He shifts back and forth, like I’ve suggested something drastic, before reaching for his mask and tugging it off. As his bluish purple skin comes into view, I drink in his familiar features. His horns appear, seeming to materialize out of thin air, and he tosses the mask onto the dresser beneath the TV.
“Better?” he asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know, is it?”
The corner of his mouth lifts into a smirk, and he runs his tongue over his teeth. I track the movement before I tear my eyes away.
Maybe having him take the mask off was a bad idea.
He’s so fucking easy on the eyes.
And an asshole.
A giant asshole for ignoring me all week and then waking me up at an ungodly hour.
Because he was concerned about me.
He’s infuriating.
And a little charming.
The thought of walking up to him and pressing my lips against his forms vaguely in my mind, but I immediately shut it down. Kissing this demon is probably the last thing I need and the last thing he wants.
A shower is a better place to start because the tiny one on Niki’s tour bus just hasn’t been cutting it.
I move to grab clean clothes out of my suitcase. God, I need to organize all this shit, but I can’t even think about it until after all this is over. Until I’m certain Niki and the baby are okay.
“I’m going to shower,” I explain, hesitating before heading for the bathroom. “You… don’t go anywhere.”
He nods slightly, his horns tipping with the movement. “Of course.”
With a nod, and another look around the room, I turn my back on him and shut myself in the bathroom. One look in the mirror makes me cringe. My eyes are puffy and swollen from crying, and my hair is a mess. I look exhausted and a little pale.
I hate to admit that Tobias was right, but it’s obvious now. I need to focus on myself for a little bit, regroup and refocus. Relax and reset.
And the best way to start is with a long, hot shower.
Chapter 28
Tobias
The second the water turns on in the bathroom, I reach for the hotel phone and order room service. I can’t pretend to know what Joseline likes to eat, so I order a mix of things and hope it’s good enough. If she hates it all, we can order takeout, but she needs to get her energy up.
I still don’t know why I’m doing this.
No. That’s a lie.
I know exactly why I’m doing it, I just don’t want to admit it.
On the surface, it’s all for me. I miss the Joseline I danced with at the club, and I want to help her get back to that. But underneath, when I dive deep into my blackened soul, I know it’s because sheneeds help. She’s expended all her energy and effort to be there for Niki, and Niki can’t be there for her in return.
But I can.
Like it or not, Joseline and I have something in common—someone dear to us is hurting right now. Sure, the other band members are upset, but they don’t feel it like we do.
Joseline and I are uniquely able to understand one another. That’s how I know it has to be me to see her through this.
I could sit here while she showers and wait patiently to take her back to the bus, but there’s no point in half-assing things now. I brought her here to try and help, and that’s what I’m going to do.
