My best friend.
Myformerbest friend.
Damn it.
“Jesus Christ.” Gage grabbed Jay from behind and hauled him back. “We talked about this, Jayd. We agreed you were gonna be chill.”
“Youagreed,” Jay muttered. But he took a deep breath and calmed down slightly.
“Let go of him,” I told Gage. Even though my brother thought he was helping me out, seeing his arms locked around Jay’s chest bothered me for reasons I didn’t want to admit. “If Jay Don doesn’t like hearing me speak the truth about his music,” I taunted, “he’s welcome to hit me again, but I only owed him thatonepunch.”
Jay’s green eyes flashed dangerously… and fuck if that didn’t make my stomach flip all the way over, which in turn made me scowl. I’d figured the silver lining of our friendship imploding was that I wouldn’t feel this instantwantjust from being in the same room with him, but I’d been wrong.
“Good Lord, this is more exciting than them Turkish wrestling videos on the YouTubes,” Lorenna breathed. “Don’t stop your fisticuffs on our account, boys! Maddie, where’s my camera? Does anyone have any oil?”
Jay’s gaze darted to the side, like he was just then remembering we had an audience, then just as quickly came back to me.
“Heya, Jayd!” Lorenna added belatedly. “Welcome home, honey.”
“Rafael.” My dad got up from his seat, two minutes too late to actually help anything, which figured, and came around the table. “What in the Sam Hill is going on?”
“Exactly what I’d like to know,” Jay gritted out. “I need to speak to Rafe.Privately.”
“You couldn’t’ve kept your mouth shut, eh?” Dad shot me a withering glance. “Likeyouknow the first thing about overproduced albums.”
“Hey! I know one when I hear it! And this is not my fault! I was just standing here, andhehitme.” I was aware that I sounded like a little kid, and that only made me angrier. Especially since Dad was already giving Jay his brightest smile.
“Jayd, son, welcome home!”
This wasnothis home.
“You must be exhausted. I’m sure Rafe’s real sorry for all the mean-spirited things he’s said. Why don’t you let Gage take you over to the Five Star so you can freshen up—”
“No.” Jay exhaled a bit and forced a smile. “I mean, no,sir. I’d rather not go to the motel just yet. But thank you. Right now, I need Rafe.”
I inhaled sharply at those words. Jay didn’t need me. He didn’t even want me in his life, and he hadn’t for a while. But looking at him now, up close and personal? Seeing his familiar face and hearing his voice say my name? It made me ache for the closeness we’d once shared.
For the friendship he’d walked away from.
“I’m busy, and I think we’ve said everything we had to say to each other.” I moved to retake my seat.
Dad blocked my path. “Ha ha! Nonsense, son! If Jayd wants to talk, you’ll talk.” His eyes flared with warning, and the implied “Don’t let me down, Rafael” came through loud and clear. “After all, there’s no higher calling for the head of the Extravaganza Committee than keeping our musical guest of honor happy. Is there?”
Jay’s eyes locked on mine as he replied smugly, “I certainly can’t think of any.”
Fucker.
“Fine, then. Let’s get this over with. Gage,” I said without looking away from Jay, “while I’m chatting with ourguest of honor, I’m deputizing you to be acting head of the Extravaganza Committee. Choose dicks at every opportunity, you hear me?”
“Uh. I always do,” Gage agreed blandly, but he cast a worried look between me and Jay.
“Shit, sothisis wisdom and maturity?” Fenn asked with faux innocence. “Mase, does this mean I’ve been mature for decades and haven’t known it?”
“No, babe.” Mason patted his arm gently. “Definitely not.”
“Hey, Rafe? Since Jayd’s here, does this mean you’re canceling the Cheez-Bergers in Paradise as a fill-in act?” Littlejohn demanded.
“With Jay’s track record?” I smiled grimly. “Absolutely not.”
