“Look, I really didn’t want to have this convo on the phone, but since you’re having a fucking meltdown, I guess this is how it’s going down. I didn’t lie to you, first of all. I just didn’t tell you everything.”
“Oh, so lies by omission are acceptable? Come on, Storm.”
“Could you shut up for a few minutes and let me explain?”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. Explain.” I sit down on the bathroom floor. My throat feels tight and my eyes are burning with tears.
“First, I really am a motorcycle mechanic. That’s true. I’m in a bike club and I build and fix all the bikes for the members. And yes, I’m in a band too, and we’re getting pretty big, but I left that part out, and I’m sorry. But when I realized you didn’t know who I was, I kind of liked it. You were yelling at me, and having your little crazy fits. I can’t remember the last time I was with a fucking chick who just treated me like a normal guy. Or who just acted like a normal girl and wasn’t a stuck up model with fake body parts. All they care about is dating a musician, hanging out backstage, going to the parties, the money, and all that crazy shit. It was nice to spend a weekend just as a regular guy again, and see if you would like me just for me. That’s all. I wasn’t trying to deceive you.”
Wow. My anger starts to slowly fade away. I can sort of understand what he’s saying and why he didn’t tell me the truth, but I still feel like he deceived me and was making fun of me in his mind the entire time we were together.
“But on television you said I was annoying.” My voice cracks and I can’t talk anymore without starting to cry.
“Evelyn, I didn’t mean that. You gotta understand. I have a reputation. It’s part of the act. And I wanted to protect you. I don’t want anyone to find out who you are. They will hound the shit out of you. I mean, you were a little annoying, but I think you know I liked it.” I can feel him smile through the phone. “So tell me...” he lowers his voice, “did you like being with me, Evie?”
My heart starts to beat faster. “Storm, you know I can’t—”
“Just answer. Don’t think.”
I can’t answer him because I really don’t know. My brain and heart are too confused to sort it out. My body definitely liked him, but I’m just not sure if it’s more than that. I’m not sure how to tell if it’s just lust or something more happening inside me. Feeling anything for another man is entirely new territory for me, and I have no idea how to accept it or rationalize it. The only way I can really describe it is tingly, but I can’t tell him that. Hey, you make me tingly!
I hear him cover the phone and mumble something to someone. “Shit, I have to go, Evie. Watch my next interview at two on channel five, okay?”
“Another one? Are you serious?”
“I gotta go. I’ll call you later.” He ends the call and leaves me sitting there holding the phone. I really want to know why he’s doing all these interviews. Why do people have to know? Is he using our experience as some sort of promotional gimmick? I will kill him if he is doing something so stupid and invasive and exploiting our experience.
When I come out of the bathroom Michael isn’t in the bedroom anymore, so I get dressed and go downstairs to find him sitting at the kitchen table drinking some coffee and reading the paper. I always laugh inside when I see him reading the paper because who really reads the newspaper anymore? You can read all of it online now and not get black ink all over your fingers.
“Evelyn, I could shit a brick. I can’t believe you were with Storm Valentine all weekend.”
I can feel my cheeks get red. “Michael, I was not with him. I was stuck in a truck with him in a blizzard. We pretty much argued the entire time. He’s a little obnoxious and a lot in love with himself.” I pour myself a little coffee even though I know it will taste like crap because it’s not my coveted white mocha.
“His band is kick ass. I can’t wait to tell the guys.”
I shake my head frantically and almost spit my coffee out. “Michael, no. Please. Don’t tell people. I just want to forget this.”
“Evelyn, don’t be a baby. It’s pretty much the coolest thing that’s ever happened to you. Can you find out about getting us into one of his concerts?”