Page 33 of Heartbeat Girl
I gawked. “My fear?”
My cheeks heated. This wasn’t the first time Liam or the others spoke about my emotions. I wasn’t sure how I should react when the band seemed to read me like an open book.
I wrapped my arms around my middle. “What do you know of my fear?”
“Wear it,” Pete said, clasping his hand over my shoulder. “It really does suit you.”
“Everyone has a one day, Jayne. One day, our hearts stop beating. One day, we fall in love. The same with fear. One day, it stops coming.” Liam, still wearing the ball cap, pierced me with his partially hidden gaze.
“I don’t think that’s accurate,” I admitted. Fear never disappeared.
“Sure it is,” Steve piped in, expression oddly fixated on Liam as he crossed his arms.
“I’m saying, one day you’ll stop running…”
I waited for Liam to finish his words, but he didn’t.What the crap Liam!Finish what you’re saying.Running from what?From him? From the band?
Maybe I was overthinking.Wait!Did I want him to tell me?Absurd!The gift amplified my confused brain was all.
“From your fear,” Liam finally said.
My shoulders dropped.
Why was I disappointed? And what exactly did Liam mean when he said my fear?
“To fight my fears? That would be nice.” I squeaked.
Oh, God.I already wanted to make a bolt for the elevator and hide inside my hotel room.
+++
“Is that The Oppressors?”
I perked up in my chair as I overheard the hushed voices in the booth behind me. Steve pulled his cap over his head, laughing as he scanned the bar. Pete flipped a quarter over and over. Man, they looked bored. Maybe coming to a shady bar wasn’t their thing. I thought it was since Pete begged and nagged to get me there.
Steve laughed, and I gawked at him.What’s so funny?None of us were talking.
I rubbed my brow, leaning over the table. “Stop being loud. People recognize you.”
“Why is that a bad thing?” Pete asked.
I opened my mouth to say something, then clamped it shut. What did I know? They made it this far without me worrying.
“I can’t wait for Rupert to join us on Monday,” I muttered.
“Is he okay with driving and staying in hotel rooms?” Steve lifted a brow.
“I hired a driver for him,” I replied.
“Here,” Liam said, returning with three glasses of beer he placed in the center of the table. Huh. Just three? With a light tap on my shoulder, Liam urged me to scoot over. Heat seeped through my shirt from his touch, and I slid over. Instead of keeping a polite distance, he scooted close until our arms and shoulders bumped together. Gliding a glass toward me, I lifted it and practically gulped down the brew.
I shuddered as I wiped my mouth. I’d never get used to the taste, but I welcomed alcohol if it would relieve my nervousness. I was determined to sit beside Liam and not run.
“Whoa,Jayne.” Pete chuckled. “I didn’t think you’d drink it.”
His teasing didn’t bother me. I knew what I liked and didn’t care. “So, I prefer my tasty drinks. Sue me. It doesn’t mean I won’t drink beer.”
“Here ya go,” a server spoke with a smile as she placed the margarita on the table. Liam smirked and slid it over to me as the woman walked away.