“We wrote to each other for months without seeing each other. And somehow it worked, and now...” He pauses and the expression on his face changes. He has an idea, I can see it. “You could come with us,” he blurts out. “If we really move to LA, you could just come with us.”
His eyes light up with hope, and I want to say yes.
God, I want to say yes so badly that it tears me apart inside. But I didn’t leave LA for nothing. I didn’t come to Boston for nothing.
One tiny little word, three letters, but I can’t bring myself to say it.
Chapter 47
Easton
Blossom—Dermot Kennedy
The air is gentle and warm when we land in LA, the sky clear and bright blue. The sun is shining and it’s a beautiful spring day. Everything is perfect.
We’re picked up at the airport by a driver Redrock sent. He’s waiting for us with a sign in his hand that says We Are No Saints. Jax starts laughing when he sees it and punches Colin on the shoulder. George, the driver, leads us outside to a black SUV that will take us to the Redrock offices. Beck sits in the front, while the rest of us climb into the back. Squeezed between Colin and Jax, I stare out the window as we drive from the airport toward the city. My friends talk around me, but I don’t really listen because I’m not fully there. My thoughts are still with Rayne.
Rayne, and the question she didn’t answer. It wasn’t fair to ask that of her in the first place, I know. It’s selfish, and I shouldn’t have just blurted it out like that. It’s not a decision you can make on thespur of the moment. She’s built a new life for herself in Boston, made friends, found a home.
In LA, she would be confronted with too many painful memories. But the thought that my future might be here on the West Coast while hers is on the other side of the continent is just unbearable. I had to ask her, even though there’s no guarantee yet that we’ll get a record deal, or even if we’ll move here. I had to ask her because I can’t imagine not living in the same city as her, not being able to see her every day.
You and me, we’re real, Rayne. We’re real.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t change the fact that I shouldn’t have taken her by surprise the way I did. I flinch when Jax nudges me.
“Are you zoned out or what? We’re here.” He grins at me, and I force a smile.
I know I should be happier. Our dream is coming true, and I should be enjoying it. I should be enjoying every single second.
“Sorry, I was just thinking about something.”
“Then it’s time to get back to reality. We’re in LA, dude!” His grin widens even more; he’s too excited to notice what’s going on inside my head, and I’m glad he doesn’t. He wouldn’t understand.
“Let’s roll!” Colin calls impatiently. He and Beck got out of the car a while ago and are already waiting for us at the entrance.
“Come on.” Jax climbs out of the car, and I follow him with a suppressed sigh, forcing myself not to think of Rayne. Right now, it’s time to focus on the guys and our shared dream. Our dream, which is now within reach.
The Redrock Building is a tall skyscraper made entirely of glass, sunlight reflecting brightly off the facades. Palm trees stand at regular intervals along the sidewalk, making it look almost surreal.
“Everyone ready?” Colin asks before we enter the building.
“So ready.” Beck puts his arm around my shoulder and pushes me into the building.
The lobby is bright and decorated with palm trees in pots, significantly smaller than the ones outside. In front of the large windows facing the street are comfortable-looking armchairs gathered around low tables that look like tree trunks.
We sign in at the reception desk, and a few minutes later a tall woman with short black hair steps out of the elevator and greets us with a friendly smile. She introduces herself as Constance Roberts, a talent scout for Redrock.
“Nice to meet you. Did you have a good trip?” she asks. We nod simultaneously. “Excited?”
“Maybe too excited,” Beck says honestly.
“I get it. But don’t worry, we don’t bite, and we’re really glad you were able to come at such short notice.” She points toward the elevator and presses number fourteen after the doors close behind us with a soft ping.
On the way up, Constance talks about the hotel we’ll be staying at and tells us she has a few things planned for the day if we’re not too tired after the meeting.
“I can imagine you didn’t get much sleep,” she says with a wink. She’s right. We really didn’t sleep much, mainly because of how early our flight this morning was. It was still dark when we set off for the airport.
“Not at all, actually.” Jax grins cheerfully.
