“Team Dance?”
“Yeah, Chance and Derrick. You were good for him, but I know he wasn’t good for you. I love the guy, but he is messed up, always has been. I thought it might have just been his sexuality. I don’t care if he’s bi, but I know I’m the only one in the band that knows, not that Johnny or Tyler would care, but in Chance’s mind, he thinks they will because his parents don’t approve of his rockstar lifestyle, and knowing he’s bi would tip them over the edge and he’d never see his brothers again.”
“Until he is ready to help himself, I don’t know what more we can do for him.”
Blake nods in understanding. “Agreed. I wish I could fix him.”
I reach out and squeeze his shoulders. “Chance’s trauma isn’t for you to fix. He needs a professional, and yes, I know what you’re about to say, he won’t go because he thinks he’s handling it, but he’s not. He masks his pain with groupies, drugs, and alcohol.”
Blake’s face says it all, he’s worried. “Thanks, D.”
“Not a problem. And please remember, don’t mess my baby girl around,” I warn him.
“She deserves better than me. I know that. I’m going to try my hardest not to fuck it up like I have before. She’s a fucking angel,” he says, and I believe him, guess time will tell if he can keep his word.
I walk back into the party and see Sienna introducing Olivia to the gang, and I take a seat beside Parker, who greets me warmly.
“How are things?” he asks.
“Busy. So fricken busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“The newlyweds are here,” Christian yells from the deck. They’ve just arrived back from their honeymoon and we are all so excited to see them as they make their way toward where Axel and Olivia are.
“Saw your face on Times Square billboard, hello,” I tease Parker.
“It’s always surreal when that happens. I just found out I’m walking men’s fashion week in Milan and Paris.”
“No way. This is huge. Congrats.”
“You’ve got to come,” he says.
“Don’t have to ask me twice, I’m there. We’re going to have the best time.”
“I think we need to drink to Axel joining the pussy-whipped club. Never thought I’d see the day, but I couldn’t be happier.” We overhear Christian teasing his brother, which makes Parker and me burst out laughing.
“Go to the man cave, then,” Sienna says, pushing the boys away, because she knows it’s gossip time for us girls.
“Are you coming?” Parker asks, getting up from his seat. I shake my head, and we agree to catch up later.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Vanessa rushing over to Olivia and pulling her into a hug, “We’re so going to be sisters.” She squeals excitedly. Olivia looks like a deer in headlights, and I don’t blame her when technically she is still engaged to someone else.
“Don’t scare the shit out of her. We know you’re still stuck in your honeymoon love bubble, just don’t push your love agenda onto unsuspecting women,” I tell her.
Vanessa ignores me, I’m going to put that down to pregnancy hormones. “So, give us the details. What have I missed?” she asks Olivia as she takes a seat on the sofa.
“Um … well, it’s kind of a long story, but we’re still trying to work things out,” Olivia says timidly as we all stare at her.
“You still engaged to that douchebag?” I ask, that’s probably the first place to start.
Olivia cringes. “We’re sorting things out … it’s all happened kind of fast.”
“Axel is very safe when it comes to his decisions, and he isn’t known for his spontaneity,” Vanessa explains to her.
“Well, neither am I.” Olivia chuckles.
“Hey, ignore her. She doesn’t know when she’s prying too much. Honestly, Evan and I happened quickly. When these guys fall, they fall fast. No mucking around.”
I know my friend is trying to reassure Olivia, but she looks frozen with fear over that statement.
