Page 52 of Falling for the Guy Next Door

Some of the tension in his bony shoulders faded. “Yeah?”

Ronnie nodded. “We’re going to make a lot of money on this.”

Bosco pulled his glare away from me. “Would have been nice to know about the song,” he muttered as he headed to the kitchen.

“And you’re welcome,” I said. “I hadn’t planned for it to be anything but me messing around with my guitar.”

“He had inspiration,” Ronnie teased, unhelpfully.

Bosco turned from the refrigerator with a carton of orange juice. He chugged some and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “You meanmyinspiration. I spotted her first.”

“Well then, that makes her yours. Sometimes, you’re such an ass, Bos.”

“Thanks, I take that as a compliment.” He lifted the carton to drain the contents.

“That was my orange juice,” Ronnie complained.

“I’ll pay you back. It seems we’re all going to be rich soon.”

“Once again, you’re welcome,” I said.

Seth came down the hallway, more dressed and put together, but with the same baffled expression as he held up his phone. “What the heck is going on?”

Ronnie patted my shoulder. “Our boy Nash did a little thing, and it’s turning into a big thing.”

“Whoa, bro, you sly devil,” Seth said. He walked out and sat on the couch. “What does this mean for the rest of us, for the band?”

“It means more money for all of us,” I said. “But I think everything else still stands, right?” I looked at Seth. He was the one who got the dissolution ball rolling by taking a day job offer from his future father-in-law.

It didn’t take Seth long to agree. “Yeah, I’m still taking the job.”

Bosco came out. He’d been the lone holdout on a breakup, but he sat down and said, “Yep. I’m done. I’m going to move on, and I think that’ll be best for all of us.”

Ronnie nodded along, but with less enthusiasm. “I’m going to miss all of you.” Her voice wavered, and that was unusual for Ronnie.

I patted her leg. “It’s the end of an era, and we’ve all got our futures ahead of us.”

Seth lifted his phone. “And this will help give all of us a boost in that future. Thanks, Nash.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Ronnie said.

They both looked at Bosco. He pretended to be scrolling through his phone. He finally looked up. “Yeah, I guess you did good.”

“I’ll take it,” I said to Ronnie who was rolling her eyes. “Well, let’s talk another time about how we’re going to dissolve this band. I’ve got someone to see.” I headed toward the door.

“Your inspiration?” Ronnie called to me.

“Yep.” I walked out and headed to my truck. I sent off a text. “Any chance we can hang out? I’d really like to see you.” There was no quick response. She’d mentioned a bike ride. I put the phone down and drove back to the cottage.

It was a great day, perfect weather, not too hot. I was dreaming about a swim and picnic on the beach when I pulled onto the small road leading to the cottage. At first, all I saw was Layla standing next to her bike and looking at something across from her. When I passed the last tree on the sidewalk, the object of her focus came into view. It was Dustin.

I pulled into my driveway so fast the tires chirped and the windows rattled. I stopped the truck, jumped out and raced over to Layla. Dustin pointed angrily at me. “You are somehow always around. Are you stalking Layla?” Dustin asked.

It was hard not to laugh. “Uh, I think someone should look in the mirror when they ask that question.”

Layla scooted closer to me. She was tense with fear as I took her hand.

“Get your hands off her!” Dustin yelled. “Leave. This is a personal conversation between me and my girlfriend.”

---