Page 95 of Down Beat
THIRTY-FIVE
Rey
“Mudshovel” - Staind
I need a new approach. Subtle didn’t work with kitty. Neither did a blatant invitation. And she shot me down when I went in guns blazing.
All I wanted was to make the most of our time alone, in private, and instead she marched her pert little ass out to the living room and waited on the sofa for me, messaging who I can only assume was Café Girl.
I don’t really know what to make of it. I haven’t been blown off like that in years, and the last time I was it meant the girl didn’t want a fucking thing to do with me.
I know that’s not the case with Tabby, but this male brain is seriously messed up when it tries to calculate what all her mixed signals mean.
She kisses me, and she gets close to me, yet she shies away when anything indicates that we could actually be something together. Fuck. Is she scared of commitment?
“Really could have used some help cleaning my back in there, kitty.”
Her gaze lifts to me as I towel off my hair, decent in a clean pair of boxers and fresh denim.
I’m still shirtless though. Couldn’t pass up that opportunity to rev her a little before we leave.
“I’m sure you managed just fine.”
“I guess you’ll never really know my struggle.”
Truth is, I have my shower routine down to a fine art. Takes me all of three minutes to clean head to toe. It’s a case of needing to make it efficient as possible when I hate the water so damn much. Tricky fucking drips that run into my eyes—
“Would you like to eat before we go?”
I shift my focus back to Tabby to find her watching me with genuine concern. “The fridge is empty, and room service will take too long.”
“Oh.” She looks to the carpet and frowns. “Would you mind if I skipped rehearsal and took a walk instead? I’m kind of famished.”
“We’ll get food on the way.”
Her jaw pulls tight as she looks toward the massive windows.
“What?” I throw the towel over my shoulder and walk closer.
“It’s nothing, really.”
“It’s enough to make you look uncomfortable.”
She returns her focus to me as I take a seat on the low table in front of her. “I don’t mind being here to help you out, but I don’t know anyone else. Hell, I hardly know you.”
“You’re shy?”
“I feel as though I’d be more comfortable letting you work things out with the guys on your own today. You need that moment as just the four of you, to talk through what went down.”
“Fuck them.” If they have any issues, they can talk to me about them with her there. It’s not as though I have any secrets when it comes to Tabby now. “I want you there.”
“Rey.” Her head tilts slightly, pissing me off with her condescension.
“You’re coming. End of story.” I push to my feet and hustle around the table to leave so damn fast it shifts when my shin collides with the corner. “Ow. Fuck.”
“Are you okay?”
Ego is a little bruised, but otherwise… “I’m fine,” I snap, well aware I unnecessarily take my anger out on her, but the train’s a rollin’. “I’ll be better if you just do what you said you would and fucking support me through this. And right now, that means coming to rehearsal when I fucking ask you to.”