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Despite his dazzling presence, the conversation flowed easily between us. He told me about the Road Kings breaking up, after they’d spent a decade on the road and felt they were at an impasse. “We needed to go our separate ways,” Axel said. “It was one of those things.”
“Do you think you’ll ever get back together?” I asked.
“Anything’s possible. I know those guys too well. I don’t think I’m done with them forever. But it won’t be the same as before, because I can’t tour like I used to.”
He didn’t explain this, and I didn’t ask. The conversation moved on to favorite music, then other topics. We went to a hardware store for some light bulbs for Axel’s kitchen, then to a health food store for protein powder. Axel was almost a health nut—he wasn’t quite over the line into insufferable kale and oat milk, but he was willing to drop too much money on bullshit supplements. “Those places are a ripoff,” I told him bluntly as we got back into the car.
He sighed. “I know, but a guy needs at least one vice. Let’s go to my coffee shop.”
We pulled up in front of a place called The Corner and parked. “This isyourcoffee shop?” I asked.
“I co-own it,” he explained. “It’s how I earn money since the band broke up. I need to check something in the back. Say hi to Grant and grab a coffee on the house.”
Grant was apparently his business partner, a dark-haired, good-looking gay man who was working behind the counter that day. When Axel shouted quick introductions at us on his way to the back room, Grant gave me a theatrical wide-eyed look from his dark-lashed eyes.
“Well,hello,gorgeous,” he said, obviously curious.
I spread my hands innocently. “Don’t get excited. I’m his neighbor. He’s nice to me. We hang out,” I said in a low voice. “That’s all I know.”
“Oh, my god.” Grant seemed to ponder this as he poured my coffee and handed it to me. I’d been a stylist for ten years. I knew gay men, and they knew me.
“Give me the tea,” I demanded as I took my cup.
Grant knew immediately what I meant. He leaned toward me, keeping his voice low. Luckily there was no one behind me in line. “He’s not gay, not married, not seeing anyone. No kids and no terrible exes. Not psycho and not toxic. I swear.”
“Sothat”—I waved toward the back room where Axel was—“is just single, period? Looking like that? No catch? Come on.”
Grant put a hand to his heart. “I know, right? He’s the unicorn of single guys. Hot, semi-famous, lots of money, and actually decent.” His expression turned more serious. “It isn’t my place to get into it, but he’s been working on himself for the last few years. He went through some awful shit and had to get help. That’s why he’s single. But he obviously likes you. He’s never brought someone here before. You should get in there, girl.”
I sipped my coffee, then shook my head. “I’m a mess.”
“Aren’t we all?”
“No, I mean really bad.”
“Well, I know Axel, and my advice for you is to get some if you can. Maybe the best healing is to get laid by a rock star.”
We shared a smile.
“Thanks,” I said.
“Repay me with details,” Grant replied. “Lotsof details.”
There was a sound from the back room, and we both straightened. “Your hair is fabulous,” Grant said to me in a normal tone of voice.
“It looks like the whole shipment came in, plus the stuff that was missing last time,” Axel said, walking toward us. “No napkins, though.”
Grant leaned on the counter, as if he and I hadn’t just been discussing me banging Axel. “They said they’d be here by noon, but there’s been no phone call, either.”
“I’ll call them when I get home.” Axel turned his attention to me. “Good coffee?”
“Delicious,” I replied, licking my lips.
Axel paused, but before I could process that, he was himself again. “Okay, let’s go.”
When I glanced back at Grant as we headed for the door, he gave me a smiling thumbs up.
We were most of the way home before I realized this was the best day I’d had in a long time.
