Page 164 of My Three Billionaire Rockstars

“That’s concerning for both of us.”

He eats the fry like it will heal him. Then, he leans back in the seat with a long exhale, and just like that, some of the brightness slips.

I glance at him as I pull back onto the road. “You really okay?”

Julian stares out the window before answering. “It’s weird seeing him back.”

“Dylan?”

“Yeah.” He sighs. “He and Xander used to…” He shakes his head. “They were loud together, you know? Even when they fought, it still felt like they were connected somehow. Now, it’s just…”

“Awful?” I offer.

He looks at me. “Yeah.”

I tighten my grip on the wheel. Last night flashes through me again.

“I don’t think he knows how to forgive him,” I say.

Julian huffs softly. “I don’t think Dylan knows how to forgive himself, either.”

Well, that’s depressing.

I pull into the next delivery stop and grab the paper bags from the backseat. Julian follows me out.

“You don’t have to help.”

“I’m fragile today. I need tasks.”

“That’s probably the healthiest thing anyone in your house has ever said.”

“I’m growing.”

We walk up the driveway together.

An elderly woman opens the door before I knock. Then she squints at Julian. “Oh.”

He smiles politely. “Hi.”

“You’re famous.”

“I try not to make it everyone’s problem.”

She looks delighted by that answer.

Five minutes later, we leave with a container of homemade lemon bars because apparently old women in this town can smell instability like sharks smell blood.

Julian holds the container gently as we get back in the car. “I’d die for her,” he says solemnly.

“You met her thirty seconds ago.”

“That’s enough time for meaningful connection.”

I laugh again. A real one this time.

And beside me, Julian relaxes into the sound of it like maybe he needed it as much as I did.

TWENTY-EIGHT