“Gone where?” he asked, kneeling down in front of her chair.
“I don’t know. He wouldn’t say.”
“Did he say for how long?”
“For two weeks.”
“Well, then why the tears?” he asked, trying very hard to be patient. While he understood her fondness of Crispin and vice versa, sometimes they’re quirky relationship gave him reason to ponder.
“Because I’m worried about him. He’s been so sad lately. I’m afraid he might not come back.”
“Becky, if he said he would return then trust in that. He’s not the leaving kind. Besides, it’s March Break. Maybe he just needed to get away for a while. You know, even I need time on my own.”
“But that’s just it!” she shouted with frustration. “Why is it okay for you lot to run off? It’s not okay with me. In fact, I hate it! Especially because I know he’s upset. Like when you used to take off in a huff. What if you’d gotten into a car accident? What if something bad happens to him? What if he hurts himself?”
It then dawned on him that while they all had their issues, Becky had her own fears. This was not only about Crispin’s leaving. This went deeper than that.
Her parents had died when she was very little. They had gone off in a car to never return. Naturally, she worried about losing people close to her. It was of utmost importance to her to keep her loved ones close at hand. This incredible need for family, for creating strong bonds is what gave her the courage to reach out to him in the first place. It was the reason behind her desire to belong here, to move into the House of Goths. She had witnessed their closeness and wanted to be a part of it. To belong with them.
Thank God, he had crashed into her that day. Thank God, she had chosen him. He couldn’t bear the thought of not having her with him now.
While he and Crispin dealt with their doubts by pushing people away, Becky was the opposite. She would do anything possible to keep everybody together. Crispin’s leaving must be pure torture for her.
“You’re scared, love.” He cupped her head between his hands and gave her the bravest of smiles. “Don’t be. I’m right here with you, no matter what.” He paused, gazing into her sad eyes. “Crispin will return. He said so himself. I believe him. Besides, nothing bad will happen to him. You’ll see. He’ll be back before you know. Probably even better for it. There are times when people simply need to step away. To clear their heads. It doesn’t always end badly.”
“I know… I just don’t like it.” Reaching around his shoulders, she hugged him close.
“Even you used to hide in your room. It was just another reason for me wanting you in mine. Even still, you’ve locked me out a couple of times. You say it’s because you need a place to be by yourself. But I know better. It’s to get away from my lusty intentions for you, isn’t it?”
She sputtered at the idea. If anything she was always after him. “That’s not true and you know it.” She smiled into his face. “You think you’re so smart. But you’re right. Sometimes a girl needs to have her own space. Every now and then I need to get away from you lot.”
“Right.”
“Yeah…”
***
In the days following Crispin’s departure, they had all done their best to reassure Becky. “All I know is he wouldn’t abandon the band,” Keegan told her. “There, try that, you’ll like that one. It’s a D-chord.”
“You did. You took off,” she said with a frown, reluctantly strumming the guitar.
“That’s because I’m an idiot,” he said with a sigh. “Don’t worry, it won’t happen again. I’ve learned my lesson. Besides, Crispin is not like me in the slightest. He’s not the leaving kind. Plus, he’s one hundred percent dedicated to the band, always has been.”
“That’s right, Becky,” Dorian said from behind his drums. “If anything, Crispin is a professional when it comes to the band. Besides, we’ve got our summer tour coming up. There’s no way he’d miss that.”
At the mention of the summer tour, Becky couldn’t help but perk up. Ever since Kell told her about it, she’d been looking forward to it. She couldn’t imagine a better way to spend the summer months than tagging along with her handsome Goths. What and adventure that will be! If only Crispin hadn’t thrown her this curve ball.
“That’s what I keep telling her, but she won’t listen to me,” Kell said, leaning in, pressing his forehead to hers and flashing her his sexiest smile.
***
“So, here we are…” Kell sighed, resting his head on hers. “The two of us, sitting out here on this bench when we could be upstairs having our way with each other. March Break is nearly half over and you’ve done nothing but worry while he’s probably off having a great time.”
“I know and I’m sorry, Kelley.” Looking at him, she leaned in and kissed him. Sweet Kelley, always so patient, so kind. If he were anyone else, he would be angry and jealous. Yet the handsome Goth was anything but that. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Becky. If only there was something I could do to cheer you up, to reassure you.”
They both turned when Dorian came jogging out of the house with his cell phone in hand. “Sure thing, Crisp. Hold on, she’s right here.”
“Crispin…” Afraid to believe it when Dorian held it out for her, she hesitated.
“Hold on a second. Give me that.” Kelley snatched it away. With a wide smile on his face, he spoke into the phone. “You’d better explain yourself, you bloody bastard… Well, is that right?” He paused, glancing sideways at Becky. Her hands were now itching to grab hold of the phone. “How nice for you. Wish I could say the same. Too bad you had to fuck up my break… Yeah, you’d better. Here she is.” Without further ado, Kell handed Becky the phone.
“Crispin?” she gasped. “Crispin, where are you?” She barely contained her excitement at the sound of the prickly Goth’s voice. “England! How in the world?”
“Never mind that now. I just called to say hello,” Crispin responded cheerfully.
“Well, hello…”
“I hear you’ve been missing me, sweetheart.”
“Yes, very much!”
“Do me a favour…”
“Yes?”
“Cheer up, I don’t want Kell giving me grief when I get back.”
“You’re coming back then?”
“Of course, I am. Told you I would. Besides, we have a plan.”
“A plan?”
“Our summer tour, or have you forgotten?”
“Yay! Crispin!”
”Now, promise me something else.”
“Yes, anything!”
“Quit pining after me. Get into bed with Kell and rock his world. He sounds a tad tense. I don’t want to have to deal with that when I get back.”
All she could do was giggle. She was so relieved to hear his voice. Everything was all right in the world again. If anything Crispin sounded… happy!
“Right then, I’m off. See you next week.”
“I can’t wait!”
“Well, I can’t bear to be away any longer.”
Once again, giggles were all she could manage in response.
“Aw… dormouse, you crack me up…”
The End
Thank you for reading this book. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it.
If you get a moment, please leave a review where you purchased it from. I would greatly appreciate it.
Dear Reader, if you enjoyed reading House of Goths, be sure to follow up with Belonging by Maria Bernard.
Books by Maria Bernard
These Bones Rockstar Romance Series
Falquen’s Nest - Book One
Joy and Sorrow - Book Two
Bleed Out Your Heart - Book Three
Jesse’s Reign - Book Four
House of Goths Series
House of Goths - HOG Book 1
Belonging - HOG Book 2
Stick Shift Lips Rockstar Romance Series
Hand in Glove - Book One
&n
bsp; Sound Shelter - Book Two
Sweet Reprieve - Book Three
Reluctant Hero - Book Four
Stick Shift Lips Series Spinoffs
Dream Crush, LA Summer
A Dream for Winter
Stand Up and Shout
Also by Maria Bernard
The Balcony
Wherever Girl
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to my husband, Jeff, my very own personal rockstar.
To my readers, thank you for your encouragement.
About the Author
Maria Bernard is a Canadian author of Contemporary romance, focusing on the rock star genre.
Maria literally eats, sleeps and dreams with romance in mind. One day the idea to share the many stories and scenarios that swirl endlessly in her mind came to pass.
Dare to share in her adventures in love and romance. Maria’s stories are heavy on emotion and focus intimately on each of the characters as thoughtful, sensitive individuals.
Fall in love with the characters as they fall in love with each other.
Connect with Maria Bernard
Website
http://www.mariabernardauthor.com
Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/MariaBernardWriter/
Twitter
https://twitter.com/MariaBernard_1
House of Goths Page 36