Page 49 of Stroked
I nodded.
“If you rep these three acts but they don’t have deals, how the hell do you live downtown?”
I chuckled but sat up on my forearms to answer without being muffled by the pillow. “Well, a couple years ago, I got very lucky with some Latin artists. Both of them did get deals, so I got my share from that, and we still get royalties. And my apartment is very small. But that is a niche market, and I wanted to work with groups that could be more mainstream.”
“So, do you still work with the other ones, or do you just get to collect money?” she asked, still lightly running her fingers over me. Goosebumps erupted on my skin when she got close to my ass.
“I still do, but it is mostly remote now. Plus, the label handles a lot through me, then I relay it to them. One may actually be on tour next year; they are working on a new album now. Oh, and my grandparents left my parents a little money, and they helped my siblings and me a little. Though I was worried they would not help me since I was not running to the altar or having babies.”
“Sorry, I just wondered. I used to want to live downtown, but Lucy and I couldn’t afford to move there on what we made out of college. So, we stuck around here. It’s much cheaper this way.”
“I know. I have checked around here for a place a few times. But I enjoy being close to my parents. And there are larger venues downtown. It would definitely save a ton of money, though.”
Amy sucked in a deep breath before her next question. “So…babies and altars. Is that something you think you want?”
“I have not entertained that much. It is not like I could live with a woman without my parents knowing. And babies? I do not know. My field makes it difficult even for straight women to have babies. But I love my nieces and nephews. Why? Do you want marriage and children?”
Amy shook her head. “Not sure about babies. I’m sure Lucy will have some and I can play with them, then give them back.”
She didn’t continue, so I turned to her, pulling the sheet up over me. “And marriage?”
She licked her lips and grinned. “Honestly, I had never remotely considered that. I sort of planned to be a spinster, I guess.”
“But you seem to like me around?”
“I do. I really do.” She leaned to me and lightly kissed me, lingering just a moment but clearly not going for another round. It was sweet and soft.
“Can I ask you something else, Amy?”
She leaned on her arm, propping her face in her hand.
“If you do not want to tell me, that is okay, but I wondered, why the no-inside rule.”
She sat up, holding the sheet close to her neck.
“Nevermind. It is okay.” I sat up and put my hand on her shoulder, then started to move it away. But her hand pressed it back down to her skin.
“No, it’s okay. I just haven’t really talked about it in a long time. Nobody ever was around long enough to ask, I suppose.” She was looking down at the blankets in front of her. “I was attacked by a man in college. It was pretty rough on my body. So I just haven’t wanted anything in there since.”
Blood rushed to my head and my hands started shaking. I wanted to console her, say something, but I knew if I opened my mouth, tears would follow as pressure built behind my eyes.
She squeezed my hand. “Shit, are you okay?”
Nodding, I held my breath, willing the shakiness to stop and the tears to stay away.
Amy cupped my face and scooted closer to me. “I amfinenow. Please, don’t be upset.”
Broken words finally came through, tears flowing as they did. “You–are not. I cannot–touch you there–because some animal–vv–vv–violated you.” Sobs burst from me and there was nothing I could do to stop them.
Amy wrapped her arms and legs tightly around me, rocking us both as she stroked my hair. “Shhhh, shhhh, shhhh. We’re here together, right now. Nothing bad is happening.”
After several minutes of her rocking me, I could finally breathe well enough to speak again. “I am sorry. I did not mean to ruin our morning.”
She rubbed tears from my face, and I stared at her, my heart shattering at the thought.
“Valentina, it was a long time ago. I just haven't thought of it in so long, it has been my standard rule for a while now.”
“I will not bring it up again. If you ever change your mind, you must tell me.”
