I kept the painting, and that’s all there is to it.
My circle is tight.
The people I allow into my life typically share the same DNA as me, and that’s how I intend on keeping it. But having Akira and Josie around lately just feels right.
Whether their friendships will be permanent or on a strict work basis, it’s hard to tell.
I just don’t know if it’s what I want.
I watch the two of them as they sit and gossip about God knows what, mentioning names I’ve never even heard before. But there’s no talk about the shows we’ve played, and how tomorrow is the last one in New York before we take off to our next location.
It’s like Akira doesn’t realize she’s currently the biggest artist on the planet. Like, somehow she’s just a regular girl with a regular job, living paycheck to paycheck with a normal nine-to-five routine.
Glamorous lifestyle aside, she’s just a woman, unwinding with two of her friends after a long day of work.
She was a stranger to me once. One I couldn’t take my eyes off of. Now, with the size of this tour, it feels like all eyes are on me, just waiting to make one wrong move.
And it feels like Akira could be that wrong move, if I let her be.
"Do you want a drink, Ol?"
"I don’t drink," I blurt out while Josie watches me, and Akira pauses mid pour to stop herself from filling the third glass.
"Like, at all?" she asks, cocking her head to the side. "Not even one? For me?" She pouts her pink, full lips, and I give her a quick shake of the head. "You drank the last time we—"
"It, uh, messes with my medication." I stiffen at the involuntary words I just spoke out loud.I’ve said too much."I’m just getting over a stomach bug, or something. Doctor said to steer clear of any alcohol that might set it off again."
Well done, Olive. Tell your friends you spent the last week puking your guts up and shitting yourself. That’s one way to make sure they don’t stick around.
"You’re not contagious, are you? Oh no, I’ve been around you all day." Josie holds her hand to her stomach, her white blouse no longer tucked in and hanging loose around her waist.
"No, I think I ate something bad. Last I checked, you can’t catch that. I’m all clear. Just need to finish this round of medication. Maybe next time, though." I smile weakly, regretting this day more and more as it comes to a close. "But I am beat, guys," I say, checking the time on my phone to see the clock edging closer and closer to midnight.
My medication will have to wait.
Again.
At this point, I’m treating it like it’s an option, and not a priority.
Putting it off has become a habit that I need to break.
"You’re right. It’s been a long-ass day. Maybe we can do this when you’re feeling better." Akira smiles, throwing the champagne down her throat before slamming the glass down onto the bench top. "We have a few days break in between New York shows and Ohio." She pauses, and leans in closer to my ear. "Will you set a night aside for me?" Her fingertips graze my forearm, her eyelashes fluttering at me, and my stomach does this weird thing where it feels like it wants to run a marathon, fly away, and dig a hole six feet underground, all at once.
"Unfortunately, Olive doesn’t have a break on those days. I’ve pretty much got her schedule jam packed." Josie gives Akira an apologetic look, while collecting her coat and her bag. Akira nods, tucking the bottle of bubbly under her arm before waving goodbye, and heading out the door.
"See you both tomorrow," she says, closing it behind her.
"While I’ve got you…" Josie hesitates, her hands twitching at her sides. "Tomorrow, you might wake up to news you weren’t really expecting," she says, her gaze wandering to my phone that lights up on the screen with my sister’s name.
"I should probably get that," I say quickly. "It’s my sister."
"No worries. I’ll see you tomorrow." And with that, my once loud hotel room is now uncomfortably quiet, and I answer the call before the silence renders me useless.
"Hey, Lizzie."
Chapter thirteen
Olive
