Page 40 of The Duet

“The cat’s out of the bag now,” she says, and chuckles. “Fuck, Lana.”

“It’s just a hug. People can make of that whatever they want.”

“In the microcosm of a tour, it’s much more than a hug.”

I nod. Just like Cleo and me having slept together only once is so much more than a one-night stand. With all the emotions running through us when we sing our duet, it was already much more than that. With all the emotions unleashed while we were in bed together, it has become even more. That’s why I have no qualms displaying my affection for her in front of other people. Nor do I have trouble admitting that asking her not to tell anyone, under circumstances where everybody is breathing down everyone else’s neck, was not the wisest move.

Cleo drops my hands. “Damn. Jess. Did she see?”

“I think so.”

“I’d better go find her. Try to explain.”

“Hey.” I reach for Cleo’s hands again. “You don’t have to explain anything to anyone.”

“You’re in a band. Surely, you understand that I do have to explain.”

“Do what you gotta do.” Maybe I’m the naive one here. I highly doubt it. But Cleo must go through her own things and fight her own battles. I give her hand one last squeeze and let her go after Jess.

“Well, fuck me.” As though waiting in the wings for her moment, Billie has already sidled up to me. “I should have known.”

“Should have known what?”

“I can’t compete with you in anything, Lana.”

“What does that mean?”

“Aren’t you a little too old for her?” Billie’s tone is cutting. “And aren’t you the one who said no fraternizing with the support band?”

“That didn’t stop you from hitting on Cleo.” I can be snippy too.

“Once again, Lana gets what Lana wants.”

I get the feeling this is about more than Cleo and me.

“Is there a problem?” I look Billie in the eyes, hoping to unearth what’s bothering her so much.

“Even if there was, who am I to go against the magnificent Lana Lynch?”

I nod slowly, taking my time to let her comment slide off me. “I’m sorry if this makes you jealous, but you know, it is how it is.”

“Do you have feelings for her? Because she sure has feelings for you.”

This is not a conversation I should be having right now, especially with all the crew around.

“That’s really none of your business.” What did she just say? Cleo has feelings for me? If that’s the case, how does Billie know? Cleo and I really should have a conversation. It appears we suddenly do have a lot to discuss.

“Whatever.” Billie walks off in a huff. I hope she’s the professional she made herself out to be when we welcomed her into The Lady Kings. Either way, she’s going to have to get over it fast, because we have a show in a few hours.

Chapter 24

Cleo

“What the hell, Cleo?” Jess, who usually never swears, yells. “You promised me.”

What am I supposed to say? And did I really make that promise?

“Jess, please, calm down.”

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