Page 104 of Living on the Edge

“I’ll explain later.”

She looks like she wants to say something but just nods instead. “Whatever you need, babe.”

“Thank you for coming. And putting up with my mother last night. And all of this today. It means a lot to me.”

Our eyes meet and hers are soft, filled with worry and support and… love? Is that what I’m seeing? Because fuck, it’s what I’m feeling.

I’ve come so close to saying it a few times.

Maybe it’s time.

Not now—definitely not here—but soon.

“To be honest, I was expecting worse. And Alden is great—you should adopt him and be his dad instead of his big brother.”

I chuckle. “Believe me, I’ve thought about it.”

“Abe and Candace were very polite. And… your Uncle Alex is interesting.”

“Total black sheep of the family,” I murmur. “But I enjoy him the most of everyone other than Alden.”

“Then maybe you cut ties with everyone.”

“In a way I already have.” I look around the table, suddenly wondering if this is the last time we’ll all be together like this. Maybe not ever, but probably for a very long time, and it’s odd because I feel more relief than sadness.

“What are your plans, Ryleigh?” my mother asks her as lunch starts to wind down.

“I’m working on my article for the magazine,” she replies. “And then I’m not sure. My plans will change depending on whether they offer me a full-time position.”

“This is what your degree is in… journalism?” There’s a note of condescension there that makes my skin crawl and I can’t help but interject, even though Ryleigh seems perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

“She’s really talented,” I say. “If this job doesn’t work out, maybe she’ll freelance forRolling Stone.”

“I have a buddy over there,” Uncle Alex says. “If you need an introduction, let me know.”

“Thank you.” Ryleigh smiles sweetly. “I’ll see what happens with this job first.”

“And August… when is the tour over?” Mom asks me.

“Halloween,” I reply. “But management is trying to add on dates. Madison Square Garden in November and New Year’s Eve in London.”

She pauses. “How… exciting.”

“It is.” I glance at my watch—the Rolex my grandfather gave me for my eighteenth birthday. “Looks like the car service will be here any minute. We have to get going.”

My mother stands and reaches out to cup one of my cheeks. “You’ll come home when this tour is over, right? You’ve gotten this rock star thing out of your system?”

“Mom.” I really don’t want to argue with her here, but she’s leaving me little choice. “This is my career. It’s not a hobby with an expiration date.”

She purses her lips. “How are you going to become?—”

“I’m not,” I interject against her ear as I pull her in for a hug I’m sure she doesn’t want. She’s not a fan of public displays of affection. Or any affection really. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my father touch her. “Mom, I’m not going to work for Holland-Burke. Ever. Please don’t make a scene on a day that’s already difficult enough.”

She stares at me, displeasure on her face. “You disappoint me, son.”

“I guess that was inevitable.” I reach for Ryleigh’s hand. “Everyone, we have to get going to catch our flight. I have a show tonight.”

“I’d like to see you play,” Uncle Alex says to me. “If there’s a show that’s more convenient than another, let me know.”

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