Page 22 of The First Chord

I looked at my watch. “It is almost two in the morning.” I shook my head. “I don’t know why we couldn’t just leave tomorrow and let us all get a good night’s sleep.”

“Isn’t it because Beau wants to get back?”

“Yeah, it’s Ethan’s birthday tomorrow and he wants to be there when he wakes up, so I do get it really. I just like moaning.”

“How old will he be?”

“Seven. He’s such a good kid. They’re having a family day tomorrow and then a party for him on Saturday.” A stupid idea came into my head, a really stupid idea. “You should come. It’s at Beau’s house, he won’t mind.”

“God, no. I couldn’t do that.” She shook her head, glancing in the direction of Beau who was chatting with Brandon.

“You could. Definitely. Beau and Simone won’t mind at all. In fact, any opportunity he can to show off his new house, he will.”

I grinned so that she knew I was kidding. It was a fucking nice house, though. I especially like the studio and the indoor pool but apparently Simone’s favourite part was the utility room, god love her, because it was almost as big as the kitchen, which was massive.

We continued chatting for a few more minutes, nothing deep, just light stuff, but it didn’t matter. If it meant that I got to stay and chat with Amber, I’d have even discussed cricket with her and that was boring as shit. It was great until a dark shadow loomed over us. When I looked up I was pissed off to see that it was Jimmy.

“We’re landing in an hour.”

Amber shrugged and shook her head. “And?”

“Did you order a car to take us home?”

“Destiny has it sorted,” I answered for her, advising that our tour manager was on it.

Jimmy looked at me with hooded eyes, visibly still high on either drink or drugs. “Right.” His response short and sweet.

“Thank you, Ronnie,” Amber said pointedly, her eyes still on Jimmy. He didn’t take the hint.

“Any chance I can sit in my seat?” he asked instead.

I really didn’t want to move but he was right, it was his seat. “Sure.” I lifted out of the seat and turned to Amber. “Enjoy your week off.”

“Yes, you, too.”

As Jimmy slipped into his seat, it was hard to walk away. It was only going to be a week, at least it was supposed to be, yet something was telling me that it might be longer. Giving a sideways look at Jimmy, I noticed he had already gone back to sleep, his eyes were closed at least.

“Hey, Amber,” I hissed.

She looked up at me with a frown. “Yes?”

“If you ever need me, just call. You know if your new car breaks down.”

She smiled softly and nodded. “Okay, will do.”

Making my way back to my seat, I couldn’t help but give her one last look. She was reading her book again while Jimmy slept and if ever a woman deserved better, it was her. I just wished I could be the one to save her.

CHAPTER12

AMBER

As I walked through a pile of mail, I could smell the staleness of a flat that had been left empty for a month. We didn’t have anyone to pop in and check on things for us or to get it ready for our return. It felt sad and empty, just like I did.

“I don’t suppose we’ve got any food in the fridge?” Jimmy kicked through the envelopes on the floor and headed towards the kitchen.

If we did it wouldn’t be fit for eating but I didn’t have it in me to warn him. “There’s some bread in the freezer for toast.”

“I might call for a takeaway.”

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