Trailer Park Princess by Delia Steele, J. J. Williams Read Free Book Online Page B

also tickled me because instead of using the tall, beautiful candles on the long table, he used some scented candles that usually went in the bathroom or somewhere. Instead of sitting at the other end of the table, he sits right next to me where our knees are touching. I love when we have that innocent physical connection. It’s like a zap of lightning straight to my inner core. I love Toby like I have never loved anything in my life, and I know he feels it, too.
     We finish our meal and make our way to the den, juice boxes in hand. I pull the wingback chair up close to the grand piano and tell him, “Sit.” I know he is confused because I’ve never told him about my love for the piano. He knows I adore music and beats, but this is something I taught myself years ago at the old school where my favorite teacher just happened to be my music education teacher. She helped me get started, but it was something that just came natural. It’s been a long time since I ran my fingers across the beautiful black and white keys. As soon as my hand touches it, I let out a breath I did not even know I was holding.  I run my hand down the entire keyboard, letting the strum ring out into the entire house. It kills me, knowing this amazing piece of art sits here unused. When he told me it was just decoration, I about died on the spot.
    I bang out a few horrible notes and smile when Toby cringes. I give him a lopsided smile and wink before I sit up straight and start playing. It all flows out perfect. Never missing a beat, I key Kiss the Rain by Yiruma. He’s a South Korean pianist. He makes the most amazing sounds with his fingers. (On the real, I bet musicians are great at lots of things with their fingers.) Yiruma is my musical inspiration.
    Toby is entranced and smiling while I finish out the song. I jump at the end when Toby squeezes me, not even realizing I had closed my eyes.
    “Rory, that was amazing! How did…where did…I did not know you could do that!” I smile. “Can you play anything?” I nod yes, not understanding why he is asking.
    “I can play anything I have ever heard,” I reply. He is not saying anything, just watching. So I sit back down and start something new he will recognize. I go directly to Bruno Mars, of course, and I play my version of Liquor Store Blues . It’s a little different, but I see it as soon as it registers with him, and his smile just gets wider and wider till both dimples are full-on beaming at me. I would do anything for that smile.
    Toby stands and claps to let me know what he thinks about my hidden talent. “You will have to do that more often; it’s amazing. And why are not you doing this at school? You could get a scholarship and come with me. Rory, like seriously, you could be in the band, and we could be together always, even when I leave.” I smile even though his comment just ruined my perfect night.
    “Toby, One: you know I can’t graduate this year. Two: I do not have time for extra classes; I’m killing myself to get and stay caught up as it is. And Three: even if I could, what would I do about Thaxton? I can’t leave him. I’m all he has, and you know that.” I drop my head and walk towards the door. “Merry Christmas. I hope you liked it, but if it’s OK I think I should get home. I have breakfast shift tomorrow.” I open the door and never look back at him.
    The ride is quiet. He pulls into the drive-through, but no one ever asks what he wants, so he throws a hissy and jerks the truck into a spot.
    “I’m grabbing a milkshake, baby; what flavor you want? “ I can tell he is upset, and I don’t blame him. Five months from now, our relationship will be tested, and it’s scary. But I have faith in us, and he should, too. He will be here over the summer and all major holidays. It will be OK.
    “Oreo, please.” I give a sad smile back and look at my mp3 player, searching for the perfect song I need. Music is my mood; always has been. It’s the one thing in my