Page 85 of Before the Encore

In her new bedroom, she kicked off her jeans, tugged off her vest, and climbed onto the lone mattress. She pulled out her phone, the bright screen making her squint.

Two messages from Bonnie. From over an hour ago. Shit.

She hit call, closing her eyes as the international dial tone buzzed inside her skull.

It clicked. “You should be in bed.”

Relief coated her like hot honey, and she grinned, unable to do anything else hearing Bonnie’s voice. “I am in bed.”

“Asleep, then. You need to rest your voice for recording.”

Warmth curled around her, softening all the hard edges of the day. Madison had never had someone care about her the way Bonnie did. Madison had her mum and Ruby to think about, and that always left herself as an afterthought.

The way Bonnie cared melted something icy in her chest, making her say things she’d never normally admit out loud.

“But talking to you is my favourite part of the day.”

She heard Bonnie smile on the other end of the line. “You’re so soppy when you’re sleepy. I need to remember that when you’re being annoying.” She laughed. “So, how did the move go? I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.”

They’d been saying that a lot recently. Sorry I wasn’t there for the single release. Sorry I missed it hitting the top ten. Sorry I wasn’t there to apartment hunt. Sorry I couldn’t make you tea when your throat was sore.

And Madison replied the way they always did. “It’s okay.” She adjusted the pillow behind her head. “You’re here now.”

“I worried you’d fallen asleep again.”

“Ah, so you really wanted me to stay up late? Your acting skills have gotten pretty convincing, princess.”

Bonnie laughed. “God help me, I even miss you calling me that.”

“I miss it too. I miss singing with you every night. And I’m hearing our song everywhere.”

“Our song, hmm?”

A flicker of doubt flared. “Don’t you think ‘Ghost’ feels like our song? I know we didn’t write it together, but whenever I hear it, I think of us.”

Rustles came down the other end. Then the faint slamming of a car door. It felt like an age before Bonnie spoke. “I don’t want that song to be about us. I don’t want you to be a ghost to me.”

“Oh, yeah. I don’t either.” Madison realised she didn’t know who the song was about. Jealousy reared suddenly, cold and sharp. She pushed it down, tilting her head up to the ceiling like she’d find relief there. “I just meant us. How everything started.” Her voice grew quieter. She wished she’d not said anything at all. “It feels wrapped up in that song.”

But then Bonnie’s agreement washed it away. “I can’t hear it and not think about us. Although, it’s going to be so weird singing it on tour without you.”

“Maybe I could if our tour dates align?”

“Really? I didn’t know if you’d want to.”

“Why would I not?”

“I don’t know. You’ll be doing your own thing with Lipstick Fever. Finding your wings…flying the nest.”

Madison chuckled. “I’m not a little bird.”

“I know, but I’d never want to assume you’d want to work with me just because we’re dating.”

Dating. Madison still wasn’t used to that. She was dating the quintessential curvy, queer pop star of their generation. And it wasn’t fake.

“You’re very cute. And when I see you, I’m going to reward you for that,” Madison murmured. “You should know that any chance we get to make this distance shrink, I’m gonna do it. I hate being this far away from you.”

“And now you’re being cute.”