“Nah. Not like I did. I’m not like that anymore. Haven’t in forever. I’ve changed a lot.”
“That’s really good. I am proud of you. I really am. You sound so… good.” Her voice was soft.
“Thanks.” I felt her words in my chest, and they made me feel good about myself. I’d been pretty sober since the night Celeste attacked my son. He needed me. I wouldn’t be a worthless piece of shit like my old man had been. It was a vow I took seriously.
“Um, I’m actually coming to Chicago in a few weeks. It might be nice to see you if you have the time. I mean, I don’t want to pull you away?—”
“I’ll be there,” I said immediately, my heart racing. “If I can get tickets. I think I saw your show was sold out.”
“It is,” she replied. “Do you still use the same email?”
“Yeah.”
I heard her typing quickly before she spoke again.
“Check your email.”
I put her on speakerphone and opened my email app to see that she’d sent me a ticket confirmation.
“Really?” I asked.
“Like I said, it would be nice to see you. I’m actually going to be there for an extra day since I’m doing two shows. Anson is going to watch a band play in the city after the concert. He’s scouting them. We can meet up after the show. Have some coffee if I can get away from security.”
“That sounds perfect,” I said. “I’m really excited. You can bring Evan, too, if it would give him ease.”
“Uh, I don’t think so. He won’t be able to make the show. He’s not a fan of Chicago. But it’s OK. I’ll talk to Ani and let him know we’re meeting. I’m sure he will find a way to make it work.”
I could hear the smile in her voice, and that made me even more anxious to see her. “We could get dinner before you head back. I haven’t seen Anson in forever?—”
“I won’t be able to,” she said. “I’m meeting with, um, my brother and his family for dinner.”
“Dante,” I murmured.
“Yeah. He said you guys knew.”
“We are aware. He’s… rough.”
“He’s fair,” she corrected. “And a good man.”
I wouldn’t go that far, but I didn’t say so. I had a history with Dante. I thought he was a decent guy, but then Fox died, and everything I thought about him turned to dust. I wondered if Rosalie knew Dante had a hand in Fox’s death.
“I guess I don’t know him the way you do.”
“Yeah. Makes sense,” she murmured. “It’s a good thing you don’t know him well because that would mean you’re in trouble.”
“He is king of the underground,” I said tightly. “I try to stay out of his way.”
She yawned, and I immediately pictured her looking so sweet in her pink pajamas, her wild curls cascading around her. If we were still together, I’d be kissing her and tucking her into bed beside me. The thought made my heart hurt.
I really thought I was doing better, but I guess old habits die hard.
“You should sleep,” I said gently. “We can talk tomorrow or whenever.”
“Mm, yeah.” She yawned again. “Sorry. I’m almost done with this tour. It’s so tiring. I’m not a fan of a new hotel room every night. All the packing, unpacking, and moving around. It’s one of the things I hate most. I tried the tour bus, but I just couldn’t be with the guys. They’re just… loud. Ani said we will have to do it for the last leg of the trip, though.”
“I bet.” I assumed she was talking about her band.
“We’ll talk tomorrow, OK?”
