Broken Little Melodies(68)
“Chaz once taught me the basic chords on an acoustic. I’ve just kind of played around with it since then. Same with the piano—one of my students showed me a few things and I’ve learned a handful of songs from messing around.”
My teeth grind together with the mention of that Chaz guy. Exactly how close are they? She was worried he wouldn’t like her meeting up with me the night I found her again at Vinnie’s. What did he say about her leaving on this tour? I half expect him to show up any minute to demand that she stays.
“Just wait until you hear the lungs on this woman,” I tell the guys. “She could teach Maria Brink a thing or two.”
Rip’s eyebrows shoot up to his dark hairline. “No shit?”
“No, he’s actually full of shit.” Belle pushes on my chest, rolling her eyes. “It’s blasphemy to talk about my girl that way. I’d totally kiss the ground Maria walks on if I ever met her.”
“Whatever you say.” I tip my head to the back of the bus. “Go ahead, I’ll give you a tour of the place.”
As we squeeze past the guys, Rip reaches out to slap Belle’s hand. “At least someone’s getting lucky on this fuckin’ thing.”
I playfully whack him alongside the head. “And it’ll stay that way. Number one rule on this tour, no groupies on the bus. You assholes need to find somewhere else to take that shit after shows.”
Eyes narrowed, he huffs. “Who died and put you in charge?”
It was meant as more harmless banter, but for some goddamned reason it makes me think of my old man. My head’s in a dark place as I catch up to Belle. She’s pulling aside one of the curtains to peer inside a bunk.
“Holy shit. We’re expected to fit in one of these together?”
Laughing, I slip past her before turning to drag her along to the far back. “No way. Only the best for my girl.”
Originally we had planned on switching the master bedroom out for a week at a time. It never was my favorite plan to begin with, knowing by the end of the tour there’d be dozens of STDs crawling around on the mattress. After inviting Belle, I claimed it for the entire trip and ended up paying the other guys off so I wouldn’t have to listen to them bitch and moan. I almost promised to hook them up on our nights off.
“Now this is first class luxury.” She lowers down to stretch across the queen mattress, staring up at the mirrored ceiling. I wet my lips, instantly aroused by the sight. “They really thought of everything a rockstar might need.”
I crawl in next to her, staring back at our reflection. It’s the first time I’ve seen us together since we’ve been reunited, and I’ll be damned if we don’t make a hot as hell couple. Her lips part when our eyes meet and her chest rises with slow, uneven breaths.
“If you’re having second thoughts, I get it,” I tell her, reaching out to link my fingers with hers. “It would suck, but I’m starting to worry I forced you into doing this before you were ready. I don’t want you resenting me because your heart isn’t in it.”
“You didn’t force me into anything. A week ago I would’ve laughed if someone told me I was doing this with you, but…I had to see if we could make it work. I owe you that.” Her eyes drift away from mine. “I owe it to my fucking heart, too.”
“Belle.” I squeeze her hand, willing her to look at me. “Who gave you that scar?”
Her eyes rapidly blink back at me through the mirror, fighting back tears. “What’s with you always wanting to pick at old wounds?”
“I want you to feel safe with me. I want you to feel like you can share whatever burdens you’ve been holding onto all this time. This seems to be an issue that goes way back, and I want to help you work through it. When someone has your heart but theirs is hurting, it’s a pain you both endure.”
Her lips flatten with a sudden scowl. “Forgive me for not having memorized all your songs by now, but are you quoting your fucking lyrics to me right now?”
“No, but I wrote that line after the summer I told you that I loved you. It’s written on the first page of the journal you once gave me.”
“Oh god, Roman, I’m sorry. I do feel safe with you, I swear.” While letting out a drawn-out breath, she reaches out to stroke my jaw and closes her eyes. “But sometimes the truth is better left unsaid.”
Not knowing what else to say to her or how to lessen her pain, I pull her into my arms. I’m still holding her as the bus pulls out of the parking lot several minutes later, kicking off the beginning of our new life together. I sure as hell hope whatever this truth of hers is that she won’t talk about doesn’t ruin everything.