Free The Redemption by S. L. Scott

knee, I say, “Maybe. I might need some more time with that too.”
    His drumsticks pause and he says, “Time is something we take for granted.”
    “I think I know that better than anyone.”
    The beat continues as he starts up again and says, “I lost my dad when I was eight years old.”
    Taken by surprise by the admission, I exhale. I knew his dad had died before I met him, but I didn’t know Dex was so young. My heart thumps in my chest and I place my hand over his hand, stilling his rhythm. His sticks stop and he takes them in one hand, then covers mine with the other.
    A guy opens the door and I pull my hand away reflexively. He says, “Sound check is up. The new snare is on the kit and tested, but they want final approval.”
    I lay back and push Dex up. “Go. I’ll be around later after the show.”
    With that smile that drives me wild, he asks, “You sure you don’t want to join us on stage?”
    “I’m positive. Thanks for the offer though.”
    I watch his ass as he walks out the door, simply because he has a great ass. Then I kick my feet up on the coffee table and drop my head back while closing my eyes. The panic has subsided and my heart becomes all mushy thinking about his sweet gesture. Shaking my head, I smile. Dex is a very unexpected, but a wonderful surprise in my life.
     

     
    I head back to the hotel to change before the show. Lara traveled to Boston on an earlier flight than us and is checked into our room already. Having her there helps keep the drunken lines with Dex from blurring. She knows to hold me accountable for my actions.
    After my shower, I lay on the bed as she digs through her suitcase. With a shirt in her hands, she asks, “What do you think about the red, one shoulder number for tonight?”
    “With the dark jeans? Sexy.”
    “Black ankle boots or black shimmer heels?”
    “Ankle boots.”
    “Sex with Dex or kissing only?”
    I stare at the back of her head, surprised by her question, but not shocked. When she turns around, she grins with her hand on her hip. “I can tell you’re into him. You can’t hide the truth from me.”
    “I like him, but it feels self-indulgent.”
    She sits on the edge of the bed and I move over to give her more space. “Since when is happiness self-indulgent?”
    “You know what I mean.”
    “Yes, I do, but here’s the reality. You are a single woman, whether you wanted to be or not. It’s been years. You don’t have to forget, but don’t do your heart the injustice of never letting it race again either.”
    “What will people say if Dex and I do end up dating?”
    “What people? Because everyone that is important in your life wants you to be happy. If it’s happy with Mr. Smooth and Sexy, then even better.”
    “You think he’s sexy?”
    “God, Rochelle. You were totally right. He’s hot, hotter than even I remembered and I remember him being pretty damn hot. I think his old hairstyle, that ratty bandana, and sunglasses hid that sexy man for too long.”
    “He smells good too.”
    Her eyebrows shoot up. “Oh really?”
    “Yep,” I say, nodding. “He does.”
    She giggles and that makes me giggle too. It feels good to talk to someone about Dex. It feels good to be unburdened from the guilt that’s weighed me down for so long and just feel giddy again.
    “Did you sleep with him yet?”
    No one knows of our one night years ago, except Tommy, and I’m not telling now. “Lara!”
    “I’ll take that as a yes. I’m not judging by the way. I’d drop my panties for those captivating brown eyes any day.”
    She gets up and grabs the red top again.
    To move this topic along to something else, I say, “We need to leave in thirty if we’re gonna make it to the show in time.”
     

     
    Johnny looks back at Dex sitting on his pedestal as he beats down the end of the song on his drum kit, closing the show. Dex gets up, walks to the edge of the stage and the crowd goes nuts. He launches the drumsticks into the audience and I