Page 95 of Out of the Blue

He winces. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry.” He drops his hand on top of my knee. “You do know everyone’s screened before entering the arena.”

I might have heard this before—I clamp my line of thought down tighter than my guitar case. My right shoulder lifts. “Didn’t say it was rational.”

He leans backward, his hands now resting on his own knees. “Well, all things considered, I think you’re doing fantastic. Fans are loving you guys, according to your social media. And their ranks are growing.”

“Thanks.” For some reason, the need to share more with him becomes undeniable. This is something he’s wanted, and I’m finally ready to give it to him. I bite my lip. “Do you want to see her?”

“Who?”

“My mother,” I whisper.

He tugs his ear. “Yeah. I would.”

I nod and stand to grab my cell phone off the kitchen counter. Opening my photos, I click on the album marked, “Mom.” She smiles at me in a pretty pink dress. At her side, I’m blowing her a kiss. I had to be around three. I pass him the phone. “Here’s one of my favorites. She just returned from getting her hair done.”

He takes my phone and focuses his attention on the screen. His head bobs in time with his foot. “I do remember her—your aunt triggered my memory.” The left side of his lips tip upward. “Her smile was infectious.” He holds up my phone. “May I?”

“Sure.” My throat almost closes, but I was the one who opened the door.

The minutes tick by with the only sound being his finger swiping through my photo gallery. I can’t move. Can’t drink my coffee. I sit and watch as he immerses himself in my mother’s life via pictures. As he mentally places her.

After a while, he lifts a wounded hazel gaze to mine, although his sentiment is positive. “It looks like you had a great childhood. She was at so many of your events.”

“She was. I was lucky.” Would I have been luckier to know Brax was my father? I have no answer for that question. “She meant the world to me.”

Until I found her diary and she died. Twice.

His fingers trace my screen. “It’s great you had her love to support you.” He leans over, offering my cell phone back.

I lay it on the coffee table. “Still does.”

His fingers tug on his ear again. “Love is important, son.”

Son. I let his slip of the tongue—or his truth—slide. “So I’ve noticed.”

“Before I met Sara, I was a different man. I was wild when I met your mother. Aimless. Chasing the next high, be it alcohol or sex. Never drugs, though.”

“I remember reading about how your first drummer overdosed.”

He nods. “Jack Jefferson. He was a great guy.” He takes a beat of silence, then continues, “But my point is Sara’s love changed me. For the better.”

“I thought I had that with Cordelia,” I admit. “But her loose lips ruined everything.”

“I know what she did. And I’m sorry.” He waits a beat. “But maybe consider the fact she might have done us a favor. We never had to come out and make an announcement. True, it was put out there before we could control it, but we would’ve had to come clean at some point.”

His defense of her spikes my wrath. “It should’ve been our choice.” I jump to my feet and cross the room, shoving the curtains to the side. Not seeing anything before me.

Brax’s footsteps approach me. “I’m sorry.” He pats my shoulder. We remain in place for a long while. Next to me, he sighs. “I need to get to rehearsal now. Remember, I’m always here for you if you want to talk.”

I remain at the window, clenching my jaw when the door shuts. Leaving me alone in the suite. How is it possible I miss her—when she ruined me?

Chapter 29 - Trent

The arena in New Orleans vibrates as the audience does the wave twenty minutes before we take the stage. Raine grabs our attention. “Guys, tonight’s crowd is bigger than I’ve ever seen before. And they’re here early to seeyou. Apex is so proud of how your fanbase has grown throughout the tour.”

Joey’s fists raise into the air. “Yeah! Bet you twenty we fill up seventy-five percent of the seats tonight!”

Maurice removes his glasses. “I’m still cautious. I bet sixty.”

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