“It’s awfully quiet without you here,” I admitted. “The boys are keeping a low profile right now while Jax and Liv get settled with the kids, you and Sam are gone, and most everyone else is on tour or in-studio sessions. I’ve had a couple of meetings, but it’s been quiet. I miss you, kiddo.”
“I miss you too,” she said.
The words formed on my lips before I could stop them. “How’s your mom been holding up?”
“Oh, she’s all but forgotten about me.” She giggled. “Bradley Cooper has been keeping her busy.”
I choked on my own spit. “What?”
“Seriously, she’s obsessed,” she continued, “but with that face, who could blame her? Everything is Bradley this, Bradley that. I swear, I get ten new pictures a day. He seems to be keeping her on her toes.”
Her words came at me like paintballs, splattering across my chest, leaving behind welts and bruises. All this time, I’d imagined her grief-stricken, elbow-deep in a pint of Jeni’s ice cream, crying over missing her daughter and best friend. But no, she’d been elbow-deep in—
“Bradley is basically her whole world now.” Grace laughed. “Who would have thought?”
I coughed, my entire body seeming to reject the idea that Ella had already found someone else. My heart couldn’t take it.
“You alright over there, Cash?”
I cleared my throat. “Uh-huh. Allergies,” I lied. “So, where did your mom me—”
“Hey, Cash? Sam is getting another call. I’m going to have to let you go, but I’ll keep you posted on everything over here. Don’t worry. I’ve got everything under control. Talk soon,” she said, and the line went dead.
I scrubbed my face with one hand and held my phone in the other, staring at it. Who the hell was this Bradley guy? His name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place him. How had Ella had time to meet this dude anyway? It had only beeneleven days.
I didn’t know whether I was hurt or impressed.
Hurt. Definitely hurt.
But I had to hear it for myself. I had to hear it from her.
I found Ella’s name in my phone and hit send.
“Hello?” Ella answered on the third ring. “Hold on!” Her voice sounded tight, like a rubber band about to snap. She disappeared for a couple of moments, and I could hear a rumbling in the background and the distinct sound of Ella muttering strings of expletives. “I’m sorry—who’s there?”
Sadness nipped at my heart. I knew she had my number saved, but it was like she had no idea who I was. “It’s Cash. I just wanted to call and see how things were going.”And to hear about this Bradley asshole. And why I haven’t heard from you. And to hear your voice because I miss you.
“Shit,” she said. “I’m sorry, Cash. I was so distracted that I didn’t even see the name when I swiped to answer the phone.” She genuinely sounded distraught.“Well… things are… not great at the moment,” Ella replied. “I’m sorry I haven’t called recently. I was actually going to call you tonight, but I’m kind of in the middle of an issue.”
My chest twisted. Had Bradley broken up with her? I was ready to fight this jerk for hurting her.You can’t hate the guy for being with her and for breaking up with her, Cash. Pick a struggle.I pressed the base of my palm to my forehead.
“Oh? Is everything alright?” I asked.
I heard her heave a sigh on the other end of the phone. “Actually, I’m kind of a mess at the moment. I hate to ask this, but could you—”
“I’ll be right there,” I said, answering the question before she’d even asked.
“Thank you, Cash,” her voice sounded small, defeated even.
“I’m always here for you, Ella.” It was true. No matter what she decided, I cared too much about her to step aside. This Bradley character would just have to deal with it. Even if she was with this guy, I wasn’t going to let her go without a fight. “I’ll be right there.”
Put your dukes up, Bradley. May the best man win.
Eleven
Ella
I really had intendedto call Cash even before that moment. But every time I picked up the phone, my hands turned clammy, and my stomach started doing this weird swishy thing. So, I threw myself into Bradley Cooper and adjusting to our new life together. Which also turned out to be necessary seeing how he was an actual terror—a terror with separation anxiety.
