Rhythm: Chapter 9

Zanes POV:


Rhodes still looked angry from the meeting with that mysterious man. I think his name was Jaden. It had already been an hour, and we were almost done with our practice. I wonder why he had looked so angry when Jaden tried to talk to me. Was he jealous? Nah, that’s impossible. I know he doesn't love me the way I love him. I am in love with Rhodes. Since when have I felt this way about him? I didn't even notice it happen. My mind continued to wander through the possibilities of why Rhodes reacted the way he did.

“Since both of you are zoning out today,” Strike practically yelled, snapping my attention back to my surroundings. It seems like he was annoyed.

“Let’s call it quits for today. Remember to practice for the competition. The song order we used tonight is going to be the order for the competition.” I nodded at Strike’s words and unplugged my bass, letting out a small sigh of relief.

“Hey, Zane.” I heard Rhodes deep, smooth voice coming from behind me. Rhodes stood behind me, his guitar in his hand. I turned to face him. He looks calmer, but it looked like something was still bothering him. A hint of worry showed in his eyes as he ruffled his chestnut brown hair.

“Yeah?” I answered, picking up my bass from behind me along with a folder full of various bass tabs.

“I was wondering if you wanted to come over again. I want to talk to you about something.”  

“Sure. I don’t mind.” Rhodes exhaled then smiled at me, the tension in his body lessening. Was what he had to talk about really all that important?

Rhodes finished packing up his guitar and slung it over his back, and I followed close behind carrying my bass. We both walked down the stairs together and out of the building to my Camaro. Rhodes got into the passenger side of the vehicle as I started up the sports car. Turning out onto the road, i decided to ask Rhodes a question.

“So, what do you have to talk to me about?” I said, looking over at Rhodes. His eyes were downcast to his hands, which were balled into fists on his lap, the lights of the city reflecting across his face as we drove down the road. It took him a minute to register what I said before he turned to look at me.

“I just wanted to talk to you about what happened with Roxy. That is if it won’t bother you.” I gripped the steering wheel tighter at the mention of that woman’s name. Since when did I get this jealous of his ex? The city went by in a blur as I tried to come up with a reasonable response that would hide my anger.

“Okay, I don’t mind. But are you okay?” Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Rhodes lift his head and smile at me kindly.

“Yeah, I guess you could say I have had a realization.” I began to slow my car as we reached the front of Rhodes’ apartment complex. We left the car and made the long walk up to Rhodes apartment.

Five flights of stairs later, we were at the front door of his apartment. Rhodes opened the door for me, and I entered, the sound of Rhodes combat boots on the wood floor could be heard from behind me. The door close behind us with a soft thud.

“So, Rhodes is something wrong-?” I turned to look at Rhodes, but my words were cut short. Rhodes was leaning against the wall, his gaze locked onto the floor. His usually neat brown hair looked messier, as if he had disheveled it due to stress. The blue streaks in his bangs were still visible, but were hidden by the occasional lock of brown hair. He held his body as if there was a large weight on his shoulders.

“Come on, let’s sit down.” Rhodes said. We both walked into his kitchen and sat down at the small, familiar table that we had sat at earlier that morning, but the atmosphere was totally different.

“I really don’t know how to start this conversation.” Rhodes said with a laugh, scratching the back of his head. I watched as he collected himself before he started to talk.

“I realized something the day Roxy broke up with me. I was never in love with her. I think that shocked me more than the actual break up.” He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, as if to see what my reaction would be. When I didn’t say anything, he continued.

“I realized I was in love with someone else.” Rhodes leaned over the table, looking at me. I was taken aback by this. Who was he in love with then? I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“Who do you think you are in love with?” I said, afraid of his answer. I was scared of what he would say. “Is it Luna?” I questioned.

Rhodes looked surprised and taken aback when I said this, as if the answer was really obvious to him.

“N-no. It’s not Luna.” Rhodes said with an exasperated sigh.

“Who else could it be? I mean unless you love someone I don’t know.”

“I think I’m in love with you, Zane.”  

I felt my heart skip a beat. Rhodes is in love with me? I thought he was still getting over the shock of not loving Roxy. I had to take a deep breath in before I even tried to speak, I was too happy. There’s no way he could be telling me the truth. I need to clarify.

“W-wait. For how long?” I said, still in shock.

“Well, I would say probably since the night at the bar. When we came back and I kissed you.” I could not even speak. He remembered that? My mixed emotion started to build up. Rhodes continued the conversation as if nothing had happened.

“That was the first time that I had ever felt something that special, and ever since then I haven’t been able to forget about it.” Rhodes leaned closer to me, he was almost half way across the table.

“That’s why I wanted to ask you a question. Can I see if what I felt that night was real? Can I kiss you?”



Rhodes POV:


The words left my lips before I could stop them. But that didn't matter. It felt right, like it was supposed to be Zane. I looked at the younger male, bewilderment in his eyes. What is this? Was I wrong to assume he felt the same way? I felt my chest tighten in fear of rejection.

“I’m sorry, it was rude for me to expect you felt the same way. But, do you?” I gazed at him, my eyes pleading. Zane finally recovered, his face turning a deep shade of red as he looked away, embarrassed. Then he looked sort of angry, as if something was eating at him.

“Are you just playing with me?” His lips quivered in fear of my answer. What? Why would I be playing with him? This time it was my turn to feel shocked.

“I would never do that to you…” I said, feeling hurt. I tried to reach out to Zane, to touch him, but stopped myself short.

“Are you just playing with me because I am convenient?” My shock now turned to hurt.

“I’m not just playing with you! I really do love you. What do I have to do to make you believe me?”  Zane turned his head away from me. His blue eyes were tearing up but a small smile could be seen peaking out from beneath his ebony hair.

“And I love you too, but in the past I have been hurt. I don’t want to get hurt anymore.” My chest ceased at the thought of someone hurting Zane.

“Can we at least try it? I promise to be kind to you, no matter what happens, so please…” I whispered.  Zane sat there, the tension in the air very thick. He turned his head back towards me slowly, and nodded at me.

I leaned up towards Zane and felt a pair of nervous lips meet mine softly. I pulled away and leaned out foreheads against each other.

“Can I continue?” I whispered to the younger male, my heart racing from my happiness. And it looked like he felt the same way.

This time it was Zane who connected our lips. His hands slid up my back slowly until both of his hands were grabbing both on my shoulders, pulling me closer. I move my hands from Zane's face to the back of his head.  Zane pulled away for a split second to gaze at me after the soft, tender kiss.

I connected our lips again, this time parting his lips gently. I let my tongue slip into his mouth as I started deepening the kiss, making it more passionate. The smaller male moaned against my lips as my tongue invaded his mouth.

“I love you.” I whispered, pulling away from Zane. I looked at Zane’s face. His face was blushing deeply, but his eyes looked very happy.

My hands loosened their grip on Zane’s head, and I started to slowly move them down his back. My hands came to rest at the small of his back. The smaller male gazed longingly into my eyes.

I let my hands slide underneath the hem of his shirt, my hands now touching Zane’s bare flesh. Our lips connected once more. Zane’s hands left my shoulders to slide slowly around my back and down my abdomen. His hands came to rest just a few inches above my belt. A soft moan left my lips and I felt Zane smile against my lips. He seemed very happy.

The sound of Zane’s phone in his pocket rang throughout the room. Zane hesitantly removed his hands, and with a sigh of annoyance, opened up the phone.

“Hello?” He answered, looking at me as if to say sorry. I stood up and began to pace the room. A look of annoyance crossed Zane’s face at the phone call, and I left the room so he could finish his conversation.

I sat down on the couch, and felt pure bliss. Zane felt the same way. And now we could be together. I could feel my happiness bubble over and I let out a little laugh.

Zane emerged from the kitchen, the small phone in his hand.

“Sorry about that. It was my mother.” I remember what Zane told me about that woman, and she sounded like someone that I would never like to meet.

Zane sat down next to me, and leaned his head on my shoulder.

“Hey, can I spend the night here? I want to spend some more time with you, since we are going out now and all...” I was surprised by the younger boy’s question, and ruffled his hair. He looked to be nervous.

“Of course you can. You are always welcome here.”

Zane smiled up at me, he looked relaxed and happy. His cheeks were dusted light pink.

“Thanks, Rhodes.”