Page 23 of Falling Faster
Sprawled in the chair by the window, Patrick smoothly moves into the opening chords of the song we've been working on for the last few weeks. I can already imagine Cody's voice caressing the lyrics. I give him a thumbs up and turn back to my suitcase. Running through my mental checklist, I survey the contents. Jeans, shirts, socks, boxers, clothesfor working out, boots, sneakers, and toiletries. And my guitar case is waiting by the front door, ready for the trip.
The strumming stops mid-way through the song. Patrick glances up from the guitar. "What time are you leaving tomorrow?"
"Luke said he'd pick me up at ten-thirty." I toss in the new notebook I purchased in case song lyrics strike, then zipper the black canvas bag closed.
"You have your phone charger?"
"Yeah, thanks." I double-check that it's still where I put it, in the front pocket of the bag holding my shoes. If I forget anything, one of the guys can probably hook me up, or with the major and mid-sized cities on the tour itinerary, buying whatever I need on the road will be easy.
I lift the suitcases. The corner of one case snags the blanket draped across the foot of the bed and tugs it halfway onto the floor. Muttering a curse, I set the cases aside and carefully fold the soft knit. Ty had used that blanket to keep warm during our night together. Every time I look at the blanket and the bed, memories of the time I spent there with him bombard me. The same holds true for my kitchen, the living room, and even the foundation's headquarters and the hospital.
Two weeks have passed, and yet, Ty's presence lingers.
Turning away from the bed, I pick up the cases once again and look at Patrick. "Want a beer?"
"Sure." He rises, starts playing again, and leads the way to the living room. The music continues as he walks, reminding me of an old-time minstrel.
The suitcases join the guitar case by the door. I lay my leather jacket on top of the bags. "Okay, I'm all set for tomorrow."
"Cool." Patrick returns the guitar to its stand. "Want me to grab the drinks?"
"I'll get them. Have a seat." With the trip so close, the fridge is pretty bare. I used up nearly all the perishables so they wouldn't go to waste. Beer and water line the fridge's bottom shelf. I snag two bottles, pop the tops, deliver them to the living room coffee table, then detour back to the kitchen to grab a container of guacamole from the fridge and a bag of tortilla chips from the counter.
When I return, Patrick lifts his beer in toast. "Food too? You rock."
"I have to use this up. And I missed lunch."
The ping of a text alert fills the air.
Adrenaline spiking through my blood, I drop the container and bag on the table and dive for my phone laying on the opposite arm of the couch. The first line of Ty's latest message fills the screen's center. A screenshot of a dragon from his portfolio lays behind it, set as my lock screen and wallpaper. He'd told me I could use it, and every time I see it, I smile.
Ty: Hey, what're you up to? I'm off to Slater's for more work on the series.
An emoji of a superhero follows his text. Grinning, I type my response.Just finished packing for the tour. Patrick's here.
A bubble with three blinking dots appears. I keep my gaze glued to the screen, waiting.
Ty: Have fun. Talk to you later tonight?
My thumbs fly over the keys:I'll text you when I'm in bed.
As soon as I hit send, that blinking dot bubble pops up beneath my message.
Ty: I'm glad you told me, now I'll know how to picture you when we're talking.
A winking face emoji appears and heat flushes into my chest. For as often as we've been chatting, we haven't exchanged particularly sexy texts yet. I have a feeling that will change very soon.
Craig: You could let me know if you'll be in bed too… So I know what to picture.
Ty: I'll send you a selfie when I get there… As long as you promise not to make fun of my superhero pajamas. :-)
I'll bet anything he looks damn cute in those. I wish I could see them on him in person tonight.
Craig: Maybe we could video chat instead of text?
Two emojis, a grinning face and a high-five, are Ty's response.
The crunching of plastic being torn open rips my attention away from my phone. I swing my gaze toward my guest.
