Chapter 16

16

TREY

U sually, I ignore my phone when I'm working. I even leave it in the van from time to time. It's just a distraction. My friends know that I'll mostly talk to them in the evenings and on weekends, and Dad's texts are simply about the next job, or checking in.

But all Tuesday morning, I glance at my phone every twenty minutes, hoping that Electra has responded.

She hasn't.

Today's job is running some new wiring to an outdoor shed, plus updating an auxiliary fuse box. Thank goodness it's simple work, because my overloaded brain couldn't handle anything more. Also, the endless walking back and forth across the client's long back yard is kind of soothing.

By three in the afternoon, the truth is staring me in the face. I blew it .

Even though it wasn't entirely my fault that Electra's parents discovered that we are…whatever we are…I may have incurred her mother's wrath. Also, by confirming that repairs were done on the studio over the weekend, it could have led to the discovery that she was doing her own recording there.

No wonder she's not responding. She's probably furious.

My only intention was to stop things from escalating, but apparently being upfront was the worst choice I could've made.

Grr. I'm a fix-it man. All I want to do is fix this.

Pulling out my phone, I send yet another text.

For the record, I didn't tell them. I was talking to Dad about my side jobs and your parents were around the corner and overheard. I'm so sorry. I'll do anything to make it up to you. Just please, please, let me know that you're okay.

At this point I don't really expect a response, but a guy can't stop trying.

The job is almost done. All I need is a handful of connectors and a big swig of coffee. I walk out to my van, and head for my coffee flask first.

"You're an easy man to stalk driving this thing." My head spins to see Electra tapping the side of the van. "In a town this size, all a girl has to do is drive around for a few minutes, and boom, there you are."

I want to hug her tight and never let go. Instead, I set down the coffee and turn, simply opening my arms. "Are you angry, or…?"

Electra rushes into my arms, snuggling against my chest.

"Baby," I mutter, stroking her hair. "I was so scared when you didn't respond. I was terrified that you wouldn't be able to forgive me."

"I wasn't angry," she murmurs against my shirt. "Just exhausted. Frazzled. Terrified I was going to say something wrong. So I slept until I could make sense."

Chuckling, I rub her back, feeling the swell of her soft breasts pressing against me and trying to ignore the stirring in my jeans. "You smell so good, baby."

"Funny, I was just thinking the same about you." Her nose drifts across my t-shirt, breathing me in.

"You're really not angry?" I tip her chin up with a fingertip to examine her eyes closely.

"I'm not. I was freaked out at first, sure." Her eyes light up. "Dad found the music files immediately, by the way. He loved the songs."

Personally, I'm horrified, but since she seems completely fine with it, I just smile. "Of course he did. They're magical. And so are you."

She reaches up to cup my stubbled cheeks in her palms. "The songs were moderately good, I think. But when you were there for me to sing to, you brought out some kind of…I don't know. Electricity. Energy. Whatever it was…" She shakes her head. "I've only done one pass at the mixing. When all five songs are completely polished, I might consider mulling over the possibility of maybe sharing them."

I squeeze her in a hug. "Baby, I'm so proud of you."

"Trey…"

"Yeah?"

She hesitates.

"Please, baby, tell me anything. Tell me everything."

Her pretty little face tips up and down in a nod. "You're going to discover that I go quiet sometimes, if I'm afraid my words will be misinterpreted. Nonverbal, you know? We might need some kind of code so that I can let you know I'm okay but can't really talk right now. Is that cool?"

"Totally cool. We'll speak in code. Just reference a song so that I know you're okay."

She grins, looking up at me. "How about Bobby McFerrin's big hit?"

"Yeah. Don't worry indeed, we're going to be so happy together, baby. But I am going to be a little concerned if I don't hear from you at all. So, yeah… If you can't fully respond to a text, just send me that song title, or some flower emoji."

"Will do. Thanks. Um, Dad thinks you're a good man, just for the record."

"Really? Good. I want to be a good man for you." Her smile is so sexy that I'm having inappropriate thoughts about taking her in the back of the van right now. No, it's time to focus.

"I need to finish this job. It'll be about ten minutes. Then I have a small half hour job at a friend's place. Want to be my assistant?

"Sure!"

There are so many things to love about Electra. But her ability to hold a flashlight perfectly might be the crowning glory. Because it truly proves she is the light of my life.