Deep (Stage Dive, #4)(11)

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

“No problem. I’ve seen that wide-eyed crazytown blown-away-by-a-rock-star look before.” She climbed to her feet. “On my own face as it so happens. Use that number wisely.”

“Oh, trust me. I will.”





CHAPTER TWO

Lizzy: Hi, it’s Lizzy. Anne’s sister. We met at band practice the other day, remember?

Ben: Hey. I remember. How u doing?

Lizzy: Good. U?

Ben: Good. How’d u get my number?

Lizzy: Mutual acquaintance.

Ben: Ur sister & Mal don’t want us being friends.

Lizzy: U’ve friend zoned me already? Ouch. I haven’t even made a clumsy inappropriate pass at u yet.

Ben: Ha. U know what I mean. Didn’t realize u were only 20 or connected to Mal. Us talking isn’t a good idea.

Lizzy: Lucky we’re only texting then.

Ben: Bye Liz

Ben: Did u just send me a pic of ur lunch?

Lizzy: No. It’s an artistic representation rendered in fries and ketchup of my immense sadness over u ignoring my texts. See the face in the middle?

Ben: What’s the green stuff?

Lizzy: Those are pickle tears. Stole them off a friend’s burger.

Ben: Cute.

Lizzy: Are u moved?

Ben: Absolutely.

Lizzy: Are u going to talk to me now?

Lizzy: Haha. You’re having pizza for lunch?

Ben: Does it look sad or happy?

Lizzy: It looks lewd. How dare you send such explicit pepperoni. I’m not that kind of girl.

Ben: Ha. Got to work. Later, sweetheart.

Ben: Got no one to jam with & your town’s music scene is crap on Mondays.

Lizzy: Never. Try The Pigeon. A friend goes to their open sessions.

Ben: I’m there. :)

Lizzy: How’d you go last night?

Ben: Good. Thanks for the info. Not Nashville but not bad. Might head up to Seattle for a few days. Friend’s playing up there. Anyway, TY

Lizzy: You’re welcome. Busy day?

Ben: Mal’s walked in. Can’t talk.

Lizzy: Ok. Later.

Ben: Feel shit going behind his back.

Lizzy: Let’s talk later.

Lizzy: Hi! How’d ur day go?

Ben: Busy right now.

Lizzy: Ok

Lizzy: I’m going to assume by radio silence that you’re not comfortable with us being text buddies. Didn’t mean to put u in a bad position with Mal. I’ll delete ur number.

Ben: Don’t.

Lizzy: ?

Ben: I want to know if u need something u can call me.

Lizzy: Thanks. But I don’t want to complicate things for u.

Ben: Problem is I like talking to u. Maybe if we keep it on the down low?

Lizzy: Ok. I’d like that.

Ben: Me too.

Ben: Attached pic is sunset out at Red Rock.

Lizzy: Amazing. What are you doing out there?

Ben: Filling in on keyboard for a friend. His guy broke hand.

Lizzy: Crap. Didn’t know you played piano.

Ben: Grandma taught me. But Dave wanted bass so I learned.

Lizzy: Wow. Play for me sometime?

Ben: How about now?

Lizzy: Over the phone? That would be awesome.

Ben: Calling.

Ben: In the studio in LA for a few. How u going?

Lizzy: Studying for a test. Wish me luck.

Ben: You got this, sweetheart. Won’t distract u. Later.

Lizzy: :) Later

Lizzy: Roses are red, violets are blue, I like u Ben, do u like me to?

Ben: Ur a terrible poet.

Lizzy: True. I think I might stick w psychology. How’s ur day going?

Ben: Slow. Had a business meeting. Boring as shit.

Lizzy: U just want to play music?

Ben: Got me on that. How u doing?

Lizzy: Had an awesome prac. Off to work at book store next. Then got an assignment due.

Ben: Work all u do?

Lizzy: Pretty much. But I enjoy it. Texting u just made my day, tho.

Ben: Fuck ur sweet. Tell me something bad about u. Make it easier for me to stay away.

Lizzy: I see no benefit to me in doing this …

Ben: Go on. I’m waiting.

Lizzy: I suck at sports and I’m messy.

Ben: Can’t imagine you messy.

Lizzy: My apartment looks like a war zone. Anne always tidied. Gave me bad habits. What about u?

Ben: I flirt with girl’s I’m not supposed to. Otherwise I’m perfect.

Lizzy: All that fame and fortune and not an ego in sight.

Ben: Exactly.

Lizzy: :)

Ben: Gotta go, Jim’s waiting. Later sweetheart.

Lizzy: Later Ben

Ben: WTF is that pic?

Lizzy: U tell me.

Ben: A mash up of a lion, a beer, & a girl’s eyes (yours?) Lizzy: Right on all counts!

Ben: What’s it mean?

Lizzy: I am using my psych studies to mess with your mind. Studies show association with fear encourages romantic thoughts.

Ben: Sly. U uncovered my fear of beer?

Lizzy: Haha. The fear is the lion.

Ben: Ok. So what’s the beer?

Lizzy: You know the phenomenon of beer-goggles?

Ben: Chicks look hot when you’re drunk?

Lizzy: Right. But turns out the beer-goggler doesn’t need to be drunk. Just an association with beer will do. Even a picture.