Page 2 of The Drummer's Heart

“That you and I got a divorce.”

“What?” My eyes went wide. “She doesn’t know we’re not together anymore?”

“I know that’s bad. It’s just that… She loved you—lovesyou—so much. And I never wanted to disappoint her. I told everyone else in my family not to say anything to her, and they’ve stuck to their word.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “She thinks we’re still married?”

“Yes.”

I raised my voice. “She hasn’t wondered why I haven’t come around in three damn years?”

“She thinks your schedule hasn’t allowed it. I’ve been making excuses all this time.”

Now I felt even worse. “Who’s taking care of her right now?” I scratched my head. “Does she need money?”

“That’s not why I’m reaching out,” Nicole assured me. “She has plenty of savings for now and round-the-clock home care.”

“What made you call me now and not, say, a month ago?” My chest tightened. “Do you think she’s close to…” I swallowed. “The end?”

“She reached out and asked if both of us would come stay with her. If ever I was going to tell her the truth about us, now isnotthe time. She’s in such a fragile state. I could make another excuse for why you’re not around, but I feel guilty. This could be the last chance you have to see her. I decided I needed to put aside my pride and at least ask if—”

“You want me to visit her…with you?”

“Sort of. Her live-in aide is going away for two weeks. Mimi asked if you and I would mind staying during that time—not only to visit her, but to help take care of her.”

My mouth dropped open as the reality of this proposal hit me.

“I know it’s a lot to ask. I—”

“Let me get this straight. You want me topretendwe’re still married for two whole weeks while we’re taking care of Mimi?”

She sighed. “I know it sounds crazy. You don’t have to say yes.”

“Sure. Right,” I quipped. “I could say no and then live with that guilt for the rest of my life.” As much as my head was spinning, I knew my answer. It was a no brainer. “When do you need me there?”

“Really?”

“When do you need me?” I repeated.

“Next week. I know it’s short notice.”

I paced again. “Well, the timing is kind of good, actually. The band is on break. So I can swing it.”

“It means a lot that you’re willing to do this for me. Given…everything.”

Everything.

There were many things that word encompassed, things that made me sick to my stomach just thinking about them. And now that I was about to face Nicole again, I would also have to faceeverything.

“I’m doing it for her, not for you,” I clarified.

Maybe that sounded harsh, but I needed to protect myself. The alternative would be unbearable.

“Understood.” She paused. “I’ll be arriving in New Jersey a week from today—just need to tie up some loose ends at the salon. Not sure if you can plan to arrive around the same time.”

“I’ll book something after we get off the phone.”

“Depending on the timing, we can say you were traveling in from a show, so you had to meet me there. You know, she’ll wonder why we don’t arrive together.”

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