open spaces and snakes you could avoid. But emotional fears, of disappointment and grief, were harder to evade.

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