Alice huffs, dropping the suitcase on the couch. “You hook up with a rock star, and he buys you a new wardrobe? Damn.” She spies through the window shades next to the door. “Why didn’t you invite him in?”
“Because…” I motion to our cramped, messy apartment. “We spent the weekend in a hotel room twice this size. I’m not letting him see where I live. Besides, he’s on his way to the studio to record a song with Gigi.”
“Oh, I love her. Her new ‘Candy Heart’ song is stuck in my head. I made it Emily’s ringtone.”
“Yeah. I know. Gigi’s amazing and hot and whatever.”
She scrunches her nose and follows me into my room as I drag the suitcase behind me. “Sorry. Guess it doesn’t make you feel good having him record songs with her. But you don’t know what the song is about. Maybe it’s an angry song about hate or breaking up.”
“He belongs with someone like that. Musicians usually stick together.”
Alice sits on the edge of my bed and places her hands on her knees. “Do you see their divorce rate? They hate each other after a year or so.”
“Not all of them. But it doesn’t matter. He’s probably deleting my number as we speak.”
Alice tsks as I unzip my suitcase and toss my new clothes into my hamper. “Yeah. Dude who ices everyone out randomly whisks you to Vegas and buys you things is just going to dump you like that.” She snaps her fingers. “I may have slight hearing loss from all the clubs and concerts over the years, but I swear he said he wanted to see you again.”
I sigh and sink onto the bed. “They’re recording right now. But he’s not staying in LA. Why do I want to—”
My phone buzzes. I check, and it’s Sully. Is fate mocking me? My stomach twists; his text could say so many things.
Alice raises her brows. “Also…for the record? I asked my Tarot cards if you two would see each other again.” She gives me a sly smile. “They said yes. Strongly.”
Alice laughs, standing and whisking my phone away before I open his message. “Lover boy sent you a text. It doesn’t seem you’re off his radar yet.”
“Don’t steal my phone.” I snag my phone back and glare at my best friend. “And don’t read my texts. You’re like the sister I never had.”
At times like these, I’m happy my parents never gave me a sibling.
“You’re welcome.” She bows and settles back onto my bed, resting her head on my stuffed pink cat. “Go on and read it.”
I clutch my phone to my chest. “I will, but without you reading over my shoulder.” I race to the bathroom and lock the door.
Alice pounds on it. “Not fair!” She sighs and surrenders.
“Finally.” I sit on the lip of the tub and read Sully’s text.
We’re staying in LA to record new tracks. Can we meet for dinner one night this week?
A shriek slips out and I cover my mouth with a hand, hoping it didn’t perk Alice’s ears. There’s no knock, so I think I’m safe.
This is insane. Like a feverish dream, I’ll wake up and laugh at how real it all felt. Yet when I pinch myself, I’m still here, staring at Sully’s text.
What do I say? I don’t want to reply right away and seem too eager. Do I want to see him again? Yes. But it’s only dragging out the inevitable. He lives in Germany and my place is here.
I crack open the bathroom door and hear Alice talking on the phone in her bedroom. Tiptoeing into my room, I close the door and collapse on my bed.
My phone buzzes again. Damn, he really wants to see me again.
But when I see who the text is from, my mood sours, and anger spoils the blood in my veins.
ASSHOLE: V. I’m in LA for a few days. Can we meet up? I need you.
Fucking ex thinks he can break my heart and fly to New York after “the incident” and just return a couple of months later, and I’ll come crawling back? Ha. I’d rather be eaten by sharks than see his face again.
Being with Sully gives me the burst of self-confidence I need to block my asshole ex. I open my texts with Sully and reply.
Let me check my schedule but dinner this week sounds perfect.
