Page 106 of Worlds Collide

CJ comes out right then, thank God, and we waste no time going back downstairs.

We’re quiet on the ride to the hospital and I get out with CJ when Rich stops the car. “Just give me a minute.” He nods and drives away to let other cars pass. In the parking lot it won’t take him long at all to get back to me, so I have to make it quick, but CJ beats me to it.

He looks at the hospital then back at me. “This is pretty lame,” he says quietly.

“What is?” I’m not following.

“Well, my life. You’re this famous rock star with millions of fans and all of that and I’m just...”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I demand in a growl. “First of all you’re notjustanything. You’re perfect. Second, you’re exactly the right amount of needy for me, which isn’t easy ’cause I love me some neediness. Then, of course, you happen to be the world’s most philanthropic billionaire,andyou save tiny babies. For fuck’s sake CJ, get your shit straight. If anyone is punching above his weight in this relationship it’s me.”

He’s laughing before my last sentence and by the end he’s just shaking his head. Then, like he can’t help himself, he throws both arms over my shoulders and hugs me.

“So we are in a relationship, huh?” he asks quietly against my ear.

“’Course we are,” I growl and hug him back. “I think it’s a bit juvenile considering I’m almost thirty-five, but if you want to call it being boyfriends then I won’t object.”

I hear him snicker but he just lingers in the hug.

“Birdie asked us to dinner tomorrow, and I was thinking we could stay the night at the ranch?” I finally ask.

“I’d like that,” he whispers and steps back. “I’ll finish up here in about twenty-four hours and?—”

“I’ll pick you up,” I interrupt, not giving him an option to refuse. “We can drive straight to the ranch or we can stay here a while then go for dinner.”

“Okay, thanks.”

I lean in for a kiss. “Eat some breakfast, little rich boy, and don’t stop thinking about me, okay?”

He snorts. “You got it.”

I look at his retreating back and sigh like a dumbass. But who the fuck cares? I’ve gone and gotten myself a boyfriend. Miracles do exist after all.

“Hey, lover boy.” I hear Rich from behind me and turn to see him yelling through the open passenger window. “There’s paps on the other side of the lot taking pictures of you looking stupid, get in.”

I grumble and walk with my head down. Oh well, I hardly think anyone will be surprised that I’m back with CJ. Hopefully this time he doesn’t get suspended, though. Just in case, I call Tristan.

“What’s up, buttercup? I miss your surly ass already,” he answers.

“Hey, I think CJ and I were just photographed again, can you maybe call around to the tabloids and ask them that if they print anything they don’t say shit about his donations? I don’t want people flooding the hospital again and him losing his job this time.”

“You got it. I’ll make some calls, starting with your aunt’s husband.”

“Thanks.” I sigh out the word and... “I actually miss you too.”

“Of course you do, I’m awesome.” With that, he hangs up.

“Where to now?” Rich asks when I put the phone down.

“I need some damn furniture. I’m going to call for some help.”

Cindy tellsme about a store that’s supposed to be exclusive enough that not many people would go there, especially so early in the morning. So after getting some breakfast and going to a meeting at my new AA group here in the city, Rich and I head over there.

I’m completely lost as soon as we enter, and Rich is no help of course, so I call the only person who’s taste I trust as much as CJ’s. My aunt Lyla answers the FaceTime call in no time, and she’s off to the races instantly.

“Wolf, sweetie, I’m so glad you called. Michael and I have a gala here next month, and they’re wondering if you could maybe donate a guitar of yours for the auction? It’s for a good cause you know?—”

“Fine, yes,” I cut her off. Otherwise she’s going to keep talking for a whole hour without a breath. I’m pretty sure Birdie got his hyperactivity from her, damn. “I’m in a furniture store and I need your help.”

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