Page 223 of Goodbye Note

“Is that okay?”

“Well, I won’t be singing Funeral March tonight or any time soon.” I flashed all my teeth in an awkward grin.

“Probably for the best,” he agreed, laughing.

“Go talk to your kid and then do it.”

He kissed me hard. “I’m going.”

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VARIAN

Nova started giggling the moment she woke up, which meant she had something planned. Giggling into her cereal. Giggling on the flight. Giggling hanging out on the tour bus after sound check.

Arik kept smirking and shaking his head.

The second we stood up to go inside the venue to eat with everyone, she stopped and announced, “I need to change into my concert shirt.” She sprinted into the back and slammed the door.

“What is this?” I asked Arik, sure he was in on it.

“Wait and see.”

She opened the door and strutted out in a ghost tee. The ghost had a little pink heart in his hands. “But wait!” She turned around, and on the back, it read: Tiny Chemical Smuggler.

I laughed. “You two!”

She pointed. “Look at Arik’s.”

I turned around to find Arik had taken off the hoodie he was wearing and had the same shirt on, but the ghost was carrying a rainbow heart. “Arik.” I kissed him hard. “What’s the back say?”

He flipped to let me see. It read: Stardust.

I hugged him, pressing my face into his neck. “You better have made me one.”

“Don’t worry, I did, but you can’t wear it onstage.”

“Why not? It will look like I’m wearing your new line. I’m supportive like that for the queer folks.” I grinned teasingly.

He turned the shirt around to show me it said: The guy who put all the stars in my sky.

I blinked past the moisture quickly forming in my eyes. “Fuck you.”

Nova stuck out her hand. “I’m going to be rich before the end of this.”

“We’re putting it in your college fund.” I fisted a hand in Arik’s shirt, dragging him forward.

“Not if I spend it first,” she muttered.

“Thank you.” I found Arik’s lips, ignoring Nova’s antics.

“For what?” he said breathlessly when we broke apart.

“Being unapologetically you.” I stepped back and tugged off my shirt. “How mad do you think they’ll be if I wear it anyway?”

“Depends. Are you not going to turn around all night?” Arik lifted a brow, dropping his gaze down to my chest.

“I could try…” We walked into the venue, Nova skipping in front of us. “I thought you wearing a hoodie all day was a little weird.”

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