Page 98 of Mic Drop

His voice is beautiful. The lyrics haunt me.

I finally get myself in gear and drive back to my house, whichsmells of flowers. I pull out Ma’s final note together with all of the cards that accompanied the flowers he’s sent.

Court’s advice replays.

I wander into my bedroom and open my jewelry box, intent on putting away my earrings, when a necklace I haven’t seen in a long time catches my eyes. It has a UC pendant attached. Darren was wearing this the night he died.

A sob catches in my throat.

How can I stay here when the love of my life is so far away?

Chapter 27

Bennett

The guys and I are on the beach in front of the mansion Luke rented for us here on the French Riviera. Tomorrow night, we kick off the European leg of our tour at the Théâtrede Verdure, an open-air amphitheater. A Frisbee is thrown, and Río acts crazy as usual, diving headfirst into the sand, breaking his fall at the last second. After a while, Coop and 007 take off at full tilt toward the ocean, diving into the warm water and splashing each other. Tris invites Luke and me to go snorkeling, but I beg off. Now’s the time a confirmation email from the florist in Aroostook will come in about my delivery to Jenna back in the States. I can’t miss it.

“You go ahead. I’m waiting for an email.”

Luke collects snorkeling gear from the chair next to mine. “Join us when you can, B.” He takes off.

I refresh the screen on my cell, waiting to receive the florist’s confirmation. Somehow, opening these emails as soon as they arrive makes me feel closer to Jenna. I tap my cell on my thigh, waiting for the message. Did she hear our new song yet? Did she watch the news, like I told her to? Does she know the threats from both Lissa and Michelle are over? She hasn’t responded to my texts.

The florist’s email finally arrives. My heart sinks at the first line. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hardy. Mrs. Hardy wasn’t at home today, so I was unable to complete the delivery at its usual time. I promise to try again in a few hours.”

She wasn’t there. Or, more likely, she refused to open the door and accept delivery, knowing it was more flowers from me. Today’s card had the iconicThe Godfatherline, “I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse.” I need to make her see reason, that we’re meant for each other. I didn’t propose to make her mother happy. We love each other, dammit.

Luke returns to the chairs, dripping. “Let’s get you into the water.”

“Nah. Not in the mood—Jenna wasn’t home to get my flowers today.”

“She must’ve been out.” Picking up a towel, he rubs it over his body, ending by wringing out his shoulder-length hair.

“I guess.” I toss my cell onto the foot of the chair.

“She’ll come around. Maybe she didn’t hear your song yet.”

My stomach constricts. Singing our new song almost undid me, but Luke encouraged me to sing those stanzasa capella. I was raw. Bared my soul for her. While it’s been radio silence from Jenna, her divorce attorney is still on my tail. Or at least she was when I was in the States. I’m too well protected to be served over here, thankfully.

Soon, Tris joins us, followed by the rest of the band. Over the past few days, I’ve done the unthinkable and let them in more than ever before. 007 plops down next to me, bumping his shoulder against mine. We’re still navigating rocky waters over how he treated Jenna, but he’s been solid for me over here.

These guys truly are my friends. They’ve rallied around me, especially once Luke shared all the details about Lissa and Michelle’s illegal plots. They’ve also commiserated with me over the state of my so-called marriage. Urged me to hold on. I’m trying.

Tris’s chin points toward Luke. “How’s our new song doing in the charts?”

“We’re climbing. Sitting at number three right now. Considering it only dropped two days ago, I’d say you have another hit on your hands.”

If only Jenna would hear it.

The guys cheer. Río returns to our huddle, directing a few women carrying bottles over to us. “I asked these lovely ladies to join us, considering they have nice beverages and nowhere to go with them.”

The guys grab the beers and snag the chicks. I do neither. Doesn’t stop a few bikini-clad ladies from coming over to me, plying me with drinks. Remembering Luke’s assessment of me as using alcohol or sex to soothe my hurts, I decline both. The latter because none of them are my wife. The former because I don’t want any of them to start looking like her. Not that they ever could.

Coop leaves two possible companions and comes over to my chair. “Dude. She’s going to come around. Give her time.”

“All I can do.” I check out his two ladies. Just because I’m not interested, doesn’t mean he shouldn’t partake. “Go on, enjoy yourself. I’ll be fine here.”

“Are you sure? I can send them packing and we can play some volleyball on the beach.”

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