Page 58 of Forbidden Lyrics

“He hasn’t been going to his classes, either. I know he doesn’t need a damn babysitter, but if he fails, I’ll feel like shit.”

“Why?”

“It’ll be my fault, Sonny.”

I shake my head and finish the rest of my drink before tossing it in the recycling bin. “Bullshit. You know as well as I do that Jake and Reese would’ve never worked. Yeah, you laid down the rules and told him that Reese was untouchable, but it doesn’t matter. Even if you hadn’t, they never would’ve lasted. He needs someone who knocks him on his ass the same way Reese knocked River on his.”

Milo grunts his agreement before scratching at the scruff on his jaw. “And what then? What happens when my best friend finds a girl and leaves me in the dust?”

“Best friend?” I challenge.

He rolls his eyes. “You know what I mean. Jake’s never been one for the single life. What happens when he gets over Reese and settles down?”

“You and I continue enjoying the bachelor life until the end of time,” I joke.

He laughs. “Speaking of which… How’s the waitress?”

“Dove?” My amusement dissipates.

“Yeah.”

“You know I don’t shit where I eat. We work together,” I growl, my annoyance spiking.

“In that case, can I shit where you eat?” Milo asks. “The girl’s so innocent that she’s caught plenty of attention. You should hear what a couple of my clients are saying at the tattoo shop.”

“Not sure I wanna know,” I growl. Milo’s a good guy, and most of his clients are, too, but none of them are good enough for Dove. And the fact that they’ve been discussing her pisses me off.

He laughs again. Harder this time. “You like her?”

“I already told you that I don’t shit where I eat.”

“Yeah, but I know you better than that. Why did I see her pull out of the driveway thirty minutes ago?”

“She’s been invited to go on tour with the band.”

“No shit?”

“Yeah.”

“Like as a groupie?” he asks, grinning shamelessly.

The idea makes my molars grind together. “No. Not as a groupie. As a singer. Fen didn’t show up on time for a gig that guy I was telling you about, Hawthorne, was at, and Dove stepped in until I could find him. When Hawthorne invited Broken Vows to tour with Organized Chaos, he suggested she tag along.”

“And Fen’s cool with that?” Milo asks, his eyes narrowing into tiny slits.

“You know Fen. He might love the attention, but he’s always believed there’s enough to go around. I think he’s happy we got an invitation at all after he screwed everything up.”

Milo nods but doesn’t look convinced. “You sure about that?”

“Yeah. Why?”

He shrugs. “I dunno. His entire life is that band. Sharing the spotlight might be more difficult for him than he thinks.”

“Maybe, but it’s already been done. Now, it’s up to her whether or not she wants to come.”

“Hmm,” he grumbles, but he doesn’t comment further.

“So, what’s new with you?” I ask. “We haven’t talked lately.”

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