I present the triangle to her, holding it aloft with one finger and letting it swing side to side. Eloise’s nose scrunches as she leans in, inspecting the small silver instrument. “Is it… a special triangle?”
I nod solemnly. “Averyspecial triangle. This is the feelings triangle. Whoever holds it gets to share their feelings, and the person not holding it listens without judgment.”
Eloise tilts her head, refusing to reach for the triangle. “‘Thefeelingstriangle’? That’s what we’re going with?”
“The triangle is no joking matter, Eloise. I’m surprised at your callous reaction.”
“I meant no offense, Master Riot.”
With her words, all the blood in my body rushes to my cock. I sit there for a moment, frozen, struggling to gain my bearings.The triangle. Right.
“Here. Take it,” I say, thrusting it toward her again. “I’ll do it after you. Promise.”
She holds the triangle to her chest, running a thin finger over the silver. “This is silly.”
“Nonsense.” I shake my head. “This is something all guitar students have to do eventually. It helps you… loosen up.” For a moment, I’m worried Eloise will call me on my bullshit, but instead, she looks down at the triangle and decides to open up.
“Okay… if I’m going to be honest about myfeelings…” She gives me an amused look. “I guess I should say that I’m not myself today. I’m frazzled. Nervous.”
“What are you nervous about?”
She bites her lip. “I have a concert in Neon Valley coming up, and I really,reallydon’t want to do it.”
I tilt my head, surprised by her words. “Any reason?”
She picks at her cuticle as she stares off into the distance. “I guess… I think I’ve realized that I don’tlikeit. I don’t enjoy playing the piano anymore.” She looks down at her hands, her voice lowering to a whisper. “If I’m honest, I haven’t for many, many years. It’s why I finally broke and sought out guitar lessons.”
“Does that mean you’ll be giving it up? Performing, I mean.”
Eloise takes her lip between her teeth, lowering her gaze to her lap. “I can’t. I would if I could, but it’s just not possible.”
The sentence sets off alarm bells in my mind. Usually, it wouldn’t, but combined with all the other little details Eloise has let slip over the time I’ve known her… it seems like someone ismakingher perform.
But how? Why? What kind of information could they possibly have on her? What power?
I’m desperate to ask, but I don’t want to push too hard. It’s clear she’s unwilling to share even basic situations about her personal life, and if I pressure her, she might never let me in again.
Instead, I reach out and place my hand lightly over hers, wrapping her chilled skin in the calloused warmth of my palm. “I’m so sorry you feel trapped, Eloise. I wish I could… if there’s anything I can do to help, I will in a heartbeat.”
Eloise looks up, stopping my heart with the beauty of her. “Thank you, Riot. You’re sweet.” With her free hand, she taps the side of the triangle. “Unfortunately, there are just some things we can’t change, no matter how much we want to or how hard we try.”
I don’t like her tone. That lifeless, hollow sound lets me know she’s closing up and shutting me out.
I can’t have that.Keeping my hand on hers, I reach over with the other and tap the triangle like she had done. “So if you weren’t a super-famous pianist, whatwouldsweet Eloise be doing?”
She scoffs, but I just tap the corner, giving her my best no-nonsense stare. “You’re holding the triangle of feelings, Eloise. It’s the rules.”
She rolls her eyes, but I don’t miss the grin tugging at the corner of her lips. “If youmustknow… I always wanted to be in a rock band. Like you.” Her face heats as she averts her eyes, finding something incredibly fascinating on the floor. “Ever since I was little, I wanted it. But then time passed, and I nevergot the chance to learn the guitar.” She shrugs. “It’s probably for the best, though.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because now I get to take lessons from Riot Arden, the rock star.” The smile she gives me is blinding and heart-stopping, and I have to take a moment to catch my breath and regain my bearings.
“I don’t know. I heard that guy is kind of an asshole.”
She laughs, a beautiful song to my ears. “He can be. But he’s also really,reallysweet when you get to know him.”
“Really?” I lean in, my eyes snapping to the thrumming pulse point at the side of her neck. “Does he have any other redeeming qualities?”
