Today, it was none of the above. Tyler was on the phone, probably with Ariel, but Lexi was napping, Ford was playing a game on his phone, and Stu had been giving Noah a guitar lesson. He’d gotten so much better the last few weeks, and seemed to be having a blast. So far, he’d been doing well and Stu said he would be a great guitar tech after he got a little more experience. He was enthusiastic, smart, and worked hard.
“You hungry?” I asked Noah once Stu had wandered off and Noah locked up the guitars.
“I could eat.” He fell into step beside me.
Noah was almost as tall as I was, though a lot skinnier and without much muscle, but he’d gained weight since I’d known him, and he’d build up muscle with how much work he was doing with the band.
“So how’s it going?” I asked him as we sat at a table with plates of food.
“Good.” He met my gaze worriedly. “Am I not doing a good job?”
“No, you’re doing a great job, but I promised your sister I’d make sure you were okay, and you’ve seemed kind of quiet the last few days.”
He shrugged. “Something’s up with Kiki. She’s not herself, and I don’t know if it’s just because she misses me or if there’s something going on.”
“Have you asked her? Women seem to like it when you go out of your way to show you notice little things like that.”
He smiled. “Yeah, I tried. She said she has a cold, but she’s been going to work, so I don’t know.” He paused, looking at me curiously. “I haven’t had any adult relationships other than, you know, sex. I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do. You think she’s mad I took this job?’
“If she’s mad you took a job that could provide for your future—and maybe even hers—then she might not be the right one for you,” I said steadily. “I don’t know Kiki that well, but Bri says she loves you, so you need to have faith in that love.”
“I haven’t told her.” He blurted out. “I mean, I should have, right?”
I nodded. “Well, if you love her, then yeah. I get it, though. I didn’t say it to Bri until recently. I thought I might be rushing her, and you know how skittish your sister can be.”
Noah rumbled out a laugh. “Believe me, I know.”
“Sometimes, for us men, we have to rush those words, and other times we have to slow them down. Sounds to me like it might be time to pick up the pace with Kiki.”
“Yeah. I know. It’s just…hard. Like, I’ve never said those words to a grown woman before. Last time was when I was a teenager.”
“It’s not hard if you feel it, if you know she’s right for you.” I paused. “Is she?”
“Yeah. She’s pretty fucking awesome. I’m the one that’s a mess.”
“You’re working on it, though, and she supports you. That’s most of the battle right there. Long as the sex is good.”
Noah laughed. “The sex is bitchin’. Kiki’s over-the-top in everything, including the bedroom.”
“Then there you have it.”
“I worry about taking care of her. You know, once I say it, all of this becomes real, and three months ago I was a junkie sleeping all day and selling everything I owned for a fix.”
“That was three months ago. Now you’re off drugs, only drinking enough to keep the shakes away, and you have a great job.”
“I have an internship,” Noah said quietly. “And I’m grateful for it, truly. But I can’t take care of Kiki as an intern.”
“No, but you couldn’t take care of her as a busboy either, and this is going to pay a lot more than that if you hang in there with us. Stu thinks you’re doing great and so do I. Don’t get inside your own head, man. You have enough to worry about, fighting back addiction every day of your life.”
“Tell me about it.” Noah took a bite of his burger. “The cravings never go away. Do you think they will?”
“I think so? I have a few friends that are recovering addicts and it’s not like it was when they first got clean. You’ll probably always have to deal with it, though.”
“I know. That’s what scares me about Kiki and telling her how I feel…is it fair to sign her up for a lifetime of my shit?”
“Only she can answer that and she knew all about your shit before you got involved.”
“I also worry if the relationship goes sideways, will that impact her friendship with Bri? I mean, they’re like sisters.”
“I don’t think anything will come between those two as long as you’re classy and kind in the event of a breakup. Here are the general rules I’ve learned about breakups in my thirty-two years on earth. Don’t ever lay a hand on her, call her bad names, or put the blame on her, no matter what she did. Just say you’re sorry, you hate it had to end, and walk away. That’s always been my rule of thumb.”
“Good to know.”
“Hey.” Ford sat down with us and reached onto my plate to steal a fry.
“Hey!” I playfully smacked his hand, though I didn’t care because we could always get more.
He laughed.
“Where’s Avon?” I asked him, since she always seemed to be around lately.
“She’s in New York for a photo shoot. I’ll see her next week.”
“So, uh, things good between you?” I asked carefully.
He grinned. “I’ve got one of the most beautiful women in the world on my arm, always surrounded by her gorgeous model friends, with no relationship drama, no pressure, no nothing. This is the best of both worlds.”
“You don’t actually like her?” Noah asked in surprise.
“Sure, I like her a lot. But I don’t love her and she don’t love me either. We’re friends.”
“Be careful,” I warned. “Feelings have a way of sneaking up on you in situations like this.”
Noah and Ford both looked at me as if I’d sprouted wings or something. “What?” I demanded. “It is. When you find someone you’re sexually attracted to but also like as a friend, you’ve pretty much found everything you need. Yeah, there’s chemistry and other shit, but friendship and sex are the basis for it all.”
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about,” Ford rumbled, getting to his feet. “That ain’t what’s goin’ on with Avon and me at all. She’s not into guys, so trust me—it ain’t relationship-bound.”
“Just looking out for you, my friend,” I told him.
“I know.” Ford went over to the buffet table and grabbed a plate.
“I think that’s a disaster waiting to happen,” Noah whispered to me.
“Agreed,” I whispered back.
The following week, I waited for Bri outside the baggage claim area in a limo I’d rented for the night. I had a bottle of champagne chilling, even though she’d probably only have a sip, a dozen roses, and a pair of dangling diamond and emerald earrings I’d picked out for her. I’d noticed she had almost no jewelry at all, and the emeralds would match her eyes. She’d probably be embarrassed by a gift so expensive, but I didn’t care. I wanted to give her things and she couldn’t stop me.