Page 39 of Electric Wounds
"Not at all," I reply, gesturing to the chair beside me.
She settles into the chair with a content sigh, dipping her feet into the warm water. "There’s nothing quite like a good foot soak to clear the mind, is there?"
I smile. "Definitely."
“My name is Alma,” she states.
“Lily,” I return.
We sit in companionable silence for a few moments before she speaks again. "You seem troubled, dear. Anything you’d like to talk about?"
I hesitate. Should I reveal the details of my complicated situation to a stranger? Probably not. She doesn’t speak again or press for more. But something about her presence is comforting adding to the relaxation provided by the foot bath, and before I know it, I’m telling her everything. "I’m kind of involved with four men at the same time," I confess, feeling my cheeks heat. "And they’re all in the same band."
Alma chuckles softly. "Ah, the complexities of the heart. Seems lucky to find so many people to care about all in one place. Sounds like quite the adventure."
"It is," I admit. "But it’s also confusing. I don’t know if I can keep this up or if it’s fair to any of us."
She looks thoughtful. "Life is too short, my dear. If you have feelings for these men, you owe it to yourself—and them—to explore those feelings. Don’t let fear stop you from following your heart. If everyone knows the situation and everyone consents, none of you are doing anything wrong."
Her words hit me hard. "But what if it doesn’t work out?"
"Then you’ll know you tried," she says gently. "Regret is a heavy burden. It’s better to live fully and take chances than to look back and wonder ‘what if?’"
I nod, her wisdom sinking in. "Thank you."
She pats my hand. "You’re welcome, dear. Trust your heart. It usually knows the way."
We continue our foot soak in silence, but my mind is buzzing with newfound clarity. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I need to embrace this wild, unpredictable journey that I’ve found myself on and see where it leads.
The attendant returns, offering a scrub and a short massage. By the time I finish, I feel like a different person. I hug Alma, and she pats my shoulder fondly before I head to the lockers attached to the spa.
I take a long, hot shower, letting the water wash away my doubts and fears. When I leave the spa, I feel a renewed sense of calm. If the guys are willing to move forward with this dynamic that has been building on the bus, then I’m open to it, too. I head back to the band’s suite, ready to enjoy the rest of our hotel day with them.
I find the guys sprawled out, looking relaxed.
Even Jax, who is normally the moodiest of the bunch. His green eyes light up when he sees me, and he smiles warmly. "Hey, Lily."
"Hey," I reply, feeling a flutter in my chest. "I was thinking... how about we all hang out tonight? Just us, no distractions." I glance around the room, including the rest of the guys in my look.
Enzo grins. "Sounds like a plan."
"A night without distractions? We’ll see about that,” Dylan adds.
I laugh. “Let me change first,” I reply, then head into a room with some fresh clothes, ready to see what the rest of the night brings.
TWENTY-FIVE
HOTEL NIGHT IN
Marcus
The suite is nice, but the view is stunning—massive floor to ceiling windows line the living room overlooking the city of Boston. A modern-looking chandelier hangs above the couch in the living room, but we haven’t needed to turn it on yet, as the setting sun casts a warm, cozy light over the entire space. After days cooped up on the bus, this feels like a breath of fresh air, and we are all ready to enjoy the rare comfort.
“So, what’s the plan?” Dylan asks after Lily leaves to change, sprawling across a couch like he owns the place. His short brown hair is still damp from his shower, and for the first time in days, he looks truly relaxed.
“I say we watch a movie,” I suggest, grabbing the remote. “Something cheesy and fun.”
“Or we could play a game,” Enzo counters, mischief twinkling in his green eyes. He’s lounging next to Dylan, looking just as comfortable. His dark hair is damp, and he’s wearing a pair of loose shorts, his tattoos on full display.
