Eternal Flame (Eternal Flame #1) (9 page)

“You say you graduated this month?” he asked her, frowning down at the ringing phone in his pocket.

“Yes.”

“So, what are your plans? Are you going to college?”

“No. Joy is but-“

“Joy?”

“The other winner.”

He nodded. “Oh.”

“I always wanted to be a writer. I’ve been writing since I was a young girl. I also enjoy acting. I’m really into theater and I’d love to be on Broadway one day.”

“Well, that’s attainable. If you work hard enough. You never wanted to go to school for that?”

“No. I want to do it the organic way. Just wing it. Outside of those things, I really don’t have anything else I want to do.”

“You want to stay in Charlotte or are you thinking of relocating somewhere else?”

“I honestly don’t know Roman. I know it sounds bad but I haven’t really thought about it.”

“It doesn’t sound bad. Sometimes it takes people a while to figure out what they want.”

His penetrating eyes held hers.

I’ve wanted you since I was 13. Do you count?

“You have any other plans for your birthday?” she inquired. “Besides the party, I mean.”

“No. I’ll probably just chill out around here. Maybe watch Netflix or something.”

“You don’t have anything going on all weekend?” He shook his head no. “If you don’t mind me saying, don’t isolate yourself. I don’t think you should be alone.”

He quietly looked at her.

“Mind if I say something else?”

“Have at it.”

“I don’t know what’s going on with you but from what I’ve gathered it’s pretty bad. I know it’s none of my business but your family and the guys really care about you, and I can tell they want what’s best for you. You’re going through whatever and they’re being really patient and loving with you because they feel that’s the best way to handle it. I think you should cut them some slack. Make more of an effort to be gracious and patient with them in return. You have a network of people around you that love you so much they are willing to suffer relentlessly so you can suffer less. Don’t take that for granted. It’s not easy to find and so many people don’t have that.”

Roman continued to stare at her, seemingly untouched by her unwarranted advice.

“I’m sorry if I spoke out of turn.”

“You didn’t.”

He didn’t say anything else so she dropped it and turned back to the gorgeous city view.

“You want something to drink or something?”

The wind blew Kristen’s hair in her face and she pushed it away with the back of her hand, glancing back over at him. “No, I’m fine.” Her insides vibrated at how he was looking at her. His eyes seemed to follow the movement of her hand, all the way over to her hair. His eyes slightly narrowed as they caressed the top of her head to her lower back where her hair lay.

And that’s when the phone started ringing again.

Roman irritably sighed and yanked the phone out of his pocket, scowling as he looked at it. “I’m sorry. I need to get this. Can you excuse me for a moment?”

“Sure.”

“I won’t be long. If you want something to drink, just help yourself.”

Without another word he turned and went back inside the house, his phone pressed to his ear as he whispered sharply. Kristen’s eyes stayed on him until he rounded the corner by the dining room and disappeared. She remained outside for a bit then went back in, walking around. Making her way over to the keyboard, she ran her fingers over the keys; then turned it on and played a few notes. Her ears strained in the direction Roman had gone but she couldn’t hear anything.

She ruefully sighed and continued tinkering with the keyboard, pushing different buttons to play an array of sounds and instruments. Soon, her phone stared ringing as well. She walked over to the couch where she had laid her purse earlier and pulled it out. She gratefully sighed when she saw Joy’s name popping up on the screen. She promptly answered.

“Joy, it’s about damn time. Where the hell you been?”

“Bitch, I haven’t heard from you all afternoon either. Did you forget you had a best friend or something?”

“I didn’t want to bother you. I figured you were still being a slut, having fun with the two Foster men.”

“Well, I’m only with one of them now.”

Kristen took her earring out of her ear and placed it in her purse. She walked back over to the keyboard and resumed tinkering. “Which one?”

“Damian. But I’m supposed to see Beau later.”

Kristen stopped and put a hand on her hip. “What?”

“It’s a long story girl. I’ll have to tell you about it.”

“So what are you guys doing?”

“We grabbed a bite to eat and went down to Carson Beach. We didn’t get in the water or anything; we just sat on the sand and talked. It was really nice.”

Kristen walked around to the dining area looking for Roman. “Where are you guys now?”

“On the way back to the Deans’ house. Damian had to stop by his mom’s for a moment. I’m in the car.”

“You didn’t want to go inside and meet her?”

“You know I don’t do good with boys and their moms girl.”

Not seeing Roman, Kristen sighed again and went back to the keyboard. “You like him?”

“Yes. Even more, I like him, like him.”

“That’s good.”

“But I also like his brother.”

Kristen rolled her eyes skyward and sighed. “Why do you have to make your life so difficult?”

“Me? Weren’t you whining about Nick, Diego, and Alex at the Deans’ house? You have me beat in the whore department honey. Mom would be proud. Speaking of which, which one of them are you with now?”

“Neither.”

“Where are you?”

Kristen paused for effect and rubbed her short, pert nose. “Roman’s house.”

Kristen imagined Joy’s long, wild curls standing straight up on top of her head. “Shut the fuck up!”

“I’m serious I am.”

“When the hell did that happen?”

“It’s a long story too.”

“So he came back?”

“With much pressure from his family yes. It was crazy for a minute but-“

“Crazy how?”

“He’s been kinda weird and moody.”

“Well, I hear he’s going through a lot.”

“Yeah that’s what I got too. You hear what happened?”

Joy paused. “No.”

Kristen had a feeling Joy was lying but didn’t press her on it. She figured she could ask her about it later when they were alone.

“So,” Joy excitedly began, “you’re at his house. How is it?”

“Gorgeous. Ritzy. But classy.”

“All alone with Roman Dean like you’ve been dreaming about for years. Are you going to fuck him?”

“Joy!” Kristen screeched.

“I know you want to.”

“Trust me that is nowhere near on our radar. You’re worse than your mother.”

“My mother didn’t raise me with-“

“Morals, I know,” Kristen deadpanned, shaking her head. 

“Look Damian is coming back to the car. We’re on our way back so I’ll see you at the house. I want all the details when I see you too girl. Are you guys going to be there on time?”

“I’m assuming so yeah.”

“Can’t wait! See you!”

“Bye.”

Kristen hung up the phone, feeling lonely. She couldn’t wait to see her best friend. She had so much to tell her. She definitely couldn’t wait to see what kind of trouble her adventurous friend had gotten herself into by trying to hook up with two brothers.

Kristen looked up at the mirror above the keyboard and checked her hair, happy to see it was still flawless and in place in spite of the wind. She grabbed her purse from the couch and went back to the mirror. Taking her compact out, she reapplied her makeup and bright red lipstick. She also popped a mint in her mouth to ensure her breath stayed fresh. Placing her purse back in on the couch, she glanced over at the CD player on the wall unit and walked over to it, eager to peruse Roman’s music collection. There was a CD that said “Untitled” sitting on top of the player and she curiously picked it up and looked at it. Under the “Untitled” was the initial R. She wondered if it was something new of Roman’s.

Pressing the open button on the player, Kristen took out the CD that was in it and replaced it with the “Untitled” one. She pushed play. A slow, seductive tempo filled the room. It was instrumental and it was beautiful. Kristen stood in front of the wall unit, listening to it with her eyes closed. The music filled her soul and caressed every orbit of her body. She found herself being swept away by the melody and began sexily swaying to the beat.

“You like it?”

Kristen almost jumped out of her skin.
Got-damnit
! This dude needed to wear bells around his neck to warn people when he was coming.

She turned around to see Roman standing directly behind her. “It’s pretty,” she breathlessly said embarrassed that he’d seen her gyrating. “Is it new?”

He shook his head. “I started working on it about two years ago but I haven’t found the right words to finish it. I haven’t been writing anything really. I’ve had a block I can’t get rid of. It’s difficult. Especially for someone like me who’s used to writing all the time.”

“Yeah that sucks. I hate that. What’s it about? The song?”

He thought for a moment. “I don’t really know. When I started, I just had the bridge. That was about love. I can’t figure out what should come before or after that.”

Kristen eagerly looked at him. “Can I hear it? With the lyrics?”

He hesitated for a moment. “Sure.”

He walked over to the keyboard and Kristen followed closely behind him. She stood to the side of him and was surprised when he placed her in front of him. Her eyes caught his in the mirror and her heart skipped several beats. She didn’t understand why he’d moved her in front of him but she liked it.

Still standing behind her, Roman sat his glass on the keyboard then put his hands under and through both of her arms; his hands next to hers on the keys. She could hear him breathing as he began playing. Kristen’s eyes wavered as she watched him. She felt drunk off of his intoxicating smell; engrossed in the sexual heat of his body behind hers.

Again, she tried not to inhale him out loud. If she turned her head slightly and lifted her mouth, she’d be right at his lips. She fought hard not to turn her head and lift her lips.

Roman started singing and his voice was strong, clear, and beautiful.

“Nothing in my life has been the same

Since I first laid eyes on you

The world feels different, I’m ready and open

Never felt this way before, it’s scary but I like it

When I look into your eyes I realize

All that I need, all that I want, lies within you…”

His voice trailed off. Kristen opened her eyes and looked in the mirror at him. “Is that it?” He simply nodded with his eyes focused on hers. “It’s beautiful.”

“I wish I knew how to finish it.”

“It’ll come to you.” She turned to him and leaned back against the keyboard, still looking at him. His hands were still at the keys, on other side of her. He was exceptionally close. “What inspired you to write it?”

“A relationship.”

Kristen held her breath. This was what she’d been waiting to hear about all day. She didn’t want to press him but she yearned to hear more.

She tilted her head and cautiously looked at him. “You want to talk about it?”

Roman shrugged indifferently and pulled back, breaking his connection with her. His voice was emotionless as he spoke. “I met a girl. I liked her. I thought she liked me. We were together a minute. It didn’t work out. It made me sad. I’m taking a while to get over it.”

“Sounds like your classic love song,” she said with a light-hearted smile.

He mildly smiled at her. Surprise stole her breath. It was the first time he’d smiled at her all day. It warmed her all the way to her toes. But then he looked away from her like he suddenly remembered he wasn’t supposed to smile. His mouth grew hard and his jaw clenched.

He grabbed his glass. “You hungry?” he casually asked as he walked towards the large kitchen.  “I could make you something. I know you didn’t get a chance to finish at the restaurant. I’m not much of a chef but I can do the basics.”

Kristen followed behind him, stopping in the doorway. She leaned against the frame and crossed her arms. “No thank you. I’m fine.”

Roman turned to her and stared at her for so long it made her uncomfortable. He looked so ill at ease and conflicted. “Kristen.”

She loved the sound of her name on his lips. It sounded like a heavenly chorus.

He closed his eyes and shook his head, running his fingers through his hair. “I want to apologize,” he softly began.  “I know I was an ass at the restaurant and I’ve been an ass pretty much all day. I’m sorry. I’m just going through some stuff. I know that’s not an excuse but sometimes I have a hard time compartmentalizing things. It makes it hard on the people I care about and love but like I said, they get it and they don’t bother me too much about it. I just want you to know it’s not about you. And it has nothing to do with you. Or this contest. I honestly was looking forward to it very much.”