"No, really. The way you slowed it down. Those grooves and rhythms. It wasn't some big showy spectacle like other drummers do. You weren't just banging away. You played music. It was intimate and sexy asallhell."
"Thanks," he said as his eyesmethers.
His face softened and he leaned on the counter a bit closer to her. With the slightest movement of his hand, he touched hers and her heart banged wildly in herchest.
She didn't know what was happening between them. She had dreamed about him for so long that being so close to him felt unreal. The butterflies in her stomach kicked into high gear and the next thing she knew, she couldn't stopbabbling.
"I really mean it," she said. "It's because of you I decided to become a musician. Before that, music was just for fun. It was then that I realized work could be fun. Every song I've ever written wasforyou."
She bit her tongue to stop herself from saying anything more as her cheeks burned from embarrassment. The last thing she wanted was for him to think of her as another crazy groupie. She knew Jude had enough ofthose.
"I mean, the drum part. I imagined you playing it," she said, trying to sound calmer than shereallyfelt.
He leaned forward a little closer and gently touched her chin and pulled her face closer to his. Lucky's heart continued its crazy rhythm as she held her breath, waiting for his lips to finallytouchhers.
He kissed her. Quickly. His lips barely brushed against hers before he pulled himself away, backing away from the counter she sat at, and crossed his arms over hischest.
"You really have to go," he saidsternly.
"Oh, well, okay then. Thanks for breakfast. I guess I should get ready to hit the road. How long is it toDallas?"
"About twelve hours, just a bit longer than ourlastleg."
"At least we get the night off," she said. "Thanks for letting me spend the night. And I'm sorry about barging in onyouand--"
"Forgetaboutit."
She didn't want to leave Jude, but she knew she couldn't stay. Lucky wasn't paying attention to the time, but she knew they'd have to meet for the bus soon. As she left Jude's hotel room, her mind swam with questions for him she knew he'd neveranswer.
Jordan surprised her as she entered thesuite.
"Where have you been?" Jordan asked, her arms folded over her chest. "I can't believe you were out all night. Your mom called me last night and I had to lie to her. What is going on with you? This isn't like youatall."
"Geez, calm down. I spoke to my mom. Even she wasn't as crazy as you." Lucky plopped herself down on the couch. "I really need to talk to you so if you'd like to get back to being my best friend, I'd reallylikethat."
"I'm sorry, but it’s not like you to just disappear all night. Are you justgettingback?"
"No, I just got up and had some breakfast,"Luckysaid.
"Where did yousleep?"
"InJude'sroom."
"Are you freaking kidding me? Doesn't he always leave with a groupieortwo?"
"Yes, or no. I don't know anymore, I'm so confused. We need to talk, I need the other half of my brain,"Luckysaid.
"Well, we don't have time now. Stan wanted to leave early, remember? You can tell me on the bus. I've been packing your things too. I don't know why you unpack so much for anovernight."
"Crap! The bus. I told Ross and Mark they could ridealong."
"Who? Ugh, those guys, your groupies? Seriously, what's wrong with you?" Jordanasked.
"It was Kat. She just kept pushing and I couldn'tsayno."
"I gotta teach you to grow a backbone one day. I think you're going to need it if you stay in this business. Besides, who gives a crap about what Katwants?"
She knew Jordan was right and admired that her friend always seemed so tough even though she knew how sensitive she really could be. Looking at Jordan in her leggings and an oversized plaid men's shirt, she realized she didn't have the sadness she had when she left her last night bythebus.
