The Rocker's Muse

At one point, Atticus suddenly climbed down the ladder to answer his phone. He rushed off to take a call inside.

Ronan took Atticus’s place and turned to Tristan. “What was up with that?”

Tristan shrugged. “I dunno. Seemed weird.”

A few minutes later, Atticus returned, looking a bit frazzled.

Ronan stepped down off the ladder. “What’s going on?”

“That was Nicole…”

His ex.

Ronan and Tristan looked at each other.

“Nicole? What’s up with her?” Tristan asked.

“She needs to talk to me about something. Asked if I’d have some time to chat in like an hour. She’s at work right now.”

Ronan blinked. “What does she want?”

“She says she has a favor to ask. I have no fucking idea what it could be. My head is spinning.”

Tristan put down the lights. “When was the last time you talked to her?”

Atticus still seemed dazed and confused. “Huh?”

Ronan repeated Tristan’s question. “When was the last time you talked to Nicole?”

“Like a year ago.” He shook his head. “I’m gonna go back to the hotel. I don’t want to have the phone call here.”

Tristan patted his shoulder. “Yeah, man. It’s no big deal. Just come back whenever you’re done. You bastards are early anyway.”

“Cool. Thanks,” he said before taking off.

When Atticus was out of earshot, I asked, “What actually happened between him and Nicole? No one has ever told me.”

“We could tell you, but we’d have to kill you,” Ronan joked. “Or rather, he’d kill me for telling you.”

“What’s the big secret?” I looked between them. “I don’t get it.”

Tristan whispered in my ear, “I’ll tell you later.”

“One thing I will say…” Ronan added. “My guy has been searching for his heart since the day things ended with them.”

Tristan rubbed my back. “Let’s put it this way. She’s his Emily. And I couldn’t imagine losing you or what I’d be like if that ever happened.”

***

Several hours later, our backyard was still filled with people drinking and chatting around the pool. It had been the perfect Shady Hills afternoon, comfortably breezy and sunny, but it was starting to get dark now. Tristan had just turned on those outdoor lights he’d worked so hard to get up earlier. And they were honestly beautiful.

My mother and the Mahoneys—who’d given us their blessing when we’d told them about our relationship before moving to L.A.—had just left. However, most of Delirious Jones’s crew and their significant others were still here. We hadn’t set an end time for this shindig, but I was sort of hoping the remaining guests would leave so Tristan and I could unwind alone.

Interestingly, Atticus hadn’t returned after going back to his hotel for that phone call with Nicole. He’d texted Tristan that he wasn’t in the mood for a party and apologized. Ronan had left a short time ago to go check on him.

Everyone seemed to be talking Tristan’s ear off tonight about the article. He finally managed to break away from them and found me. He nuzzled my neck. “How’s my baby?”

“Incredibly happy. So proud of you and how hard you’ve worked in Jacob’s honor on this album. And really looking forward to our vacation. I’m feeling grateful for this life.”