All the toothpicks of my patience are about to snap, and it’s only...I reach over to grab my phone, but it’s not there.Ugh, I must have left it in the studio last night.Through the back window, light streams in in big, thick beams.Not something normally seen before ten.Gabriella jumps from the bed, circling the mattress like a shark, eyes still trained on her phone.My eyes stay on her as she grabs a coffee mug from my dresser and brings it to me.
“Here, drink this,” she says, thrusting a white mug in my direction.I pull myself to a sitting position, a little disoriented, but I take the cup.The first sip is both bitter and delicious.The warmth bleeds through my right hand until I can’t take it and switch to the left.
“Not to stress you out, but the car’s going to be here in an hour to get us.We have to be showered, packed, and ready to go.”Gabriella cups her own cheek, momentarily letting her face rest in her hand.I take another sip, this one longer, before tossing the corner blanket off of me.The bare skin on my legs reacts, goose bumps forming instantly.She takes a step back, allowing me space to rise, but doesn’t leave.She just gnaws on her bottom lip.
“Everything okay?”I ask, looking up at her between my lashes.
Something passes over her face, and she blinks twice before waving me off with, “Of course!All good over here.”
Something’s up, but maybe it’s just pre-show jitters.“Alright, well, I’m going to hop in the shower and meet you downstairs?”
“Yep, right.”She nods but doesn’t move.
“Gabriella...”
Chapter 45
Tate
“I feel like I’ve been awake for hours.”Bright morning sun slices through the drapes of the hotel room, painting triangles against the carpet.Ironically, it’s just about the only space of carpet not littered with bags, clothes, or shoes.Callie’s facing me, half her face pressed into the pillow, hair covering the rest.I’m glad she opted to stay with me instead of Tim, even though I have no problem sleeping alone.
She stirs before answering, eyes still closed.“It’s because you have been.”
“Thanks, Callie,” I say, before forcing myself up and into the little bathroom.Everything is white tile and porcelain, except for a small hurricane glass filled with sea glass of greens, browns, and blues.A nice touch, but not nearly enough color.I twist the shower handle on, allowing the steam to billow through the small bathroom before I undress and get in.
Levi never called or texted me back last night.At first, I told myself he probably fell asleep.There’s a lot going on, and today’s a big day for him, so I wouldn’t blame him for turning his phone off and going to bed early...but not even a text?It’s weird.And what excuse can I make for him today?It’s after ten and still nothing.
I scrub the shampoo into my hair, starting in small circles at the roots before running it down and through the ends.The tropical smell works to calm my nerves, but it’s only momentary.I’m supposed to hit the red carpet today at three, and then the stage at six...with a guy who hasn’t called me back.While plan A might have been to not tell him, it feels more like a fool’s mission now.
I hurry to rinse, dry, and check my phone, hoping I have a missed call from Levi.The room is still dark, and if Callie has moved, there’s nothing that indicates it.I reach for my phone on the side table, unplugging it from the charger.The screen’s only halfway to my face when I hear, “He hasn’t called.You need to chill.”
“I’m chill,” I insist, masking my expression.Callie pulls herself into a seated position, stacking pillows behind her back.I drop my phone on the bed before heading to the closet to pull out the hotel robe.“So, what...should I not try to reach him anymore?You’re the one who said I had to tell him.”
“I know, and you tried.You did your part.”
“That’s it?!”
