Page 38 of Timeless: Encore

Ever my defender, Fee crosses her arms and levels her gaze at our drummer. “Stop it with the cool-guy stuff, Jace. At least you put a ring on it, we’re all thrilled you got your shit together.”

Fee’s way off base. Jace has wanted to marry Alex forever. “Fee, we need to lay off. It’s their business.” I touch her elbow, hoping she’ll take the hint.

But, nope. She goes full steam ahead. “Alex is thebest, though.“ Fee’s liquid-aqua eyes narrow at Jace like he’s done something wrong. “I want her to be happy.”

For fuck’s sake. I do not want us to get in the middle of Jace and Alex’s business. They are such private people. It’s going to piss him off to think we’re talking shit behind his back, which we are not.

“Did she say something to you? Because she’s the one who won’t set the date, not me.” Jace crosses his arms over his chest, genuinely looking hurt.

“She’s dealing with some health stuff, Fee.” Ronni gently tugs on Fee’s arm.

Wait, what?

Fiona’s eyes widen with fear. “Oh, God.”

Alex joins us. “What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure.” Jace looks distraught. Confused.

Fee rubs Alex’s shoulder like she does for Mia when she’s sick. “Are you okay, honey?”

Alex is caught off guard. She looks helplessly at Jace. “Um, yeah?”

“I think I said something I shouldn’t have.” Ronni looks truly bummed. “I didn’t know you were keeping the situation private. I’m so sorry.”

I have no fucking idea what is happening. My head is like a ping-pong ball. Fee is of no help, she looks like she just stepped onto a land mine too.

“What situation is that?” Jace grits.

She waves him off like it’s no big deal, but I can tell that it is. “All of the girls were talking upstairs while we were getting ready. Fee, to catch you up, I’m having abnormal cramping and Jace and I are going to a specialist so I can hopefully get to the bottom of it this week. Basically, we’re both tired of playing Internet doctor. It’s scary out there.”

“I didn’t realize we were sharing yet, Poppy.” The vein popping out on his forehead means Jace is now furious, but his voice is cool and calm.

Ronni’s having none of it. “C’mon, Jace. Lighten up. Female-related health issues have been a taboo subject for too long. It’s important we share these experiences. Keeping things like this secret is not okay. Did you know that the percentage of money spent on research into women’s reproductive health is astonishingly low? You have a daughter. Think about it.”

In my mind, the record scratches. I’m shocked. So is Connor. I get that Ronni has brought down one of the biggest assholes in Hollywood. She’s a worldwide advocate for women. But, shit. She’s gone overboard. My bandmates are not anything like Don Kircher, the misogynist pig who forced women to have sex with him for television and movie roles.

Holy baby Jesus. Fee high-fives Ronni in solidarity. I’m mortified. None of this is cool. This isnothow our band works.

Alex rests her head on Jace’s arm. “Jace isn’t the bad guy here, Ronni. He’s done more to help me than I’ve done to help myself. While I appreciate what you’re saying, we’ll make the best decision for ourselves. I’m happy to share what’s going on, but our solution is not up for group discussion or debate.”

I’m so fucking impressed. Alex diffuses the situation without shaming Ronni while also defending her man. Classy. All the fucking way.

Her comment also makes me realize something pertinent. It’s not just the four of us in our band family. There are now twice, or three times, as many people. Wives. Children. Parents. All of whom will have a vested interest in LTZ’s schedule.

Our lives have priorities outside the band. Which will continue as our families expand. Leading to more conflicts and resolutions.

I’ve wanted for the past year to pass as fast as possible. Mainly, so LTZ could be together again and we could go back to how things were. Recreate our magic and all that shit.

But things will not be the same. Never again.

Is that good or bad?

Neither, I decide. It just is what it is.

Desperate to find common ground at Ty’s fucking wedding, I change the subject. “Maybe let’s lighten the mood and play some music?”

Luckily, the rest of my friends agree.

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