Alcohol You Later (52)

“How was it?” I ask, bringing my hand up to my face to hold his.

“It was weird…talking about myself with strangers.”

I can’t even imagine. “Did they know who you were?”

I seat myself at the end of the bed, inviting him to do the same.

The mattress dips as he perches beside me. “I don’t think so. I used a fake name.”

“What name?”

He grins. “Richard.”

“Fitting,” I tease, wincing when Alex hits the cymbal particularly hard and my teeth clang together.

“Wore a beanie and sunglasses and a shirt that covered my tattoos.”

“It always blows my mind how those simple disguises fool people. Pretty sure I’d recognize you wearing a tarp.” I laugh.

“Yeah, well, you know me better than most other people.” He shrugs. “Besides, all they need is to question themselves. No one wants to walk up to a stranger and be wrong. As long as we plant that seed of doubt, we’re usually golden.”

“How often do you do have to attend these meetings?”

“There’s no set number…at least once a week. I’ll probably do them daily for a while,” he answers, drawing my eyes to his chest when he scratches an itch over his left pec.

“Ray?” he drawls, laughter in his voice.

Busted.

“Sorry.” I stare down at my shoes, chewing my lip. “Got sidetracked.”

“Happens to me every time you walk into a room.”

I smack his chest with the back of my hand. “Such a flirt.”

“Admit it…” He smirks. “That was smooth as silk.”

“Spoken like a true player.” My intended joke goes over about as well as a wrecking ball smashing through a glass house. Shattered pieces of our past scatter in the space between us, killing our playful mood.

“Ray?” he calls, after an awkward beat of silence, his voice unsure.

“Yeah?” I turn from our little rock show back toward him.

“We have a day off when we get to Dallas in a few days…”

“Right…” There’s a hesitation in my tone. I can tell he’s warming up to ask for something.

“I was wondering if you’d let me take you out on our first date that night.”

A nervous laugh erupts from my chest. “We’ve been on plenty of dates, Nicholas.”

“As friends,” he counters taking my hand into both of his and worrying my fingers. “Let me take you on a real date…one where your sole purpose isn’t to decorate my arm. Where there are no flashes or fans. Just a guy and the girl in full possession of his heart. One to officially mark the start of our life together.”

“Nick…” I hedge. “We’re supposed to be taking things slow…it’s just been a few days.”

“How can I prove to you I’m husband material if—”

“Husband?” I shriek, cutting him off. I might actually be hyperventilating. “Getting a little ahead of yourself there, drummer boy.” Talk about turning on a dime. I can’t even process how fast this is all happening. It feels like a dream. Like a magical fairytale I’ll wake up from at any minute.

“I’ve never had a girlfriend, Ray.”

“Never?” I search his eyes while wracking my mind trying to remember if he’s ever been connected to anyone publicly. I know he hasn’t since we’ve met, but I can’t be sure about before that.

He shakes his head. “I’ve never seen the point in linking myself with someone I knew wasn’t gonna be around long. I’m hoping to make you my one and only.” He gives me a worried smile. “A relationship is a huge step—one I don’t take lightly. For the first time in my life, I feel ready to put my heart on the line. You’re the only one I want to give it to, and you can bet your ass it’s with the goal of forever.”

“Nick, this is…” I tug at the collar of my shirt, trying to find air. “Korie is going to kill me,” I blurt.

“To heck with Korie and anyone else who has something negative to say. This is our life, pretty girl. You and me.” He lifts my chin with his knuckle. “We call the shots.”

It’s too soon for this. This is too much. Too fast.

But I don’t want to say no.

So, I don’t.





“Am I dressed okay?” Raven strikes a pose, voguing to show off her outfit, a snug black tank with a deep neckline that accentuates her breasts and cut-off denim shorts. She pulls it all together with matching black chucks and a series of tweed bracelets around her wrist. Her hair is parted down the middle, with braids that rest on either shoulder. She went light on the makeup, but her lips are her signature candy apple red, full and luscious, just begging to be kissed. The mere sight of her has my heart beating faster.

I get a whiff of her strawberry shampoo and my mouth salivates. My blood heats. The undeniable spark between us zips through the air.

The anticipation of this new adventure has my stomach swirling with excitement—like the ascent of a rollercoaster, click, click, clicking its way to the top. I’m ready and eager for the ride. This isn’t just a date. It’s a second chance—the start of forever.