“A few things.”
“Good. I’ve been writing too. We can put them on the next album.”
Like there ever would be one. This was our last run. If we didn’t make it now, we’d never make it. It was time to move on and return to reality.
“Pru, is there something wrong?”
Damn. Gavin knew me too well. “My fingers hurt.”
He eyed my hands. “Soak them in warm water.”
“It doesn’t work for me.” I finished my waffle then tossed the plate on the table.
Gavin drank from his beer then watched TV. “You aren’t going out with Cash tonight?”
Here we go. “He has to work late tonight.”
“Oh.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned into the cushions.
“We could do something…”
That sounded like a bad idea. “I’m too tired. I just want to stay in tonight.”
“We can go rent a movie.”
“Netflix.”
“Pick something.”
I should have just stayed in my room.
“Pru?”
I looked at him. “Yeah.”
“Give me a chance. You’re completely shutting me out.”
What did he mean by that?
“I can’t control my feelings, but I can respect your wishes. I really want to be friends again, but I can’t do that if you keep acting like this.” His anger was palpable. Now I felt guilty.
“I’m sorry, Gavin.”
He looked away, anger still brewing in his eyes.
“You’re right. I guess I’m just on my guard.”
“Don’t be. I will make a move again, but I’ll wait until you’re available.”
“I’m not unavailable.”
He turned back to me. “Are you saying you want me to make a move now?”
That was a stupid thing to say. “No. I just meant that Cash and I aren’t serious. I would love to be your friend—nothing more.”
“Then start acting like a friend,” he said simply. “Let’s eat a pizza together and watch a fucking movie.” He was pissed.
“I just don’t want to give you the wrong impression.”
“You aren’t.”
“You just said you’re going to try to get with me.”
“Later—not now. And only if I feel like you’ve changed your mind about me. Clearly, you haven’t.” He grabbed the remote and flipped through the selections on Netflix.
“Can we just start over?” I said with a sigh. “I want my lead guitarist back—and my friend.”
“Done,” he said. “Can we pretend that you have no idea I have feelings for you?”
“I can try.”
“Then let’s do it.” He picked a random movie and let it play.
My phone rang halfway into it. I hoped it was Cash inviting me over, but it wasn’t. It was my brother. He called me a few times but I kept forgetting to call him back. I was a horrible sister.
“Hello?”
“I finally got a hold of you,” he said in an annoyed voice. “I know you’re busy—but damn.”
“I’m sorry, Jer.”
“It’s fine.”
No, it wasn’t. I could tell he was still pissed. “How are you?”
“Good. How are you?”
“Well.”
“How are the shows?”
“Great. We are having a lot of fun.” Talking to him made me miss him. My brother was the best guy I knew. But you’d never catch me saying that out loud, especially to him.
“No contracts?”
“It’s never going to happen,” I said with a sigh.
“It will,” he said firmly. “You’re like a girl version of Paul McCartney.”
I laughed loudly. “Thank you for the compliment, even though I really don’t deserve it.”
“I think so.”
“What’s new with you?”
“Well, I wanted to tell you this weeks ago, but you were a brat and didn’t call me back.”
“You’re talking to me now, Jer. Let’s move on.”
“I’m coming to Los Angeles tomorrow for business. I’ll be there for a few days.”
“You are?”
“And I really want to spend some time with my little sister.”
“Whatever. You just want a place to crash.”
He laughed. “No. My hotel is being paid for. I assumed you’d want to stay with me for a few days to get some space. Four people in a small apartment sounds like hell.”
Not when I was sleeping at Cash’s five nights a week. “It’s not so bad.”
“Either way, I want to see you. I have meetings during the day, but I’m free every evening.”
“I guess I can show you the sights.”
“Do you know any sights?” he teased.
“Shut up. I’m cool and hip.”
“Sure…”
“And you can come to one of our shows.”
“I’d love that.” My brother was always so supportive of my music career. Both of my parents thought it was the dumbest thing in the world, but my brother, who had an MBA and never took risks if he could help it, didn’t. And that meant the world to me.
Now I really missed him. “When do you arrive?”
“I’m getting on the plane now.”
What? I guess I forgot about the time difference. “Do you need me to pick you up?”
“No, I made all the arrangements. I’ll see you after work.”
“Have a safe flight.”
“I will. Bye.”
“Bye.” I lowered the phone to my lap.
“Jeremy is coming?” Gavin asked.
“Yep.”
“Cool.” Gavin kissed my brother’s ass so much. In his twisted mind, he thought if he had Jeremy’s approval, it would win me over. My brother’s opinion was important to me, but it wasn’t everything.
After the movie was over, I went to bed. Gavin didn’t bring up our uncomfortable situation again and I thought the matter was settled. I hoped we could regain what we lost.
My phone rang once I was under the covers. A stupid grin stretched my face when I saw who it was.
“Hey.”