“We did,” I deadpan.
“You’re ridiculous.” She laughs, shoving me away andleaving the room. I follow behind her. “I need clothes. I’m not even wearing underwear!”
“I prefer that.”
She shakes her head, and I give in and take her home. I follow her up as she packs a small overnight bag, fussing in her bathroom and closet while I sit on her bed, tossing a ball of yarn in the air.
“I’m starving. What’s taking you so long?”
“I don’t know what to wear!”
I chuckle. “Barbie, your closet is full of clothes. Just pick something.”
She steps out to glare at me. “I can’t just pick something! I’m meeting your mother for the first time.” She disappears again, and I hear her flipping through hangers.
“It doesn’t matter what you wear. She’ll love you.”
She ignores me, and when she finally strides from her closet, she’s wearing a flowy black top, with a white-and-black plaid skirt.
“Jesus fuck.” I sigh.
“What?” she asks, wide-eyed. “Is it too much? This is one of my more modest skirts.” She glances down, fiddling with the hem.
“You look stunning, but I’m going to be fighting a hard-on all night.” I groan, adjusting myself. Her and those skirts.
She smiles like she’s pleased with herself. Her eyes slide sideways before she grabs something from the top of her desk and holds it behind her back.
“I got you something a while ago, but never got to give it to you.” Her voice is a little unsure, and it makes my pulse speed up. “Don’t feel obligated to use it, but I saw it and thought of you.”
“Okay.”
She pauses, making me wait, and my heart beats harder, anticipation rolling through me. “Close your eyes.”
I grin and listen. A moment later, something heavy is placed in my hands. Keeping my eyes closed, I run a hand over the smooth object. When I open my eyes, my brows fly up.
My gaze snaps to hers. She’s chewing her nails, and there’s a shy smile on her lips. My heart races, thudding against my ribs as if it can escape and jump right into her fucking hands. I have no doubt that if it could, it would.
“Barbie,” I croak, tugging her closer to me. My eyes fall back to the fancy notebook in my hand. Rich brown leather and…fuck, she even had my name engraved on the top. I swallow, dropping my forehead to her stomach. “This is amazing. Thank you.”
“I know you probably have a system, and I don’t want to mess that up, but I?—”
“I love it. It’s perfect.” I stand up, wrapping my hand around the back of her head and pressing my lips to hers.
She smiles up at me, and I tuck the book under my arm and toss her packed bag over my shoulder.
We stopped for tacos on the way home, both of us starving and needing something to hold us over until later. Now we’re on my couch, letting Netflix play in the background, while I rub her feet.
“Are you excited about the tour?” she asks, keeping her eyes on the screen that neither of us is paying attention to.
“Not really. Once we start playing shows, I’ll enjoy it, but I’ve never liked the traveling aspect. Being on the road with three other dudes is not as glamorous as one might think.” This will be the first time we’ve done it this long, too.
From my peripheral, I see her nod. “Will there be lots of parties and stuff after?”
I can practically see her mind swimming with worries. It’s written all over her face that she’s trying to hide. I turn the TV off, and that forces her attention to me.
“Yes. Every night will probably be one big party. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, but you don’t have anything to worry about. If we don’t trust each other, this will never work.”
“I know. I trust you. I’m just going to miss you.”
