Page 82 of Electric Touch
“It’s fine,” she says.
“Don’t say that. It’s not. She had no right to talk to you the way she did, and for that I am sorry.”
“Thank you, Nash,” she says softly.
“It’s a good thing we’re not together anymore. It was shitty how it happened. We might have been growing apart. I just didn’t see it.”
“When you’re in a relationship as long as you were, it is difficult to see when things are changing.”
“Funny thing is, when I look back, there were signs,” I shake my head. This isn’t about Riley. This is about Adrestia. “None of that matters. What matters is, letting you know I fucked up with you and the last few days have been shitty. So am I doing okay here, given you haven’t kicked me out on my ass? I’m hoping yes? I don’t want to presume you’re going to forgive me.”
“I’m glad you’ve been able to make peace with what happened with your relationship. Are you accepting it because it’s what you want? Not what you think others need you to do? Or for my forgiveness?”
“I promise it’s coming from what I want. Believe me, I’ve been forced to take a step back and think about myself. I guess, when I did that, I realised I had something good and I didn’t want to lose it. Not before I got a chance to see where it went.”
Her lips rub together. I can see she wants to ask the question.
“Yes, I mean you,” I grin.
“One can’t just presume.”
“Well, presume, because I’m talking about you. Should I presume you’re okay with it?”
“Well, this is a good first step.”
“Good.” I’d really like to fucking kiss her but I don’t want to rush this. So far, I’ve been lucky she’s listened. I’m laying my cards out on the table here. I want to see where this goes.
I’m about to say more when I spot a guitar behind the lit up cactus. It’s not the one I loaned her. I set my coffee down and walk to the guitar. Adrestia turns, surprised I just got up while we were talking. She shakes her head when she realises what caught my attention.
“You have a Guild? And it’s rosewood.” I hold the guitar and strum it. It’s tuned and sounds smooth. “I can’t believe you have this, just hiding behind a plant in your living room.”
It’s not the most popular of guitar brands, but they’re well known for their acoustics. If you wanted to get one of the best guitars to learn on, Guild is the way to go.
“You’re in good company owning one of these. Eric Clapton and Tom Petty played Guilds,” I strum a few more chords. “When did you get it?”
“A few weeks ago.”
“You should have brought it to our lessons.” Sitting again, I can’t help but play Sweet Home Alabama, making her grin. “This is a great guitar. Have you been practicing?”
“Some.” She lets her legs fall to the floor and sits forward.
“Shit.” I rest my hand against the strings over the sound hole. “I’ve been a complete asshole.”
She gets up and takes the guitar from me. Adrestia sets herself up, and with a look of sheer concentration, starts to play. It isn’t Sweet Home Alabama. Her fingers move gracefully over the frets as she hits each chord.
“What song is that?”
“Midnight Sky, by Miley Cyrus.”
“That’s some choice.”
“It’s Ari’s favourite,” she stops playing. “I got stuck on the chorus.”
“Want some help?”
“Well, you did promise you’d teach me.”
“I did.” My head drops. “And then I flaked,” I say, getting up to stand in front of her. “You didn’t deserve that.”