Matt finished the page he was reading and reached for his drink. He’d been sitting outside for the last hour, enjoying the sunshine, ocean breeze, and the book he’d started last week but hadn’t touched since before the night Liv came over to play pool. Not that he was complaining, but he’d prefer to be sitting there with her rather than reading now.
Instead of starting the next chapter, he set the book down and stared out at the ocean as his mind wandered.
He’d come to Maine because it was his favorite place to be. Today, though, that wasn’t the only reason he was glad to be back from his weekend away in Providence. As much as he’d enjoyed visiting with Trent and his family, he’d missed Liv. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d truly missed someone the way he’d missed her. He’d considered stopping by her office when he’d gotten back into town but decided against it. While he had nothing but time on his hands, she had a business to run and didn’t need him dropping by and interrupting her day. Matt had sent her a text, though, when he got home, letting her know he was back and that she could come over whenever tonight, as they had planned.
The cell phone on the table chimed as he raised his glass to his mouth for another drink. Turning the device over, he found a message from Liv.
Liv: Leaving work in a couple of minutes. Do you need me to bring anything?
Matt: Pool cue.
They might not get around to it, but he wouldn’t mind a chance to redeem himself.
Liv: Will do. See you soon.
Before he put the phone back on the table, it rang, and the name “Jordan” appeared on the screen. At one time, he wouldn’t have hesitated to answer. Now he did, because he had a feeling he already knew the reason behind the call from his long-time friend and bandmate, and he didn’t feel like talking about it. If he didn’t answer now, though, Jordan would call again, so ignoring him was only a temporary solution.
“Hey, are you still in Virginia?” Jordan asked after greeting him.
It sounded like Jordan had seen the same pictures as Theo’s girlfriend.
“Nope.”
“Where are you, then? I stopped by your house last week.”
Other than his parents, Jordan was the only person he knew who’d show up without either being invited or calling first. “Maine.”
“I should’ve known.”
Unlike Matt, Jordan had grown up in Maine, but even before his parents moved out of the state, he’d rarely visited. Now that he had no family there, the only time he came back was when Portland was a stop on Eclipse’s tour.
“When are you coming back?” Jordan asked.
“I have no idea.”
“Dude, we need to start working on some new material.”
It had been almost two years since they released a new album and nearly eight months since he’d written anything new.
“If you really don’t know, I can fly up there so we can get started.”
“You’re welcome to visit, but nothing has changed. I’m done until Carter gets his shit together.”
“Not that again. Come on. Just let it go. Even McKenna moved past it. And if you do, Travis will.”
While it pissed him off that Carter had cheated on his wife of less than a year, it wasn’t the reason he could no longer work with the band’s keyboardist. He’d already explained that to Jordan and the others.
“You know there’s more to it, Jordan.”
The app on his phone beeped, letting him know someone was approaching the door, and he headed inside as Jordan once again tried to change his mind. He could say one thing about the guy: Jordan was persistent.
Opening the door, he gestured for Liv to come in.
“Sorry, not happening. But if you want to come up for a visit, you’re welcome to. But listen, I have company, so I’m going to have to talk to you later.” Ending the call, Matt stuck the device into his back pocket and dismissed his conversation with Jordan from his mind.
“You didn’t have to cut your call short.”
Matt wrapped his arms around her, then brushed his lips against hers. “Jordan and I were done. How was your day?”
