Page 42 of Strings

“Hi,” I respond. It seems we both feel equally awkward.

“Do you have a minute?”

I point toward the doors. “I need to meet with the vendors, there’s an issue.”

“I promise I won’t take too much of your time.”

“Okay.”

He tilts his head, motioning for me to follow him. We step around the corner where there’s less commotion.

“About last night…”

“It was all my fault,” I interrupt. “I completely over-reacted. I get cranky when I’m tired, not that it’s any excuse for attempting to jump out of a moving vehicle.”

“I had absolutely no business talking to you the way I did. I was a complete ass the entire evening and I owe you an apology. You’re helping me and I promised you I’d be great to you. Instead, I’ve been a complete—what did you call me? Fucker?”

I nod, slightly ashamed. I don’t know what I expected from him, but this wasn’t it.

He continues, “Things with you are easy. You know? I think it’s because we’re not really dating and there’s no need to try to be something I’m not. What I mean is that, because we’re not really a couple, I don’t put in the effort to think before I speak and somehow, I end up being me. Which is not really that great, obviously.”

“You sent me flowers yesterday and I never even said thank you. That was shitty.”

He smiles. “Are we okay?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m going to be better to you from here on out.”

“How much longer is that, by the way?”

Amy rushes around the corner and sighs in relief when she sees me. “Talia? I’m so sorry to intrude, but the vendors…”

“I have to go.”

Sebastian nods and readjusts his garment bag in his hands. As I turn, I feel like I need to say more. I face him once again. “I’ll be listening tonight.”

He smiles. “I’d like that.”

As I follow Amy to the vendors, I feel better somehow. I thought the only way I’d feel better is if I knew I’d never see him. How is it that seeing him was exactly what I needed?

The concert goes off without any major hitches and I’m relieved when it’s over. As much as I wanted to watch Sebastian play, I never got around to it. I could hear the music, but I was too busy to get inside.

Cherese texted me and offered me a ride home, but there were so many last-minute things to wrap up, I told her to go without me. At 11:26, I finally feel like the night has come to an end.

“Amy? Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

She laughs. “You’ve been officially initiated. Good job, boss!”

“Go home, Amy. Good night.”

She motions to the parking garage. “Aren’t you coming?”

She doesn’t know I don’t have a car, so I lie. “Go ahead without me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She lingers and I have to order her to go. I want her long gone by the time I make my way to the buses. I’m pretty sure I can catch the 11:45 and be home by one if I hurry.

As soon as I’m certain I’ve given her enough time to get to the garage, I walk toward the entrance where the last security guard is standing talking on his phone. “G’night,” I say and wave to him. He waves back and I walk out the front door.