Wedidn’tcometoLos Angeles to start over.
We came to expand.
I’d like to think the three of us are on the brink of building the life we’ve always wanted.
For now, we’re in a rental house in Laurel Canyon. Spanish tile, lemon trees, breeze curling through open windows. Seventies vibes. Not a bad placeholder for permanence.
I’ve never felt more free. We have lots of space here. For music. For my business. For the shape we’re becoming. No need to shrink. No need to hide.
For the most part.
“Look who’s back.” Avonna crosses toward the kitchen barefoot, hair scraped into a messy knot. Liam trails behind, long hair flowing down his back.
I watch them and immediately want to strip them both and bury myself in their skin. Unfortunately, this moment isn’t about sex. It’s about everything else.
“So?” I lean against the counter, coffee hot between my palms. “How’d it go with your brother?”
Liam exhales. Runs a hand through his long hair. “Padraig’s good. Mara’s keepin’ him busy.”
“Mara?” Avonna frowns as she sits on the cushion below me.
“His new girlfriend. News anchor. Bubbly. I think he likes her. ’Bout time he got laid.” Liam’s attempts at breezy are always amusing. The man was made for brooding, and he can’t exactly hide it.
He’s worried about Padraig, it’s been this way his whole life as far as I can tell. Most of the time, Liam cares about his twin’s happiness more than his own. “What did you talk about?”
Liam’s gaze shifts out the window. Says nothing.
Avonna and I trade a look.Right.
We know one thing, he didn’t mention what’s happening with the three of us.
“Liam—” I set my mug down with a loud clack.
“Look.” He punches his palm with his fist. “Don’t pretend it isn’t fuckin’ complicated.”
I don’t argue. He’s not wrong. Doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.
“He’s glad I’m stayin’ in LA.” Liam slumps into the armchair across from us. “He rented a condo. I told him I was keepin’ this place for a while.”
Avonna bites her lip. “He didn’t ask why?”
“Oh, I don’t need to spell things out. He knows why.” Liam surprises me. “Look, he’s not stupid. I was inDublin for months. When we agreed to let Linus manage us again, he obviously knew we were fuckin’.”
Avonna pulls her knees up. “Does he know about me and Linus? Or me at all?”
“You two have kept your marriage stealth, so no. It’s not my place. Obviously, he knows Linus manages you, sweetheart and you’re a monster of a writer and your voice can melt a fucking glacier.” He pauses. “But, no. I didn’t mention the two of you were married and the three of us are, whatever this is.”
“Whatever this is?” I can’t help but be disappointed at his crass characterization of a relationship I consider sacred.
I know what I want. Avonna knows what she wants. It’s a hell of a lot more than fucking.
Avonna gives me a look as if to say,chill. Unlike me, she’s patient.
“But, youdidmention Avonna potentially singin’ for Fireball?” I continue.
Liam scowls. “I didn’t put it to him so bluntly. Fer fuck’s sake, Linus. You know how we are. We talk multiple times every fuckin’ day. He’s aware she and I have been writin’ a ton and he sure as shite knows he’s not contributed a goddamn creative idea in months. So, the way I approached it was mentioning Avonna should come to practice so he could hear some of the songs we wrote. I’ve also low-key mentioned how cool it would be if she was interested. I don’t want to pressure him. Things are tenuous enough.”
I watch him carefully, noting the way he dances around the truth like it’s a cliff edge he’s not ready to step over.
