“Kerra landed a job as a judge on one of those singing competitions,” Reid muses.
I shake my head. She wanted to boost her image with me and when it didn’t work, she went for being the sad, sympathetic victim who got cheated on by her playboy boyfriend. Some people bought into it, others told her she should’ve seen it coming.
“It’s irrelevant to me,” I say. “She seemed to be more into celebrity status than music itself, so good for her.” I never talked to her after the photos were leaked. She tried calling me the week following everything, but I ignored it and then blocked her. There’s nothing to say. I’ll never forgive her for what she did to Jane.
Reid looks at his phone, annoyed. “That little fucking brat,” he grits. I crane my neck to try to see what he’s looking at but he locks his phone before I get a chance.
“Who is that?” I ask
“It’s nothing.”
“Dude…”
He sucks on his teeth before spitting out, “Do you remember Aspen?”
My eyes widen in shock. “Your foster sister?”
Reid nods curtly. “Guess who’s all grown up and living out here now,” he mumbles sarcastically and stalks off, his attention turned back into his phone.
I sidle up between Jane and Milo. She places a comforting hand on my back and whispers in my ear, “What was that about?”
I wrap my arm around her shoulders and watch Reid type away furiously on his phone. “I’m not sure.” As far as I know, Reid hasn’t had any contact with anyone from his foster family since we moved out to LA ten years ago. Aspen must be what…twenty now?
Not my circus, not my monkeys.
“Are we talking wedding details?” I ask Hayden and Carter, whose ring sparkles beneath the warm glow of the string lights.
She smiles as she looks at Hayden. “We have some updates for everyone, but this is your night.”
I wave them off. “C’mon, it’s what everyone actually wants to talk about. I have ideas for the bachelor party.” I smirk at Hayden.
“Dear lord,” Jane mutters under her breath.
“Can I come?” Milo pipes in.
Hayden ruffles his hair like he’s a little kid and Milo scowls at him. The girls start talking about their own bachelorette party plans and I feel Reid hovering in my periphery. I make space between myself and Milo.
I beckon him over silently and he shakes his head.
C’mon, I implore with my eyes.
He flexes his jaw, debating. Stubborn asshole. But finally, he tucks his hands into his pockets and makes his way over. The group's chatter dies down as he approaches and Reid’s blue eyes hold a hint of apprehension.
Surprisingly, Hayden is the first one to speak. “We were, uh, just talking about the wedding.”
“Congratulations,” Reid says. “I’m happy for you guys.”
Carter flashes him a tentative smile. “Thank you.”
There was a time when it would be the four of us discussing the bachelor party. Where Reid would’ve been involved in the proposal like the rest of us were. As I think about my own eventual engagement and wedding, I don’t want it to be like this. I want us together.
And as the group picks up their conversations again and Reid doesn’t walk away but instead tries to appear involved, I feel optimistic about the fact that it won’t always be like this.
I just wish Walker was here tonight to celebrate. I understand why he couldn’t make it, but his absence is like a nagging void at the back of my mind. Same with Scar.
Arun comes to get me after a little while to get ready for my performance. It’s short, only a few of the singles, but I still get that familiar buzz of anticipation that starts in my fingers and spreads throughout my body.
Jane gives me a quick kiss and everyone wishes me luck as I head toward the stage to get set up.