“Do you think it’s the job?”
“No, I’ve had a few long-term relationships,” he shrugs, “they just didn’t work out. Mostly because the women I’m typically attracted to turn out to be bat shit.”
“Well, that’s dangerous.”
“Yeah, more so than this job.”
I run my fingers along the fabric of Easton’s jacket. “How will you know when you’ve found the right one?”
“When I miss her too much to go from one day to the next without her, only then will I consider putting the job last.”
“Not a bad way to gauge it,” I agree, glancing out the window at the trees blurring past us on either side of the road. Briefly, I wonder how good the fare is for what seems like a drive to nowhere. It’s when Joel begins to slow as we approach a deserted, small, dilapidated-looking, one-story building that I turn to him with drawn brows.
“What’s this?”
“A pit stop.”
Confused, I scan for clues until I catch a glimpse of the tailgate of Easton’s truck parked at the side of the isolated building. My heart leaps into a fast rhythm when Joel parks just in front of the entrance.
“You tricked me,” I scold.
“Yeah, you look really unhappy about it,” he replies with a grin I know mirrors my own. “Go on, I’ll be here waiting for you,” he urges as I look back toward the building when Easton appears at the door, knocking the wind out of me.
His eyes sweep me as I exit the SUV in his jacket and prance toward him with a grin. “Hey,” I say, nearing him.
Easton replies with a soft “Hey,” before shifting his gaze to the SUV and lifting his chin to Joel in thanks. I duck under Easton’s arm as he holds the door open and come to a dead stop.
“Where exactly are we?” I ask as the door slams closed behind us, shrouding us in darkness. The only light comes from a dimly lit hallway several feet in front of us. Eyes adjusting to the lack of light, I make out a seating area full of worn leather couches on our left and a small kitchenette to the right.
Easton stands just behind me, his chest brushing my back. I sense some slight tension rolling through him as he speaks. “I wanted to show you something before you go.”
“Okay,” I acquiesce as he takes my hand, a balm to last night’s rushed goodbye.
Even though I know he withdrew for both our sakes, I can’t deny it was painful in a way I wasn’t prepared for. Butterflies swarm me as he gently nudges me forward to give him space before he takes the lead, guiding me down a short hallway. A single door is closed to our left before he stops at another closed door on the right. Opening it, he ushers me in, and I glance around.
“Oh,” I say, taking in our surroundings. Straight ahead is a large soundboard with two comfortable-looking chairs edging it.
A long, newer-looking leather couch takes up a good amount of the wall immediately to my right. Next to it is a glass door leading into a sound booth which sits opposite the board. The booth is so small, it’s got barely enough space to fit the instruments it currently houses. Though it seems equipped, it’s severely outdated. Even with all the necessities, the room looks to be something straight out of the ’70s era, the surrounding walls made up of paneled wood. I turn to Easton, confused.
“This is your studio?”
He chuckles at my obvious surprise. “Not impressed?”
“It looks like a ’70s porno set and smells like mothballs. Seriously, Easton, why here?”
“I’m here mostly because of this soundboard, and I told you, I earned every single dime to record myself. This is the only place I could afford.”
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s um, nice enough—”
“Liar,” he grins and scolds simultaneously. “It’s a total shithole. But it’s been my home on and off for years. I’ve slept on that couch more than I have in my own bed.”
“Did you sanitize it first?” I jab.
“I bought it new, asshole,” he growls, nudging my shoulder.
“So, do you own this palace?”
He shakes his head. “I fucking should with as much time as I’ve spent here, but no. I lease it long term because no one else wants it.”
I open my mouth to talk, and he covers it with his palm, his eyes lit with humor.
I peel his hand away. “I was only going to say a coat of paint, or…a wrecking ball, and this place could really be…something.”
Wrinkling his nose, he pinches my sides, and I jump as our smiles collide. My heart flutters in my chest as we get caught up in the other for a few seconds while his palms rest on either side of my waist. Sucking in my lip as my body begins to thrum, I glance around and try to imagine him holed up in this relic he labels his studio. “And you’re by yourself when you’re here?”