Bottle Rocket - Six
Five
Intermission II
Relationship: Tommy Lee! AU x black!OFC “Ezra”
Warnings: time jump, graphic language, still mild on the smut—kissing/making out, soft Tommy, 18+
A/N: This chapter is pretty long but we had some ground to cover. I really do love these two…glad I finally got this chapter out.
Tommy anxiously paced back and forth in front of his guitar resting along the wall, flicking at his lighter in the silence. Cigarette perched tightly between his thinned lips, he flicked and flicked, but only sparks produced from the cheap lighter. God he needed this smoke so damn bad, but seemed like the universe was against him.
“Shit.” He hissed as he chunked the dead lighter down to the floor, fisting his hair out of frustration. He needed a cool head before he had to share a stage with her. In the thick of one of their fallouts, they hadn’t spoken in days, and they needed to squash this for the sake of their set. The show won’t be any good if they aren’t getting along. Huffing a hard annoyed sigh, Tommy rested his head back on the cool brick and closed his eyes. He really couldn’t stand fighting with Ezra. Sometimes it seemed like that was all they do.
“Here.” A flame cupped by her hand was presented before him shutting down. He’d heard her coming, but didn’t want to acknowledge her just in case she was coming to pick a fight. Casting his black eyes down at her, he dipped his chin toward her light and she smiles softly. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch.”
Pinching the filter, he snatched his cig away and inhaled a long drag. “Oh, so we’re talking now?” A stream of smoke floated into the space between them.
Ezra carelessly shrugged, “Suppose it’s about time.”
His brows pinched, eyes narrowed. “Minutes before we gotta go play…”
“Better late than never.” She tut resting her back on the wall next to him.
Tommy scoffed as he ashed his cigarette, shook his head. “Okay Ez.”
She would…his eyes rolled, and inhaled a long smooth, meditative breath of toxins into his lungs. She loved to torture him with her pettiness. Such a shithead. They fell silent as the smell of tobacco filled the hall, trying not to sit with their negative thoughts so they could seriously move on. This fight wasn’t as bad as their others, but he had really pissed her off. Ezra only waited until before the show to talk because she was finally over what he’d done. And since she was over it, it was time for him to sincerely apologize for his huge fuck up.
“Soooo,” she eyed him upside his head, folded her arms, “are you gonna say sorry or…”
Tommy’s lit cigarette went flying through the air as he shouted, “I did already!”
“No, no. Not in your Tommy way…” her finger wagged, “for real this time. Not that, ‘aw c’mon Ez…it’s not like I read your diary’ bullshit you fed me.” She mocked him in her usual derpy voice he hated.
“Like I said before. If I would have known the lyrics were private--,”
“I’m not…” Ezra cut him short, “I’m not doing that again. I just wanna hear you actually say the words, ‘I’m sorry’ before we go on stage. That’s all.”
Tommy folded his lips with a big breath, mustering up the dignity to actually apologize but…he’s not good with that. Has never been. Hence the backhanded apology that she annoyingly made fun of. He meant it though; if he would have known, he would have avoided all this bullshit. If the song was something she didn’t want him to see, she shouldn’t have left her notebook out on his bed. If he would have known that’s where she was storing all her resentful feelings, he wouldn’t have bothered flipping through the pages. The way she reacted when he played it…he’d never seen Ezra blow up on him like that before. Tommy really thought she’d love what he came up with but she damn near wrung his neck over how fucked up he was for going through her shit.
There was something special about the song though. Her words, her feelings, really captivated him. Moved him in a real fucked up way. The chords flooded him as he read the destructive poetry. He would have been a fool not to bring his manic creative thoughts to life. No matter the consequences. So yeah, maybe he was a little sorry for disrespecting her, but he did it for the good of the band. For the love of the music.
She shrugged her shoulders with a dry sigh. Ezra knew her bestie too well. He could never nut up when needed. Like this was easy for her? She wanted to stay mad, but she had to eventually admit to herself that the song was fuckin amazing. It wasn’t the first time Tommy was effortlessly in tuned with her. Why their shit was so complicated. Those thoughts were written out of pure bitterness, thoughts she would never willingly say to his face. So the song, at first, made her feel naked. Her jagged heart exposed to the man who made it so. But then after over a dozen listens, the song was like a weight off. Tommy, somehow, took her emotions and executed them so well through his distorted guitar, she almost believed he understood how he’d hurt her. The silent treatment was more for her than him. It gave her time to deal with her sick feelings, and come to terms with the fact that he pinned her down so well without even trying. Shit was wild, and it made her feel too bare. What made it worse is that…he didn’t seem to care how brutal her words were. Were her feelings so easy to ignore? How could he not feel some type of way?
She pointed, “if I can put my pride to the side to come talk to you T…”
“Sorry.” Tommy hung his head and softly grumbled, tapping the ash off his shortened cig. But instead of immediately accepting his weak apology, she cupped her hand around her ear with a crooked smirk. He mustered up a big breath, spoke up, “I’m sorry Ezra…”
“That’ll do.” Pleased, she chuckled and patted him on the chest just before she retreated back down the dark hall. Time to get this show on the road. “Let’s open with that song by the way. It’s pretty good…you’re still an asshole...”
Her words echoed back at him shaking his head with a small smug grin, dropping his stained cigarette butt to the ground and stomping it out with the toe of his Chucks. He’s always the asshole, but that’s okay because she liked the song like he knew she would. Honestly, he loved being the asshole, because she loved that about him too. No matter how much he pissed her off. Tommy grabbed his guitar by its neck and followed closely behind, inhaling her trailing scent with a soft sigh. Already on the same brainwave, he knew her explosive song was the perfect way to start their set.
“Whatever you say, front woman.”
Ezra whipped her chin back over her shoulder with a crooked smile, a playful glare, and Tommy’s stomach flipped as he stifled a wicked grin. He loved calling her that when she was being bossy.
“Oh shut the fuck up.”
Jas’s taunting fills Ezra’s car speeding down the road headed to Tommy’s. “You’re going to his house! Can’t believe you’re going to his fuckin house!” She shrills, beyond thrilled by the news he invited her over.
So much for the pep talk she called her for. She needed reassurance that she wasn’t making a mistake, not to be ridiculed. “You’re so not helping Jas.” She groans as she sternly grips the steering wheel.
“Not trying to,” she delightfully giggles. What else would she expect? “Oh man…this is perfect. You and him, alone in his studio, doin y’all’s thing.” Her whimsical sigh makes Ezra’s eye twitch. “Y’all are sooooo gonna fuck. On the floor as some old song of yours plays over all y’all’s sex noises…HAAWWWT.”
“Fuck you Jas. I have no intentions of fuckin him on the floor of his studio.” Even though the idea had her going a little. That sounds like something that would happen…and it does sound pretty hot. Jas knew she’d like that shit that’s why she said it, grinning at the thought of Ezra in the car fuming.
“I want a full blown erotic play by play.” She laughs knowing she’s getting under her best friend’s skin. “How he pins you against the soundboard, staring you down with those puppy dog eyes like he used to back in high school, dying to take you like he’s always wanted…”
“Uuugghhh dude shut up!” Ezra grips the steering wheel tighter trying to erase away the visions that flash across her mind. “You’re seriously not helping! I’m almost at his house!”
“Like I said, not trying to.” Jas laughs and laughs, getting her fill. Anything’s bound to happen and that tickles her to her core. She knows her friend, knows she’s weakening, and that makes all her protests a hundred times funnier. “Hit me later. And remember, I really want to feel like I’m in the room.”
“G’bye bitch!” Enough of that. Ezra slams her hand down on the call button to hang up in Jas’s face. So annoyed that she’s now going into this with inappropriate thoughts in mind. There’s no telling what Ezra’s about to walk into so she didn’t need to assume. Especially after what happened on her bedroom floor?
Tommy wouldn’t say much about why he was summoning her over to his place out of the blue, but she had a good feeling he was going to want to talk about that kiss. And more, most likely. Was she ready for that? Hell, she was hardly ready to be in a band with him again and look…
This was too much. Being around him again was just way too much for her. Her emotions erratic, her thoughts much more scattered than they had ever been. They haven’t even gotten down to the thick of their issues yet, and they’ve made out! Like what the fuck?! That was the kind of effect he had on her. Had he not been all up on her, up under her neck and shit, whispering that sexy gravelly sleepy voice in her ear with those lips it wouldn’t have happened. Had she not invited him over…
Ezra pulls up into his long driveway, parks behind his Camino, and bangs her head against the steering wheel. That morning was a mistake…a moment of pure weakness. Caught up in nostalgia, and his affectionate touch…those fuckin puppy dog eyes. Ezra bangs her head one last time before she pops her car door open, groaning as she takes a step out into the evening sun. Between Jas’s words and the way that kiss made her feel and her anxiety, she’s feeling…weird…in a way. God…they sooooo might fuck…
Tommy literally can’t contain himself, pacing around with a silly smirk awaiting her arrival. He’s beyond elated to have Ezra in his house considering he’s most likely about to piss her off with the news as to why she’s there. She’d never even seen his place before, so he felt like he had something to brag about. Especially his beautiful studio he built himself. Tommy always envisioned her recording in his booth one day. Ever since that morning on her bedroom floor, he’s been feeling…different. And watching her at practice made him feel certain about a few things. Although they had so much of their shit to sort through, he’s so damn happy she’s back in his life. It was time.
As she paces the porch, Ezra gnaws at her nail, stares at his front door. Ring the doorbell, she tells herself, knock something. She shakes her head; she can’t. What awaits her on the other side scares the shit out of her. Another kiss. Another fight. Another close encounter. Why does he make her life so fuckin difficult. Fuck it, she quickly raps at his door and impatiently waits for him to let her in. Tries not to turn on her heel and make a run for it. But if he takes another minute to come to the door, he just might catch her heading for her car. She glances back at the driveway, weighs her options but then, the door clicks open, and there he is in all his glory.
Tommy’s smiling so hard. “Hey.”
“Uh hi,” Ezra twitches an uneasy grin as she takes an awkward step inside, darting her big eyes all around. “Oh my god your place is fuckin huge.”
Way bigger and nicer than hers that’s for sure, but what else should she expect? Tommy had reached the level of success he thrived for, so of course he was going to ball out a bit. Ezra’s in complete awe as she slowly spins and takes it all in. The Punk Prince finally had built his castle.
“Eh it’s not too bad…” He shuts the door chuckling at the way her big brown eyes scan his massive living room, stare up at the vaulted ceiling. “Would you like a tour?”
Uh hell yeah, she thought as she slowly nods still gawking. How could she not? Looking back at Tommy, her shoulders shrug like, “sure...” She didn’t want to come off too eager to get a look at his big ass house.
And so the tour began. Tommy excitingly guides her around from room to room, going on and on about how he built it all from the ground up, and all the logistics and visions that went into his dream home. And Ezra intently listens, smiling at how absolutely dorky he looks rambling about his interior decorating and Feng Shui, genuinely impressed. His house was beautiful, so him in every way. She’d never seen him so candid, so excited over something like this before. His first apartment was a crummy studio in some sketchy complex. So to see all of this, for Ezra, was a little mind altering. This wasn’t what she expected. This was a side of Tommy she’d never seen before and it was refreshing…a little charming. It made her feel…more things…
As they approach a burnt red door, Tommy’s smile extends beyond his ears and she curiously frowns. What’s behind this door that’s got him so enthusiastic? She isn’t too sure if she wants to find out.
“Whyyyy are you being weird…?”
His eyebrows wave. “Because something’s special behind this door…”
Tommy proudly swings the door open and presents his gorgeous studio. Ezra guffaws in complete awe as she steps inside. Now his studio…this she kinda remembers. Tommy used to always talk about what kind of studio he wanted if ever had the money to build one. And it’s exactly like how he imagined. All the framed tour posters and pictures he’s collected from over the years that covered the walls, memorabilia from his days with his first band, his collection of guitars and amps. Even the eclectic furniture. He didn’t hold back. It truly blew Ezra away.
“Oh my God Tom.” She chortles as she gracefully takes it all in. It’s as if she’s placed right inside his brain. So much she wanted to ask, to look at. Curious if she’s anywhere in this room other than the guitar that he so proudly displays on its own.
He huffs a short laugh at her, definitely soaking up her reaction. He knows what she’s thinking. “I told you…one day…”
She scoffs a tiny grin, shrugs at a giant Led Zeppelin poster. “Yeah but…” she smiles back at him, “this is so fuckin sick.”
Beyond, and she loved that for him. Loved that she was here. All the anguish and stress that she came in with had vanished after spending time in his little world. All of Tommy’s accomplishments had changed her views. Seeing how he lived made her wonder if he had grown a bit. Ezra probably shouldn’t get her hopes up…
“Here, come sit.” He motions her to his chair, and Ezra’s back to eyeing him suspiciously as she cautiously approaches. “There’s another reason why I wanted you to see this room.”
She sits in front of his massive soundboard with all its buttons and switches. “Ok?”
He’s still smiling all big down at her wrinkled brow, still very enthusiastic for whatever’s about to happen. “Need you to hear this...”
Oh god…had he dug up some old shit of theirs? Was Jas’s fantasy about to come true? Ezra knows he still holds onto some crazy old demos, songs he should have scrapped but held onto for sentimental value so it’s plausible. As she waits for him to cue up whatever he’s trying to play, she takes a spin around in his chair and reminisces on their early days. They wrote some dope ass songs together, and some pretty dumb ones. They thought they could be Blink 182 when they couldn’t come up with anything. Good times…and she missed them, especially when she was suffering with her writer’s block. His decorative walls spin as she tries to recount all the songs they wrote. All the times he pushed her to do things she felt she couldn’t. Crazy how much they accomplished together back then.
Tommy will always be her greatest creative counterpart. Since day one, they had a wildly clear understanding of each other, which really bonded them as best friends. It was like he could telepathically hear the music in her brain somehow…always a mystery how well they meshed. They always had a feeling that they could work, but they knew what music could do to relationships. Tommy had a way of properly executing Ezra’s feelings through his fingertips. After so many years of connecting like that, how could she not fall even harder for him. No one else in the world got her like he did. She wants to believe that’s still true. He’s just going to have to show her.
Tommy rubs his hands together, retaining Ezra’s attention as she cocks her eyebrow at him back over her shoulder. His brows wiggle, signaling he’s ready and she gives him the go-ahead with a slight nod. Tap goes a button and softly his guitar fades in. Electricity fills the studio. God she missed this feeling, his sound. She suppresses a smile, bobs her head along, lets his riffs flow through her nerves. It’s new, and it’s good, she has to admit to herself as she listens, fixates on some old photo of him on stage up on the wall. Tommy carefully watches over her waiting for her to notice. But Ezra’s too focused on the melody, too lost in the image of Tommy flinging his sweaty hair through the air to recognize the lyrics. He belts out the words over his angry riffs. Ezra stares…listens…thinks. Doesn’t realize, just studies this astounding picture of him. Whoever shot it really captured a perfect moment. She really should have seen him play more back then. He looked so beautiful. Really missed out on so much resenting each other for so long. She sighs, really starts to bang her head as Tommy hits the powerful chorus. Ezra then flinches a frown, cocks her head to the side. Wait…why does this…kind of…sound familiar…?
Ezra urgently leaves the photo and comes back to Earth with a startled gasp. “Tommy!” Wait a fuckin minute! That’s…that’s her…those are her words! Her poetry! But—but she had told him! Tears fill her stunned eyes as she jerks her gaze up at him. He didn’t! “What the fuck?!”
But he’s unaffected by her outburst. Just stares into her startled eyes as her words and his guitar surround them. He just wants her to listen. And she has no choice but to. His raw sound compels her to. Why does he do this? He didn’t have to go behind her back. He could’ve just waited until she thought it over. Eventually, maybe, she would have agreed, but he didn’t even try to work her over or give her time to mull it over nothin. Ezra gets his motive, but why can’t he for once go about it differently? It’s so fuckin frustrating, to be this old and still repeating the same stupid patterns. She’s so fuckin upset, and yet, she listens closely to the demo. Locked in with him so happy with himself, mouthing along as if he’s got the song already memorized. Probably does. So irritated by his smug grin, she could punch him for creating the song anyway after she said she needed to fuckin think about it!
Tommy could read all the obscenities in her thin glare but he didn’t care, because he knows behind her anger, she’s feeling this song. If anything, she loved the track and hates that she does. Of course. This is exactly what he was expecting. He stamps down on the button just before it concludes with an unnecessary guitar solo he was feelin in the moment. They silently stare, sit with the tension, until Tommy breaks it huffing a laugh at her scowl. She’s so cute when she’s mad at him. Folding his arms he props himself up against the edge of the soundboard, crosses his ankles out in front of him.
“Look Ez, I know I fucked up…but c’mon. It’s fuckin amazing, and you know it. You know I know what you think of the song. I just…I wanted to show you that…you’re still such a fuckin amazing writer. It’s still in there…you still have it.”
Ezra massages her throbbing forehead, conflicted. “Tommy…I wrote that over ten years ago. It doesn’t mean—,”
“Yes it does Ezra.” His shoulders shrugged up to his ears. “Talent like yours just doesn’t disappear. Ten years ago or ten days ago, it doesn’t matter.” He stands tall then takes the arm of the chair and guides her towards him squatting down to explain. “No matter how brutal they were, I really couldn’t get your lyrics off my mind. How they should sound. It just flowed so easily Ez…like I can’t explain it. Like back when we were kids. So yeah, I made the song behind your back and if you’re mad, then fine. Not the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last.”
Well…fuck this guy. That threw her all the way off. She was just about ready to cuss his ass out but all that stunted her rant. How good it felt to hear Tommy say stuff like that to her again; he really could make her believe she could accomplish anything. That’s what she’s talking about when she says Tommy’s her greatest creative counterpart. Her other half. Her music soulmate. He had a way. Their creative minds back together. He’s making it a little hard to be upset when he creates just for her. When he says shit like that. Ezra sucks her teeth, inhales a big breath, softens under his happy glint. Hard to stay mad at him when he looks at her like that…and it makes her heart flutter like this…man seriously, fuck this guy…
“So…tell me, what do you think?” Tommy hums as he pats her leg, anticipating the words he’s expecting to hear. And she doesn’t want to say…
Ugh…she does love it, even more so after his little speech. But she’s so annoyed. What was she more annoyed about though: that he created the perfect song behind her back or that pinned it down so effortlessly. Ezra groans and sighs. She really doesn’t want to admit aloud how they’re still tightly bonded after everything...
“Unfortunately…I—I fuckin love it T...” Her head shamefully shakes amidst her fingertips. Hated to give him a bigger head than the one he already has but underneath it all…he fuckin killed that shit. “Fuck I really do. Like it’s really fuckin amazing…almost too perfect even…”
To hear Ezra admit he was right about everything has Tommy nearly jumping for joy, so incredibly smug and relieved. His smile’s long and wide as he squeezes her knees to push himself up off the floor. “Ugh you have no idea how fuckin happy that makes me.”
She frowns up at him gloating over her. “I’m sure…” Ezra grumbles up at that insanely cute and annoying smirk of his.
Tommy just huffs a laugh as he turns away. He shut her up real nice, and meant every word. Ezra’s still everything she just can’t see it yet. And he’s going to get her there. Crafting the song made him feel so good. Made him feel like all was right in the world again. A song hasn’t come to him like this in such a long time. Everything feels right…this feels right.
The chair swivels as her glare follows him strut across the room to grab a couple beers out of a stocked mini fridge. She still wants to fight about what he did, so she plucks her frustrations from other places to find her argument. No way she’s letting him off that easy. She can’t stand to see him so high and mighty when he’s done something pretty fucked up. And thinks he can get away with it just because she loves the song?! Tuh! That’s when out of nowhere, an old memory resurfaces about an old song of theirs and how it came to be. Her glare narrows on him twisting the caps off the ice cold bottles. That’s right…he has done this before. Why this all felt so strangely familiar. God…what was the song called again? Ezra recalls the tune, but the name won’t come to her as he comes to hand over her beer. She snatches it from his grip.
“You know…I just don’t get you…” Ezra tuts just as she takes a drink. “After all this fuckin time, you’re still up to the same ol’ bullshit…”
Tommy mutters behind the lip of the bottle, “what do you mean…”
Ezra chuffs, “Tommy, you’ve done this before! I am allowed to have secrets you know. My every thought doesn’t have to be a song lyric!”
Suddenly she’s snapped. And he’s completely baffled by her going off on him, blankly staring at her trying to figure out what she’s even talking about. “What are you on about?”
Wow…she really can’t believe he doesn’t remember that. It was a pretty big deal back then that he’d read through her stuff. Her lips smack. “Dude, you seriously don’t remember ‘Surrender,’ the first song you created behind my back?!”
Hearing that name was like a lightning strike. “Oh fuck...” Tommy chokes out in shock. That’s right…Surrender…how could he forget?! That song was…one of his all time Ezra originals. All sorts of memories, good and bad, start to rush his swimming head. All the fighting between them…all the fans singing those words. This song could be the next Surrender. Or even better. Tommy smiles as Ezra’s young voice begins to faintly fill his ears.
She never knew why he loved the fuck out of that song, because it was all about him and the fuck shit he did to toy with her emotions. So crazy he went about making it the same exact same way. Being nosey and going through one of her notebooks, looking for some creative urge and found it in her own musings about their fucked off relationship. Why hasn’t he learned his lesson?
“Dude…I wonder if I have still have that somewhere…”
Lost in his thoughts he rushes over to his laptop ready to dig through his files. Such a deep cut of theirs it’s probably in some forgotten hidden folder. Ezra didn’t like to sing Surrender too much back then. For many good reasons. But when she did, she was charged and emotional, and their fans really loved when she let those feelings out on stage. Ezra was such a force she blew everyone away when she sang that song. All thanks to her fucked off muse…
Averting her attention, she mumbles under her breath, “God I hope you don’t…”
Ezra abandons Tommy’s side and approaches one of his decorated walls to seek out any sign of their past. His keyboard and mouse click behind her slowly scanning over stills of his life, the signed posters and pictures of rockstars he’s met. She silently reacts to some legends he’s got an arm wrapped around or cheers’ing with drunken smiles. Imagines what it would have been like if she was there with him. Bet those days were good to him considering. After they…broke up, let’s call it what it was, they suffered horribly through a substantial amount of grief neither of them expected. So what they were done as a band, out of each other’s lives completely?! No, they were supposed to be best friends forever. No matter what. That’s what they promised.
Ezra softly shakes her head at Tommy grunting and frustrated with his search, passing up some tour photos when she happens to stumble on a picture that makes her do a double take. Stops her dead in her tracks. Swear she’s seeing things she hard blinks a few times but no…this is real. Their band on stage the night their dreams imploded. She could see the heartbreak in her eyes, the frustration in his shoulders. Moments before the worse set of their entire lives. What the—her body completely shuts down. Tommy quietly curses in the background. She stares at the picture in disbelief, couldn’t believe he has this picture. Not even aware a picture like this even existed! Why would he want to relive this? Frame the day they stopped being friends?
“Tommy…” Ezra slowly points a shaky finger at it, “why…why do you have this?”
“Huh?” Alarmed by the change in her tone, Tommy snaps his neck away from his laptop. But as soon as he realizes what’s got her so stuck, he sighs. She would somehow point out that damn picture out of the hundreds in here. “Well…my dad sent it to me when I told him my plans for the studio. Apparently he captured the shitty moment. Had it framed and everything. Like I’d want to hold on to this…” Approaching from behind, he softly grins at the picture over her shoulder and shrugs. “But I don’t know…it’s kinda grown on me. Now when I look at it, it makes me miss you…makes me wish things would’ve worked out differently.” Often enough, he found himself staring at it thinking back on the life they envisioned together. He could have had it all with the girl of his dreams. The thought haunts him. His gaze dances up and down her backside. “It’s the last picture of us together. A bad picture sure, but…nonetheless, us. Hate how sad you look…”
Evading that part of the conversation, Ezra abandons that awfulness and spots a different picture of Tommy backstage with his band lookin stressed and gaunt. Which reminds her of that one time she went to see him play, and the memory of his tearful eyes knocks the wind out of her all over again. She nods over at it and asks, “do you remember when I came to see you play?”
Tommy glances up at it for only a second. That wasn’t the best time for her to see him, emotional drugged out wreck and all, but he was a little relieved to see her pretty, sad face. “Yeah, of course Ezzie…”
She shakes her head at the memory of him. How fragile and miserable he looked but seemed to be living his best life at the same time. “I couldn’t believe how…different you looked. Never seen you look like that before…but to see you play? Man…it really didn’t make any sense…” Ezra heaves a hard breath to stuff her suffocating feelings back down. “You were so fucked, but you were electric on stage…beautiful even. Never seen you from that perspective…”
Their eyes anxiously meet for a moment, then urgently go back to the picture, afraid to really look at one another as they talk about one of the many things they need to.
Tommy solemnly scratches the back of his head. “Mmmm yeah. Wasn’t handling things too well so a lot of drinking and partying. Seeing you though was a little…overwhelming…” He takes her by the elbow and turns her to face him, afraid to ask if she ever saw his text that night, so he asks about the other thing that happened. “Still have my guitar pick?”
Ezra snorts, warily darts her big brown eyes. “Yeah. Somewhere.” But of course she knew exactly where that ratty Fender guitar pick was. It was one of the few pieces she had left of him so it’s treasured. Hidden away in a special place.
His big boney hand brushes the side of her face as he studies her features. Been such a long time since he’s really looked at her, and she’s just as beautiful as she’s ever been. Still the same girl from freshman English. Barely aged a day. Tommy gently sighs as he admires her scared to connect with him, and some old feelings stir round deep in his gut. It wasn’t fair that she was still this beautiful. Made it hard for him to keep himself in check.
“Ezra, you know if I could go back and do things differently…”
She nearly spazzes out in his hold, thrown off by where this conversation’s headed. Wait, he’s trying to have this talk now?! God she wasn’t ready.
“No, Tommy. Don’t.”
But he’s determined to get some of this shit off his chest, so he presses her back into the wall, looks deep into her stunned eyes. “I was so scared, of everything, and was too much of a pussy to admit that to myself. Was so afraid of losing you just to end up kicking you out of my life completely. Ez…I…I don’t even know where to begin I have so much to say…”
The second she notices him leaning in a smidge closer, she elbows her way out of his reach, gives herself some space to breathe. “We really don’t have to do this now.”
“If not now, when?” Tommy stresses as he follows her retreating steps.
Ezra violently shakes her hot head, keeps backing away from his advances. “It’ll only avalanche into soooo much other shit we need to deal with.”
Shit she wasn’t ready to dive into today! Talk about the kiss, fine—that was her cap. Stumbling upon that crazy random, heart wrenching picture is what got them here, and she wasn’t ready to talk about what that day did to her or them. She can’t reopen that wound.
Although Ezra doesn’t want to talk about it, Tommy does, so he pushes, not ready to drop the subject. “Ok, like what?”
What the fuck is this, a therapy session?! They can’t hash all their shit out now when she wasn’t even here for all this to begin with. Like what?! Like everything!
Wishing she could disappear into thin air to get out of this, she holds out a flat hand. “Tommy please. Let’s not do this. Let’s just worry about this song for now.”
He was just about tired of avoiding the inevitable, ready to get past all the bullshit. Tommy needed to know the truth of how she felt about him, instead of piecing it together through her suggestive poetry. Time to put everything on the table and see where this life could take them. Being back in each other’s lives after all this time has to mean something, right? A do over. A second chance.
“Ezra…”
“Tommy, we will get there but please…not now. Not today.”
Ezra’s firm on her stance, so he drops the topic of their past, but then there’s the other thing he’s been obsessing over. Something else she probably doesn’t want to talk about but, c’mon, they should at least make sure they’re on the same page here. Tommy didn’t mean to cross the line. In that moment, the energy felt right. He had to make his move.
“Ok so…what about the kiss…”
Fuck, her fist clenched at her side. She should’ve known he was about to bring it up, wasn’t going to get off so easily not talkin about the show. Tommy’s going to address their feelings one way or another. Whether she likes it or not.
Ezra’s shoulders slump as she groans, “What about it?”
“Really? What about it? Everything.” Tommy frowns, throws his arms out. “Ezra…we finally kissed, fuckin made out, after how long?! After how many times we’ve been so close?! We finally tasted each other and you just want to ignore that?”
Yeah, little bit. Just thinking about how soft his lips felt on hers made her squirm a little. Realizing how long she’s been wanting to kiss him was a little embarrassing. It’s weird that it took so incredibly long for this to happen. It’s so weird that this is how everything’s unfolding between them.
She anxiously crosses her arm across her chest, taps her nail against the sweaty bottle. “Yeah I know I was there T, and yeah kinda…”
Tommy takes a couple serious steps towards her nervously shifting her weight, trying not to laugh at how uncomfortable she is. So cute. “So c’mon…about our first kiss…”
Ezra holds herself tighter as those old feelings take over. She’d been avoiding them, was hoping they’d waste away in her toxic swamp, but she’s caught herself slipping into them every so often since that morning. Kissing him somehow felt like how she always imagined. Just right, like their lips were meant to meet. Natural. What should’ve been a simple peck turned into a heated make out due to their supernatural chemistry. Her insides tingle to life thinkin about the way Tommy just took her and held onto to her. Like how she always fantasized. Like he really lived in her head.
Ezra clears her dry throat. “Again…what about it…”
Well…it was really, really fuckin hot and over way, way too damn soon. The way Tommy curiously tasted her like he didn’t want to forget what it was like. Like her mouth was all he ever wanted. Starved, and finally fulfilled. If she hadn’t gotten that call from a potential client, they probably would be having a whole different kind of conversation right now.
“Well…was it good?” Tommy awkwardly asks for he’s never had to ask a girl a question like that before, nor like this one, “Like…did you feel something?”
Ezra heaves a hard breath. God does she have to actually say it? Wasn’t he there too? Didn’t he feel something? She fidgets her tense shoulders.
“I mean…yeah, like…of course Tom…”
Tommy’s amused by her hesitancy, happy to hear she’s possibly feeling the same way he is. “Really? Would you maybe…wanna do it again?”
Her heart leaps up into her throat as her eyes bulge out of their sockets. “Tommy oh my god!”
“What?! I’m not saying right now but…maybe in the near future.” A crooked little smirk Ezra rolls her eyes at creeps up his cheek.
“Dude chill…”
She restlessly waves her hands, shakes the tension out of her limbs, rubs the anguish from her brow and Tommy laughs, “are you getting bashful Ezra?”
Scoffing just as she brings her beer to her lips to take a small refreshing sip, she mutters, “no shutup,” ready to run from him again but he’s much quicker, grabbing her by the arm again so she can’t get far. Tommy gently trails his fingertips down her forearm as he tries to meet her fleeting gaze.
“No need to get shy. I felt something too…” Back exactly where she left him over by that forsaken picture, caressing her warm cheek and peering into her shaky stare, she’s stuck once again and her lungs tremble with fear. This time…there was no avoiding what’s coming. “I’ve always wanted to kiss you…” he softly whispers as he draws her near.
She can feel his lips inchin closer and closer, just dying to take her again. She wanted to, but she didn’t want to. Want…fuck…she didn’t want to want. Ezra gulps a needy whimper, mumbles, “so what took you so long?”
“Remember earlier when I said I was a pussy…” They share an uneasy chuckle, then Tommy turns serious as he brushes his thumb over her hot cheek, licks his lips as he shakes his black hair. “But…I’m not anymore because there’s no need to be. I was serious when I said I didn’t want to lose you again. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to show you that. I know I fucked everything up before by not telling you how I felt, but I really think this is my chance to be better. To try to obtain the dream we once desired. Our time apart changed me Ez. We’re supposed to be here. I’m supposed to be here with you, making our music. Making you a star.”
God he was really fuckin her up with all this…transparency. She really can’t handle it. Ezra swallows a sizable knot down her throat, completely at a loss for words. He’s never been this vulnerable with her, and she wants to believe him but she’s too damaged. He has to know that after flipping through her emotional mess of a notebook. Tommy toyed with her feelings so much back then, gave her those soft sweet eyes so many times before he pierced another tiny dagger through her bleeding heart. But as she reads his sincere gaze, it feels a little different this time. Maybe…maybe this is a good sign of what’s to come. Which made her hopeful, intrigued her a bit. Ezra knows better, knows she shouldn’t—they shouldn’t—but she really can’t help herself. Something’s…changed. Maybe…maybe he’s changed. After reminiscing over that morning in her room, and the words he just said…his eyes…she feels the change.
“You really hurt me Tommy…” she sadly whispers as she stretches her neck.
Coming in for the kill, he gradually nods and whispers in return, “I know…I’m sorry Ezzie.”
The moment their lips intersect, her bottle slips from her loose fingertips and beer spills onto the floor just as he jerks her slender hips into his. Ezra tosses her arms around his neck as Tommy guides her over to his lush vintage sofa. He falls into the seat and takes her down with him, urgently spreading her legs over his lap. Never letting go of her plump lips. Growling at the way her nails scratch his scalp. One timid hand hugs her side as the other greedily clings to her outer thigh. Tommy and Ezra sigh and whimper into one another, burning crotches grinding, wishing there weren’t layers between them. They bite and lick, curse and hiss, as their drool trickles down their overworked jaws. This is better than before. More emotional, more real. Ezra’s so blown away, so smitten with all these new sides of Tommy she’s throbbing like crazy over his hard on. Doesn’t know what’s come over her. Suddenly so enthralled with the idea of him riding him out, she rolls her hips harder into his length and Tommy groans over her tongue,
“Fuck…” grappling onto her round ass, desperately rocking his fat dick back into her. “God Ezra…”
Her fingers lock and frustratingly pull his hair, and she hisses, “shit…shit we should stop.” But she keeps teasing him with her slow winding motions, burying his dick as far as she can between her thighs.
“Fuck you’re right…we should…” Tommy moans as he goes for the button of her pants. And instead of protesting, Ezra breathlessly watches his slim fingers pry the button loose, nervously pull her zipper down. Their pants of breath loud over the quiet rip. A peek of her panties show and their eyes meet. His fingertips rest right there on her open fly, anticipating their cue to slip into her heat. They won’t dive in until she says it’s ok. His long lashes innocently blink up at her. “Don’t wanna do anything stupid...”
“No,” Ezra gulps and shakes her head, lightly kisses his parted lips, “no we shouldn’t…no matter how good it fuckin feels.” Her hips rock over his dick one last time as she catches her breath, relinquishes her hold on his scalp. They really do need to stop. Fuckin on his couch is the last thing they need to do. Although they really really reeeeaaaally fuckin want to…
Taking some deep unsettled breaths, they try to get ahold of themselves, but the longer they dare the other to make a move, the harder it is to curb their desire to rip each other apart. Tommy didn’t want to stop touching her, her skin so feverish it makes his dick ache in the best way. Bet she’s this burning hot inside her contracting walls he nearly bites back a pained moan. Ezra’s starting to enjoy the sensation of his arousal. Officially learning that she has this effect on him excites her more than she could ever imagine. Bet it feels just as good wildly throbbing deep in her belly. Just the tip—ugh no, how stereotypical but—seriously just to feel him stretch her open. They read it loud and clear in their feral gazes.
“Ezra…” he anxiously flinches under her, slightly lifting her into the air, “you just don’t know how much I—,”
‘Call me! (call me!) on the line call me call me any anytime’ abruptly interrupts his moment, and Ezra startles at the sudden vibrations in her back pocket. She totally forgot her phone was on her, let alone that it wasn’t on silent. Without a second thought she’s up on her knees reaching for it, abandoning Tommy whining and begging her not to answer. It could be her job. It could be the perfect distraction. When Ezra sees it’s their fellow bandmate calling, she takes a big grateful breath and tries to answer as normal as possible.
“What’s up G…”
“Uh hey…did Tommy ever get around to tell you about some song of yours?”
Ezra winces a frown and huffs, surprised that’s the reason he’s calling. “Uh…yeah? He told you about it?” She inquires as she turns back to Tommy still withered on the couch.
“I’m the reason he told you today and not in a few days.”
Why is she not surprised. “Oh I see…” She grumbles, her head shakes at him all horny and confused. Should’ve known that he would’ve tried to keep this from her fuckin punk ass… “Well I appreciate you…”
G was glad that Tommy was slightly prompt on telling Ezra, and that it went over smoothly or so he assumes since she didn’t sound pissed off. He’s almost a little hesitant to ask what she thought of the song, but he has to know something. “Sooo…will we get a preview at the next practice?”
Ezra’s nose slightly scrunches. “Mmmmaybe I don’t know…” She’s going to have to give it a few more dozen listens before she decides for sure. Did she really want another wound inducing song to perform? She was gonna have to sit with herself for a few days and see.
And he understands her hesitancy over producing such a vulnerable track. G just didn’t want to be held responsible for keeping such a secret from her. Somehow he knew it was personal. “Well, as long as you’ve heard it and are ok with it. That’s all I want. Tommy’s known for overstepping.”
“You know I know,” her big brown eyes roll as a firsthand witness, “but it’s pretty fuckin good honestly...” It’s still hard to come to terms with. “Think you and Sunny will like it.”
That’s all he needs to hear. “Great. Can’t wait to hear it. Talk soon.”
Just as she slips her phone away, she cuts her eyes. “You really told G before you told me?”
Tommy smacks his lips, shoves himself up off the couch. What timing G. Now he looks bad, back in some kind of trouble when he just had her in his lap. “Well not exactly. Just told I had something I didn’t want to tell you about yet. I just wanted him to hear it.”
“God you’re so fuckin annoying…” Ezra tsks, folds her arms. “If G hadn’t gotten in your ass, you were going to keep it from me.”
As he saunters over to get his hands back on her waist, he defends his actions. “Just for like a day or two…” Ezra scoffs an irritated chuckle as she leans against the mixing board. “Whaaaaat I knew you would be mad so I wanted to come with backup…” Tommy shrugs, coy grin hovering over her side eyeing up at it. Backup…sneaky bastard…
“I don’t know why we’re friends. Don’t know why I like you.”
Tommy hums a snarky grin as he drapes a knuckle down the slope of her nose. “You know why…”
Because they were destined, what she used to tell him when they were younger. Ezra tuts, resenting she ever told him that. Tellin him too much as usual and here he is using it against her after all this time.
“So…when are we going to do this?” He asks as he cautiously strokes his hand down the curve of her neck. Ezra’s lashes flutter, her eyes resisting the urge to close from his affectionate touch. He can’t mean…
“…do what exactly?” Her brows curiously pinch.
His smirk is a little mischievous, unserious and his brows suggestively jump and dance. “Get you in the booth to record.”
Ezra narrows her glare at him leaning in for another kiss and smiles, “oh…” glad he didn’t mean what she thought. “Think I’ve had enough of you today. So maybe tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow it is then…” He hums as he rolls his tongue into her mouth, squeezing the back of her neck. He already can’t get enough of kissing her precious lips, smiling against them as he presses his boner into the zipper of her jeans. “Can’t wait.”
“Oh no…we won’t be doing this tomorrow…” she points between to two them, pushing him back off her rolling her eyes and laughing, “we will be working.”
His neck still reaches for her happy lips, pawing for her until she breaks free from his hold. Tommy palms his dick as he watches Ezra straighten herself up a bit, flips her braids off her clammy neck. He bites down on his bottom lip and grins all big. Even though they were rudely interrupted, he feels all good and tingly inside. Already so thrilled for her to come over and do her thing in his studio. A dream come true. He can’t wait to spend more time with her already.
“Whatever you say, front woman.”
Ezra falls out laughin, caught entirely off guard by him calling her that old nickname. It’s been way too long. And her cackle is like music to his enflamed ears as he chuckles to himself. He thought she’d like that. Ezra used to love when he called her that back then and honestly, it still has the same effect on her now. A little annoying but so damn cute, she’ll always get a kick out of him calling her front woman. The only front woman for him, he’d say just about to anyone and everyone. And he meant it in every way. There was no other girl the world that got him like she did, no other lead female vocalist he’d be beside other than his Ez.
“Oh my God Tommy shut the fuck up.”
Ezra ended up humming the song all the way home, banging her head and tapping her thumb against her steering wheel and overthinking everything that happened back at Tommy’s. In a weird way, she felt like sixteen again. The small grin on her face, the warm tingle in her belly. Obsessing over him and his eyes and his smirk and…the way his dick felt grinding into her jeans. She squirmed and wiggled, giggled at the faint feeling of his weight still there between her legs. It was a long drive with all the things circulating around in her brain. By the time she had pulled up into her driveway, she couldn’t even remember how she got there. All riled up and confused. At least she made it safely.
She was lowkey loathing the call to Jas but she had to talk all the noise out and explain where she was at with Tommy. Ezra felt…ok, like yeah, maybe this could work, but…it was strange. Some days, it felt like they were just against making music together again, absolutely hated one another, and now they’re fuckin making out and apologizing and opening up?! She’s thrown by how quickly this has all happened. Definitely not what she expected when she signed on for this project. After all that time apart, after everything they’d been through, their connection was still this strong? It startled Ezra that things could fall in place so easily for her and Tommy. What should she expect? “They’re destined…” or whatever the fuck…
“OOOOOOOOO BITCH! WHAT I SAY?!” Jas victoriously shouts at the top of her lungs through the phone. Her goofy ass was waiting to hear she could predict the future.
Ezra protests, “you said we’d fuck on the floor of his studio and we didn’t.”
Over a stove she cooks some dinner to distract herself from her raging hormones. Keep her hands busy. Jas had been dramatically reacting the whole time she recounted every detail like she was told knowing damn well she couldn’t wait to shout how right she was. Even though she was pretty far off. The fact that they hooked up period was enough for her to feel as such.
“Damn near!”
“Bitch how?!” She snorts stirring her pasta around in boiling water. “All we did was make out again.”
As soon as she said it, Ezra winces, remembering in that second she hadn’t told Jas shit about their first encounter. For a minute, she got so silent, she thought the call dropped or she hung up, and just as Ezra was about to check and see what happened, Jas blurted out,
“Again?!”
“Oh—uh…did I fail to mention we made out…on the floor of my room…” She nervously shares behind a clenched jaw, aware of the dramatics that are about to ensue and she silently throws a fit, so mad at herself for forgetting to tell her about it. She’ll start yelling in 3,2,1…
“OH MY FUCKIN GOD! EZ!”
“Whaaaaat I’m sorry!”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you guys already made out! Do you hate me?! Are we not friends anymore?!”
Her shoulders drop and her eyes roll big and hard. “Jas, no, I don’t hate you.”
“I am hurt!”
“I was trying to forget about it!”
“What?! Why?!”
She really doesn’t know how to explain it to her because she won’t like what she has to say. Jas has been waiting for this day, rooting for the moment she and Tommy finally hooked up. No one else was their biggest cheerleader. She’d been trying to get them to see what could’ve been since sophomore year of high school, but she was no match against the universe and its ultimate plan. She’d always loved the idea of them together, but her influence didn’t matter. They were too dumb then as teens, and it seems like they’re no better now as adults.
“Because it was a stupid weak moment! It meant nothing…”
“Girl…please stop. Don’t even try to front. You know kissing Tommy’s all you’ve ever wanted. And more.” Jas easily dismisses her. Who was she trying to fool?! She’s had a front row seat to the shit show since its beginning, so she knows what’s up. These idiots and their decade long overdue kiss. So how dare Ezra pretend like this isn’t a huge deal. And if they’ve made it this far in such a short matter of time since they’ve reconnected, then won’t be much longer before they’re official. Watch. “Aww this is so fuckin perfect. Oh my god, what was it like? Is he any good? Did he make that kitty purr babe?”
“Mmmmmmyessssss.” Ezra whines and pouts. “Of course he did fuuuuuuck. It was so good…he’s so good…and he was soooo close too like, soooo close to shoving his hand in my panties and god I wanted him to. Jas I wanted him to pet my pussy so fuckin bad god.”
“Hot,” Jas plainly states, “God that’s so hot. But I know you…you didn’t let him.”
“No of course I didn’t let him,” she dryly reiterates with a fling of her hand, “because why should I? Does he deserve to touch my pussy? Does he even deserve to taste my lips?”
“Yes,” Jas grumbles just as Ezra shouts,
“No!”
Jas grunts and snaps her fingers. “You’re really letting old shit prevent you from fuckin your ultimate crush?!”
“You know it’s more than that.”
“Ugh I guess...” Ezra can hear her shaking her head over there, and she sighs, turns off her burner. “You’re just torturing yourself. Which is insane to me. You know you still want Tommy. Deep down, you still love him. And there’s nothing wrong with that!”
Her phone vibrates against the counter. Ezra curiously glances over, afraid to see who she thinks it may be. Probably on some cute shit she didn’t need right now. It’d be a nice distraction from Jas’s wrath though. There, a text from him sits on her Lock Screen.
I miss you already…
“Ugh!” Her shoulders sag, snatching the pot off the stove. Cute shit, like she expected. Cute shit that made her heart skip a beat, made her hormones rage even more.
“Just admit it to yourself!” Jas shouts out of nowhere.
“Ugh not you,” Ezra spoons some tomato basil sauce over her cooked pasta, rollin her eyes, “Tommy just text me.”
Jas’s evil snicker sounds through the speaker. “What he say.”
“That he misses me.” Ezra smacks her lips resisting a growing grin.
She continues to snicker. “Y’all will be sexting in 30 minutes tops…”
“Jas shutup…” Ezra chuckles as she picks up her phone debating if she should reply. She can’t help but smile a little. It’s kinda sweet that he text her he missed her.
“You’re smiling…” Jas giggles, envisioning her clear as day in her mind’s eye, “just tell him...”
“Nooo…” She would never. No, she’s got to keep it simple, dry but cute. Or she could leave him hanging and get off to the fact that he’s wanting her. “I’m not gonna say anything.”
She sits her phone back down and grabs a plate out of her dishwasher as Jas moans and groans. Tommy can sit and wait. Ezra preferred to torture him anyway.
“Anyway…back to the song. You think you and Tommy back?”
Ezra huffs a sigh as she sits at her kitchen table and processes her question. Are they back? It seems so, but there’s still so much ground to cover before it feels certain. The song was a good step in that direction, but it’s just one song.
“Fuck I don’t know…the song’s already like dangerously perfect it’s a little crazy. But he’s always had that gift when it comes to…me…” she chokes then clears her throat, “Soooo maybe? It was really odd to see that he and I still…you know…”
“Look, I don’t know much about bonds or soul connections or whatever, but I have to guess they don’t break easily. And you should be grateful, right? That even though you guys hated each other, you two can fall right back into it without a second thought. Y’all can’t help it…”
No they can’t, Ezra sighs. She’s grateful that they didn’t have to have a long drawn out fight over who was right and wrong. No lingering nastiness or shit like that. It was a good thing. When was Ezra going to come to terms with that?
“I know, and I am. But it’s still so fuckin weird. Like I seriously can’t wrap my head around any of this. And I feel like I kinda forgot what it’s like to be caught up in his aura...”
Jas silently agrees on her end. “Oh it’s happening…you’re getting sucked right back in.”
“Fuuuck I know.” Ezra facepalms, wilts over her plate. “He’s still so fuckin cute. And oh my god his mouth Jas…”
She chuckles at her sad little horny friend, wishing she’d get over herself and just give in. They’re fully grown adults so what if they wanna fuck, they should. If they wanna be together, they should. Simple as that.
Out of nowhere, Jas snorts out, “you know…I may be a bit out of line here but…I’ve always wondered if he’s packin. So?”
She so would ask, she quietly scoffs. They’ve had a few curious chats back in the day due to rumors they had heard. Jas had overheard one of his ex’s complain about how she couldn’t handle it once, but she was some annoying ass stuck up girl they couldn’t stand so it didn’t matter. Some would run and tell girls how amazing he would be at whatever, and then those girls would run to Ezra for confirmation. Only to be disappointed to find her disgusted and clueless on the subject. Why would she know anything like that about her best friend. “Because you guys are always together. Aren’t y’all hooking up?” Oh the indifference in their faces when she couldn’t dish on her bestest guy friend. Even if she had, it wasn’t any of their business, and she hated that his ex’s were going around runnin their mouths. Although Tommy didn’t seem to give a shit. All the chatter made him more popular.
But now that she’s had some…experience, she gets why those girls were runnin their mouths to their friends. Tommy’s mouth is magical, and well…she’ll have to wait and see what’s up with his stroke game. But there’s no doubt he’s going to fuck her shit up. Ezra bites down on her smirk, gettin riled up and squirming in her chair just thinkin about how big he felt against her. “I mean…it felt…right…”
“Bitch. The fuck does that even mean.”
“I mean…I don’t know what you consider ‘packin’ but to me, he’s just right.” Ezra stifles back her laughs.
“Ookay Goldilocks…you fuckin play too much…” Jas cracks up and rolls her eyes at her dorky best friend, because what else was she supposed to do with that. Just sayin shit to annoy her. “Can’t stand you.”
“You could find out for yourself. We both know Tommy isn’t exactly shy…” Never has been. Ask and he’ll whip it out he didn’t care. How she never caught him was either lucky or part of the sick joke the universe was playing.
“Girl I would never!” Jas shrieks appalled Ezra would even suggest. “That’s what I have you for! To live vicariously through you! Ugh!”
Ezra’s falls out in hysterics, kicking her feet as Jas pretends to be sick. “Hey you asked when you could just go to the source.”
“Alright, I’m tired of your shit. I’ll talk to you later. Text Tommy back.”
“I won’t. Love you bye.”
Can’t stop thinkin about you…
Ezra lies in bed and stares at the last text he sent while she ate and minded her business. She refused to text him back. Didn’t want to do the whole back and forth thing so she let it sit. But she likes that he’s texting her stuff like that. He’s never really done anything like this before and his newfound charm’s really working on her. If he keeps this up, he just might be accomplish what he set out to do. Not afraid anymore…nothin to be afraid of. Tommy surely talked the talk today but let’s see if he can walk the walk.
She taps her finger along the edge of her phone, debating what to do, what to say. She didn’t want to come off too interested. Making him work for it after years of pining over him was deserving. If only she had a guy to make him jealous like all the girls he dangled in her face, but no need to be that petty. Tormenting him in her way would do just fine. But, a part of her wanted to tell him every crazy feeling coursing through her body. In time, she guesses since he seems adamant about hashing their shit out. No way she’s going to show her hand before seeing what cards he deals first though. If she’s what he wants, he’s got to be the one to lay it all down.
Visions from earlier fill the back of her eyes, and a rich smile crawls across her face. Damn…it feels strangely good to have him back in her world. Images of his infectious smile and the strength of his hands on her hips send a chill down her spine, and Ezra suppresses a tantalizing giggle. She missed his laugh, missed scowling at him when he was being stupid. He’s still her Tommy in so many ways. She missed his energy, grateful he still feels like home. She unlocks her phone and returns to his text and sighs. It feels good to hear Tommy say missed her, to know he wants to try and mend their relationship. Could this all really work out?
I’ve missed you too…night Tommy
