“Is someone beating you in there?” Arthur’s voice is low and deep, like a cop about to knock someone out.
I picture Arthur grabbing Sully and punching him in a dark room before kicking him to the curb.
“No. Just slipped,” I reply, standing and pulling my jeans on. My leg still aches, but putting weight on it helps. I chew on my inner cheek and type my reply.
Give me a good reason.
He replies within a few heartbeats.
I’m sorry…let me make itup 2 u.
My gut tells me I’ll regret it, but my heart controls my thumbs.
I’m finishing a gig. I’ll be home soon. Send the car there.
C u soon. xx
The two kisses in his text are odd and he never uses shorthand. He’s never done that before. Maybe I’m looking for red flags when there aren’t any.
I open the door, and Arthur smiles, taking my bag. “You ready?”
“Yup. Let’s go.”
We walk to the car, and I can’t shake the sinking feeling in my stomach. It’s like watching the water pull back from the beach, and you can’t see the giant tidal wave coming to crush you and everything in its path until it’s too late.
40
WhenIarrivehome,I put away my mermaiding stuff and knock on Alice’s bedroom door. I need advice before seeing Sully again.
“Enter,” she cheerfully says.
I open the door to find her sitting on her bed with her legs crossed and her laptop on her lap, a worn purple Tarot deck resting nearby.
“What’s up,” I ask, lingering in the doorway.
“You look like crap, sweetie.” She closes the laptop and pats the bed next to her. “Care to explain?”
I lie down, draping an arm over my eyes. “Sully texted when I was finishing the Cooper and Associates event. He’s sending a car so we can talk in person and—”
She smacks my thigh. “Girl, when will you open your eyes and see that bass player has it bad for you?”
I sit up too quickly, giving myself a head rush. “Does it matter? He’s going on aEuropean tour soon.”
“Did he ask you to come?”
I focus on my hand running over the sheet, smoothing its wrinkles.
Alice inhales sharply, bouncing on the bed. “He did, didn’t he?” she shrieks in joy.
“He did after the music awards, but then…” I trail off. Then Gigi happened.
“He doesn’t want her. Not to be cliché, but it’s plain as day with him texting you. Needing to see you.”
“He’s acting weird and…” I shrug. “Plus, I can’t hop on a plane and go on tour. Saying it out loud doesn’t even sound real.” I bow my head, covering my face with my hands. “A weekend in Vegas is one thing, but an entire tour! I can’t. What about my life here?”
Alice rubs small circles on my back. “Your life? What life?”
I glare at her, but she’s right. Other than work and hanging out with Alice, I don’t do much, and I live in one of the most exciting cities in the world.
