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“Can’t wait,” Sophia said, the smile obvious in her tone.
“Arch… just so you know, we love you. We love what you did for us and we appreciate it. And we’re so fucking proud of you. I wanted to tell you now before you accuse me of having too much champers later,” Laura declared and this time I couldn’t hold back the tears, glad they couldn’t see me.
“I can’t wait to see you both later.”
“Jesus, Sophia, could your dress get any shorter?” I gasped as she opened her front door.
“And hello to you, Archer. I thought you were turning off the protective big brother role tonight. You sound like you’re my dad.”
“Well, it’s true… your dress is—”
“Beautiful, body positive, empowering. Shall I go on?”
I sighed as I wrapped my arms around my littlest sister. “Sorry. You look beautiful.” And she did. I stepped back, taking in her long, dark hair that spilled down her back. She’d obviously been in the gym, her toned arms suiting her.
“Been working out, Soph?”
“Been learning to fight,” she replied causally.
“What the fuck?” I fired back.
She shrugged. “I wanted to learn to look after myself. I thought it might make you worry about me less. I wanted to surprise you.”
“What, by wrestling me to the floor at Christmas?”
“Not quite. I was going to invite you to my first fight in a couple of months. It’s nothing major. Just a friendly one with another club.”
“Okay,” I let out slowly, not sure what else to say. “Is it even safe?”
“Safer than walking the streets alone at night,” she quipped.
“You telling him about fight club finally?” Laura asked as she appeared in the hall. Wearing skin tight leather pants, stupidly high heels, and a halter neck top, her pixie cut died purple, she looked more rock and roll than I ever did. Laura hugged me before tapping her watch. “Come on people, we need to leave.”
The trip across London passed quickly as we caught up, laughing and ribbing each other like we used to do as kids.
“So, how shocked should I expect to be with this art-porn?” I asked as we neared the South Bank.
“Maybe don’t call it art-porn. It won’t go down well. Have an open mind. You never know, you might find something you like.”
I laughed, but it was hollow. I’d not had sex in nearly two years now… in fact, since we hit the big time with the band. And then the disaster in Miami that nearly put me in the hospital scared me so much, I hadn’t even dared to explore whatever it was that turned me on these days. It was easier and safer to just avoid it altogether. I’d not had so much as a hard on in over eighteen months and I was starting to think the problem was deeper than I’d like to admit, but I wasn’t ready to talk about it with anyone yet… especially not my little sisters.
We pulled up in a side road and walked the short distance to the old, stone building that housed the show. Pete, my bodyguard, following close behind.
“Don’t worry, Arch, we phoned ahead and had them put your name on the door, otherwise you wouldn’t get in. How funny would that be?” Laura laughed, and I fought the urge to pull her into a headlock and rub my knuckles against her head like I used to do when we were kids; before the world fell apart.
Chapter 2
Ionee
Ithrewmyhandsin the air. “God, I feel sick. What if no one shows up? What if they hate everything and leave in disgust? What if it’s too much? I mean—”
Lea rubbed her hand up and down my back while I pressed my forehead against the wall, trying to quell my nerves. “And breathe. The place is packed already, the buzz on the floor is positive. People are excited. Do you think I’d let you walk out there if it was anything but? I’ve got your back, Nee.”
“Okay, so what’s the plan? Because I have no idea what I’m meant to do here.”
“Just like we discussed. You’re going to go mingle, make small talk… no hard sell. You just show people how passionate you are about what you do. Your art will sell itself. Don’t talk prices, send them to me. And then, in about an hour, you’ll step on stage, thank everyone for coming and say a few words. Good?”
I let out a long, calming breath as I stood tall. “Yes, thanks. You’re so good at this. What would I do without you?”
