Page 22 of Loved Out Loud
“Do you still live there?”
“I’d say it’s home base, but I’m mostly in Los Angeles anymore. What about you?”
“I'm a New York girl, born and raised.”
“I can tell.”
She huffs a laugh. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You have the aura of a New Yorker. Focused and direct but not mean.”
“Most people from outside the city think we’re all rude.”
I shake my head. “That’s just a stereotype. I actually find New Yorkers to be some of the most helpful people on the east coast. At least in my experience. I’ve always assumed it was because you’re all used to tourists.”
“That’s nice to hear.”
We fall into silence, but I don’t want her to go, so I start playing a song I think she may know. Her lips tilt upward as she sways to the beat. She has good rhythm; I smile back at her.
“Sing it.”
She chuckles. “I don’t sing.”
“That feels like a challenge.” I keep playing. “I’m going to get you singing by the end of this tour.”
“You will not. But keep playing, you’re pretty good at it.”
I smile so big my cheeks hurt. “Just pretty good?”
“Yep.” Her eyes twinkle mischievously.
I play for her until my fingers ache, and her eyes droop with exhaustion. I’m so fucked because if she wasn’t close to nodding off, I’d still be playing just to watch her watching me.
I’m ready for a shower as soon as I walk into my suite at the hotel in Toronto. Our concert isn’t until tomorrow night, but Hazel has her signing this evening. I thought about asking her if she would mind me sneaking along, but I don’t know if she’d want that.
Just as I strip off my shirt, I hear two sharp raps at the door. Darren’s face greets me as soon as I open it. I don’t even bother to stifle a groan at the intrusion.
“I just wanted to check in with you real quick. How are you doing?”
“I’m not about to do any lines off a stripper’s tits.”
“It’s too soon for you to be glib about this.” He unbuttons his jacket and sits down on the couch. “Do you need anything? Is the room cleared of all temptations?”
“I haven’t even looked.” I walk over to the mini bar and find it free of all alcohol. “The well is dry.”
“Excellent.”
There’s another knock at the door, a lighter one. I cross the room quickly, hoping I’ll find Hazel on the other side. Unfortunately, it’s just Jade. I turn and leave her to come in one her own. Apparently, Mom and Dad are here to lecture me.
“Jesus, look a little more disappointed next time you see my smiling face.” She closes the door quietly.
I drop down into an armchair while she takes a seat next to Darren on the sofa. “What is this about?”
“We just wanted to go over what everyone on social media and in the news is saying,” Jade flips her iPad around and leans over the coffee table to give it to me. “Ninety-nine percent of the sentiment is positive. A couple industry reviewers thoughtyour performance as a whole was good, but you were a little lackluster.”
“I’m not worried about those assholes, and you shouldn’t be either,” Darren says. “We just want you to know we support you.”
“I think that show was the best opening night you’ve had, personally,” Jade adds.
