Page 36 of Raise Me Up

I drop my head to his shoulder. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you.”

“Uh oh. Is that a good thing?”

“You’re just…special.”

He drops a kiss on the top of my head. Does he hand out affection to everyone? Why don’t I like that thought? I’ve known him less than a day, and I’m already being greedy when it comes to him.

Beau slides a hand around my thigh, pulling me snug against him. “Is this okay? Sorry, I’m not good with personal space.”

I rest my hand on his forearm, stroking my fingers along his thick veins. “It’s okay. I like it.”

We end up running commentary throughout the entire game. Anytime the Cowboys make a touchdown, Beau cheers with me, lifting me off the couch and spinning me around. It’s romcom movie worthy. I’m trying not to think much about it. Those little butterflies fluttering around in my chest need to chill out.

I expect him to leave after the game, but he drags me onto his lap and rests his face in the crook of my neck. “So…you wanna tell me what’s going on with you and Liam?”

My fingers trace the outline of a lighter patch of skin on the inside of his bicep. “Nothing? We’ve known each other since we were kids.”

Beau gives me space to continue. It reminds me of how Liam would always encourage me to say more. I still question my voice sometimes, but I’m miles away from where I was growing up.

“We spent a lot of years not really talking. He was touring with Atonement. And I…had my hands full with school. Then you happened.”

I feel him smile against my skin. “Just needed a troublemaker to shake things up, huh?”

Reflecting back on his little manipulation game last night has me smiling, too. “You are trouble, aren’t you?”

He kisses the tip of my nose, riling up those foolish butterflies in my chest even more.

“He’ll come around. He’s different than I remember,” Beau says softly.

I hum in response, not wanting to sign off on hope. “Can I ask how you two…um…”

Beau chuckles. “Hooked up? I don’t even know how it happened. I caught him looking the very first show we played together. He wasn’t shy about it. I wasn’t aware he was into guys, but I leaned into it anyway, not thinking anything would come of it. A few cities later, we were makingout in the back of a venue. I was in his hotel room a few hours later. Somehow, I managed to earn a couple of repeats over the course of our tour.”

“Do you regret it?” I ask.

He drops his head back on the couch with a heavy breath. “I don’t think anyone regrets Liam. I think they hurt when they realize they aren’t gonna be the one to change him.”

I swallow, eyes dropping to my lap. “Yeah.”

After a few seconds, I ask, “Where will you go when you leave?”

“Home, probably. Phoenix.” He shrugs.

“No touring?”

Beau’s smile is weak. “Nah.”

I trace my fingertips along the veins in his arms. “What kind of music does Lithos play?”

“Progressive stuff. But I’ll let you in on a secret.”

Heart skipping, my eyes dart up to meet his. “Okay.”

“Soulful indie shit is myjam.”

My brows lift high. Maybe it’s because I haven’t heard him perform, but his edgy vibes scream heavy music. I try to picture him on a stool with an acoustic guitar, but the image won’t fully materialize in my mind.

“See, I knew I’d get that reaction. I was raised on country music. Artists who pour their hearts into stories. Songs are short. Why shouldn’t we make each word count?”