Less Than Nothing by R.E. Blake Page B

and confidence to power a freight train. For a second I’m envious of that. I know I seem confident on the outside, but it’s a façade. With Derek…well, he’s the real thing.
    I nod. “You know what? If anyone can, you can. You’ve got an amazing voice and can play with the best. I’m stoked for you. That’s so exciting.” And I mean it. I try to keep the spark of pain I feel out of my eyes and voice. It makes no sense, but I feel…hurt, and disappointed, and I know I have no reason to. He’s got a goal, and he’s not satisfied with being a street musician playing for tips. Good for him.
    “Thanks. But I’m a long way from winning anything.”
    I wave my hand, trying to hide my reaction, keeping it light. “Details.” And then there’s another question I can’t hold back. “If you knew you were leaving, why did you pick my spot to fight over?”
    I’ve never seen Derek blush before, but I’m pretty sure that’s what he’s doing. He looks away and takes a sip of his soda. I try mine again. Flat. Blech.
    “The truth? I heard you singing from down the block. I had no intention of stopping there. But after a few songs, I was intrigued. I know you don’t always think so, but, Sage…you’re better than good.”
    He says this as though he’s telling me it’s raining outside or that the sun’s set. Like it’s fact. Not debatable. Now everyone’s blushing, and I feel hot. He smiles at my obvious discomfort.
    “You’re lousy at accepting compliments, huh?”
    “What was the giveaway?” I want him to continue. “So you heard me sing and decided to take my spot away?”
    He shakes his head. “No. I didn’t decide I wanted to play with you until I saw you. Hearing’s one thing, but after I saw that big voice was coming out of” – he seems to struggle for the right word – “such a small girl, I had to do something to get your attention.”
    I hold his stare. “So you had your proposition all lined up before we even had coffee? I knew it,” I say, but inside I feel…I don’t know. Not angry. But whatever it is keeps getting sucked into the mud of disappointment. All of this is fine, but he’s leaving, so it doesn’t matter. Nothing he says matters. It can all seem like magic, but then he gets on the first ride out of town, and it’s game over.
    “It’s not like that, Sage. I didn’t have some big plan. I just knew I felt something when I heard you, and then once I saw you, I felt it even more. I know that’s weird. I don’t completely understand it. But you asked.”
    My eyes narrow. “Did you look while I was taking my shower this morning?”
    He about spits out his drink and starts coughing. When he gets control of himself, he starts laughing. “What?”
    “You heard me. Did you look at me while I was taking a shower?”
    He looks me dead in the eye, not blinking. “Fair enough. I’ve answered your questions, and I’ll answer that one. But first, one of my own. Did you?”
    Bastard. That didn’t go the way I’d hoped. I do my best not to do the telltale eye dart that totally tells the world you’re a liar. I’m not sure I manage it.
    “Of course not.”
    He nods and smiles like I just told him a secret, and holds my gaze.
    “Same here.”
    I knew it. I frigging knew it. But I can’t call him on it because I’m just as guilty. Unless he’s actually telling the truth. Which is a distant possibility, I’ll admit, but if true, what does that say about me? Either answer sucks.
    We laugh at the same time, the tension breaking like a dam bursting. It feels good to laugh, to see the way the skin in the corners of his eyes crinkle when he does, the flash of white teeth and pink of his tongue…hypnotic. God, he’s gorgeous, I think, and then reality comes crashing in.
    Yeah, he is, and he’s going to New York to be a star while you sing for table scraps.
    “What time is it?” I ask. I’m enjoying myself, but I need time to think.
    “Doesn’t your phone have a clock