Page 108 of Down Beat
FORTY
Tabitha
“The Reason” - Hoobastank
The rest of the band poured in sometime around three this morning. Judging by the ruckus they made as they found their way to bed, I’m guessing there were copious amounts of alcohol consumed in the hours between.
By that stage Rey had crashed, anyway, exhausted after a night on stage. It seems that once these guys stop, they literally come to a grinding halt.
Yeah, I was gutted that our intimate moment never really went much past first base. But the kissing… damn. I can’t remember being that giddy over a kiss since I was twelve.
I bring my fingers to rub my lips as I lie beside him, waiting on the prince of darkness to wake. Looking back on it, I guess the fact we did hold off on taking our intimacy any further intensified the feelings associated. If this is his way of playing hard to get, then the guy has nailed the art of seduction.
I’ve never wanted somebody—literally craved them—so damn much.
“Hey.”
I turn my head toward the whisper and find Emery peeking around the door. I haven’t had a chance to talk to the guy one-on-one yet, but from the things Rey’s told me he’s a pretty good sort, excessive drinking aside.
“Hi.”
“You want coffee?” His gaze flicks to Rey, who lies spread-eagled on his stomach.
“Sounds like heaven.” I slide my legs out from under the covers, checking over my shoulder that I haven’t disturbed Rey. “I can make it, though.”
“No.” He lifts a hand, waving me back. “That grumpy fucker will wake up when he smells it, anyway. You stay there.”
Seriously? Is this my life? I’m in bed with a guy women would give their left kidney to spend a night with, while another equally as sought-after offers to make me coffee.
Somebody must be feeling guilty. More than one somebody, it seems. Odd.
Emery slips from view, yet leaves the door ajar. I catch snippets of conversation as Toby rises and shuffles out to join him. The whole scenario is so homely, so normal. A bunch of roommates knocking around together, discussing mundane topics like how to get a stain out of a shirt. It’s nothing like what I expected. Nothing like the stereotype that’s given to guys like these thanks to the wild actions of a few.
To be honest, slipping out now would have been perfect to get some alone time with the other guys. I lay awake last night, resolute in the conclusion I came to after Rey’s revelations: I need to know more. He tells me how he feels, but what about the people closest to him? The one’s he should be able to lean on, not feel he has to hide from?
Is that their fault that he feels he has to bury the depth of what goes on here, or his?
“How long have you been awake?”
I look down to find Rey watching me with the one eye that’s visible from where his face remains smashed into the pillow.
“A while.” I scoot down and roll to face him, strangely satisfied since I don’t have to wait any longer. “Rested?”
“Yeah. Much better.” He rolls to his back, arms over his head as he stretches. “Fuck. Is that coffee?”
I chuckle as the clink of mugs echoes from the kitchen. “It is.”
“Epic.” His head rolls toward me, his smile lazy. “Morning.”
“You know, Emery’s a bit of a liar,” I tease.
“Why?” His brow pinches, hands tucked beneath his head.
“Because he said you’d be a grumpy fucker when you woke up.”
The genuine laugh that I’m gifted with is pure magic after last night. “I normally am. But I don’t usually wake up beside you, so there’s that.”
“I’ll take it as a compliment.”