Fix You by Mari Carr Page B

overdrive, clenching against the air. Her foolish body couldn’t, wouldn’t come down.
    Robbie fell to the mattress next to her, spooning her from behind. They were sweaty, sticky and panting heavily. So much for that shower.
    “Holy shit, Zoey.”
    She giggled. “I didn’t realize you had such a kink for bald girls. If I’d known, I would have shaved all my hair off ages ago.”
    The words slipped out unbidden. Zoey winced, glad Robbie couldn’t see her face. She hadn’t meant to reveal so much. While they were living like a couple in a romantic relationship, neither of them mentioned the future and Zoey sure as hell hadn’t revealed the fact her feelings for him had changed a long time ago.
    Robbie kissed the back of her head. “I think it’s safe to say all my kinks begin and end with you.”
    She smiled, but his admission hadn’t answered the questions still lingering in her heart.
    Why had Robbie changed the status quo and how long would it stay this way?

Chapter Seven
    Rob stood outside the front door to the townhouse and took a deep breath. He’d spent most of the day sorting out his future. A future he hadn’t told Zoey about. Hadn’t even alluded to.
    He’d left the band.
    Jesus. I left Express Train.
    Hours after the fact, the idea still seemed too absurd, too incredible.
    These past four months at home with Zoey had solidified in his mind how much he wanted to stay here. She had just two more treatments left. They were beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
    They’d fallen into a relatively normal routine. Well, at least as normal as could be. After so many treatments, it was easier to predict Zoey’s good and bad days. Typically she was exhausted the first few days after a treatment. Then she’d find her second wind for about a week and a half until the next treatment rolled along and knocked her down again. As a result, they’d set up their schedule for one week of easy, at-home activities alternated by weeks where they’d go shopping or dancing or for long drives. While the set-up was unconventional, one thing was undeniable. No matter what he did or where he went, he wanted Zoey with him.
    He’d written several new songs and his band-mates had been anxious to start laying down some tracks. For the past couple weeks, he’d allowed himself to be dragged back into the lifestyle he’d lived for years, but hitting the studio again signaled that soon, Express Train would be ready to hit the road once more, promoting their new music.
    Zoey had been rather subdued the night he’d told her the band was ready to record once more. He’d waited, expecting her to question his plans. Her silence confused him and if he was being truthful, disappointed him. He’d started to hope she’d want him to stick around for good. Though they’d lived together for years, he’d thought their changed relationship would make her yearn for something more permanent, normal.
    God knew that was what he wanted. He loved coming home to her every night. Sniffing the floral candle scent she’d recently adopted, listening to her sing along with the radio as she tidied up or sat at her laptop playing Hearts after a long day at work.
    Strangely, he thought he’d feel more anxious, more upset about leaving Express Train. He’d played with most of the guys since high school. For nearly twenty years, they’d struggled to make a name for themselves, to claw their way onto the charts. Now that the band was on the brink of success, he was bowing out.
    What if he was making a mistake? What if Zoey had liked her time alone and was actually looking forward to him hitting the road again?
    God. He was an idiot. He’d intended to sit down and discuss everything with Zoey before he made a permanent move, but then his cursed impulsiveness got the better of him. He’d had a nasty fight this afternoon with Chip over the tempo in one of the new songs. Walking outside to cool off, Rob had gotten a phone call from The