Page 49 of 4-Ever

The rest of the photo shoot was, thankfully, boner-free. Never thought I’d be happy about saying that…

I didn’t have to pose with Faise again. Of course, he stood as far away from me as possible. Which made me both insanely relieved and curiously annoyed. Why did things have to be so awkward between us now? And my irritation at his flirtation with Averell was like a cut that wouldn’t heal.

I was frightened of this shift between us. I didn’t want to think about the intensity of my feelings. And what that meant for our friendship.

On our way back up to meet our new manager, my phone rang.

Ciara calling.

Shit, I was so distracted that I almost forgot that my sister and her boyfriend were flying into town for the launch party.

I tapped the screen. “Hey Ci, where are you?”

“On our way to the hotel.”

“You should’ve stayed at my place?—”

“It’s fine,” she interrupted. “I’ll text you when we arrive at the venue, okay? Bye.”

Before I could reply, the call dropped, and I was staring at my phone.

Faise wasn’t the only one acting weird lately.

My sister had been all but silent for the past few months. I chalked it up to the fact that she’d moved from Rhode Island to New York City to start a new job. One in social media for a fashion brand. She was excited about the move, and I was excited for her. Ciara and I remained close despite my schedule and the travel distance between us. Or so I thought.

Two months ago, my calls started going unanswered and she was only texting once every couple of weeks. The sudden drop off made me wonder and worry.

Apparently, she’d met her boyfriend, Dallas, a few weeks after she landed in the big apple. I still hadn’t met the guy so all I knew was that that he was ten years older than her, and he worked in law enforcement. Ciara hadn’t volunteered any more details, but it didn’t stop me from asking.

Usually when she visited me in Nashville, she’d stay at my house. This time, though, she insisted on staying at a hotel and paying for it herself. I admired her independence, but I liked treating my family. After all the years of struggle, it felt right to spoil them. All this to say, I was hurt. Why the sudden change? I had a five-bedroom house, so there was plenty of room and privacy. And we always had a good time when she stayed. Faise, Holls, and Brodie, hell, everyone we worked with, loved her and loved to hang out with her.

I glanced at my phone, tempted to call her back. There was no point. I’d rather talk to her face to face later.

“How’s your sister?” Brodie asked.

“She’s good. I think. She’s on her way to the hotel.”

“But she always stays at your place,” Holls commented.

“Right?” I said to him. “She brought her boyfriend this time, so?—”

“Ooh, now it’s getting interesting,” Brodie rubbed his hands together. “Have you met him yet?”

“Nope. It’s not just that, she—” I paused, looking over at Faise.

He was staring at me like he wanted to say something. But what?

That was another first. In the past, I always had a sense of where his mind was at, like we shared a psychic connection. But now? My sixth sense was jamming and I wasn’t talking about music.

“She’s barely contacted me since she moved to New York,” I confessed as I looked at him.

His eyes softened for a fraction.

“It’s a big move. Maybe she’s just overwhelmed by it all?”

I shrugged.

“We hardly talk anymore. It’s left me worried. And hurt,” I admitted.

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