Chapter 14

“You don’t sound too excited,” Alex’s father said.

Alex twirled his drumsticks in one hand, while holding his phone in the other. He was off to himself in the dressing room. “I am.”

“Alex?”

He sighed, as if he could lie to his father. Thank goodness Aunt Pam wasn’t on the phone with him. “I got a lot on my mind.”

“What did she do now?” his father asked.

“Why do you always assume it’s a woman?” Alex asked. “Maybe I’m stressed with touring.” His fist tightened around his drumstick, hating that his father was right.

“You’ve loved the drums since you were a kid. I had to stop you from playing so you could go to sleep at night. I know you, son. It’s something else,” his father said.

Alex plopped on the couch. “I told you about it already.”

“It must be serious. Does she know how you feel?”

He dropped his drumstick to the carpet floor. “I told her. I thought we were connecting. Then...”

“Then what?”

He rubbed at his forehead. “I guess... my past caught up with me. She heard another woman’s voice.”

“Now I see. Well, you have a decision to make.”

“How can I when she won’t talk to me? I haven’t heard from her,” he said. The pain in his jaw increased.

“Then give up,” his father said.

“What?” Give up? That was the last thing he wanted to do. 

“If she’s not worth it, then give up. Save yourself some sleep at night.”

His father had to be kidding. “I can’t, Dad. Zoe’s she’s... special. She’s sweet. Funny. Smart. Celine loves her. Aunt Pam and Lisa think the world of her. When we talk, I can share my...”

“Well?” his father said. “Go on.”

“Oh no.” Alex rubbed at the tightness in his chest. 

“Listen son, if she’s worth this much to you, then you commit to doing whatever it takes to show her. You’ve made mistakes, but you know the best way to handle them is to accept the consequences and move forward.”

Alex blew out his cheeks. He couldn’t be falling in love with Zoe. The realization hit him like a bucket of icy water.

His phone beeped. His eyes widened when he saw her name on the screen. He swallowed. He wanted to talk to her, but deep down he was angry. Did she hate him that much? Was she calling back now to put him out of his misery? “Dad, I got to go.”

“Okay, but think about what I said. Have a good show.”

Alex clicked over. He released a deep breath. He had to remain calm. “Hey.”

“You have a minute?” she asked.

His skin prickled. That’s all he wanted from her. “Sure. I guess you didn’t see my phone calls.” He lost count of how many times he called.

“I’m sorry.” she asked.

Alex sighed. Despite his annoyance, all he wanted was to hold her. Kiss her. Tell her that he wanted her. Only Zoe. “No, I’m sorry.”

Her tone softened. “No, when I heard that other woman, I thought you were playing games with me. I thought the worst of you and you’ve done nothing to make me think otherwise. I… don’t want to be just another woman to you. I like you but I can’t be in your life if there are others.”

Commitment. His father’s voice echoed in his ears. He figured Zoe didn’t mean marriage, but she wanted exclusivity. Most of the women he met did. The problem was, he didn’t know if he could give it. Love was a gamble, and he’d seen enough people lose, including him. 

The scars were deep, but with Zoe, Alex wanted to heal. Could he try? She wasn’t like the others. She’d proved to be more than what he thought. Despite the sweat building on his palms, he would be a fool to let her slip away.

“I get it,” he said.

“Do you?” she asked. “I don’t want to be strung along. I’m not here to keep you company until you find someone else. Where would that leave me? I need to take care of myself, Alex. No offense to you.”

He gave a slight smile. Zoe would leave. Despite her feelings for him, she would put herself first. Alex’s heart rate picked up. He couldn’t let her go. “I understand, and I agree.”

“You do?” She sounded as if his response had taken her aback.

“That’s why I want to be with you, Zoe. Only you.” He chuckled. “I even told someone you’re my girlfriend.”

She choked. “What? You didn’t tell my brother, did you?”

“No. I’ll leave that up to you.” The tension in his muscles released. “I want you to know I won’t do anything to hurt you.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner, but I needed time to think.”

“I understand, but from now on, we talk things out. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

“So… when do I get to see my girlfriend? We should be home by next week unless it gets extended. Now if that happens, I’ll—”

“Actually, I’m here.”

He jumped to his feet. “Here? Where? How did you—”

“My best friend, Roslyn, lives here. I came to see her for the weekend. Then Jackson called and invited us to your show.”

His heart perked up. “So, I’ll see you tonight?”

“I don’t know how it’ll work, Alex. I haven’t—”

“Don’t worry about that now. Just hurry and get here,” he said.

“Someone’s making demands already.” Zoe giggled.

“I’m the boyfriend, remember?”

“I guess you are.”

“You guess?” He chuckled, but he meant every word. Alex wanted Zoe and he would fight to keep her. He only hoped that person wasn’t her brother. 

***

“We get to go backstage!” Roslyn bounced on her toes.

Zoe smiled, giving her friend her ticket. “Compliments of my brother.”

“I love it! I can’t wait!” Roslyn took her friend’s hand and headed backstage. Another security guard checked their tickets, and he let them pass. Roslyn and Zoe entered another hallway, passing a green room and a dressing room. Then they spotted Noelle, carrying a cardigan on her shoulder.

Her eyes beamed at Zoe. She hugged her. “You made it. Come on back and see Bailey.” Then she extended her hand to Roslyn. “I’m Noelle.”

“Roslyn. Great to meet you.” The group continued to another dressing room. Noelle knocked only to hear Bailey call her inside.

Zoe walked in behind Noelle, followed by Roslyn.

Bailey grinned. “I’m glad you could make it.” She hugged Zoe and then directed her attention to Roslyn, shaking her hand. 

Zoe and Roslyn made themselves comfortable on the couch. “This is amazing,” Zoe said.

“You must be nervous.” Roslyn looked around the room. 

Bailey fluffed her curls in the mirror. “It gets easier with time, but yes.”

“You’ll do great, as always.” Noelle handed her friend her sweater. 

Zoe folded her hands in her lap. Her palms only sweated. Alex had to be nearby, and though she wanted to see him, it wasn’t the time. Her phone buzzed with a text from him.

6:45 PM... Alex: Here yet?

Zoe looked around, noticing Bailey and Noelle were talking to Roslyn, asking about her major. Like Zoe, Roslyn had changed her major a few times, but she chose psychology.

Zoe’s belly fluttered. She wanted to see Alex. 

6:47 PM... Zoe: I’m here. Hope to see you soon.

She sent it without thinking.

“I need to get out there. We’re starting soon,” Bailey said. She tucked a curl around her ear. 

The rest of them followed Bailey out of her dressing room. Zoe clutched her phone in her hands. No response from Alex since she sent her last message. Shifting her eyes, she spotted Tommy and Jackson in the hallway. Her brother didn’t hesitate to hug her.

“Thanks for coming,” he said.

She clutched his hands in hers for a moment. “Have a great show.”

He nodded and took Bailey’s hand, leading her to the stage. Zoe stepped forward only to have a hand clasp hers. She grinned and pivoted to face Alex. His eyes shimmered, and it only made her heart palpitate.

“I’m going to...” Roslyn said, interrupting their moment. “Find our seats.” She extended her hand to Alex. “I’m Roslyn, her best friend.”

“Alex.” He returned the gesture.

“I’ll save you a seat.” Roslyn left them alone in the hallway.

Zoe gasped when Alex held her closer and hugged her tight. She melted into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck. 

He buried his face in her hair. “I hated it when I couldn’t talk to you.” He drew back and cradled her cheek in his hand. “All I wanted was to hold you.”

Zoe didn’t know what to say. Alex’s eyes were bright, and his touch was soft. His hand traveled down from her cheek to her neck. 

“We’re okay,” he said. 

The corners of her mouth quirked. “Okay.”

Alex pressed his forehead to hers. He groaned as his hands circled her waist. “As bad as I want to kiss you, I can’t. I have to go.”

“Go,” Zoe said.

He dropped his arms from around her and stepped away. He paused. “Then again, why waste the moment.” He turned back and bent his head towards her.

Zoe smiled, cupping his face in her hands. When his mouth brushed over hers, she gasped. Alex laughed and deepened the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist. His mouth was warm.

Alex shielded her to his chest, and she accepted him. Her hands fastened to his arms, but then she trailed them to his neck, her fingers brushing his nape. Alex only kissed her deeper, as if he wanted to give her everything.

She linked her fingers behind his neck for a moment. If he could give, she would meet him halfway. There was no point in fighting anymore. She was falling for him. 

Zoe’s heart hammered inside her chest. Her fingertips tingled as she grazed his clean-shaven face. Alex moaned against her mouth.

“You have to... go,” she said in between kisses.

“I know.” He said, capturing her mouth once more.

She smiled against his mouth. “You have a show, Alex.”

He kissed her one last time and then ran his thumb over her lips. “I’ll see you later.”

She gestured to the stage. Alex grinned and joined the rest of the band. Zoe released a cleansing breath. She felt her pulse in her throat. Alex kissed her. She touched her lips with her fingers. Could she handle this? She wanted to try. Zoe then pressed her way through the crowd and sat in her seat next to Roslyn.

“So?” Her friend asked.

Zoe adjusted in her seat. She’d tell her about the kiss later. “We’re okay.”

“Just okay.”

Zoe sighed. “I haven’t felt this way in a long time. I... sometimes it feels too good to be true.”

Roslyn’s face fell. “When are you going to tell Jackson?”

Zoe didn’t want to think about it. “I don’t know. Let’s enjoy the concert for now.”

As soon as the lights dimmed, the crowd cheered and yelled for Infinity Signs. Zoe stood along with the rest of the audience. Some took out their phones to record, while others waved their hands to the band on stage. 

Zoe focused her eyes on Alex. After Bailey greeted the crowd, he tapped his sticks above his head and landed a beat to his drums. Jackson started singing and Bailey joined in with him. 

Zoe swayed with the music, careful not to stare at Alex. She couldn’t let anyone know about them. Not yet.