Page 14 of Tyler
“I’m fine, babes. Is it flat iron time again?” I swear she spends half her life straightening her hair, even though it’s beautiful when she lets her natural curls out. “I had to text my second favorite person.” I wave my phone.
She cocks her head, pursing her lips. “Secondfavorite? Doesn’t Tyler come first place?”
“He does,” I answer and smirk when she narrows her eyes.
“So, if Tyler is first, then who the hell is yoursecondfavorite person if that isn’t me?”
I shrug and refocus on the message I want to send. The last check to see if everything is in order. “Maybe someone took up your spot. But youarethird in line. That’s still a very high ranking compared to how many people I know.”
“If you’re about to tell me that fucktard Lamar bumped me down to third place, I’m gonna punch you.”
“He’s not a fucktard, and you know it.” I pause, thinking. “I’ll consider him myfourthfavorite person.”
The corner of her mouth lifts. “As you should. He’s great. We had a good thing.”
“You did,” I say, slipping into the same argument we’ve had for five months now. “Which is why he’s not the fucktard—you are. I still don’t get why you broke up with him. You two were solid.”
She sighs, leaning against the side of the bunk. “Same reason you tried to break up with Tyler. You know that.”
I almost shiver. Don’t want to be reminded of that mess. Definitely one of my more absurd ideas.
“At least you’re having fun with Bowie,” I say.
Yep. She tapped Mick’s brother. Can’t blame her, really. She’s single, he’s single, and there’s not a whole lot to do on tour besides hanging out with the people you’re stuck with. And yeah, he’s hot as hell.
Still doesn’t mean I want anything to do withhisbrother.
“Once,” she says dryly. “And he kept talking about you afterward… how amazing your music is, how talented you are, how you’retotallygonna be the next big name right beside Mick. Blah, blah, blah.Thatwas not the highlight of my life.”
I chuckle and gesture to myself. “I mean, what’snotto love? I get it. I’d talk about me too.”
“Well, I don’t get it. You’re notthatspecial.”
“Thanks. Love you too.”
She smiles and leans in to kiss my cheek. “I know you do. Go text your mystery person. I’m gonna bribe Ava into attacking this crow’s nest.” She taps the towel on her head. “But before I leave, that duet? It was amazing and you sounded fucking great together, but are you really okay? It looked intense.”
“I am.” I smile at her concern. “I really am. It’s just a performance, Miss.”
“I know it is and I want us to succeed, Jace, but not at the costs of your, or our, integrity. If it gets to be too much, will you tell me?”
I agree with a nod and she leans in again to give me a swift hug before she leaves, closing the curtain behind her, giving me my privacy—just in time for a ping from my second favorite person in the world.
FOUR
“Ty!”
The porch door slams against the wall as my best friend barges into my parents’ kitchen and drops a cardboard box onto the dining table.
“I think my dick’s falling off,” Lamar says, pointing at his crotch. “Can you look at it?”
I can only stare, the knife in my hand forgotten as I stand at the counter, mid-chop on some tomatoes for a mean breakfast-slash-lunch burrito. I slept in a bit—something I normally don’t do—but we were out late last night. Perks of being thedesignated driver: no hangover to nurse and birthday or not, I’m not about to mess up the diet I’ve worked so hard for.
“Ititches,” he groans, rubbing himself through his sweatshorts like a menace. “It’s my birthday, andthisis what I get? That’s just fucking cruel!”
I blink. He seemed totally fine yesterday.
“So, can you?” he presses, nearly hopping in place.
