Page 67 of High Note

“I need to talk to them, don’t I?” She’d been avoiding it, knowing her momma and daddy didn’t do social media or TMZ…

“Oh, honey. Your granny already called me.”

Fuck a doodle doo.

“Oops. What did you tell her, Peach?”

“That I had it under control. She wasn’t worried about your personal life, just your career.”

“Oh.” Oh, wow. Relief flooded her.

“Hey, have some faith. Now, your dad…who knows?”

“He’ll be okay.” She hoped. “Kirsten’s people weren’t so great.”

“No? About you?”

“God no. When she came out, like in college. She’s been…” Well, Skyla couldn’t say that she was without family, because she wasn’t, but—“Building her own family all this time.”

“Ah. Well, good on her for making it work. It’s hard when your people turn out to be assholes. When I married Justo, my momma said she didn’t hold with me marrying some foreigner. She never talked to me again when I told her to shove it.”

“Oh, god. Peach! That’s awful!”

“It was, but I have you, I have Justo, I have my girls, and I have all the musicians I rep. I made my family, just like you said.”

“Yes.” That made her sniffle. “Oh, Peach, I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me too.”

“Here you go, ladies.” Their coffees and pastries came. Which was good. She needed a refill, and a sweet. She was getting maudlin.

“Oh my god. That smells like heaven. Tell me there are no calories at this altitude.”

“None. In fact, you’ll burn more calories. I’ve been eating like a fiend and not gained an ounce.” She snorted. “Now, I have been exercising…”

“La la la! Can’t hear you!”

She giggled madly. “I adore you, you old bat.”

“Of course you do. Now, take me to my room, wherever it is, and then I want to meet your girl.”

“Oh, let’s sit and have this pastry here. Trust me. It’s worth it. Cheyenne makes them.”

“Cheyenne?”

“Yeah, she’s one of my new friends. We played cards with her and her wife, Evie.”

God, had she just said that? Like she was just a person, having friends, playing cards?

“Nice. Look at you.” Peach whacked her, those long nails scratching at her sweater. “Having friends.”

“I know!” She sipped her new coffee, humming at the flavor. “Life feels real hopeful.”

“Good. That’s the important part because when the harder parts come, you’ll need to keep it together.”

“I will.” And she sure hoped she was brave enough to do it justice. Somehow she already knew Kirsten was.

Chapter Twenty

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