Music of the Heart (Runaway Train #1)(34)
Author: Katie Ashley

“Yes, I really want to have sex while you’re wearing cowboy boots,” he deadpanned.

I laughed in spite of myself. I knew for someone like Jake, all the feelings stuff was getting too intense for him, and he needed to lighten it. “That’s good to know, but sadly, I don’t see it happening any time soon.”

“Bummer,” he replied. He reached over to sweep a lock of hair out of my face. Once he pinned it behind my ear, he smiled.

The sound of my phone ringing brought me out of the moment. When I glanced at the Facetime request, I grimaced. “Sorry. I have to take this.”

“Your parents?”

“No, it’s the guy opening for my brothers. We’re supposed to be singing a duet my first night and throughout the tour.”

“Hmm,” was Jake’s reply.

As my thumb reluctantly slid across the button, I plastered a smile to my face. “Hey Garrett.”

His smiling image reflected back at me. In some ways, Garrett reminded me of a late 20’s version of Justin Bieber, although he was a lot more talented. “Hey beautiful. How’s it going?”

“Good thanks. You?”

“Just ‘good’ is all I get? I mean, your brothers told me all about your little adventure on Runaway Train’s bus.”

I laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure they did. I’m kinda the family black sheep at the moment.”

“You’re kinda my black sheep too. I mean, I’m going to be denied precious rehearsal time with you for our duet.”

I gasped. “Oh no! I totally forgot about that. I’m so sorry. Listen if you don’t think I’ll be ready, I don’t have to do it.”

Garrett chuckled. “Abby, I’m only teasing you. I know you’ll be fine if we get only one run through.”

“Oh,” I replied before exhaling in relief.

“I’m just bummed I miss out on all that time with you.”

As my cheeks warmed, Jake muttered, “Douchebag,” under his breath.

“Excuse me?” Garrett said.

“Oh nothing. Must’ve been the TV on in the bedroom.” Trying to change the subject, I asked, “So are we still on for Sunday night?”

“Hell yeah. I can’t wait to have you on stage with me. I mean, Don’t You Wanna Stay is a hot song, don’t you think?”

I nodded my head.

“Maybe as the tour goes on we can add a few more duets in there.”

“Sure. That would be great.”

“Five minutes, G,” a voice came from over Garrett’s shoulder.

“I gotta go Abby. I just wanted to call and check-in on you.”

“Thanks. But I’m fine. I promise.”

His expression darkened a little. “And trust me, if any of those ass**les lay one finger on you, they won’t just have your brothers to answer to.”

At Jake’s growl beside me, I quickly added, “Aw, that’s sweet. But they’ve been perfect gentlemen.”

“They better. See you Sunday.” He gave a short wave to which I waved back. Then he ended the call.

“Ugh, what a tool!” Jake exclaimed.

“He’s really being nice letting me sing with him. It’s a good introduction to the crowd.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “Of course he wants to let you sing, Angel. He wants in your pants.”

“According to you guys and my brothers, doesn’t every guy?”

He scowled at me. “Trust me when I tell you to watch yourself around him.”

I shrugged. “It doesn’t matter what his intentions are with me. I’m certainly not interested in him.”

“You aren’t?”

“No.”

The corners of his lips turned up. “Is that because of his epic douchery or because you might be interested in someone else?”

I stared at him in disbelief for a moment. Sweeping my hands to my hips, I asked, “Do you always talk in circles when you’re not man enough to make your intentions known?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You really have the nerve to stand there and ask me that?” When he didn’t respond, I practically growled as I took a step towards him. “You blow so hot and cold with me that I’m not sure which way is up. It’s a wonder I don’t need a chiropractor from your emotional whiplash. One minute you’re telling me you want a girl like me to be interested in you and the next you’re coyly asking how I feel about Garrett.” Finally toe to toe, I glared up at him. “You’re really good at charming the panties off girls at ten paces, but you can’t even tell a girl how you really feel when she’s up close and personal!”

Jake’s eyes bulged while his mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. “Abby…I…wow,” he finally murmured.

“Excuse me?”

A sheepish grin curved on his lips. “I don’t think a girl has ever talked to me like you just did.” A shudder rippled through him. “Damn, that was hot.”

I shoved him against the kitchen counter. “You’re impossible!”

“And you’re everything I could ever want.”

My mouth, which had opened to lay into him with more insults, instantly snapped shut. Crossing his arms over his chest, Jake chuckled. “Don’t tell me I’ve rendered you speechless, Angel?”

“You keep me in a state of confusion, so I don’t know why you would be so surprised,” I countered.

“Fine. You ready for this?” He pushed himself off the counter to stand in front of me again. “I like you, Angel. I like you a lot. It’s been a whole thirty-six hours, but I like what I see, and I want more. But I’m clueless how to do this, so you’re just going to have to be a little patient with me, okay?”

My heart fluttered both at his words and in the way he delivered them. “So we just keep getting to know each other?”

“Yeah, I think so.” He scratched his chin thoughtfully. “So I guess normal people go on dates to get to know each other, right?”

“Yeah. Like dinner and a movie.”

He bobbed his head. “Well, we sorta had dinner. So how about a movie?”

I grinned. “That sounds great.”

“Can I count on you being down for inane comedy rather than a chick flick?”

“If you guys actually have a chick flick movie on this bus, I think we have to watch it.”

Jake grimaced. “Yeah, well, Lily might’ve left a few DVDs behind.”