Page 90 of Animal Beats

“Me, too.” I move her hair and kiss her cheek. “I’m sorry you don’t have any of yours with you.”

She nods. “I do know they loved Mila and me with their whole hearts. Maybe you can rekindle that with your own mother.”

Her mention of her sister reminds me. “In all the, let’s just say, excitement, I forgot I got your sister a present.” I stride across the room, grab the box Elias gave me last night, and hold it out to Hayden.

“What’s this?”

“It’s not for you. It’s for Mila.”

“Mila?” She glances between the box and my eyes.

“It’s a phone. She mentioned she broke hers when we visited and you haven’t had time to get her a new one, so—” I shrug. “It’s got your number in it. And mine. Parental controls are already set up.”

Her eyes become glassy. “Oh, Río. This is so thoughtful. Thank you.”

After our lips separate, I’m overcome with happiness. I want to go out and celebrate! “There are great clubs here in Lisbon. How about we trip the evening fantastico?” I think I got that word right. Close enough.

“Río, I’m happy you’re starting a new path with your mother, I really am. And your gift for Mila is—” She sighs. “My life is sort of the exact opposite of yours.”

“You got fired because of me. You’re worried about how you’re going to pay for Mila’s upkeep. I get it. What if I help pay your bills, until you’re settled?”

“What? No. I’m not a charity case.”

“I don’t see it that way at all. I see it as righting a wrong I made you suffer. If I had told you about Mother, Mom’s call, the whole drinking on the boat fiasco never would’ve happened, and you’d still be gainfully employed by UC. So, it’s all my fault. Let me make this right.”

“I can’t allow you to take on my problems.”

I put my hands on her shoulders. “Listen to me, Miss Vaughn. No matter what, I always fix things. Remember Rome? Who paid all the fines? Me.” I pause to let this truth bomb settle. “I want to do this for you.”

Indecision wars over her face. I can tell she wants my help, but her pride prevents her from taking me up on my offer. Time to recalibrate. “Let’s drop it.” For now. “How about we go out tonight. No strings. Just us enjoying ourselves. To hell with our shitty lives.”

I can tell the moment she agrees to my suggestion. I don’t let her say anything, simply pick her up and spin her around. “Do not think about PR or media or asshole labels, alright? Tonight will be for us. Our problems will wait.”

“They always do.”

“After a fun night, things usually look better in the morning. C’mon. Let’s get dressed!” I grab her hand and pull her to the bedroom, where I put her suitcase earlier.

She unzips her luggage and starts pulling out jeans. No, they won’t do.

“Wear the dress I got you in Barcelona.”

“Are you sure?”

I steal a kiss. “Absolutely.”

It takes a while——in between kisses—to put on our clothes. Finally, we take a taxi to what promises to be a wild night. However, I need to be the responsible one here. While I’ve had a rough couple of days, Hayden’s have been ten times worse. All because of me. I owe her this much.

“Feel free to get drunk, Babysitter. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

“I don’t do that, Río. Getting drunk is your lane.”

“Which I’m officially out of for the night. You deserve a wild night. Don’t worry, I’ll be right here next to you.” I kiss her forehead. “I’ll be your safe place tonight.”

She rests her head on my shoulder, and a sense of calm overtakes me.

We give our ID’s to the bouncer, who recognizes me. Fame has its perks. “UC drummer in the house,” he says in a low voice. Into his earpiece, he relays this information. “I’m a big fan.”

“Want a selfie?” I’m always down to take pictures with fans.