Tyler shrugged. “I guess?”
Heather tilted her head. “Okay, but real question—fame aside, do you actually like him?”
Tyler hesitated. “I like himdespiteit.”
CHAPTER 18
CARY
“Her friends seem nice,” Cary said over Bluetooth, snow pelting the windshield as he drove toward Brandon. “I really thought she’d come home with me, but I got shut down. Big time.”
He wasn’t used to people saying no. The idea hadn’t even occurred to him. Tyler definitely wasn’t Emma, who’d begged him to take her home—an option that was never actually on the table.
“She’s got her own life,” Vegas said.
“Yeah.” Cary turned down the radio. “I guess she does.” He smiled, almost surprised at himself. “I think that’s probably good for me.”
“You think she was surprised you asked?”
“I think so.” He kept his eyes on the road as fat snowflakes blurred the highway. “I figured Kim might’ve warned her.”
“No way, man. Kim’s solid.”
“I’m going to ask Tyler to be my girlfriend.”
“Seb won’t like that.”
“Let me deal with him.” Cary tapped the steering wheel to “When the Levee Breaks.” Tyler had gotten him back into Zeppelin—her favoriteband. She loved Jimmy Page so much it sparked a flicker of jealousy when she talked about him.
“How’s your recovery coming?” he asked.
“Fucking rehab,” Vegas muttered. “At least three more weeks.”
“You’ve got to finish it.”
“I know.” Vegas sighed. “I’m dying to get back on the road. I’m bored as shit.”
“Kim’s really been killing it while you’re out.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Would you be cool with keeping her on once you’re back?”
“Honestly?” Vegas paused. “I could use the help. Seb’s tour budget is garbage.”
“I’ll pay double your rate.”
“No way. I can’t take that. Seb’s already pissed you’re paying me at all.”
Cary winced as one of his old songs came on the radio. He hit the power button before the chorus could humiliate him.
“Wasn’t that your song?” Vegas asked.
“Yeah. On a classic rock station.” He stared ahead, jaw tight. “Guess I’m officially retro. Some of the early stuff’s dated. And the new stuff just sucks.”
“You should take a break after this tour.”
“And do what?” Cary rubbed his face, letting out a long breath. After a beat, he added, “I’m going to the Robertsons’ for Christmas, by the way.”
Vegas let out a low laugh. “Yeah, you’ve mentioned it—once or twice.”
“You staying in Vancouver?”
