The Fake Boyfriend Experiment(45)

I knew I would never forget it.





CHAPTER THIRTEEN


I went straight home from the bar, ran into my living room, parked myself at the piano and tried to imitate what I’d heard that night. I closed my eyes and envisioned Rafe’s tattoo, the colors pulsing like they were alive, leaping off his arm and shooting through the air. I imagined the floor vibrating from all the people jumping in excitement. I felt the pounding in my chest as the music slammed through me, and then I began to play.

I ditched the classical and the rock and just pounded away, going crazy with whatever felt like flying off my fingers. My mom popped her head in once, and I stopped, thinking she was going to tell me to knock it off because it was so late.

But all she did was smile, shut the windows so the neighbors wouldn’t be bothered, and go back upstairs.

So I kept playing.

After an hour, I was drenched in sweat, my heart was racing and I was completely pumped. It was awesome. I couldn’t remember the last time that playing the piano had made me sweat, except in agony, and I wasn’t ready to stop.

At midnight, I pulled out the music from the band and started working on that, closing my eyes and pretending I was at the piano bar and everyone was screaming and dancing and clapping.

At one o’clock in the morning, I swiped Rafe’s cell phone number from the slip of paper he’d left for my parents and called him. He’d understand how pumped I was.

He answered on the third ring. “Yeah?” His voice was groggy and sleepy and I almost hung up. “Who’s this?”

Oh, man, I’d woken him up. I winced, but it was too late now. “It’s Lily. Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up—”

“Oh, hey, Lily.” I heard the smile in his voice, and I immediately relaxed. He was glad I’d called, I could tell. “What’s up?” He cleared his throat and I heard him rustling around.

I grinned and ran my fingers over the keys. “I just wanted to say thanks for tonight. It was awesome. I’ve been messing around since I got home, and I’m having such a blast.”

He laughed, a deep baritone that rolled through me like the pulse of his base drum. “Told you.”

I smiled. “Yeah, well, you were right.”

“I’m always right.”

“You’re a dork.” But I was laughing. “So, I’ll see you at practice tomorrow?”

“You mean today?”

“Yeah, today.” I paused, suddenly not sure what else I was going to say. “So, I guess I’ll go to bed.” I started to hang up and then I heard him say my name, so I put the phone next to my ear. “What?”

“I had fun tonight too,” he said. “Thanks for going with me.”

I grinned. “Sure.”

“My mom called me when I got home. She liked you and wants us to come back some time.”

My smile got all big and goofy, and I spun around on the bench, spinning my feet through the air. “I’d like that.”

“She hasn’t called me in weeks. I think she was glad we went.”

God, how awful not to have your parents call you. My elation faded, and I wanted to hug him again. “Anytime, Rafe. I’ll go with you anytime.”

“Thanks.” He grunted. “See ya.”

“Bye.” I hung up and tapped the phone on my thigh. Why hadn’t he ever taken Paige there? Why me?

* * *



Even though I was totally wiped out from my late night at the piano, rehearsal went great for the rest of the week. Every time I started to get uptight about the music, Rafe just reminded me about the Battle of the Ivories. I’d remember everyone in the audience getting into it, and I’d relax again, reminding myself to have fun.

And it worked.

On Saturday night, by the time we were done setting up the instruments at the middle school for our performance, I was so pumped to be there. It was so different to be prepping for a performance with other people. I wasn’t on my own. I had a team supporting me, and that was the most amazing experience ever. We were laughing and teasing each other, but also helping each other get fired up and get ready. Preparation wasn’t about sitting quietly and tucking in any stray hairs. It was about getting psyched, pumped and energized.

I wasn’t alone, and it rocked!

Everyone in the band seemed to like me, the music was going well, and no one had mentioned Paige all week. Erin was even going to try to get Val and Delilah to come watch the band tonight.

How awesome was that?



Finally, I was cool. Gone were the navy blue dress and nylons. Tonight, I was wearing a pair of tight white pants ripped with horizontal slashes, a fitted white tank top with a sweet half-vest, red lace fingerless gloves, and a kickass necklace that I’d picked up at the mall on Thursday night with Angel. We’d even bought some hair dye, and Angel and I were sporting matching crimson streaks in our hair. I might not have a full arm tattoo like Rafe, but I was totally feeling the power and energy streaking through me. I was so ready to rock the gym!