Page 69 of Sing Your Secrets
twenty-one
Miles
Why the hell did I decide to do this with a string mop? Straightening my back, I try to relieve the tension that’s built from hunching over for so long. Looking around the main floor of The Garage, I grumble in agitation when I realize, even after all that work, I’ve only cleaned about half the main floor. I still need to mop the new stage Dad and his crew custom-built.
Normally, Lorren Family Construction sends a cleanup crew when they are done with renovations but seeing as they already donated too much of their time and materials, the least I can do is assume the clean-up efforts on my own.
Law’s website designer needs to take pictures of the venue tomorrow, which means I have to get this place sparkling in a hurry. I also have to unpack all the new furniture that’s still sitting on the loading deck before Sienna swings by tomorrow morning to stage the place.
Looking at the brown mop bucket water, I decide it’s time to dump and refill, but in perfect timing an angel at the main entrance interrupts me.
“Hey, superstar!” Reese shouts from across the room.
“Superstar?” I ask but she doesn’t answer. She just hurtles into my arms and plants sweet kisses all over my face. She rubs her nose against my facial hair and I pull away. “Sorry, I’m all sweaty.”
“I don’t care,” she murmurs before she finds my lips. “I like when you’re sweaty.”
“Why are you in jeans and a T-shirt?” I pat her denim-covered ass. “Aren’t you working today?”
She smiles wickedly. “I haven’t done laundry in a while, and most of Quinn’s clothes have to be dry-cleaned. So, yesterday I very tactfully sent an email to my boss and told him casual Fridays would really help boost team morale.”
“Clever. And he bought that?”
“Ate that shit right up and sent an urgent memo to the team where he specifically thanked me and called me an ambassador for team health and happiness. Ha!”
“Win-win,” I say, smiling at her. “Want to take a break with me and grab a quick lunch?”
“We can’t,” she says with a beaming smile. “It’s speakers day. Dad’s already on his way.”
“Already?” She nods causing her blonde ringlets to dance around her face. I whip out my phone and send a quick text to Sedi telling him to wake his ass up and head over to The Garage. “I just told my DJ to meet us.”
“Hmm.” Reese squints her light brown eyes. “I would’ve liked final approval on the DJ. I have certain criteria that need to be met.”
I chuckle. “Listen, bossy, I’ve got it under control.”
“I’ll try him out and let you know if he can stay.” She winks. “By the way, you’re going to need to remove your hand from my ass when my dad gets here.”
“Obviously. Not exactly the first impression I want to make on my girlfriend’s dad.”
Reese’s face twists and I immediately regret my words. “Shit. Sorry, I shouldn’t assume.” We’ve slept together once. And I wouldn’t call the migraine fiasco an actual date. I’ve been waiting patiently through this busy-as-all-hell week until I can make it up to her this weekend. I just figured Reese and I were on the same page.
“You assumed right,” she says, pressing both her small hands against my cheeks. “But the only thing I want more than to be your girlfriend is to see you make an album.”
“What?”
“I wanted to let it simmer for a bit, just to make sure Dad didn’t change his mind. But we talked on Sunday and…we’re ready to get started when you are.”
“You are just—” I can’t even finish my thought, I just smash my lips against hers, tasting her cherry Chapstick.
“Mhmm,” Reese mumbles into my mouth when my lips refuse to release hers, “none of this when my dad gets here.”
I force myself to pull away. “Yeah, so what’s that about? You’re not allowed to date?”
“Not you. Not someone Dad’s working with.” She holds her palm up. “I mean I’m allowed to date,” she mocks, “But Dad—Mac, to you—won’t work with you if we’re involved.”
“Oh,” I say my face falling. “Well, shit, that’s a shame. I was really excited about all this.” Her smile is guarded as she nods her head, her thick ponytail swaying side to side. I get the impression she doesn’t understand what I’m talking about, so I clarify. “The album, I mean. I would’ve loved to work with Mac, but you’re not something I’m willing to give up.”
Her jaw slackens as she looks through my eyes like she’s trying to see deeper. “You’re serious?”