I’m tempted to pack and leave, to end my charade, but it’s Friday night and that means I can see Quinn tonight. The more I think about him up on stage or even sitting at the table, looking at me, the more excited I get. No, leaving tonight isn’t an option. Maybe tomorrow or on Sunday, after I’ve had my fill.
15
Quinn
I don’t know what makes me more nervous, the fact that Liam is going to perform with me tonight or that Nola keeps walking into the green room, asking if we need anything. It would be one thing if she wasn’t making eye contact with me each and every time she asks, but she is, and with a killer smile that sends shock waves through me.
Nola returns with the setlist, pinning it to the board. Again, I hang back, waiting for the eager newbies to clear the way. Bringing Liam in for the night is tricky. He likes his anonymity, which is why he rarely performs in places like the Bean Song unless he’s in Beaumont. However, after our impromptu jam and writing session, he asked me about open mic and I extended an invite to him. Never in a million years did I expect him to take me up on it.
I’m pacing the back hallway, which all but guarantees me a chance to spot Nola when she comes into the kitchen for something. When I see her, I stop and stare, taking in her long blonde hair, which is in a high ponytail. I find myself itching to touch it, to run my fingers through it. Pushing my hands deep into my pockets, I continue to look at her while she’s putting an order in. I don’t know if she can sense me ogling her or not, but she hasn’t turned around yet to call me out on it. Nola crosses one ankle over the other, accentuating her sun-kissed legs. Thinking back to her first day here, she was paler than most women and it’s easy to see that she’s been taking advantage of the summer sun.
Noah once asked me if I were an ass man, and I couldn’t answer him because I had never given women’s features much thought. I’ve also never paid much attention to the women I’ve been with. It’s not that I’m insensitive, but hook-ups are just a chance to relieve some stress and not meant to extend to the point where you start noticing small things about the opposite sex. Like how Nola wears this beat up pair of old Chuck Taylor shoes or that she has a scar running down the front of her leg. It’s faint, but I’ve noticed. Or how when she smiles, her eyes freaking light up like it’s Christmas. They’re also green or hazel, not that I’m sure there’s a difference. What I do know is that when I looked into them the other day, I felt like I could see into her soul, that her eyes held a story waiting for someone to listen.
I want to listen.
“Quinn.”
Liam’s sharp voice startles me. I jump, yelp and spin quickly, crashing into Zeke. Zeke mumbles that he’s sorry while Liam laughs and shakes his head. It’s then that he looks toward me and nods.
“Is that her?”
“What?” I ask, pretending as if nothing is amiss. Out of all the kids, I’m the loner. The one who hides in the shadows and tags along because my sisters make me. I’m not outgoing like Elle, determined like Peyton or a freak of athletic nature like Noah.
Liam tilts his head toward Nola. I turn slowly and sure enough, she’s watching our exchange. To make matters worse or at least send my already shattered nerves out of whack, she gives me a small finger wave before leaving the kitchen.
A strong hand lands on my shoulder. I don’t have to turn to see who it is, already knowing it’s Liam. “She’s pretty.”
“She’s beautiful,” I retort. “I mean—”
“You mean she’s beautiful,” he says, repeating my words. “Nothing wrong with finding someone to share your time with. I’m assuming she’s the subject of the song you showed me the other night.”
I nod. “Yeah, but I don’t know.”
“Don’t know what?”
“What to do. Most of the time girls just approach me, but she’s different.”
“Because you actually like her?”
This time I do look at him, instead of the door where I’ve been waiting for Nola to come back through. “Yeah, I do, and it’s odd. Different. And I shouldn’t be talking to you about this, especially here.”
Liam seems to understand what I’m saying and turns toward the green room, except he heads to the back door and holds it open
for me, leaving me no choice but to follow him out. Once it’s closed, he sets his hands on my shoulders.
“You’re like a son to me and I sense that you need some advice.”
I nod and break eye contact. This is uncharted territory for me, chasing a girl. If I’m going to do it, I want to do it right.
“What seems to be the issue? From the way you were both looking at each other, I could tell there’s something there.”
“I don’t know, maybe. I came here after that crap with the band and my dad, and she was working,” I pause and shrug. “Like I said, she’s different. She’s not throwing herself at me, begging for autographs, or asking about you, dad, JD, or the band. It’s nice. Refreshing, really. It’s almost like she has no idea who I am.”
“Maybe she doesn’t. Not everyone you encounter is going to be a 4225 West fan. Josie has assured me of this many times.”
I laugh because he’s right. There’s been a time or two when we’ve been on vacation and no one has recognized my dad. It’s odd, but it does happen.
“My advice speak to her, away from work. Or, you could always call your aunt Josie and ask for her advice.”