“That’s so great! I’m so happy for you,” Zoey said as she hugged herfriend.
“But I can’t leave if you’re not okay. Maybe Jude can move in and help you paytherent.”
“You’re really sweet, Megan, but don’t worry about it. I’ll figure something out. If not Jude, then I’ll look for another roommate. It’s not a big deal. Everything has a way of working out. Just don’t lose touch, okay? I’m really going to miss you and I don’t know what I’ll do without youaround.”
“I know you, Zoey. You’ll be fine,” Megan said as she hugged heragain.
* * *
With Megan gone,the apartment felt cold and lonely. She knew Megan was doing the right thing, but it didn’t change how much she missed her. Walking past the empty bedroom, she wondered what she would dowithit.
Zoey hadn’t been completely honest with Megan, and she felt a little guilty about that. She knew Megan was having a tough time financially, and she didn’t seem very supportive about her working with Richard Black. Because of that, she didn’t have the heart to tell Megan that Richard Black was paying her enough to afford the rent on their cheap apartment onherown.
She knew it sounded too good to be true, but she trusted Richard. There was something about him that seemed earnest. And while he did put together Silverlight with the intention to make a lot of money, he really did love music at the same time, which was more than anyone could say about mostsuits.
Jude entered the apartment with a couple of bags of groceries and set them down in the kitchen before walking over to Zoey, who was still standing in the doorway of Megan’s room. He pulled her close against him and kissed the top ofherhead.
“You okay? I know you miss her,”hesaid.
“Yeah, I really miss her, more than I thought I would, but she needs this. She’s really such a great artist. I’m glad she decided to pursue it. I’m just trying to figure out what to do with this room. With you moving in, we don’t need twobedrooms.”
“No, we don’t,” he said as he kissed her and she melted against him. “What about an office? I can write in there and you can do your Richardstuff.”
“That’s a good idea. I can’t believe how much you’ve been writinglately,too.”
“What can I say? When the muse strikes, you have tolisten.”
Zoey smiled, but she couldn’t help that the word ‘muse’ always rubbed her the wrong way. Sometimes it made her question whether Jude really cared about her or if he was only staying because he thought he couldn’t play as well without her.Damn Cade for putting that word inhishead.
“Listen, Zoey,” Jude said as his brow wrinkled, “we needtotalk.”
“Uh oh, that’s never something anyone wants to hear," she said with asmirk.
“No,” he said, laughing, “it’s not like that. I asked Richard to let me tell you first. He’s booked a tour for Silverlight. We’ve got tons of dates at clubs all over the country. Can youbelieveit?”
“But what about therecord?”
“It’s done. It’s going to be released just before the tour. He thinks if we tour right away we’ll build momentum and visibility for the record. He sent clips to the clubs and he said they were all excited to book us. I can’t believe this is reallyhappening.”
“But…” she said as her voice trailed off. She knew he’d be going away eventually, but she had all these visions of going to school and coming home to her hot, sexy boyfriend writinglyrics.
“I want you to come with us. It’s not a huge tour, but it’s going to take two months. You already know the guys and Richard said itwasokay.”
Jude’s voice boomed with excitement. She wanted to be just as excited for him, but she didn’t want to put off starting college. Her parents always told her if she didn’t start right after high school, she’d always find reasons to not start. They said life would get in the way, and she could see that happeningalready.
“I can’t, Jude. I’m really sorry, but I can’t. I wish I could, but I start school in a fewweeks.”
“You can’t start next semester? I mean, I know it’s important to you, but how often do I get myfirsttour?”
“And how often do I get to start college? Something’s always going to come up. I need to start now. Besides, you don’t need some girlfriend following you around ontheroad.”
“I don’t care about anyone else, Zoey. You know that. I want you there. I always want you there. More than that, I need you there. I can’t do this without you. You’re a part of me,” he said as he held her hand to his chest and she felt his beating heart. “Right there,that’syou.”
“I’ll always be there. Even when I’m here in school. Trust me, I don’t want you to go, but this is something I knew would happen eventually. You’re going to be huge, Jude Morrison. I just have to learn how to share you with the rest of the world.” She swallowed hard and forced a smile, her eyes wet with tears. “Tell me when you’ll be close and I’ll be there. I want to see you guys play. It’s going to be anamazingshow.”
Jude looked down, still holding her hand to his chest. “We’ll be in Vegas next month, and I think that’s on a weekend if you could drive out. And then back in LA for our final show a monthafterthat.”
“I’ll be there. Both of those shows. I wouldn’t miss them for anything,” she said. “I’m going to miss you so much. Promise you won’t forgetaboutme.”
