Page 120 of One Day Like This (Excess All Areas 1)

“I still wish you’d come. You can change your mind. We’re going first-class on the train. It’ll be fun. Then you can celebrate with us.”

“There’ll be a time for me and the band to be together. But this isn’t it. You and Luke need to focus on each other and the deal. Throw Jase into the mix, and who knows what will happen? Me being there would just be a distraction. It’s all still too raw and we both know it. I’ll be cheering you on from here. I’ll expect updates while you’re still sober. It’s taken us a decade to get here. If it takes a bit of time to rebuild yourselves, it won’t matter in the big scheme of things.”

Matt lifted onto one elbow. “I used to wonder what the obsession about ‘one day’ was with musicians. Lou Reed singing about spending a perfect day with someone. Bill Withers and his ‘Lovely Day’. And Elbow talking about how just one day of perfection every three-hundred-and-sixty-five would be enough. I couldn’t figure out why you’d settle for one day of magic when you could have a lifetime of it. Promise me that’s what we’ll have, Iz. A lifetime of perfect.”

Izabel rose onto her elbow so they were face to face. “I can’t promise that. Nobody’s life is perfect all the time. But I can promise you this. I’ll remain grateful I have you. I’ll always be hopeful in, and committed to, our future. I’ll remember I love you, even on days when I want to kill you. Those three things feel like the foundation of a life that is more perfect than not.”

Matt closed the distance between them. “Those sound like wedding vows, Iz.”

Izabel smiled against his lips. “Give me some time, like a couple of years, to perfect them and they might just be.”

“Deal.” He sealed their deal with a kiss, sliding his hand into her hair. When her fingernails gently scraped along his cock, he forced himself to pull back with a moan. “As much as I want that, I’ve got a train to catch.”

Izabel bit her lip and pulled back. “Pity.”

“If you came with me, we could—”

“Nope. Go, my rock star. Don’t come back without a big contract.”

Matt stood up and offered her a hand, tugging her to her feet. “I’ll do my best.” He handed Izabel her flowers, zipped up his case, and lifted it from the bed.

“I’m teasing. I’m proud of you simply for going. If it lands a record deal, amazing. If it doesn’t, I still win because you’ll come here, and I’ll be waiting for you. I love you, Matt.”

“I love you too.”

Epilogue: Jase

Jase Palmer sat in a Mexican restaurant on Essex Road in The Angel, London and swallowed the dregs of his second bottle of Dos Equis. Across the street, the band arrived at Upper Street Records.

He’d seen Ben first, looking down at his phone and then up at street names and door numbers. Alex by his side. The number of times he’d wished Alex was his actual brother—but while their bond was close, it didn’t match Alex and Ben’s. Next, he’d seen Luke in deep conversation with Matt, which only added to the low-grade rage he felt. Luke, who’d treated him like the enemy for two fucking years for sleeping with Iz, was smiling at something Matt said.

Nan had told him the rest of the band had come to an uneasy peace, but seeing them together made Jase realise Matt was indeed the fucking golden child. Matt could do no wrong, while he was the dick who broke everything he touched.

He was the reason his mum had left, the reason his dad had beat him, why Matt never seemed to want him to be around, and why Luke had exploded whenhe’dslept with Iz, but appeared to have already forgiven Matt.

He looked at the Upper Street Records building with its custom graffiti murals and wondered why they wanted him around either. Perhaps his presence there would jinx the outcome of the conversation. Nan had told him the label was going to sign the band, regardless of whether he showed or not. Perhaps not showing up would save the band from firing him. Or give them a better chance of being signed.

Matt paused at the door, ushering the others inside, before looking up and down the street. He pulled out his phone and dialled, and Jase held his breath for a moment before realising his phone wasn’t ringing. There was only one person who could put that smile on Matt’s face. Iz. He saw Matt’s shoulders drop as he tugged his hand through his hair.

Was it so wrong to want someone to want you? To put you first. To pick you. He was certain it must be a fucking epic feeling. One he’d chased his entire life.

His mum hadn’t wanted him. Neither had his dad. Nan had been obliged to take them in, but Matt didn’t want him as a brother. Iz hadn’t wanted him. The record label wanted the band, but were indifferent whether it included him.

Jase felt a wave of envy so visceral it made his chest ache.

Jase shook his head as Matt hung up and took a deep breath, sliding his phone into his pocket before taking it out again and typing something.

Jase’s phone buzzed on the table.

I feel like you’re here in London. If you are, you owe it to yourself to get over to Upper Street. You made it this far, Jase. We all did. A decade’s work. All the graft. All the sacrifices. We can do it, Jase. I know you hate me right now. I know we aren’t even friends, let alone brothers. But I refuse to believe we can’t fix it. You just need to show up. Show up for me. Show up for us. Show up for yourself.

Fuck.

Jase wanted to believe Matt wanted him there. That the band wanted him there too. But nothing in his life had ever truly supported that, so it was hard to believe it now.

He stood up and threw down two twenties. The bill was probably a lot less, but given it was Matt’s money he was throwing away, he didn’t give a shit.

Jase had no idea why his brother had seen fit to give him two hundred quid.

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