Ryder lists off song titles from our first album, all of which Connor wrote for Alex, his first love and first heartbreak.
“Yes, Ryder. All of those things.” Devon says. “He doesn’t know she’s here so this could be interesting.”
Ryder cracks open a bottled water and passes it to me before grabbing another for himself. “Okay, well, dibs on the other one then.”
Anger bubbles up inside me, thinking of Ryder with Becca. She can’t be with someone like him. He’s a cool guy, but he’s pretty much a man whore. Different chick almost every night. At least I keep mine around for a few weeks before we go our separate ways.
How can I know if we’re compatible without us spending at least a little time together? I always start out with the intention that this woman could be the one. Because that’s what I’m looking for. I want to find my other half.
“Fuck off, Ryder,” I growl at him. “Stay away from her.”
He raises his hands in surrender and backs away. “OK man, no problem. You got dibs.”
“Shit. Sorry, Ryder. I didn’t mean that. I just… I don’t know, man.” I run a hand through my hair and look at the floor in front of me. What the fuck is wrong with me? “I want to get to know her, that’s all.”
He slaps me on the back and shoots me a wide grin. “No worries, man. I get it. You’re in love again.” He laughs. “Now that I look closer, you seem like you’d be more her type, anyway.” He walks over to Denise and Travis and starts talking to the two of them.
“Devon?” Connor calls out from the hallway and Devon runs out to see what he needs, leaving me to contemplate the sexy photographer Becca.
I need a plan to get her alone. From the way she’s talking to Alex, it looks like they came together. If Connor doesn’t invite them to the after party, then I will. I just need to make sure none of the fans hear me when I tell her. The last thing I want is to be surrounded by fans when I’m trying to talk to her. Maybe I should ask them right now, before this all gets started? I take one step in their direction when Connor comes storming in, head down, bee-lining to the bar on the opposite side of the room.
“What the fuck? Where’s the fucking whiskey?” Connor yells.
I sneak another look at Becca and Alex. Looks like the real show is about to start. Too late to ask them now.
“You guys don’t even drink whiskey, and it’s not like I’ve had enough for you to hide the bottles on me now. Don’t tell me this meet and greet is some kind of bullshit intervention.” Connor looks accusingly at me and the rest of the band just as Alex shoves the whiskey bottle into his hand.
“Oh, shit. I’m so sorry. I was nervous, and I needed to consume many drinks. Here you go.”
From where I’m standing, I can see Connor’s eyes widen and his jaw drop. I see his entire life change before he even turns around to see that it’s Alex. My gaze drifts to Becca, and my heart pounds hard in my chest.
I want that,I think to myself.I want a love that lasts more than three weeks.
Maybe it’s not Becca who can be that for me, but maybe it is. All I know is I want to talk to her and find out.
After the meet and greet, we all go over to Rough Mix, the bar where we played our first real show, and I manage to snag the seat next to Becca. She’s sitting on my right and we’re close enough that I can feel her thigh pressing against my leg, close enough that I could easily rest my hand on her knee without stretching. I’m able to restrain myself, but only just. She looked hot in the dressing room, but now that I’m right next to her, I can see how beautiful she really is. That, and she smells amazing. Every time she turns her head I get a whiff of some spicy scented shampoo or perfume. Whatever it is, I’m sure I look ridiculous when I breathe deep every time she moves.
Not creepy at all.
“Ha! I can tell you about that.” Becca jumps up off the seat and into the space next to the table where she begins acting out the story of Alex catching her boyfriend cheating.
I can’t tear my boil off of her as she describes, in detail, Alex getting home and thinking there is a burglar, only to realize it’s her boyfriend fucking some other chick in their bed. Becca acts out Alex’s umbrella-destroying home run hit on the dude’s ass, the other woman’s embarrassment, and the dude’s crying and whining about being sorry. All in all, a hilarious story, complete with reenactments of erratic humping, swinging umbrellas, and cheering crowds.
We’re all laughing, Becca back in the seat beside me, when Connor turns to Alex and says, “So Alex, you seem pretty OK for just finding out about this today. Are you? Okay, that is.”
“Oh, she’s totally used to this. It’s happened to her before.” Becca says, wiping her eyes and letting out a small chuckle.
Alex’s face drops. “Okay, Becca. I think that’s enough story time for now. These guys don’t need to hear this.”
“Wait,” I say, my eyebrows bunching in confusion. “This isn’t the first time?” Alex is a very attractive woman, and she seems pretty fun too. How does someone like her get cheated on repeatedly? She must have terrible taste in guys. Except Connor. He’s a good dude.
“Not at all,” Becca says, looking directly at me, not noticing the venomous look Alex is giving her. “She’s nearly into the double digits with cheating boyfriends.”
Suddenly Alex shoves Aiden out of the booth and slides out after him. “Okay, cool, yeah. Thanks for the drink, Connor. It was really nice seeing you again. Nice to meet all of you,” she says to the rest of us. “I need to get going, though. I need to work early tomorrow. Maybe we can do this again sometime?”
Alex turns and sprints to the exit, with Connor not far behind.
“Oh, fuck,” Becca says, running her hand down her face. “I really need to learn when to shut up.” She grabs her bags from under the table and stands up. “Nice to meet you guys,” she says, and then she disappears into the crowd.
“Wait,” I call out after her. “Becca.”
Shit. I didn’t even get her number. Now, how will I find her again? Because I’m sure this time, it’s real.
She’s definitely the one.
