Reverb (Songs and Sonatas Book 7)

by Jerica MacMillan

  “What? What’s a better idea? And what if I don’t agree?”

  “Psshh, don’t be silly. Of course you’ll agree. Colt just suggested we send the plane for you and have you join us.”

  “Colt’s there too?” my voice is squeaky now. Well, I guess this solves the problem of telling everyone. They’re all together, so they all know.

  “Of course Colt’s here.” She says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. Though, I guess for her it is. “Anyway,” she continues, “I know you have finals this week. Text me your schedule, and we’ll figure out when you can come. If it’s soon, Brendan might still be with us.” Her voice turns sly on the last line.

  I force out a sigh, like I’m annoyed with her meddling, but on the inside I’m excited about seeing Brendan again so soon. And Gabby. But mostly Brendan.

  “Oh, hush,” she scolds. “You’ll come, and you’ll love it, and I don’t want to hear you fussing about it.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “That’s right. Glad I taught you some manners.”

  We both laugh, settling back into our usual easiness. That’s one thing I can always count on with Gabby. We’ve had our share of fights and disagreements since we wound up roommates freshman year. I wasn’t on board with a lot of her choices where Jonathan was concerned, at least to start with. But we’ve always managed to work through any discord quickly. Airing out our feelings, maybe yelling a little, coming to an understanding of each other. And supporting each other, even if we might make different choices.

  “I’d love to talk to you more, but not with these three guys listening in on my half of the conversation.”

  I nod enthusiastically. “Yes. Definitely. Call me when you’re somewhere private.”

  “I will. Later tonight at the hotel.”

  “Awesome.” We say goodbye and hang up, and I sit back on my couch, my phone resting on my belly. That was every bit as hard as I thought it would be. I knew she’d be upset, but I’m glad I finally told her. Relieved I don’t have to keep secrets. And that now there’s actually something more to tell than, “We hooked up in December and now are awkward and stilted around each other.” Now we’re doing this thing for real.

  Brendan calls me a few hours later. “So you told Gabby.”

  I grin at the flatness of his voice. “It was time.”

  He grunts. “She’s been giving me dirty looks ever since.”

  “They’ll only get worse if I ignore her phone call for yours. She’s supposed to call tonight, too.”

  That provokes a chuckle, and a surprisingly powerful pang of longing shoots through me. I wish I could see his smiling face. “Yeah, she’s already given me shit about that. I told her I got to call you first, and then you’d call her after we finish.”

  I laugh too, imagining Gabby glaring at him and demanding he not talk to me for too long. “Did she give you a time limit?”

  “Eh. Maybe. You really gonna let her boss you around, though?”

  “Oh, and I should let you boss me around instead?”

  His voice turns low and sexy. “You know you like it when I do.”

  I don’t even try to suppress the shiver he causes, but I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of agreeing with him. “Are you going to be able to be with them long enough for me to see you when I visit?”

  His breath catches at the subject change, and he clears his throat. “I’m not sure. It depends on when you can join us. Them.” He sighs. “The Professor’s already called to find out when I’m coming back. I’m supposed to play three shows next weekend, but I’ll probably have to jet as soon as the last one’s done.”

  “Wow.” I swallow down the disappointment and blink away the sudden sting of tears. “Okay. Well, according to Gabby I’m coming to see her anyway.”

  “Are you okay with that?” he asks after several long breaths.

  “Um, I mean, you have obligations. It’s your job. It’s not like it’s something new.”

  “Yeah.” The word comes out on almost a sigh. And this right here is the whole problem with us and a relationship. We have amazing chemistry, I love talking to him, we connect about music and he cares about whatever randomness filters through my head and out my mouth. Plus, he’s sexy as fuck. But … we both have demands on our time that pull us in opposite directions. And neither of us is willing to give them up, like Gabby did to be with Jonathan, though she’d argue that she didn’t give up anything. She just exchanged one set of demands for another, one dream for another that let her have everything she really wanted. And that’s great for her. I don’t have that as an option, though.

  “Brendan—”

  “No.”

  I snort. “I didn’t even say what I was going to say.”

  “You don’t have to. I know what you were going to say. And the answer is no, this isn’t a terrible idea. We’ll figure it out. We’ll make it work. You can visit your friend on tour, have fun, and then come see me after. Or I’ll come see you. I know you have lessons, and are you working for that camp again later?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good. That’s great. I’m just saying, I know you have things to do. And I have things to do. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make time to see each other. We can alternate weekends.”

  I splutter out an incredulous laugh. “I can’t afford to buy a plane ticket twice a month.”

  “I’m not asking you to.”

  “Brendan …” I shift on the couch, the TV flickering on mute in front of me the only light in the living room. He doesn’t interrupt me this time. I sigh. “I don’t know if I’m comfortable with you buying all my plane tickets either.”

  He makes a sound of frustration in his throat. “You said you wanted this. That you were willing to see where we go. But you want to limit us to only seeing each other when you can afford a plane ticket? Seriously?”

  Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I hate that all we seem to do is fight anymore.”

  He sighs, sounding almost defeated. “Then stop fighting me.”

  I swallow, not sure how to respond. Pulling air into my lungs, I drop my hand in my lap and let my head fall back against the couch. “Let’s just take things one step at a time, okay? I’m not saying that you can never buy me a plane ticket. But your schedule changes at the drop of a hat. I don’t think scheduling out all our visits for the next two months is a good idea either.”

  He’s quiet for a long time, but he finally says, “Okay.” He pauses and clears his throat. “When are you done with finals? I’m pretty sure Gabby wants you here as soon as possible.”

  “What about you?”

  His seductive chuckle dispels the lingering tension from our argument. “Of course. I didn’t want to leave. I wish you could be here right now.”

  “Me too,” I whisper.

  “So how soon can you get here?”

  Chapter Eleven

  Brendan

  It’s stupid. I’ve gone actual months without seeing or speaking to Lauren. She called me in March when she lost the concerto competition, but after that we didn’t have any contact until I showed up on her doorstep the other night.

  Now, though? The handful of days between leaving her house and her joining us on Thursday evening feel like torture. Absolute hell.

  We talk every night, and we text off and on throughout the day. But it’s not the same. I don’t get to touch her, kiss her, hold her close. And dammit, now that I can, I want to. All. The. Time.

  I don’t have to convince myself I’m an idiot for missing her. I don’t have to pretend I don’t want her. I don’t have to stuff down all the feelings she stirred up at Christmastime.

  Instead, I get to feel them all. And tonight, those feelings will get pushed aside for better ones. She’s going to be here, I’ll be playing a show, and then she’ll be in my room afterward. Gabby might think Lauren’s here for her—and to some degree, that’s true—but since I’m here, Lauren and I will be spending plenty of ti
me together too.

  There’s a knock on my hotel room door, and when I open it, Colt’s on the other side staring at his giant phone. He looks up and smiles at me. “Lauren’s on her way from the airport. You gonna kill me if I take her to Gabby’s room first?”

  I bark out a laugh. “No. But Gabby might kill you if you bring Lauren to my room first. Odds are Gabby won’t get to see her till tomorrow if you do.”

  Colt makes a face like he’s about to hurl. I punch him in the shoulder. “Drop the disgusted act. For one thing, you should be used to far worse by now. You’ve been working for Jonathan for years. And you’d be the same way if you were me.”

  He gives me a lopsided grin and a shrug. “Maybe so. Either way, I’m just hoping you’ll be easier to work with if she’s here.” His face scrunches as something occurs to him, and he points a finger at me. “But you better still show up for everything on time. If I have to come banging down your door and interrupt anything, I’m gonna be pissed. I saw enough of your ass when we were kids and you went through your mooning phase. I don’t need to see it again.”

  I crack up, remembering how often I mooned him in middle school. Mom made me stop when we started performing in public venues and she walked in on me mooning him once in a dressing room. I hold up my hands in surrender. “Not making any promises. If you barge in, you risk getting an eyeful.”

  He glares at me. “You wanna risk me getting an eyeful of your girl too?”

  That just makes me laugh harder, which is obviously not what he was going for. I clap him on the shoulder. “Dude. She’d skin you alive and cut your balls off for good measure. Don’t cross Lauren.”

  “Whatever,” he mutters. “I’ll text you when she gets here. You can go fight with Gabby about who gets to monopolize her first.”

  Still grinning, I let the door close as he turns away. Gabby can spend a little time with Lauren before the show. That’s fine. Because I’ll get her all to myself after.

  Even so, when I get Colt’s text that Lauren’s in the hotel, I head over to Jonathan and Gabby’s room. I get there just in time to hear Gabby’s squeal through the door. I have to knock three times before Jonathan answers the door, a bemused smile on his face.

  “Hey, man. Come on in. But if you try to steal Lauren already, I think Gabby might stab you, so watch out.”

  “Noted.” I step past him and watch with a smile on my face as Gabby and Lauren hug and babble, their excitement palpable.

  Gabby catches my eye over Lauren’s shoulder, and her face turns sly. “Oh, Lauren,” she singsongs. “Loverboy’s here.”

  I roll my eyes at the ridiculous nickname, but any irritation disappears when Lauren turns. Her smile is wide. She just stares at me for a second, her eyes roaming my face then dropping to my chest, giving me a quick once over. Leaving her luggage next to Gabby in the middle of the room, she saunters over to me.

  “Hey,” she says when she stops in front of me.

  “Hey,” I say back, my hands still in my pockets, just enjoying the fact that she’s even occupying the same space as me at last.

  “Oh my god,” Gabby scoffs, and I look up in time to catch her eye roll. “You guys don’t need to be shy. Go on,” she makes a little shooing motion with her hands. “Hug. Kiss. Greet each other like a normal couple.”

  Lauren snickers and bites her lip, her gaze dropping. “We’re not exactly a normal couple, Gabby.”

  “Pssh,” is Gabby’s response. “Who cares? I know you want to jump his bones. And while I appreciate your restraint, since I’m not really into voyeurism, it’s okay for you two to touch each other. A little bit of PDA never killed anyone.”

  “You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?” I give her a quick grin to take the sting out of my words, but her cheeks still get all pink.

  She’s not easily cowed, though, which is no surprise to me. She lifts her chin and crosses her arms. “Yup.” She pops the p to emphasize her point. “I definitely know allll about that.”

  “Yes, Gabby.” Lauren’s voice is thick with sarcasm. “We all know all about your PDA. You guys are all over each other anytime you’re in the same room. It actually wouldn’t kill you to tone it down a little, you know?”

  Gabby waves a hand. “You’re just jealous, and you know it. But now you don’t have to be.” She uncrosses her arms and claps her hands, clasping them under her chin, her eyes shining with joy. “I’m so happy for you both. You’ll make such gorgeous babies. Especially if they get your hair, Lauren.”

  Eyes wide with shock, Lauren whips her head around, the red hair in question swishing across my chest. “Babies? No one said anything about babies. If anyone’s having babies next, it’s you. You’re the one who’s married. I still have a year left of school!”

  I step closer behind Lauren, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her back against me as Gabby cackles, strangely not bothered by the idea of having babies with Lauren. I mean, I’m not about to drag her back to my room to try to knock her up. But I almost forgot a condom that one time on our trip … and the idea of being connected to her that way doesn’t fill me with overwhelming panic. Not that I’m about to announce that to everyone here. Pitching my voice low, I bend so my mouth is next to Lauren’s ear. “Relax. She’s messing with you. I think it’s her revenge for us keeping her in the dark for so long.”

  Lauren relaxes against me, glancing up, her mouth twisted in a sardonic smile. “You’re probably right,” she answers, her voice as quiet as mine. She shakes her head. “Still, though. Babies?”

  I chuckle and look up to see Gabby watching our exchange, her face full of speculation and affection. She lifts her eyes to mine. And the look she gives me is a clear warning—don’t fuck with my friend.

  Even though I’d prefer to have Lauren all to myself, I can be patient. It’s not the first time, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. The fact that I get to be with her, watch her laugh, have her sit and lean against me as we all relax in Jonathan and Gabby’s suite before we need to head to the concert venue makes it better. I get to keep her close and touch her as much as I want.

  Well …

  Within the bounds of decent for public consumption. The fact that some part of her body is always in contact with mine by unspoken mutual agreement is gratifying. And soothing.

  Plus, she got here only an hour before we have to leave, so it’s not like I’d have enough time to really explore her body the way I want to anyway. And it’d be even harder to tear myself away than it is to wait.

  That’s what I’m telling myself, at least. And I’m nothing if not a master of self-deception. I spent the last five months convincing myself I didn’t need Lauren at all. I can spend a few more hours convincing myself I’m patient.

  “Hey, guys,” Colt interrupts Lauren telling Gabby a story about something that happened in the music department. Gabby shushes him and waves him off, making his nostrils flare, but he keeps his mouth shut until Lauren finishes whatever she’s talking about. Something about a terrible guest conductor, I think. Their conversation is full of shorthand and inside jokes that make it hard for an outsider to follow, but I’m just happy feeling her laugh vibrate through her back as she giggles about some conductor and his dancing figure eights, whatever that means.

  Gabby’s eyes widen, and she covers her mouth with her hand, which does nothing to hold back her guffaw.

  Lauren waves her hand. “No no, that’s not even the worst part.”

  “Holy shit. It gets worse?”

  Lauren rolls her eyes. “Oh my god, you have no idea. He wouldn’t rehearse the hard parts. He couldn’t keep track of the orchestra. At. All. And everything was so cramped in the performance venue that our music stand was pushed right against the base of the podium. When he waved his hand to make some big gesture, he whacked our stand and spun the desk around so we couldn’t even see the music anymore.”

  Gabby covers her face. “Oh my god.”

  “Right? And then he was trying to help fix
it, which just made it worse. I had to hiss at him to let me handle it. The only saving grace is that was at a page turn, so we had those couple of measures memorized. And there was a rest right after, which gave me enough time to spin the stand back around and turn the page. He was so bad.”

  Colt clears his throat, provoking a resigned look from Gabby, who has her mouth open to respond to Lauren. “Yes, Colt?”

  He’s unfazed by her attitude, sticking to the schedule as always. Our little enforcer. Though, to be fair, that is actually his job. “It’s time to go. Lauren, you’ll be with me while these guys get ready for their show.”

  My arm tightens around her. “She doesn’t need to stay with you. She can hang in my dressing room until the show starts.”

  Colt gives me a flat stare. “You’ll be able to control yourselves in your dressing room?”

  I return his stare with a wolfish grin. “I guess we’ll have to find out, won’t we?”

  Lauren breaks our staring contest with a poke in my ribs. “Who says I want to hang out in your dressing room, anyway?”

  Raising my eyebrow at her, I just stare her down until she sighs and says, “Fine. I suppose I do.”

  Jonathan laughs, and I can’t help smiling as we all stand and grab our things to follow Colt to the back elevator that will take us to the SUVs waiting to ferry us to the arena.

  Lauren walks next to Gabby, and Jonathan hangs back with me. “Looks like you’ve met your match,” he says quietly.

  I glance at him, taking our time catching up to the others. “Guess so.”

  “You sure you can handle her?” His grin stretches across his face, like he enjoys the fact that she’s a ballbuster. I guess he would know, though. He spent time with her when they were all at Marycliff together. Sometimes I forget that Lauren knew Jonathan before he made it big again. Before all this insanity that we find ourselves caught up in once more.