Page 85 of Love Felt Like This

“P!”

“Yeah, P.” P for punch. Punching that asshole in his smug face.

After a couple of playthroughs, I check my watch. “All right, let’s get moving. We’re running behind. We’ve got to get you some lunch before B comes back.”

Beverly went to help her parents with their lunch rush since Greg caught a small cold. She should be back within the next twenty minutes, and we need to hit the ground running with work. It’s always work, work, work with Beverly. She needs to take breaks, but try telling her that.

When I set my guitar aside, Ava starts revving up to a whine, the type that resembles an emergency vehicle. For her, Daddy not playing his instrument may as well be a house on fire, and her heart is now burning.

“How about T?” I ask Ava, bouncing her on my knee. “T is for toast. Can you say that?”

Her pink face pinches for a moment. “Tuh…tote.” The word requires a push, but she does say it. Sort of.

“Good job.” I pull her into my arms and shake her side to side, causing an eruption of precious giggles. I live for these giggles, and they feel louder now. Rested.

I feel like I’m playing house. A pretend fantasy. Elk Grove is nothing like LA. Barely any cars. Nobody seeking me out. Sure, the temperatures aren’t ideal, but it’s quiet. Calm. I can see why Robin wanted this for Ava, rather than the fast-paced life of fame.

I stand, swooping Ava up and onto my hip. She grabs a fistful of my long hair with another giggle. I should have thought to pull up my messy locks, but oh well. It’s her lock of hair now.

“Totes,” Ava repeats.

“Attagirl. Toast.” I emphasize the stuh sound. She doesn’t bother repeating, momentarily distracted by the flash of Steak running past in the yard.

My back pocket buzzes. I set down Ava as I pull out my phone. I don’t know why I expect Beverly’s voice, but instead I get—

“Griffin, where have you been?”

“Oh.” My shoulders drop. “Hey, Jimmy.”

“Don’t sound so excited, big guy.”

“I won’t.”

“You haven’t called. You barely pick up.”

“Service isn’t very reliable out here.”

“Yeesh, how’s it going in those mountains?”

“It’s…relaxing.”

“With no service? Cannot even imagine.” A car honks in the background. “Hey, buddy, this is my lane! My lane, you asshole!” He must be in traffic.

“How are the guys?” I ask. “I haven’t heard from them much, aside from Poe reading books, apparently.”

“Don’t even get me started,” Jimmy groans. “He’s on some nonfiction kick.”

“Self-improvement?”

“World history. I don’t wanna talk about it,” he groans. I chuckle to myself. “But listen, they’re ready to go for you!” Jimmy has perfected the salesman voice. “And, get this, good news: People actually want interviews with you again! Especially you two.”

“Me and Poe?”

“No, you and Beverly!” he says. “The new it couple!”

My stomach clenches tight, as does my fist. “Says who?”

“Are you not on the internet? Griff, there are literally hundreds of videos with montages of you. Maybe more. Speculation! Fan fiction! You heard about that? You and Bev are a mystery.”