Page 61 of Forbidden Intent

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The past month has been like a dream—days in the studio recording an album we all feel is going to be our best yet and nights with Tamsin wrapped in my arms.

Not to sound cheesy, but I didn’t know anyone could feel this way—this complete.It’s like Tamsin was the missing puzzle piece to my life and nothing can ever really be that bad as long as we’re together.Even the band has accepted her as one of us, especially the girls.Becka and Jolie swept her up into their little duo and now they’re practically inseparable.They even started including Rikki in their weekly girls’ nights.

Today is our first event as a couple though, and I’ve never been so excited to have her next to me.We show up at Robbie and Jolie’s house in Glendale at the same time as Tristan pulls up.

“I figured you would’ve been here early to help set up,” I say as I open Tamsin’s door for her.

“I had to pick up a present for Jo.”

Huh, that’s weird.Normally, he would’ve had her present picked out weeks ago.Tristan always finds the best gifts for people, but he’s been especially skilled at finding just the right gifts for Jolie and Robbie.

The front door opens while we’re still on the sidewalk, and Robbie glances behind him then shuts the door and rushes to Tristan.

“Dude, you’re a fucking lifesaver.I can’t believe I waited so long to order her gift.When I saw it wouldn’t be here in time, I panicked.You’ve saved my ass.”

Tristan shrugs and hands him a square package wrapped in cerulean blue paper—a color we’re all familiar with because it’s Jo’s favorite.

“Do you want to know what it is?”Tristan asks him.

Robbie shakes his head.“I trust you.You always have the best gift ideas.I swear you’ve saved my ass with her more times than I can count.”

“It’s no big deal,” he says, and then gestures for Robbie to head back in the house.We follow him, and the whole situation strikes me differently than any of their past interactions.My conversation with Tristan months ago comes back to me, and I’m seeing the last few years very differently.

“Why do you always get her gifts?”I ask.

He shrugs, but that’s not enough for me.“Seriously, Tris.I get birthdays because we all do birthday gifts for each other.But Christmas?Even when we do Secret Santa, you still get her a gift.Easter.Hell, don’t you even do some weird leprechaun thing for her for St.Patrick’s Day?”

Tristan’s gaze is still fixed on the direction Robbie went.“She likes holidays.She always has.It’s no big deal.”

It is, and I can tell Tristan thinks so too even if he says it isn’t.

“Robbie’s stressed about Kase,” he says low.“It’s all he’s thinking about.”

I look around at the cars on the street, not seeing Kasen’s, before following Tristan into the house.Kasen isn’t mingling with the guests that are already here either, and we were running late.He should be here by now.

“Where is Kase?”I ask Tristan.

“Fuck if I know.”

Rikki and her boyfriend come join us, and I try to focus on the conversation, but my mind is elsewhere.I feel like an idiot for never noticing that Tristan had a thing for Jolie.Even if he’s clearly not willing to admit it, his actions speak louder than his words.

But more importantly, Kasen’s absence feels like the final nail in the coffin.He’s never bailed on a family event before, not even when he was partying with Charli years ago.It’s always been an understanding that we don’t bail when it’s important things like birthdays or holidays that we’ve agreed to celebrate as a group.Him not being here now is another reminder that we’re losing him.

“You okay?”Tamsin whispers, her hazel gaze filled with concern.

Fuck, I love this woman.I squeeze her hand and drop a kiss to the top of her head.“Just worried about Kase.”

“He’s not coming.”I turn around to see Robbie standing behind me, the bags under his eyes more prominent than I remember.

“I figured as much.Did he say why?”

“Nope.Just said he had other things to do,” Robbie says.

Fuck, that’s not good.

“I think it’s time for another intervention,” Trent says, having overheard the conversation.“And we can’t let him talk us out of rehab.This has gone on long enough.He needs help.”

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