Page 76 of The First Chord

As he said it, the way he smirked made me think their late night had involved sex and not partying.

“You heard from Ethan?” I didn’t want the details about his late night, so it was best to discuss one of his other favourite topics, his soon to be adopted son. “How’s he enjoying his time with Belle and your mum?”

“Weirdly, he bloody loves my mother. Plus, Elliot treated them all to takeaway burgers last night and then some Xbox, so he hasn’t really missed us.”

“What time is Elliot back?” I glanced at my phone, desperate to message Amber again.

“I think his plane lands at three.” He put his glass down. “Got any plans for today?”

The fucker knew exactly what I’d got planned and I still wasn’t sure how he’d got out of it.

“Me and Joey have got interviews all day. What about you? Or don’t I want to know?”

He laughed and shook his head. “Not what you’re thinking. We’re going to see Jim Morrison’s grave and then have some lunch in Montmartre.”

“How the hell did you manage to avoid all the junkets today?” I ripped off a mouthful of toast and chewed.

“Because you’re a double act. No one wants Gyllenhaal turning up while Swifty and Kelce are doing an interview for Vanity Fair, do they?”

I blinked slowly. “You fucking baffle me.”

“Why?” He looked genuinely confused.

“Because you laugh at me for Star Wars and Lego, yet you know all the teenage gossip.”

“Not teenage, Ronald. Swifty is actually in her thirties.”

“You’re such a dick.” I shook my head in disgust and took another bite of toast. “I hear he was tied up all yesterday,” I eventually said, nodding in the direction of Jimmy.

Beau grinned. “Yep. It was classic. His sulk was epic when Destiny told him his vocals had been off. Most work he’s put in on them for years.”

“He just accepted what she said?”

“He had to when Ali backed her up and so did I.” He leaned closer, glancing at the Blind Devil table. “He stormed into the hotel lobby yelling about it to Chris, and Sim and I were there waiting for our car. I just said, ‘She’s bloody right. You sounded terrible last night.’ Then I led Sim outside and left him practically in tears.” Beau grinned mischievously and wiggled his eyebrows. “Stupid fucker deserves it. Anyway, how did your date go yesterday?”

“Shush, keep your voice down.”

Beau waved me away. “He can’t hear me. He too busy being drowned out by his own voice. The stupid twat never shuts up. Oh, talking of stupid twats who never shut up.”

At that moment Joey came back to the table and placed a plate of sausage, fried egg, and bacon on it. Beau and I looked at each other, confused.

“What happened to Mr My Body is a Temple?” I asked, peering at his food.

“I’m hungry and I’m going to have a sauna later.”

Since he’d given up drugs, Joey had changed a lot of habits. He ate healthier, didn’t drink alcohol and exercised more than doing a few press ups every day to strengthen his arms.

“Plus,” he said, dropping into the seat next to mine, “I need sustenance spending a day with you.” He flashed me a quick grin and then concentrated on his breakfast.

Beau patted my hand. “Don’t worry, Ronnie, he loves you really.”

“I know.” I knew that he did, that they all did. I just wanted someone else to love me more.

“What time is your first interview?” Beau asked.

“Eleven,” Joey answered with a mouthful of food. “In the conference room upstairs.”

“Glad he knows, because I have no clue.”

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