His New Jam (12 page)

“You'll be fine.”

He snorted and she tilted her head up to face him. “You joke around a lot. You want people to like you. There's nothing wrong with that, but you know what to do when you have to be in charge.”

“How would you know?”

“Why do you think you were chosen for section leader?”

He paused.

She splayed her hand on his chest, drumming a different beat. “It's because you're good. Players respect you. You know your shit, but you don't talk down to people. You're also the obvious leader of the band. Lance and Jay follow you. There's nothing wrong with enjoying what you do. Carry that into the classroom and not only will you be successful, but every kid will line up to take your class.” She kissed his chest. “Especially the girls.”

Of all the people he'd expected to give him a pep talk, he hadn't thought of her. After the serious ego boost, he was ready to understand her better. “Where were you before you transferred here?”

She turned her head to rest on his chest again, and when she spoke, her breath whispered across his skin. “I told you. I took some time off school. Did a year at community college.”

“You actually didn't tell me anything. You always dodge. Why'd you take time off?”

She didn't answer and he wondered if she was trying to come up with a lie.

“I've told you everything. I talk about music and teaching. Hell, I even told you about Shelly.” He traced her spine. “I want to know you.”

“I don't want to tell you,” she whispered. “It's embarrassing. I screwed up so bad.”

“We all screw up.”

“Not like this.” She stroked his belly and played with the patch of hair on his chest. “In high school, I went out with a guy. His name was Tony. Star quarterback. Everyone loved him. But he chose me. We dated for two years. I was deep in love.”

“Was he?”

“I think so. At least at first. He made me feel special. Like I was a prize. I hated the looks and comments I got from everyone else, though. No one understood how he could want me. But I sucked it up because he convinced me that none of them mattered. Only us.”

She turned her head so she could prop it on her hand. “And that's when the stupid took over. I wanted to go to New York for school. He was already accepted to Southern. He told me he couldn't go without me. He'd never make it. So I followed him to Carbondale.”

Hunter's stomach sank. Somehow, he knew this was going to get bad. He clenched his jaw and waited for her to continue.

“Once we were there, things changed. He was even more of a star and he kept telling me he had an image to uphold, but he wanted me for himself. He didn't want to share me.”

Crap. Hunter knew this story. This asshole was busy sharing himself. Still, Hunter said nothing. He just continued to caress her back.

“Everything was a party. Then he needed my help with his classwork, even if it meant mine suffered. I started missing class and failing. He didn't care.” Her gaze held his, but her eyes filled.

“Then I found out about the other girls. The ones who fit his image better. I lost a year of college and I was broke and flunking. All I wanted was to go home. So I sold my drums to pay off my tuition balance and left.”

Hunter's heart broke for her, but so much made sense now. Her reaction about missing class, not wanting band members to know about them, it all clicked.

“Tony was a prick.”

She laughed and a tear leaked from her eye. Using the pad of his thumb, he brushed it away. “He didn't deserve you.” His fingers found the dragon tattoo on her shoulder. “What's the story about this?”

She glanced at her shoulder as if she didn't know it was there. “I got a little rebellious after Tony. Defiant. Angry. So I did what everyone does when they act out. I got a tattoo.”

“Why a dragon?”

“Dragons are known for their wisdom and the ability to see the big picture. They're fierce and strong.” She licked her lips. “Everything I wanted to be. Everything I wasn't with Tony.”

“I think you're wrong.”

“About what?”

“You were always strong and fierce. Tony was just a prick.”

“You said that already.”

He rolled her over so he was on top, covering her body with his. “Don't hide from me anymore, okay? I couldn't watch you fall and not try to catch you. Trust me to not be like him.”

Her vulnerability filled her face. She didn't speak, but she nodded.

As she did, he knew he was falling for her unlike any other woman he'd known.

Chapter 12

F
or days after her late-night confessions to Hunter, Sydney suppressed her confused emotions. Hunter had asked her to trust him to be different from Tony. She already knew he was, but allowing him to see her ugly mistakes was scary, so she pushed the feelings away.

They slept together, played together, and hung out. Christmas came and went, and they did separate holidays. It was way too early for meeting family, so Syd was okay with a little distance there. Not having to worry about school or work helped. With the exception of Jay and Lance, though, she and Hunter were very much a couple alone. He still hadn't introduced her to his roommate or his other good friend Free. He talked about them often, but never suggested they get together.

Part of it felt like her early relationship with Tony. As if he didn't want others to know about her because she didn't fit his image. Part of her, maybe even most of her, knew it was bullshit. She was the one who insisted no one know about them and he was just following her rules, but that small part of her, that bit of complete insecurity, couldn't help but wonder.

Weeks ago he'd asked her to come to his New Year's Eve party, but he hadn't brought it up since. New Year's was this week.

They were having band practice on Monday night for a change because of the holiday. They practiced “Auld Lang Syne,” but Sydney couldn't imagine anyone at The Garage wanting to hear it.

As they packed up, Lance said, “See you Thursday.”

“I thought we weren't practicing because of New Year's Eve.”

He looked at her like she was dense. “We're playing.”

“What?”

“Fuck me. Hunter didn't tell you? He's having a party like he does every year. We're the entertainment.”

“Oh.” Her brain scrambled to make sense of why he wouldn't have mentioned it. Maybe Kevin was coming back from break early.

Lance shook his head, and when Hunter came back into the room, he said, “Great communication skills, dork.”

“Huh?”

Lance shook his head again and left, which Sydney found funny. Lance didn't talk much, and after making a statement like that most people would've explained, but not Lance.

Hunter turned his attention to her.

“Lance just informed me that the band is the entertainment for your New Year's Eve party.”

“Oh.”

“Look, if Kevin's coming back and he wants to play, it's okay. You could've just said so.”

Hunter scratched his head and then put his hands in his pockets. “Kevin's not back yet.”

She said nothing. What could she say? He obviously had changed his mind about wanting her at the party.

“I was trying to figure out how to talk to you about it.”

“Straight out is usually best.”

“Usually, but last time I mentioned the party, you weren't too interested in coming.”

She wanted to scream at him. Back then they were barely friends. Now they were sleeping together, in a relationship. At least that's what she thought.

He came close and held her hand. “I'd like you to be at the party, but it's going to be pretty packed.” He filled his chest as if whatever was coming next would need lots of oxygen. “I'm not sure how many members of the marching band are coming. Last year, a whole lot did. I don't want you to be uncomfortable being here because of them. I made a promise to not let them know about us.”

Oh, crap. This guy was so good at turning her into a puddle of goo.

He rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand. “If you don't want to come, no pressure.”

She turned her body and tugged his hand to pull him closer. She released his hand and placed it on her hip before twining her arms around his neck. “I'd hate to lose my chance at a midnight kiss. Maybe we should practice.”

So they did.

The night of the party Hunter ran back and forth through the apartment filling up bowls with chips and stacking more plastic cups by the keg. Sydney had spent the night at home the previous night because he had to help Adam and Free get ready for the party. He wished she were here now, though.

Both Adam and Free swore they had dates, but Free was looking miserable, which was saying something because he was dressed as Doctor Who, his all-time-favorite character. That costume never failed to make him happy.

“Where's your date?” Hunter asked.

Free shrugged. “I don't know if she's coming. She wouldn't return any of my calls for the last few days.”

Hunter almost questioned if Free had really asked her, but there was no way even Free could fake being that upset. “What did you do?”

“I have no fucking clue. I ran into her at my dad's holiday party. She came with her parents. She seemed really upset to find out I planned to work with my dad after graduation. She was under the impression that my goal was to be an actor.”

“Didn't you ever talk about your major? Careers? Anything? That's like basic-level stuff.”

“I don't know. She never asked, so I didn't offer. It's not like investment banking is an exciting topic for most people. If they don't ask, I don't mention it.”

Hunter popped a tortilla chip into his mouth. “Let me guess. She saw the costumes and made the leap that acting is your passion.”

“Not such a leap, but yeah. Looking back now, I can see where she made those assumptions and I didn't make the connection to correct her.”

Hunter slapped a hand on his friend's shoulder. “Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. I hope she shows.”

“
Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.
”

“I know it's sad when you pull out
The Shawshank Redemption
.”

Free poured himself a beer and drank.

The apartment filled quickly, but it didn't get as crowded as last year. As people filed past him, he kept an eye out for Sydney. He greeted people and pointed to the booze. About an hour in, Adam began drawing tattoos on people and he thought of Sydney and her dragon. Maybe he should get a matching one for the night. He was thinking about where to have Adam draw it when a pair of feminine hands covered his eyes from behind.

The nails clicked and the cloud of perfume filling his airspace told him it wasn't Sydney. Instead of playing the silly guessing game, he peeled the fingers away and turned. Amy.

“Hi.”

“You're supposed to guess before you turn around.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I thought we could have a good night.”

Whoa. “Sorry, Amy, but I'm seeing someone.”

She laughed and looked around. “Yeah, okay.”

“I'm serious.”

She laughed harder. “We all know you don't do serious.”

“You need to leave.” He grabbed her elbow and turned toward the door. She yanked from his grasp.

“I'm not going anywhere, except to have a drink. If you don't want to hook up, I'm sure there are plenty of other single guys who will.” She sauntered off toward the kitchen.

His stomach sank, and then fell through the floor when he caught sight of Lisa walking his way. She greeted him with a kiss on the cheek before he could dodge it. When he asked her to leave, her response was similar to Amy's. At least when she walked away, she went in a different direction.

Ten minutes of avoiding all women had him sweating. Sydney still hadn't arrived and the band was supposed to start soon. He needed to talk to her before she ran into Amy or Lisa.

And just when he thought it couldn't get worse, someone punched his arm. He didn't have to turn to know it was Kelly.

Why the hell did the universe hate him?

She didn't offer any conversation. She simply said, “I'll catch you at midnight.”

As much as he wanted to explain that no, she wouldn't, he knew it would be a waste of breath.

He did the next best thing: He went to his friends.

Free stood in front of a bowl of chips, staring at them as if he had to make a decision about which one to eat.

“No sign of your girl yet?”

“Nope.”

“I have a favor to ask.”

Free straightened. The guy liked to have a mission.

“Amy, Lisa, and Kelly are all here.”

“Ex-girlfriends?”

“Yeah, and they won't leave. My new girlfriend, Sydney, will be here soon. I don't want them to cause trouble. Last year was bad enough and I didn't have a girlfriend then.”

“You really like this girl.”

Instead of shying away or dodging the truth, he simply said, “Yeah.” Then he pointed out the three girls he desperately wanted to avoid.

Adam was no longer at his tattooing station, which was a small card table set up in the corner with a stash of markers sitting on it. Hunter wove through the crowd to find him.

Adam's bedroom was the last place he checked and where he found him drawing on Reese. “Here you are. A bunch of people are looking for you to tattoo them.”

Adam shot him a look over his shoulder. “I'll be done in a minute.”

Looked like Adam was interested in more than drawing a tattoo on Reese. Interesting. Hunter chuckled. “Maybe close and lock the door next time. Sock on the knob.”

“Shut the hell up.”

“For real, when are you going to be done? I need your help.”

“Two minutes.”

Hunter glanced over his shoulder and shuffled his feet.

Adam sighed. “Time me.”

Hunter pulled out his phone and set the timer. Then he leaned against the wall beside the door so he could see if Sydney came in. Adam finished his drawing and he and Reese came out of the bedroom. “Hey, dude, can I talk to you?”

Adam told Reese where to get drinks and food. Then Hunter dragged him into the far corner of the living room. “I need your help.”

“With what?”

“Amy, Lisa, and Kelly are all here.”

“So?”

“I didn't invite them.”

“Again, so?”

“I have a date planned for tonight. And it isn't any of them.”

“These aren't the same girls from last year, are they?”

Hunter shook his head. Sure, he made jokes about the girls fighting last year, but it wasn't really funny. Especially now. “No, but they worry me.”

Adam laughed. “What am I supposed to do about them?” Biting back his irritation, he said, “Keep them away from Sydney. And me.”

“First of all, who the hell is Sydney?”

“My date. She's our drummer for tonight.” How had Adam missed her being around?

Adam shook his head. “How do you suggest I keep them away?”

“Use your imagination. Tell them what a horrible guy I am. Introduce them to other guys. Tell them to leave. I don't care.”

Adam stared at him. “Why not tell Sydney that these old girlfriends are here? I find being honest with a girl goes pretty far.”

“Because she'll leave. She'll think I'm playing games and leave.” The thought burned like acid in his stomach. He'd just gotten her to trust him and open up.

“Are you?”

“Playing games? No.”

Adam agreed to do what he could and Hunter pointed out the girls to him as well. He looked around again. “Sydney should be here soon, so I'm going to go warm up.”

“Did you try telling these girls you have a girlfriend? Maybe they'd take a hint.”

“I tried. They laughed. Three conversations, three women, and they all thought I was kidding.”

He could still hear their giggles, like he didn't even know how to have a serious conversation much less a relationship. No way could he let Sydney anywhere near them.