Page 113 of Worlds Collide

“He’s worried that I’m going to cheat on him?” I demand.

“I don’t think he is anymore,” Rich is quick to answer. “I really don’t, CJ, I... Fuck, I should’ve kept my mouth shut?—”

“No, it’s good that you told me.” We keep quiet then and hear only the end of the interview.

“Well, there you go, folks.” The host’s voice comes through the speakers. “The Storm’s new album,Shell,is coming out in only a couple of months and you can be sure you’ll be hearing it here. Thanks so much for stopping by, Wolf and Hawk.”

“Thanks for having us,” Wolf says, and then it’s advertising again.

All the while I’m thinking about how I’m going to approach the subject.

“So, you’re coming with us?”Hawk asks excitedly.

“Yes.” I tell him the good news with a smile while in the car on the way back to the ranch. “I have two days off and I’m going to use them to fly to Vegas and see Derek beat the shit out of Luke.”

Hawk laughs manically. “It’s gonna be awesome,” he cheers. “We’re staying with Bennett and Luke, and with the kiddos, and?—”

“Actually, Birdie, CJ and I are staying at the Winner resort.”

“What?” he demands. “But we’re going to visit Jules and Sterling too, and?—”

“We’re still going to do all of that, and I definitely want CJ to meet Ivan properly,” he says, talking about his hockey-playing cousin. “But I don’t want CJ to be woken up at six a.m. on his days off, so we’re staying at the hotel and driving everywhere.” Rich clears his throat forcibly from the front of the car. “Right,” Wolf amends. “Rich is driving us everywhere.”

“Okay,” Hawk says glumly. “Oh, whatever, I’ll stay with you guys, too. Let me call Bennett, I think he’s going to be relieved.”

“I know for a fact he is,” Wolf whispers so quietly that I’m the only one who hears him.

“Be nice,” I say through a chuckle. Though I am glad that I’ll be able to sleep in for a few days.

The ride to the ranch and then to the airport is uneventful but entertaining with Hawk being well, himself, and Wolf grunting every now and then.

We leave Junior in the capable hands of Clive, who just came back to LA from Chicago where the Thursday Night Football game was this week, and then we’re off on the short flight to Vegas.

It’s only when we’re in our bedroom, about to take a short nap before meeting everyone for an early dinner, that I bring up what Rich told me. Wolf’s reaction is what I expected.

“And you can’t be mad at Rich?—”

“Of course I’m mad at Rich, he had no reason to bring it up?—”

“I mentioned the song, Max,” I say, trying to go for soothing, and it does mollify him just a bit. “Wolf,” I say softly, walking to him, and I take his arms, rubbing them up and down. “Are you really worried I’d cheat on you?”

“No,” he says vehemently. “I was worried I’d drive you away, not that you’d cheat. I know you’d rather tell me to go fuck myself and go look for someone else, than to lie. I know you hate lying.Now. I only know that now.”

“Okay, that’s good to know.”

“You’re just...” He trails off and lets out a burst of air. “You’re the most interesting person I’ve ever met, CJ. And compelling, and... yeah, I don’t know.” He lets his head hang down. “I just want to end every day with you next to me. That’s all I really need to be happy.”

I scoff softly but he still looks up, angry scowl ready at my reaction. “You need more than me, Wolf. Don’t kid yourself. You’d goinsane without your notebook and your guitar. And Junior,” I mention.

“Okay, but you’re?—”

“Yes, maybe I’m just a tiny bit more important, but that doesn’t mean those other things aren’t important too.”

“You’re always teaching me things,” he says in a growl. An almost angry one.

I chuckle softly and go in for a hug. “I love you,” I whisper in his ear. “And I’m proud of you for working so hard on all those beautiful songs. I know it wasn’t easy.”

“Thanks,” he mumbles as he hugs me back. “I know it’ll be hard, when Birdie and I go out on tour again. Eventually. In a few years. But it won’t be as hard as being without you would be. I need you, CJ.”

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