I copy the video link and send it to Luna, wanting to make sure she sees it now so she’s prepared if Van or anyone else confronts her.
I lie back down and finish the video, learning more about Van, Ridge, and Lane. I also learn more details about the tour—things Luna hasn’t even told me yet. I’ve started to notice how she doesn’t like to talk about her music or the tour when I’m around—like it’s just another reminder that she’ll have to leave me soon. Every time I think about it, a pit opens in my stomach. It feels large enough to swallow me whole from the inside out. I hate that what we have—something so raw and special and rare—has to end. Why’d we have to meet to begin with?
My phone chimes and I pick it up to see her reply: fucking great.
I chuckle and drop the phone, laying my head back down to stare up at the ceiling. I’m drifting in and out of sleep when I hear my phone go off again. I crack open one eye and read a message from a buddy I haven’t seen in a while. It reads, Back in town. Let’s grab dinner and drinks.
I swipe the screen upward and reply: Sounds good. Where at?
Chad replies: Melvin’s. Where else? 7:30 p.m. work for you?
I send him a thumbs-up and crash back out.
It’s going on 8 p.m. when I make it to the bar and grill. I walk in, still partially asleep from my nap, and find him sitting in a booth in the back. I walk in his direction and sit across from him.
He smiles wide. “Hey, man. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to make it.”
I rub the sleep from my eyes. “Sorry, been keeping crazy hours lately. I crashed.”
“Crazy hours, huh?” he says with a smirk while he picks up his beer to take a drink. “Who’s the chick?”
I can’t hold back my grin. “She’s just some girl in a band. It’s not a big deal and we’re not really in a relationship or anything. Just fucking around when we can.”
“Nice! Is she hot? You got a picture?”
I hold up my index finger while I retrieve something on my phone. “I’ve got something better than a picture,” I say, playing the music video on my screen and flipping it around for him to see.
“What? No way!” He takes my phone to get a better look. “You? You’re screwing this rocker chick?” He shakes his head. “Nope, ain’t buying it.”
I reach out and take the phone back, sliding it into my pocket. “Good thing I ain’t trying to sell it then.”
He laughs. “That’s crazy! How’d you even meet her? Is she, like, famous or something?”
“I went into a music store to buy a guitar for my niece. Luna owns the store. And she’s not exactly famous yet, but she will be. Her band just signed with a record label and they’re leaving soon for their first tour. Well, more accurately, they’re going to be an opening band on someone else’s tour. Then after they drop their album, they’re going on their own big tour.”
He shakes his head again. His eyes are wide, confused but excited at the same time. “That’s cool as shit. So what are you going to do when she leaves?”
I shrug. “Nothing. When she leaves, we’re over. That was the arrangement. When we’re together, we’re together. When we’re not, we’re not. Her words, not mine,” I point out.
He takes another sip of his beer. “Damn, I’m jealous. She’s hot as hell. How is she in bed?”
I laugh. “Fuck off. I ain’t telling you that. But what about you? What have you been up to?”
He holds his arms out at his sides. “Just living life, man. I spent a few weeks in Florida and Hawaii . . . even went to Alaska. Alaska is beautiful, man. You have to see it for yourself.”
“How’s the business?” Chad runs his own marketing business. He works directly with state government officials to create ads that entice tourists.
“Good. I’m taking the week off now, but next week I’m going to the Bahamas. Beach life.” He smiles.
“Sounds good to me. A whole lot better than being stuck in this city.” Especially now that Luna won’t be here much longer.
“Come to work for me, man. I always need a lawyer with me, keeping me out of trouble.”
I laugh and shake my head. “I can be your lawyer from here. I don’t have to travel with you,” I point out.
“Yeah, but having a buddy with me sounds a whole lot better than doing it alone. You should see some of the hotties I come across on these beaches. There, they’re just the girl next door. But anywhere else in the world, they’d be fucking models.”
“Oh yeah?” I ask, because I have no idea what else to say. I’m not exactly in the market for a random hookup.
He nods. “Oh yeah. And all you gotta do is buy them a couple drinks, act like they’re the prettiest thing you’ve ever laid eyes on, and you’ve got them in the palm of your hand. How’d you land the rocker chick anyway?”
I shrug as a laugh slips out. “No idea, honestly. She invited me to her show. I went and we hung out afterward, then we just kind of agreed to hook up after a couple drinks. It started and we never stopped. However, we have been hiding it from the band and the media. Some of them have caught on to our scent though. I don’t know how we’re addressing it yet.”
“Well, when you get tired of her, send her my way, won’t ya?” He leans forward, flagging down a waitress.
“Yeah, don’t hold your breath,” I say, grabbing a menu just as the waitress walks over.
We both order a round of drinks and some dinner and the waitress leaves the table. Chad and I sit and catch up while drinking our beers. My phone chimes and I pull it out to see a message from Luna.
What are you doing? I’m home alone. Hint, hint.
I smile. I’m having dinner and drinks with a friend. Want to join? We’re at Melvin’s.
Sure. OMW.
I put my phone up and lean forward, resting my elbows on the table. “Luna is on her way, so keep yourself in check.”
His brows go up and his eyes widen. “No shit? She’s coming here? I get to meet her?”
I laugh. “Yeah, she’s coming here.”
We order another round of drinks and our food gets brought out just as Luna is walking in the door. Her presence is enough to make people stop and stare, but she acts like she doesn’t even notice it. I’m jealous of her in so many ways.
She finds us and drops down next to me. “Luna, this is my old buddy, Chad. Chad, this is Luna.”
They shake hands and Chad immediately starts asking her questions: What’s it like being in a band? Do you do a lot of blow? Are there always hot chicks around? When is the tour and can I come? A bunch of stupid shit that only he would ask.
Luna fends him off before looking at me like what did you get me into? I pull her closer to my side and she reaches over and steals a fry from my plate. I push it closer so she can easily take whatever she wants.
“So, Luna, what is it that you see in this stick-in-the-mud here?” He points at me.
She looks from him, to me, and back, then leans forward. “He’s really great in the sack. Plus his dick is huge,” she whispers, holding up her hands to show him how “big” I am. I just shake my head and laugh while Chad sits across from us, completely flabbergasted. Luna lets out a giggle, bringing him back to reality.