Page 3 of Fractured Frets

Maddy had always been concerned about my reputation, the quantity of women I’d been with, and past girlfriends. But she had nothing to worry about. There was nothing between Harper and me. Nothing. I’d never been in love with Harper. I was Maddy’s, one thousand percent. If I had to spend the rest of my days proving that to Maddy, I would.

But could I do that now? My head ached and spun, torn between Maddy and my band. My obligations. I rubbed at the tension throbbing in my brow. “I can’t go via Canada. I don’t want to miss our first show in Tokyo.”

“You won’t. But time will be tight. You’ll miss the press conference, but that’s okay.” Flint clutched my shoulder and gave me a gentle shake. “Slip, you need to go. Even if it’s only for a few hours.”

Was that sensible? Rational? Nope. But I often wasn’t. So why start now?

Tears welled in Harper’s eyes before she turned and disappeared down the hall.

I didn’t like hurting people, but the more she stayed away from me the better.

“Slip, are you sure about Mads?” Cole asked.

Certainty set in every bone in my body. I eased back a few steps and leaned against the living room wall, relieving some of the ache in my hip and lower back. “Have you ever loved someone so much you’d give up everything to be with them?”

Somberness warped the air, slamming against my chest as Cole nodded. His gaze fell toward the floor. “Yeah, I have.”

Okay, Cole had me on that one. He’d nearly quit the band to move to India to be with Priah, his ex, a couple of years ago. Thank fuck, he hadn’t. But I now understood what he’d gone through. I’d do whatever it took to stay with Maddy. “That’s how serious I am about her.”

“You’re not giving us up.” Irritation sliced through Flint’s tone. “So sort your shit out.”

I slumped my shoulders and bobbed my head. But for the first time, I wasn’t so sure. I didn’t know if my future was with the band. That scared the shit out of me. Music was a huge part of me. My life. I’d already lost so much; I couldn’t lose that too. “I love you guys. You know that. But don’t make me choose.”

“We’re not and never will.” Anguish softened Flint’s tone. We’d had our moments over the years. We didn’t always see eye to eye. But we were closer than blood. I’d never question that. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “You need to go see Mads.” Flint looked at Blake, then at April, who coordinated our schedule. “Can you get him on fights?”

No one raised any objections.

April grabbed her cell phone and laptop out of her tote bag and headed over to Flint’s dining table. “I’ll do my best.”

Flint was right. I had to see Maddy.

“I’m sorry.” I took in all my friends. “I don’t want this to cause problems.”

“Oh, it will.” Blake stuffed his hands into his pants pockets and shook his head . “I guarantee it.”

No. I wouldn’t let it. I’d sort everything out. Maddy and I just needed to talk this through. Sober.

“Would you like me to come with you?” Sutton stepped in. “I’ll cancel dinner with the girls.”

“Thanks, but no. This is something we have to work out ourselves.” I needed to sober up so I could think straight by the time I got to Vancouver.

“We’re here if you need us.” Lewis wrapped his arm around Tia, Cole’s sister, and they stood as a united front. He and I had become best buddies since he’d joined our band. But the scar of losing Phil, my best friend, still remained. This tour had opened old wounds and the loss I’d never fully processed. I’d helped everyone else deal with their issues but had left mine well alone. The only time I was grounded and in a good place was when I was with Maddy.

I prayed we weren’t over.

“You’ll work things out.” Tia’s heartfelt concern gave me a thread of hope.

April came over with her cell phone in hand. “Flights, a hotel, and a driver are booked. You and Beckett are on a plane in two hours. You fly to Tokyo tomorrow afternoon at three.” She threw me a sympathetic smile. “I hope you work things out.”

“Thanks, April.” I gave her a quick hug. “I’m outta here.”

“Go.” She waved toward the door. “We won’t be far off leaving either.”

I staggered out of Flint’s house and hollered to Beckett waiting outside with the rest of our security team. “Change of plan, Becks. We’re going via Vancouver.”

“Great.” He smirked and mumbled. “More air miles. Awesome.”

I chuckled . . . smartass. But we got on super well.

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