The Low Notes (19 page)

“
It was everything it should've been, everything it would've been, had we met another day. You're so charming and amusing, see. Blinding me with fantasy, but the cruelest joke's on me.”

Nina’s eyes never left Kevin’s and she sang only to him. And just as it happened in the halls and in the classroom so many times before, every other person in the room faded away. Only Kevin remained. The music built and the look on Kevin’s face made it clear he knew she was only looking at him and that he recognized the words as her poem. But he'd yet to hear the rest. The part she wrote hoping it would be true. Now that it was she could sing it with pride and power.

“
When it's meant to be, it's meant to be. It feels right and easy. Don't let me go, just say you'll stay, all I need is one more day
.”

Her hands gripped the microphone and she noticed she was no longer shaking. Her voice ripped out of her as she continued and the music hit its crescendo.

“
Can I wait, can I be strong, can I change your mind with a song? I know you're scared, but you've got to choose. Baby we've got nothing left to lose.”

Her hand reached out to him in her passion-fueled performance. Through the blinding spotlight, all she could see was him.

“
Let's be everything we could've been, everything we should've been, had we met another day.”

Chapter Forty-One

The curtain fell hiding her from him in a moment when he wanted nothing more than to see her face. She’d singled him out of the crowd and told him with her eyes that he was the one. Every moment they’d shared so far had brought them here. A certain excitement filled him knowing even with her direct gesture toward him, it was still their secret. As far as the rest of the audience knew, even Jeff who sat right next to him, she was just a great performer. But Kevin knew better. She’d been lost in that song and he’d been lost in her eyes.

The first act was finished and the lights in the auditorium came up to a dim glow. He leaned to Jeff and mumbled something about getting some air before scooting his way out of the row of seats and to the back of the theater. The lobby was swarming with people talking and buying concessions and flowers. Kevin swooped in to the shortest line and bought the largest bouquet. They were ridiculously over-priced but it was worth it to him.

With roses in hand, Kevin trekked back to the bustling music hallway where students were running from room to room, some changing their hair, some slipping into different shoes. He tried to blend in, to go unnoticed. Then he saw her as she walked with the grace of a ballerina through the mess of teenagers to the door at the far end of the hall. He watched as she looked left and right before entering then shut the door behind her. She hadn’t seen him down the hall from her. He followed quickly behind her and soon he was standing at the door, holding the flowers at his side when he knocked. The students were all filing back into the classrooms and into the stage wings ready for the next half of the show.

His heart jumped when the door opened a crack and then wider, the weight of the door opening it rather than Nina’s hand. Kevin peered in more boldly then stepped in and shut the heavy door of the room he had only been in once before. He gasped unexpectedly when he saw her.

She sat on the pillow-topped stool in front of an old style vanity. She was leaning forward, close to the mirror, as she smoothed a tissue over her cheeks, fixing her makeup. However, the most shocking sight was the amount of skin he could see. She'd changed out of her dress and into a black pencil skirt but she hadn’t yet put on a blouse. He stood with his back against the door staring dumbly at Nina in her bra and skirt as she pulled on her eyelashes. He’d dreamt of seeing her like this but he never imagined she'd be able to take his breath away.

Nina whipped around when she noticed him in the mirror, the spidery false eyelash left hanging, obstructing her view of him. She folded her arms across her nearly bare chest and stared at him in disbelief. Embarrassment washed over him immediately and he looked away, turning his back to her awkwardly.

“
Oh God. I thought you were James. No one knows I’m in here but him. I‘m not supposed to be changing in here,” Nina laughed the words as she searched the surrounding area for her top.

“
I...I saw you come in here. I’m sorry. I can leave,” his voice quaked.

He felt her touch him, taking the flowers from his hand that hung limp at his side. He turned to see she'd given up the search for her shirt. She was still half dressed but now she stood before him unabashedly. Kevin tried to keep his breath shallow, to not give away how she was making him pant.

He watched as she brought the flowers up to her face and breathed in the scent of them while staring up at him through her black lashes. Nina pursed her lips and their eyes met as she continued to smell the roses. He felt his brow furrow as he gazed upon her.

“
What’s wrong?” she asked him.

“
You’re beautiful,” he said with a sigh.

“
Why does that make you sad?” she asked, this time her voice fading into a whisper.

“
I’m not sad,” he said, letting his hand come up and cup her cheek, his thumb running smoothly near her lips. “I’m terrified.” Nina instantly dropped the roses to the hard vinyl floor and reached up to take Kevin’s face in her hands. His hand fell from her cheek and he hesitantly grasped her waist, his fingers resting on her bare flesh. Both of their heads whipped towards the door as they heard booming applause and the start of a song. The second act had begun.

****

Nina knew no one was in the hall outside the door and now that Mrs. Benson had started the show without her, no one would be coming by until the end of the show. This was her chance. From the moment Kevin had first Nina kissed her, she’d wanted nothing more than to be with him. Before she could push herself up on her toes to make her lips meet his, Kevin stepped into her causing her to walk backward a few steps until she was pressed up against the vanity counter. The sweet scent of his hot breath near her face made her weak. She looked up at him, waiting for his next move. She thought she would have to be the one making advances, pushing him to break the rules with her. She was wrong.

Kevin snaked one arm around her bare waist and pulled her to him roughly. She instinctively leaned back against the cool mirror and wrapped her legs around his hips, causing her skirt to hike up on her thighs. He leaned in closely, her heart pounded in her ears, every part of her feeling a different emotion.

Their mouths met, fueling the forbidden fire that had burned since that first warm August night. Kevin’s hands twisted in her hair and then roamed down the length of her. He caressed her bare back and her neck while their lips moved in harmony. Nina’s warm tongue slipped into his mouth and he crushed her lips with the fervor of a man on the brink.

Her hands gripped his solid arms, pulling him closer each time he even slightly pulled away. The tips of her fingers drew lines down his torso until she reached the hem of his shirt. She tugged it over his head and then stared in awe of his physique before pulling him close again. The amazing feeling of skin on skin, being chest to chest made them both stop for a moment.

Nina wanted him to take her, to undress her and give into temptation. She could feel he wanted it too and with one hand, she reached between them and began tugging at the button on his jeans. The zipper slid down with ease and upon hearing the sound, she felt Kevin’s hands slid up her thighs and under her skirt. His thumbs hooked around her panties and Nina let a moan fall from her lips, begging for him to tug them down. Kevin heard the tiny noise and stopped quickly, his hands still up her skirt, his breath coming out in huffs.

“
What are we doing?” Kevin asked, knowing very well what they were doing.

She smiled dreamily and smoothed her hand over the fabric of his exposed boxers. “Whatever we want.”

She felt him pull away and he ran a hand through his mahogany hair, picking up sweat from his brow and dragging it through the strands. His head bent down as he huffed.

“
No, not like this. This isn’t...” he trailed off, unable to make a point more eloquent than that. Whatever he thought, it didn't matter to Nina. She wanted him for all the right reasons and nothing should stop them.

“
It’s okay Kevin. I...I love you.” The words finally slipped out. Before she had time to process it, she saw Kevin staring at her blankly.

“
What?” his lips stayed parted as he waited for her to respond but Nina dared not repeat herself. She was at her most vulnerable and she knew instantly after she made such a heartfelt confession, he wouldn't be saying them back. She felt sick at her stomach thinking about all the time she’d waited to tell him.

Nina shook her head and let her legs loosen around his hips, sliding limply to either side of him. Her slender hands pushed at his chest and he backed off with the slightest shove from her.

Kevin stood speechless and shirtless in the small dressing area watching as Nina slid off the vanity and scrambled to find her top once more, this time determined. The audience applauded loudly making Nina stop for a moment to look at the door. She yanked her shirt over her head and smoothed it down the front of her. He was still staring at her in disbelief. She went for the door and he stopped her, placing his body in front of her as a block.

“
Move please, I...I have to go,” the words stumbled through her.

“
We have to talk about this,” he breathed.

“
There’s nothing to say, Kevin. Just let me go,” she yelled, tears threatening behind her eyes. She pushed passed him and put her hand on the door and he pulled her back around by her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. Her eyes were brimming with tears as she stared up at his confused face.

“
You can't...” he started.

Nina shrugged her way out of his grasp and paced back into the small room.

“
You have to understand...” he tried again and she cut him off.

“
No, you understand. We stopped fighting it, we gave in. I gave in and I fell. This is bigger than both of us. It’s bigger than this school and this stupid town. I won't apologize and I won't take it back,” Nina shouted at him.

His hand reached out to wipe the tears from her face when she slapped his hand away angrily then wiped her tears herself. Kevin stared at her in silence. He stepped to her and Nina recognized the look in his eyes. It was the look he gave her before each time he’d kissed her since that first kiss. It was a look of pain and regret, as if he were telling himself 'no' a thousand times as he bent down to reach her lips.

Nina held up her hand to him and turned her face.

“
No. Figure it out, Kevin.”

She forced her words, proving to him she was serious. She pushed passed him and flew out the door, leaving him staring at the floor, shattered roses lying beneath his feet.

Chapter Forty-Two

Nina waited in the wings watching as the finale of her senior concert went on without her. It was fitting, she figured, her life had been going on without her for a while now. She knew enough time had passed for Kevin to have left the dressing room so she headed back that way to gather her things.

She opened the door and was shocked to see Todd standing there waiting patiently for her. He turned at the noise of the door and grinned widely at her. He was the last person she wanted to see. Her makeup was smudged from crying, her clothes were rumpled from her encounter with Kevin and she clearly hadn't made it to the pit for the second act.

“
What are you doing here?” she asked as she starting putting her makeup into her bag.

“
Don’t play coy, Nina,” he smirked. “I heard you loud and clear. That’s why I’m here,” he said, leaning against the vanity she'd just leaned against with Kevin over her.

She continued packing up her things as she tried to figure out what Todd was talking about.
Of course
, she thought. Blinded by not only the spotlight, but her feelings for Kevin, she'd sung out her solo directly to Kevin and even reached for him in the crowd. But who'd been sitting just behind Kevin? Todd Dawson. He must have thought she was singing to him.

“
Come on, Todd. It was just a song,” she laughed nervously as she put her first act dress on a hanger, avoiding his eyes at all costs.

She felt his hand brush her hair behind one ear and she faced him in amazement. Her eyes fixed on him and she felt anger seething just below the surface. After dealing with Kevin and his boyish flaws, she wasn’t in the mood to deal with Todd’s lothario act.

“
Get out, I have to change,” she said sternly.

An even wider, devilishly smile fixed itself on his lips.

“
I could stay. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before,” he said.

She glared at him, sadness filling her unexpectedly as she thought about what a shame is was that she wasted her body on Todd when she could have waited for someone she truly loved. She wouldn’t think his name though. If she started regretting everything she could’ve saved for Kevin, she'd drive herself mad. Her head turned slowly and she grabbed the first thing she saw, a can of hairspray. She reared back and chucked it hard at Todd and watched as he ducked just in time. The can hit the floor with a hard smack and Nina noticed the roses Kevin had brought her still laying where they had fallen.