Page 61 of Final Serenade

It hurt almost physically when the vehicle finally reached the busy suburbs. Leaving the calm of Frank’s home felt a lot like withdrawal. A small part of me was scared he’d disappear again, and I was tempted to call him just to hear his voice. To make sure he was real and last night hadn’t been a dream.

My apartment welcomed me with a stack of dirty dishes and a rent increase notice but no Ashton. I dragged my feet to my room, changed into my PJs, and turned on my computer. The plan was to make more coffee and knock out the editorial on Isabella. But lying down on the couch while waiting for said coffee to be done was a mistake. I passed out and slept until dark.

It was the muffled buzzing of my cell somewhere in the apartment that woke me up. My head felt heavy and full of cotton. Ashton was still out and messages from Levi still needed to be answered.

“You posted the interview?” I drawled with my eyes glued to the home page of theRewiredsite.

“You didn’t pick up your damn phone,” Levi raged on the line.

I hated lying, but at the same time, I understood I’d put my partner in a very uncomfortable situation. He promised Isabella’s mother a fast turnaround. We were the next-morning folks and we hadn’t delivered.

Guilt twisted my stomach. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t feeling well.”

“I came by your apartment today to pick up the SD card from Ashton. He said you were gone when he woke up this morning.”

Shit. Duct tape it is for my little brother.

I closed my eyes and tried to think. Levi wasn’t stupid. Denying the obvious would be useless. “I’m having an affair.”

“A what?”

“An affair…with a man.”

“Is that what you call a late night booty call these days?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Who’s the guy?”

“You don’t know him.”

“He better have a really big dick if you’re skipping out on your commitments.”

“He has an okay dick.”

Lie. Frank’s was great, but I wasn’t going to tell that to Levi. I was going to make up a mystery man. For the sake of us all.

“Honestly, you kinda disappointed me, Cass,” he said.

“I’m aware and I’m sorry. It was a really weird couple of weeks and I needed to unwind. It won’t happen again. I’m going to finish the write-up before midnight and I want to help you with the documentary. I believe Isabella has a shot. She’s sweet, outspoken, honest, and she has a killer voice. We just need to give her a little push. The girl deserves to be heard.”

“Why do I always forgive you?”

“Because I’m awesome.” I grinned to myself.

“That you are. No wonderPulse Nationkeeps trying to steal you.”

“They should have seen my potential all those years ago when I asked to be put on their roster officially. Robbie’s a tool.”

“Too late now.”

After we wrapped up the call, I dumped the cold coffee and made a fresh pot. My phone rang at eleven thirty. I had forgotten to program Frank’s number into it, but I knew it was him. My heart sprinted. My chest wasn’t big enough to fit the hurricane-like flutter.

“I thought you were busy the next couple of days,” I said, spinning in my chair. My gaze slid to my door to make sure it was shut, because Ashton was back. He was hanging out in the living room, working on his new assignment. The ten best live performances of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“I am. I’m in a meeting, as a matter of fact,” Frank said softly. I heard voices in the background and one of them sounded like it belonged to Dante.

“Are you now?” I teased him. “What’s on the agenda?”

---