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“So we need to go in like two days?” Charlie questioned.
“Actually, tomorrow. Look, it will be a lot. I know it’s last minute and none of you want to travel right now, but it would be so good for your image. It will help sell more albums. We’re also going to announce next year's tour early, so it will boost ticket sales, but I know you’re not about the money, so if you want to say no, I understand.”
Charlie smiled. “I’m in.”
“Yeah, I guess I am too,” Archer agreed. “I mean, it’s only five days. And Nee can fly now, so she can come too.”
Fox stared at me. “There’s a but. I can feel it.”
“But Marshall can’t come.”
Fox’s face fell. “What? Why?”
“I’ve not spoken to him yet, but he’s at some two day induction event with those doctors who offered him his new job. I don’t think it’s something he can cancel.” Fox didn’t say a word, but absentmindedly stroked his fingers over his tattoo as he stared at me. “And Lea hasn’t filled in the family calendar I set up…again… so I have no clue what she’s doing.”
“Well, while I wouldn’t mind spending some time with just you, what does this mean for the curse?”
I shrugged, not wanting him to see the anxiety bubbling inside me from the exact same question.
Fox let out a breath. “Come on, let’s eat and then we’ll talk to the others when they get home.”
Marshall
“Comeon,Sugar.”Inudged Lea awake. She’d not been herself since the crash and I was starting to get worried about her energy levels—she was falling asleep every time she sat down. She blamed work, but I knew it was something more, although I couldn’t get her to see a doctor.
She stretched and yawned, blinking up at me. “Sorry.”
I placed a kiss on her forehead. “Come on. I’m going to run you a bath.” Taking her hand, I led her from the car into the house, looking forward to a night with the three of them, but groaning with frustration when I noticed Archer and Charlie were here.
Charlie was peering into the open fridge while Archer sat at the dining table with a notepad and pen, looking like he was deep into something. “Boys, no ladies to keep you company tonight?”
Archer looked up. “Nee’s in the studio working on her next show and I’m under strict instructions not to disturb her until she calls me to say she’s finished.”
“It’s looking good. I had a sneak peek earlier in the week,” Lea replied.
“What about you, Charlie?” I asked, dragging him away from the fridge and closing the door.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“They broke up. Fern—”
“Enough, Arch. I told you, I don’t want to talk about her. We have to work together. I don’t want to make it any more awkward than it has to be by everyone knowing.”
“Oh no, I’m so sorry, Charlie. Are you okay?” Lea asked, pulling him in for a hug.
He sighed. “It’s not macho to say heartbroken, is it?”
She released him. “You’re allowed to be upset. I know you had feelings for her. Do you know the best thing for a broken heart?”
Charlie shook his head.
“Ice cream. You want salted caramel or strawberry?”
“Strawberry. Thanks, Lea.”
She grabbed the carton from the freezer, and they moved to sit on the sofa, Archer joining them. I flicked on the kettle, going in search of Fox and Dawson, finding them on the first floor, in a room we’d turned into a home office. Dawson was on the phone, pacing, while Fox sat in front of the laptop, with a spreadsheet open in front of him, full of dates and times.
Fox glanced over his shoulder, smiling over at me when he saw me. Striding over and bending down, I pressed a kiss to his cheek as I tuned into Dawson’s conversation.
