Page 92 of Fractured Frets

“What happened wasn’t your fault. Now you’ve got this incredible second chance at happiness with Slip. You’re with one of the most amazing, fun-loving guys I’ve ever known. You’ve committed to each other. I want that with Flint.”

“We’re working on the commitment part. We only got married thanks to excessive drinking and a crazy impulsive moment.”

“I don’t believe that. You said yes for a reason. In that moment, when he asked you to marry him, and you said ‘yes,’ you saw your future together. So make the life you want happen. You love him. He loves you. Nothing else matters.”

“I wish it was that simple.” It was our complex lives that made the decision to stay together difficult. It wasn’t just the fact we cared about each other. We had to balance the demands of our work and our responsibilities, and we hadn’t done that yet. “We’re taking it day by day and trying not to be distracted by everything else going on around us.”

“There will always be something going on. But you’re here for the next few days. Spend every second together. Talk, don’t fight.”

“That would be nice. “ Smiling, I leaned over and play-punched her arm. “We can’t all be perfect like you and Flint.”

“Oh, we’re not perfect.” Her tone plummeted. “And you know it. Most days Flint battles his depression. Writing music and performing helps him with that. Toning down his drinking is a constant struggle. Being apart isn’t easy. At home, we argue about who left crap lying on the floor, him leaving the toilet seat up, what to have for dinner, and whose turn it is to take out the trash. It is a never-ending challenge to find the balance between the band, my work, and spending time with each other. That is hard. But life is better together. We love each other unconditionally. You and Slip are still working your way through the muddle. You both have to learn to compromise, be patient, be understanding, and trust each other if you’re going to work.”

Slip and I hated compromising. That was often the root of most of our arguments. Neither one of us wanted to miss a work commitment or a function or day together. Life always threw curveballs. Mom’s illness was the most common one.

But as I swiped away a fly, heaviness pressed against my chest. Slip had always said he’d come to Vancouver and stay with me after the tour. He’d never hesitated in the past to get on a plane or drop what he was doing if I was in LA to come see me. He’d do anything for me. I’d never questioned it. But what had I done for him? Not much other than come to Italy. What could I do to make our life easier? Shit. I didn’t think I was selfish, but maybe I was. Damn. That was a harsh wake-up call.

Sutton combed her fingernails through her hair, then scratched her scalp. “Have you got plans today?”

“Yeah.” I’d been researching online earlier. “We’re going to drive out to Monterosso on the Cinque Terre coastline, spend the afternoon at the beach, then be back for dinner. You?”

“Flint and I are going to a day spa. Cole and Ava are doing a cooking class with the kids in Florence, and Tia and Lewis are checking out Sienna.”

“Nice. A day of relaxing will be awesome.”

But just when I was feeling better about the day ahead, Harper walked outside, looking like a goddess in a tiny bikini that barely covered her tits and ass. Nausea bubbled through my gut as she dropped her towel on the sun lounger at the end of the pool and stepped into the water. Ergh. “Avoiding her won’t hurt either.” I’d promised myself I’d get to know her better, but not today.

Sutton lowered her sunglasses and glanced at Harper. The kids came rushing out and jumped in with her, splashing and swimming about. “She has a nice figure. But I wouldn’t be worried about her. The guys treat her like a big sister. I’ve never seen Slip give her the time of day. She’s always with the kids. The guys would break Slip’s kneecaps if he hurt you. Beckett would hold him back and Ava would pummel him blue, too, if he ever stepped out of line.”

“I’d like to think so.”

“I know so,” Sutton slapped me on the thigh. “Stop doubting and start believing you belong together.”

Slip came out of the house. At a steady jog, he headed toward me and sank onto the seat beside me. “Hey? Is everything alright? You weren’t next to me when I woke up. I was worried my family had scared you off.”

I slid my hand over his knee. “It’d take more than a family who cares about you to do that. I just couldn’t sleep. I left so you could have a good rest.”

He tapped my thigh and pointed for me to move over. I shuffled across to the edge of the sun lounger so he could lie beside me. He stretched out and rested his head on my belly. “Thank you, but I sleep better when you’re by my side.”

“Maybe tomorrow we’ll spend the whole day in bed.” I combed my fingers through his hair. “But today, I’ve planned the afternoon. You ready to head out?”

“Where are we going?”

“The beach. Can you be ready in fifteen minutes?”

“I’m ready now.”

He jumped up, held out his hand, and helped me to my feet. I waved goodbye to Sutton. “We’ll be back for dinner by eight. Don’t wait for us if we’re not here in time.”

“Okay. Have fun.”

After changing into my bikini, skirt, and tank top, I packed a bag for the day at the beach. We jumped into our McLaren Spider. I took the wheel once again and drove through the countryside toward Cinque Terre. The purr of the engine and roar as I sped down the highway did strange things to the nerve-endings between my legs.

“Slip? Now we’re alone, it’s time I come clean and tell you something. It’s serious...but I’m in love with someone else.”

“What?” He shot forward in his seat and spun toward me.

A second of doubt washed over me. I shouldn’t tease. But he had a wicked sense of humor, so I banked on that.

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