Chapter 21 - Remember
CHAPTER 21
Features "Distance" by Christina Perri
“You ever going to play your guitar again?”
I look up and see Tango standing in my doorway. I smile at him before nervously looking down at the still open notebook in my lap. “Actually, I um, I was just finishing a new song.” I whisper.
Tango walks in and sits on the bed. “Mind if I hear it?” he asks, a smile on his face.
I play with the pen in my hands. “I…I don’t think I’m ready for you to…” I stop myself. “…for people to hear it yet.” I correct myself, not looking at him. I can tell that he’s disappointed but he doesn’t let it show too long. “Soon. I promise.”
****
That night, Tango ordered some Chinese and he and Matti sat in the living room watching movies. Tango sat at the end of the couch, one arm on the arm rest, the other on the back of the couch. Matti lay on the rest of the couch, her head resting on Tango‘s lap. Outside, storm clouds filled the sky and thunder erupted from them as rain began to pour.
Tango felt Matti jump beside him and she swatted him when she heard him stifle a laugh. “You’re a little on edge tonight.” he said. When he didn’t get an answer, he glanced down at her. “And quiet. Something going on?” Matti sat up and wrapped her arms around herself. Tango reached over, brushing some hair out of her face. “What is it, Matti?”
"Can you call me Madison?"
Tango cocked his head to one side. "I thought you liked Matti."
"I do...I did..." She whispered, "It's just...I'm not the same person I was a few months ago. I'm not Matti anymore."
Tango nodded his head. "Okay. I'll call you Madison." She gave him a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Is there something else, Madison?"
“Just been thinking about my new song…” she said quietly, not looking at him.
“Are you ready to play it yet?” Tango asked. “I’d love to hear it.”
Licking her lips, she stood and disappeared into her room before coming back out with her notebook and guitar. Sitting down on the couch again, she opened the notebook. She was about to begin playing when there was a loud crack of thunder. Lightening lit up the sky and the lights went out. After finding come candles, Tango and Matti walked back into the living room, placing the candles on the coffee table and sitting back on the couch. Tango lit each candle before turning to Matti and smiling.
“You were about to play your new song.” He said, hanging her the guitar.
Madison took the guitar from him. “Right.” She glanced at him for a moment before getting comfortable. “This is um, its just something I wrote last night…”
Tango could tell she was nervous and placed a gentle hand on the side of her face, causing her eyes to dart from the guitar to him. He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, “Don’t be so nervous.” He whispered.
Click to viewGetting comfortable, she took a deep breath and began strumming on the guitar. “The sun is filling up the room and I can hear you dreaming. Do you feel the way I do right now? I wish we would just give up cause the best part it falling. Call it anything but love...And I will make sure to keep my distance, say, 'i love you' when you're not listening and how long can we keep this up, up, up?"
Tango couldn't stop the smile from forming on his lips as he listening to her sing. It had been months since he heard her sing or play guitar and her voice was just as beautiful as he remembered.
"Please don't stand so close to me, I'm having trouble breathing. I'm afraid of what you'll see right now. I'll give you everything I am. All my broken heart beats until I know you'll understand and I will make sure to keep my distance, say 'i love you' when you're not listening and how long can we keep this up, up, up? And I keep waiting for you to take me. You keep waiting to save what we have...So I'll make sure to keep my distance, say 'i love you' when you're not listening and how long can we keep this up, up, up?"
All Tango wanted to do was pull her into his arms at this point. He licked his lips, moving a bit closer to her on the couch as she continued her song.
"Make sure to keep my distance, say 'i love you' when you're not listening. How long 'til we call this love, love, love...?"
Madison trailed off as she stopped playing and leaned over, pressing her lips against Tango’s. She wrapped her arms around him as he moved the guitar and pulled her closer. He felt her hands on his chest, gently pushing him into the back of the couch. She deepened the kiss as she moved to straddle his lap. Tango gripped her hips and pulled her flush against him, grinding his hips into her. Matti moaned into the kiss as she tugged at his shirt. They broke the kiss just long enough to allow Matti pull the shirt over his head. She leaned down and kissed his chest and collarbone. Nibbling up his neck to his ear, she shivered when he slipped his hands beneath her shirt, gently moving up and down her back. He lift her shirt over her arms, instantly dipping his head to attack her throat and collarbone. Needing more, they both stood up and started on each other’s jeans. Once their jeans had joined the rest of their clothes on the floor, Tango grabbed Madison and pinned her against the wall, her hands above her head.
"Bedroom..." Madison breathed as Tango continued his attack on her neck.
Tango picked her up, making his way to his bedroom. Reaching the bed, he laid her down, covering her body with his as he ran his hands over her body. Madison closed her eyes, a content smile on her face. He rubbed her skin with his thumb as he gripped her hips. Her fingers laced through his hair, playfully pulling his head back so his neck was exposed. He grinned when he felt her lips on his collarbone and slid his hands up and down her hips and thighs. Stopping her attack on his neck, she pulled back, resting her forehead against his, her eyes closed and smiling lightly. Tango placed a tender, almost shy kiss on her lips, making sure to take his time. The kiss continued, neither one of them wanting to sacrifice the moment for air. Finally pulling apart, her eyes fluttered open only to have oceans of blue gazing back at her.
“I love you.” She whispered.
Tango smiled and kissed her softly. “I love you too, Madison.”