The Redemption(10)

I have a flight to see the band in NYC tomorrow, so I should get some sleep. I miss you.

XO.



My hands are sweating and my knee is bouncing, anxiety getting the best of me. I wish I had something to take to calm me, but for now, the shot of whiskey will have to do. Staring out the window, I try to think of happy things like my kids, the beautiful weather California has been having, and try not think about plane crashes, mosquitoes, or cars. Adjusting my neck pillow, I move to lean back in my chair and turn up my music. I close my eyes and lose myself in the music.

Once I arrive at the hotel, the same one where the guys are staying, I shut the door to my room and flop back on the bed. Not even five minutes later, a light knock on the door makes me sit up and go. Expecting the bellhop, I open the door wide, then walk back inside, signaling for him to come in. “Just put the suitcases there please.”

“Sorry, no luggage. Just a shit ton of baggage.”

Surprised, I turn back to find Dex standing in the middle of the doorway. I quirk a grin and reply, “Well, get your ass and all your baggage in here anyway.”

As he walks by, he says, “I wanted to see how you’re doing?” I’m sure my face is showing my confusion, his unexpected concern taking me by surprise. He laughs. “I know. I know. I have this tough exterior, but believe it or not, I have a heart buried deep down in here somewhere. I just haven’t felt it in a while.”

“Well, I hope you do soon because I’d hate to think of you going through life without a heartbeat.”

“A lifeline.”

I nod.

He asks, “So how are you?”

“I’m good.”

His eyes lock with mine, holding me steady just through a look. “No, how are you really?”

Tilting my head, I remark, “I appreciate it, but I’m not sure where all the concern is coming from.”

“Just a friend checking on a friend.”

I sit in a chair by the window and start swiveling back and forth. “Are we friends?”

“Are we not?” With his eyebrows up, he seems genuinely surprised.

“Sometimes, I’m not sure.”

“We’re friends, Rochelle. I’m sorry if I gave the impression we weren’t.”

With all of this apologizing going on, I take a chance. “I’m sorry for the past stuff.”

“You don’t have to be.”

“I am though.” This is the most we’ve ever broached the topic and the whole conversation catches me off-guard. I used to have planned rebuttals, but today, with our defenses down, I don’t worry about those and just go with it.

He looks around as if searching for an escape in case he needs one, but it’s just us here in this hotel room with one door in and the same door out. No other escapes, not even the luxury of an interruption.

“I wanted to know if you wanted to go out after the show… with the band?”

“Yeah, that will be fun. My friend Lara will be with me tonight.”

“Cool.” He nervously shoves his hands in his pockets like a seventeen-year-old. The vulnerability on his face is quite charming. “I should go.”

“I appreciate the welcome wagon.”

“No problem,” he says with a short chuckle. “I’ll catch ya later.”

“At the show. Break a leg.”

“I’m not superstitious.”

“I am,” I reply.

“Good to know.” He opens the door and the bellhop is standing there with his hand raised as if he was about to knock. Handing the kid some money as he passes, Dex says, “That’s for her.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

As the bellhop carries my case inside the room, I’m left standing there baffled by what just happened. Dex has always been hard to figure out, but this time, he’s near impossible.





The night started off innocent enough. Lara and I had dinner and drinks, then headed to see The Resistance. In the past, New Yorkers have always been crazy and fun at their shows. I assume they won’t disappoint tonight.

Feeling sexy in my new black jeans and tank top, I decided my high-heeled knee boots, silver and black necklaces would complement. The outfit is a departure from my normal California style, which tends to be very laidback and more free-flowing with some Mom mixed in. Tonight’s theme is sex appeal and rock n’roll. Lara was influential in the ensemble.

She looks amazing—effortless, but always at the edge of fashion. Together, we are both beauty and brains. We learned a long time ago that we can be sexy without coming off like bimbos.

Clutching her purse under her arm, she glances my way. “So I’ve been thinking about our conversation last week. Maybe it’s time for you to start dating again.”

There’s a quiet between us as we both take that in. Finally, I say, “And why do you think that?”

“Seems like you might be more ready than you think.”

I shrug. “I dunno. I don’t think about it much.”

“Tonight seems like a good time to start.”

“Start what? Thinking about it or dating?”

She shrugs this time. “Maybe both.”

With a laugh, I say, “I can tell you’re gonna be trouble with a capital T tonight.”