Read Online Heartstrings by Hadley Danes - Free Book Online Page A

that resonates with me. There’s
something unknowable about Slade Hale that intrigues me, something he doesn’t
let the rest of the world see. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll be the one he shares
that secret self with. Either that, or he’s looking for a one night stand with
a cute nurse before he keeps going on his tour. I decide to play it cool.
    “It was very sweet of you to stop by,” I say rather primly.
    “You’ve been very sweet, putting up with my bullshit,” he
says, leaning against my car. “I know I can be a lot to handle sometimes, but
know that I wouldn’t dish it out if I didn’t think you could take it.”
    “I’m sure I can handle you just fine,” I say, before I can
stop myself. “As long as you can take it as well as you give it.”
    “You have no idea how well I can give it,” he smiles. We
definitely aren’t talking about witty repartee anymore, that’s for sure. I play
with my keys, averting my eyes from his. He doesn’t look like he has any
intention of leaving anytime soon. What am I supposed to do now?
    “Do you...want to come inside?” I ask, for lack of any other
idea. “I don’t have any whiskey, I’m afraid, but I think there’s some leftover
pizza and a couple of beers.”
    “I have a better idea,” he says, “Let’s go for a little
trip?”
    “A trip?” I repeat, “What kind of trip?”
    “I’m playing a little show in Jersey, back at one of the
venues we used to play when we were nobodies. Do you want to come with me?”
    “To your rock concert...in the morning?” I ask.
    “It’s not really a concert,” he says. “You’ll see when we
get there.”
    “I don’t think I’m wearing the right uniform,” I say,
looking down at my scrubs.
    “Go change,” he says, “I’ll wait.”
    “Why do you want me to come?” I ask, bemused.
    “Because I like you, Julia. You make me laugh,” he says with
a shrug, “And you need to loosen the hell up. I want to show you that there’s
more to life than work and more work. You should have a little fun every once
in a while. This will be my repayment to you for being such a good nurse.”
    “I have fun,” I say, pouting. “Last week, I organized my
garage...”
    “That is not fun.” He cuts me off abruptly. “That is...I
don’t know what,” Slade says. “Go put on something a Jersey girl would wear and
get your ass back out here.”
    “I don’t own anything a Jersey girl would wear,” I sniff,
baiting him.
    “Philly girls and Jersey girls have at least one thing in common,”
he says, “They can’t say no to me. Now go change.”
    I stick out my tongue and hurry past him into the house.
Every cell in my body is suddenly wide awake, the exhaustion of having just
finished a twelve hour night shift is completely gone. I vault over Gustav,
who’s waiting patiently on the stairs, and head for my bedroom. As I rifle
through my closet, the closeness of Slade to the place where I sleep starts to
excite me. Should I demand that he could inside? Give him the opportunity to
make a move, if he wants to? I peer through my bedroom window and consider how
easy it would be...But no. I want to see where the evening goes if I let him
drive a little longer.
    The best I can do is a pair of insanely frayed jean shorts
and a loose white tank top that’s just transparent enough to show a little of
my baby blue bra. My hair is beyond saving, so I pile it in a messy bun on the
top of my head and swipe on some makeup. I look like I belong at one of those
music festivals where you’re stuck in a tent and can’t shower for three days.
But with this crowd, that might not be too much of a problem, I guess.
    Gustav is waiting for me at the door, looking confused. I
crack open a can for him and give him a quick scratch behind the ears. He seems
offended that I’m cutting into his cuddle time. But for once, I have to chance
to leave my everyday life as a cat lady behind and go hang out with a rock
star. Gustav will just have to