“Thelabelminds!” Tai insisted. “You guys can’t just decide you don’t want to be in Toronto anymore. We have studio hours all set up for next week.”
Looking from Evan to Cal, I noticed with surprise he wasn’t alone anymore. Cal was still at the bar, but his drink sat forgotten behind him and he’d been joined by Harper. They were talking quietly amongst themselves, completely unaware of all the eyes on them. It was like they were in their own little world. Cal’s entire expression had changed, and he seemed almost at peace.
I hadn’t seen him look that content since before we left town all those years ago.
“There are recording studios in Nova Scotia,” I replied, finally returning my attention to Tai. “We can make it work here, I promise. You know we’re committed to our music. We haven’t asked for much over the years, but I’m telling you right now…Calneedsthis time.”
Tai bit her lip, holding my gaze for several beats before she glanced at Cal and sighed. “You’re right. I’m just worried. The tabloids can be brutal on him, on you all.”
She said this last bit while looking at Connor, imploring her. Connor bit her lip, casting a worried glance at her brother. He looked happier than he had in a while, and there was a hope in his eyes that hadn’t been there a couple weeks ago.
None of us wanted to see that hope dashed.
“We’ll figure it all out, Tai, it’ll be okay,” Evan assured her, putting his arm over her shoulder.
* * *
Later on that night,I tried not to watch as Connor said goodnight to her parents—to Cal—but like any time I was in the same room as her, my gaze was pulled to her as if magnetized.
“I don’t get why you two don’t just come clean about it, it’s fucking obvious. The only reason Cal hasn’t noticed yet is because he’s too deep into his own muck to see yours.” Evan’s call-out was a cold dose of reality I didn’t need in that moment.
“We’re waiting until she graduates, and you know Cal’s got a lot going on. Why the hell would I add one more thing to his list?”
“Because hiding it makes it look bad, Dare,” Evan deadpanned. His seriousness threw me off—that was usually my domain. “It makes you look like you’re doing something wrong. If it’s not wrong, why are you hiding it?”
“I haven’t said anything because she needs me to keep it quiet, and I’ll always give her what she needs.”
Evan nodded slowly, analyzing me as he took in my answer. I could only hope he understood, as he had yet to find a girl he wanted to commit to. My feelings for Connor were powerful, and I knew exactly what they were—love. I was in love with her and had been for some time. I would do anything she asked of me, and right now she wanted my discretion.
But I understood why, so I tried not to let it bother me. Connor had witnessed firsthand how her father had treated Calum over the years, and I knew she feared she’d lose her father the same way.
There had been so many instances over the years where I’d longed to call out Michael Jacobs for the pain he’d inflicted on my best friend. Cal had gone to him full of excitement and bewilderment. None of us had ever dreamed we’d strike a recording deal or get the opportunity to open for an artist like Killian Barker.
But the Calum who had boarded the plane with a fat lip was not the same one who had signed on the dotted line. Even then, I’d known he’d left a huge part of him back in Nova Scotia.
“This is about Michael Jacobs, isn’t it? And the hate on he has for us all.” Evan rolled his eyes. “When is everybody going to stop giving him so much power? He’s only one man.”
“He’s their father.” I shrugged. “You have an easy relationship with yours, and I don’t have one.” He knew my dad died of an overdose, and that I didn’t like talking about it or thinking about it.
Evan nodded. “Yeah, so what? Michael’s a grade A prick about everything and I, for one, am tired of it.”
A chuckle escaped, and I shook my head. Evan wasn’t wrong—I was sick of it too, but it wasn’t my place to have a stance on how either Calum or Connor reacted to him. I just hoped like hell Connor wouldn’t let him cage her in, that she’d stop burying her passions and her dreams and fly with them.
I wanted her on the next tour with us. I’d written so many new tracks, tracks with her in mind—vocals here, or piano instrumental there. I wanted her with us, always within my reach. Maybe that was selfish, maybe it was asking too much.
I was afraid of stifling her almost as much as I was afraid of losing her.
As soon as the door closed behind Calum, Connor turned her head, the flash of her red hair catching my eye. Then she realized Evan was beside me, watching her too, and turned back to her friends. She stayed with them for another ten minutes, talking and laughing, touching the necklace at her throat.
We hadn’t really defined what it was we were doing, but there was an unspoken agreement where we were just…enough for each other. Usually, anyway. That was…evolving. Secrecy was no longer enough for me. I’d warred with myself all day over my desire to hold her in my arms and comfort her. I had to treat her the way I was supposed to treat my best friend’s kid sister.
* * *
Later on,about half an hour after Calum had left with Maeve and Michael, movement by the bar caught my attention, and I watched as Connor unwillingly took a selfie with her high school friends. Emma was the one taking the selfie, and she strategically angled the camera so we were in the background.
Once the girl snapped the photo, Connor said her goodbyes. She glanced at me, her eyes pulling me in, and bit her lip. Her eyes cut to the doors, and I knew she was ready to get out of here. She’d told her parents earlier she was crashing at Michelle’s for the night, but Connor had no intention of going there.
“There it is. The Bat-Signal,” Evan sighed, shaking his head ruefully. “Guess I’ll see you when I see you,” he added before tossing back the rest of his drink and stalking off to find other company.
