I think over the past few weeks, the distance between us, the withdrawal. I thought it was me. My ghosts, my guilt, my self-blame. But he’s pulled back too. I see it now. I feel it.
He’s afraid.
“I’m here, Chase.” I press a soft kiss to his lips, pulling his forehead to mine and meeting his eyes through the darkened room. “I’m here.”
He doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t reply.
And part of me wonders…
Maybe that’s exactly what he’s afraid of.
Chapter 43Annalise
A new day, a new city.
The San Diego sunset douses me in warmth, pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling window of Kenna’s hotel room in a spectrum of golds and pinks. My friend is behind me, primping in the full-length mirror, a hair straightener in hand.
She hums one of our songs under her breath, off-key and glorious. “Damn, that’s catchy. Wish I could sing it as well as you can.”
I stare out the window for another beat, soaking up the colors. Then I turn to her with a smile. “Thank you. For everything.”
Grinning, Kenna twists the straightener as a plume of steam fogs the air. “Pretty sure that’s my line.”
“I just…I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that you’re here.”
She flicks off the tool and meets my stare. “I’ll always be here. No matter what. Whether you’re so rich and famous you’re draped across a gold-studded throne with hot, naked men feeding you grapes, or you’re living the hermitlife, paycheck to paycheck, back to scribbling lyrics on greasy napkins. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I know. It goes both ways.” I set my phone on a side table. “How are you holding up, by the way? It’s been so chaotic lately, so zero to one hundred. I don’t want you to get lost in the mix.”
“Please.” She scoffs, unplugging the straightener and snatching a lip gloss from her makeup bag. “You never have to worry about me. I’m living my best life.”
“I know it can get loud. All this noise. If you ever need to stop and take a breath, let me know. We can light some candles and just breathe.”
“I appreciate that. But I’m good. Literally the happiest I’ve ever been.”
“Are you keeping in touch with Tyler?”
She puckers her lips, popping the cap back on. “Definitely not.”
“I thought it was serious.”
“It was. For like a month.”
Chuckling, I take a seat at the edge of the bed. “I think my brother likes you.”
Her face morphs into disgust. “Gross.”
“Why is that gross?”
“I’ve known Tag since he was a prepubescent middle schooler. God. I can’t shake the memories of him running around in cargo shorts, chugging chocolate milk straight out of the gallon, and trying to burp the alphabet.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Still pretty on-brand.”
“Yup. I have too much blackmail material.” She shudders, then hesitates as she twists to face me. “How are things with Chase?”
My hands curl into the bedcovers. I shove my tongue against my cheek, face heating.
Her eyes flare. “Wow. It finally happened, huh?”
