Strings of the Heart (Runaway Train #3)(15)

“But it’s so wrong.”

“I don’t need your pity. I’m perfectly fine with the way things are.”

“No, you’re not. I can tell you’re putting on a front for me when truthfully, the situation with your parents is something that bothers you a lot.”

“Dabbling in psychology along with fashion design, are you?” he asked sarcastically.

“I just don’t like to see people I care about hurt. I hate what your parents have done to you so much.” Before I could stop myself, I reached across the table for his hand. “You deserve so much more, Rhys.”

Disbelief at my words and actions momentarily flickered in his eyes. “You are aware that there aren’t many people in the world like you—people who are truly kind-hearted and care about their fellow man.”

“Maybe not in the world you grew up in, but there is in your band world. I hope you know how much you’re loved by them…by us.”

“I do,” he said softly.

“You’re loved by all your fans, too, but I know that isn’t a tangible love. You think that if they really knew you besides your persona that they might not love you. But it’s still love and admiration you should appreciate. Take that and couple it with the real love of your band family. So whatever the past was, you just have to see that you have so much love surrounding you now.”

“You know, you’re awfully wise for just a twenty-year-old kid.”

Ouch. Had he seriously just called me a kid? I so did not want to be in “kid” territory. After I recovered from my slight horror, I said, “Well, I’m different because I’m an old soul.”

“Yes, you are. That’s one thing we have in common. I was always old for my age. I never really fit in with the kids around me. That, plus my intelligence, made me somewhat of a misfit. I didn’t exactly feel like I belonged until I met Jake, Brayden, and AJ.”

“And they completed you.”

Rhys snorted. “That sounds completely sappy and emasculating.”

“I like the sound of it. I know Jake had a terrible hole within him that needed completing. You and the guys did that.”

“And Abby.”

“Yes, she did.” Tapping my fork on my plate, I decided to address something that was still bothering me. “For the record, I’m not a kid, okay? I’m pretty sure that you hated for the guys to call you that back in the day.”

“Back in the day? Hell, they still pull that bullshit on me.”

I laughed. “Am I going to have to have you repeat after me? Allison, you are a woman.”

With a scowl, he replied, “I know you’re a woman.”

“You called me a kid two seconds ago,” I countered.

“Even if it’s hard for me to believe you aren’t the same thirteen-year-old I rescued all those years ago, I am aware that you are indeed a grown woman.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that.”

“You’re welcome, kid,” he replied, with a teasing wink.

“You, sir, are impossible.”

“Want some dessert?” he asked.

Tilting my head, I tried reading Rhys’s watch. “Wait, what time is it?”

“Almost six thirty.”

I slammed my napkin down on the table. “Oh shit, really?”

“What’s the problem?” Leaning forward, he gave me an impish grin. “Don’t tell me you turn into a pumpkin at eight?”

With a grin, I replied, “Ha, ha, not exactly.”

After taking a sip of his wine, Rhys’s expression darkened a little. “You didn’t tell me you had a date tonight.”

“No, it’s nothing like that.” Part of me debated lying to him and telling him I had to go to work. Where I needed to be was somewhere secret—something I hadn’t even told my parents or Jake about. It wasn’t something I was ashamed of. It was just something I wasn’t sure how they were going to feel about it.

When I continued to remain evasive, Rhys said, “Are you sure? You’re certainly acting like there’s some mystery man you have to get to.”

As he continued staring me down, I finally decided to give in. “Do you promise not to tell Jake?”

Rhys’s dark eyes widened. “You’re doing something Jake doesn’t know about?”

“Seriously? I’m twenty years old. Jake certainly doesn’t know half of what I do or don’t do,” I replied.

“Interesting,” Rhys replied.

“You didn’t answer me.”

Holding up his hands, he replied, “Fine, fine. But only if it turns out not to be something dangerous or illegal.”

“Okay, here it is. I have to get back home and change because at ten tonight, I’m singing at Saffie’s Tea Room.”

Silence permeated the table as Rhys didn’t have a quick response or retort. Instead, he sat motionless, ingesting what I had just said. Finally, he replied, “Did you just allude to the fact you’re singing at some club tonight?”

“Yes.”

“And just how is that possible? You’re only twenty.”

“The owner happens to be Cassie, the woman who owns the house I live in.”

“I see.”