Page 80 of My UnTrue Love
“When you have a muse, ideas come faster.”
“Well, like I said, I got some thoughts. Don’t get your hopes up, though. I doubt any of them are special.”
Clem wanted to be supportive, but she also wanted to hit him over his stubborn head. He worried about showing vulnerability and creating art required vulnerability. Therefore, he was reluctant to share any meaningful art with the world. That wouldn’t do.
“I just want you to practice writing music. Sometimes success is more abouttryingthan it is aboutsucceeding."
“Successissucceeding. They’re both the same word.”
Crap. He was technically right about that. “Not for artists.” She declared with a superior kind of sniff.
Bill chuckled.
Clem loved making him laugh. She lovedeverythingabout Bill. Being as she was an ambitious kind of girl, she wasn’t about to let him get away when she could chase him. Yes, she was imagining far more prurient things than he was, but she wouldn’t pressure him.
…She’d just gently nudge him in the right direction.
As his manager, it was her job to handle all the pesky details of Bill’s life, after all. Artists were oblivious to day-to-day reality. You had to make things excruciatingly obvious for them. Romance was no different. She needed to provide some clear infrastructure to guide Bill towards loving her back. Or at least acknowledging that theyhada romance.
“Bill, I’m going to suggest something and you can say no. Don’t feel bad, if you don’t want to try it. I know I can be pushy.”
“I never feel pushed by you.”
That was lucky, since Clementine was constantly pushing him. “I just know you’ve been through a lot tonight and sometimes that can make a person feel isolated. It might help to have me sleep a little closer to you. For moral support.”
“Ya know, Icoulduse some support.”
Before Clem could even react, Bill had pulled her right up against him. He was still on his back, only now she was plastered to his side. It happened so quickly she could only blink. And feel. His muscles were hard. His touch was tender. His body temperature had to be at least ten degrees warmer than hers.
It was glorious!
She snuggled in, as he adjusted his (amazing) arm around her. He was a much better cuddler than Mr. Pandy. Sometimes being assertive really paid off. Look at what she’d accomplished.
Bill seemed pleased too. He made a low sound of contentment and dipped his head to nuzzle her hair. “You don’t ever gotta worry, you know. You always smell good.”
“I’d better, considering how much my shower gel costs.”
“That’s not what makes your scent so special. It’s just you.”
She smiled smugly, reassured that she was on firm, ethical ground. It wasn’t selfish to maneuver Bill into a relationship. They belonged together!
“Hey, Clem?” He murmured after a long moment.
“Hmmm?” Bill’s fingers traced up and down her back, lulling her into a pleasant doze.
“Where’d you get this top you’re wearing?”
She craned her neck to look at the ancient Red River High t-shirt she’d paired with pink pajama bottoms. “Oh. It used to be Johnny’s, I think.”
“Huh.”
Clem sensed Bill wasn’t thrilled with that answer. “I didn’t steal it.” She rushed to explain.
“I didn’t figure you did. I’m figuring he gave it to you, when you were datin’.”
“No, it’s just a relic from our high school days.”
“When you were datin’.”
