Page 63 of Whirlwind

“I meant, I have a corporate day job and in between I work at the Grand. I can’t just take off on a whim like Tag does, like you do.”

“That’s just the thing, Violet. I think you are like me. You thrive on hard work, and most especially if it’s the work you’re passionate about. You have these wild impulses, tell me you don’t.” My thumb stroked her bottom lip. “Aren’t I one of your wild impulses?”

She bit that lip. “You are. But that doesn’t change the facts. It sounds amazing but—”

“It is amazing. It will be. Us there, together?”

“I can’t just traipse off to the Mediterranean and—”

“Why the hell not?” my voice snapped at her.

She got up off my lap. “That’s naive, don’t you think? I have responsibilities, obligations. You just have—”

“Contracts, deadlines, a management team, a lawyer, fellow band members, corporate executives and their individual bottom lines. Oh, and fans and their expectations. Those are my responsibilities, my obligations.”

“You’re right.” She let out a sigh. “But you know what I meant.”

“Violet, what’s wrong?” I slung my arms back along the sofa.

“I can’t go with you on some wild impromptu vacation far, far away. And anyhow, you should go as a free agent. Go and hook up with one of Tag’s girls.”

WHAT? Motherfuck, she was pushing me away.

She let out a laugh. “Orallof Tag’s girls…”

“Not interested.”

“A Greek girl, then.”

“Come with me.”

Her back stiffened, she crossed her arms. “What are you saying?”

“Come with me on this trip. It’s just a week.”

“Just a week, as what? Your hook-up?”

“Why are you using labels? You and I were friends before we dove into bed together, right?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t want to have sex with me again, don’t have sex with me.”

She shifted her weight, her cheeks stained with red. “I didn’t say that.”

A short laugh escaped me. Was it relief? Excitement? “If you want to go as friends, we do that. If once we’re there, we want to have sex, we have sex. If you meet some Greek guy you want to fuck, fuck the Greek guy. Hell, if you like one of Tag’s girls, screw her too.”

She laughed.

“I’m not kidding. Do whatever makes you comfortable, happy. I’m not asking for guarantees or anything specific from you.”

She pushed her hair back from her face. “I’ve been told many times that I always make things complicated.”

“I think you simply consider all the angles. It’s very mature of you.”

“Geez, thank you.”

I got up and took her hand in mine. “Do whatever it is you want, Violet.”

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