“So, what’s up?” She led me to a rustic bench with an aqua cushion by the shell curtain. It tinkled as her shoulder brushed it. “Sit a moment. Talk to me.”
“Okay.” I sat.
She sat beside me, looking elegantly pretty in her black wrap dress that, along with her naturally light brown skin, showcased Heidi’s jewelry. She searched my face. “You look better than I would’ve expected after all that went down last night.”
“You’re right.” I realized I did feel better. Even after Saber making me feel insignificant and not even calling me today. Even after seeing Tess with Journey. “I do feel better.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Because of Journey,” I said, giving it to her straight, or as straight as I had it in my mind right now. I’d done a lot of thinking while working today.
“Oh, Lotus. No.” She shook her head.
“I feel good when I’m with him.” That had been there from the beginning. “He seems to really get me, and Cork too. We went surfing with him this morning. He kissed me.”
I withdrew my hands from hers and touched my lips. They buzzed beneath my fingertips at the memory of how his mouth felt on mine.
“But Tess?” Sophia crossed one leg over the other, and the intricate sandal on that foot bounced with her irritation. “Wasn’t he with her last night?”
“Maybe, but maybe not. He said he thought about me all last night.” I swallowed. “To be honest, I thought about him too. I’ve been thinking about him since LA. It’s him that I want.”
“You’re breaking up with Saber.”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “But not just because of Journey. Because he’s wrong for me, wrong for me and Cork.”
“I agree completely. That’s been my opinion all along.” She tilted her head. “But, honey, you shouldn’t be looking for a guy based on how your brother interacts with him.”
“In my case, I should. Cork’s always going to be a part of my life. He’s my brother, sure, but he’s also my responsibility. Journey sees that, and he understands the situation.”
“Which is?”
“Cork and I are a package deal. Saber never got that. To him, Cork is just a cute kid he tolerates, but Journey cares about him. They’re already friends. He’s caring with me too in his own unique way.” I twisted my hands together. “He asked me to come down to his apartment tonight. After Cork’s asleep. I’m considering going.”
Her eyes widened. “So you’re willing to do a friend-with-benefits thing with him?”
“Yes, if you want to put a label on it.” I lifted my chin. The nighttime was my own time. I could be completely selfish. Do something for myself if I wanted to.
“That’s tricky. With you, I’m gonna say it would be impossible not to let your heart get involved. In fact, looking at you right now, with your eyes glistening and skin glowing, I’d say it’s already involved.”
Glancing away, I shrugged. “That’s the sun and surf from this morning.”
“It’s you, your pretty heart, and he’s stirred up the fire within it.”
Sophia was right. He had. But I was surprised by her insight. She and I connected more over our shared love of music and our art. Not so much about emotional stuff, like I did once upon a time with Storm.
But maybe that was my fault. Maybe I’d kept her at arm’s length. Maybe I’d kept Saber there too, wanting him to be someone he wasn’t.
I needed to stop that. Take a chance, and not just on Journey. I needed to trust my best friend with my deepest feelings.
“I’m falling for Journey,” I said softly, and then proceeded to tell her everything.
When it came to Journey, I had a feeling I was going to need all the help I could get.
Storm
TED WAS FUCKING pissed. He walked out of the studio after Saber’s announcement, leaving a flurry of f-bombs in his wake.
“You okay?” I asked Cork. Dude looked like he might pass out.
“I’m not sure what just happened.”
“You’re our new bassist.” Saber gave Cork a pointed look. “You got a problem with that?”
“I can’t be in the group,” Cork said, shaking his head.
“Why the fuck not?” Saber asked.
“Because I don’t have any experience.”
Saber clamped a hand on Cork’s shoulder and squeezed. “The way you play that bass is your experience.”
“But don’t I need to try out?” Cork asked.
“What we just did was your audition,” Saber said. “You’re fucking better than Ted.”
“Don’t you guys need to vote before adding someone new to the band?”