Rescue Me

Rescue Me | Chapter Seven

Jared's POV

Stepping out of the shower, I dried myself off and wrapped a towel around my waist. With a second towel, I started drying my hair as I walked out into my dressing room to get dressed for the show. I heard a faint gasp from somewhere in the room and froze. Peeking through my fingers, my eyes landed on a flustered Andie. She was nervously fumbling for her phone on the couch. I held back a laugh as I watched and took a couple of steps toward her, the temptation to mess with her too great.

"Andrea."

Upon hearing her name she instantly brought her knees to her chest, threw her hands up completely covering her face, and rested her elbows on her knees. "Jared, I'm so sorry, I was told to come in here even though you didn't answer. I didn't want to intrude on your privacy, I'm so sorry. I'll go." She rambled out as she jumped to her feet rushing towards the door.

"Andie, wait!" She halted with my command. "Please sit down, it's not a big deal. It's not like I'm naked." I joked.

She stayed put, but replied, "You might as well be."

"Oh, come on. You act as if you've never seen a man in a towel before." I said making my way to my makeshift closet, quickly stepping into a pair of pants and grabbed a shirt.

"Maybe that's because I haven't." Her voice was so quiet I wasn't sure I'd heard her correctly. My eyebrows knitted together in confusion as I walked up behind her, wrapping my hand around her forearm.

"What are you talking about? Andrea, please sit down." I gently pulled her with me walking back to the couch. When we sat down I realized she had closed her eyes again, so I took the opportunity to observe her features. She smelled of lavender. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, enjoying the soothing effect the scent provided. Her skin, sun kissed and free of makeup. I smiled noticing the freckles that dotted across her cute little nose and cheeks sporadically. My eyes finally drifted to her perfect lips. I reached up to push a strand of hair out of her face and caught myself leaning into her.

I stopped mid lean and shook my head. Chastising myself, 'You've been friend-zoned, don't make it weird.'

"I have clothes on, you can open your eyes." I told her, rubbing my hand across her arm.

Her eyes opened and met mine. She jumped slightly at our close proximity before she glanced down. Her cheeks reddened again as her gaze floated over my shirtless torso. Her tongue darted across her bottom lip before biting down, "Are you going out on stage like that?" She asked with a smirk, pointing her index finger at my chest and motioning up and down.

"Maybe," I answered, watching her lean back into the couch and look around the room, "now quit trying to avoid my question. What were you talking about when you said you haven't seen a man in a towel before? Have you never showered with a lover?"

I could visibly see her breath hitch. She shook her head, "I don't want to talk about this right now. You have a show to get ready for. I'll tell you about it later, I promise." She said.

"We have time, tell me." She cut her eyes at me and I swear they changed from green to ice blue. "Jared, I do not want to talk about it right now. Please drop it!" She enunciated each word while she scooted away from me, crossing her arms over her chest. I knew she was done talking to me. Standing up, I put on my shirt and began getting ready for the meet and greet, glancing at her occasionally.

A few minutes later Shayla was back, entering my dressing room after a half attempted knock. "You have five minutes, the natives are getting restless. I mean my version of five minutes, not yours." She said with a laugh.

Andie jumped up from the couch, "Shayla, is there anything I can help with?" Shayla looked at me for direction, confusion etched on her face and then back to Andie, "I thought you were a friend here to enjoy the show?