“That’s almost a month away. The record isn’t being released until then even though it’s done?”
He scoffs and I can hear the scowl in his voice as he says, “Label bullshit. They wanna wait until at least two full years have passed since the band broke up. Don’t want it to appear too soon, or something.” Then he mutters, “Like an extra month is gonna matter to anyone but them.”
As much as I sometimes miss making music, I don’t miss the business side of it. Never had the patience or tolerance for it.
“That’s shitty, man. You should just leak it yourself.”
“Ha! That would really start this solo project out on a great note.”
“Solo project…” I whisper, then clear my throat. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
A pause, and then, “Me neither. I didn’t want it to be this way. I tried but you?—”
“Let’s not start down that road again. Can’t change the past.” What’s the use in dwelling on what could’ve been, when all our problems got in the way?
Nikolai expels a heavy breath. “I’m going to invite Hayden and Walker, too. I wantallmy best friends there.”
The last time I saw Walker he was punching Nikolai for sleeping with his sister behind his back, so at least I was spared a break that time. And Hayden…well he tends to follow Walker’s lead, so as long as the two of us still aren’t speaking, Hayden isn’t either.
Even if we had a slight understanding with each other after I helped take care of his girlfriend’s shitty ex.
I look up at the darkening sky. There used to be nights where I’d look up at the stars as a kid, not knowing better or how the real world would ultimately shape me, and dreamof living out here. Making music. Playing onstage for thousands where everyone knew my name.
I had it.
The four of us did.
And we broke it.
The alley door to On Tap swings open, and a moment later Aspen steps out. Even in the dim lighting, I don’t miss the way her tank top hugs the dips of her waist and shows the smallest sliver of her pale stomach where it rides up from her jeans. She locks eyes with me and the small smile on her face is enough to perk me up a little bit.
“I gotta go,” I tell Nikolai as I straighten. “Text me the details of the release party again, okay?” Even though I know if I look back through our texts, I never got them in the first place.
“Will do. You should come over for dinner again soon.”
“Just dinner?” I smirk.
“Just dinner,” Nikolai laughs, and I’m glad that the three of us can joke about the last time I went over to their house for dinner and we all got a little more than we bargained for. Glad it didn’t make things weird between him and Jane, or me and her for that matter. “Talk to you later.”
“Later.” I hang up as Aspen approaches.
“Who actually had you smiling? I thought I might’ve been seeing things when I stepped out here and saw a grin on your face.” She adjusts the strap of her purse while she cocks a hip out to the side.
I wave her off. “I smile, you know. Just not for you.”
“If you smile for anyone, it should be for me. Who else is giving you any sort of company these days?”
I can’t tell if she’s digging to see if I’ve been filling my time with someone else or if she’s just teasing. A good chance of both.
“I don’t see anyone else giving you much attention lately, either,” I say and unlock the doors before swinging hers open for her.
“Oh, that’s never a concern for me,” she says in a sickly-sweet tone.
I slam her door shut and walk around to the driver’s side. She stands on the sidewalk laughing, not even batting an eye at my action.
“Don’t go big-brother protector mode on me.” She chuckles and reopens it. “I’m a little too old for that now.” She ducks into the car and I take a moment before doing the same. I inhale a deep breath through my nose, willing patience to come and thoughts of whatever sort ofcompanyshe may have to get the fuck out of my head. I shouldn’t be surprised. She’s twenty-one, beautiful, and I’m reluctant to admit it, but has a fast tongue that I’m sure gets her far.
But it bothers me.
