there against a wall or an amp? Why would you automatically think there’s something wrong with her?”
“My brother kind of put it in my head, I guess. I don’t think he meant to, but his gut reaction to everything is protection. Protect me, protect my reputation, whatever. So I brought it to her, from the perspective of finding her a new therapist and stuff, and she was hurt.”
“Fuckin’-A she was.” He was shaking his head. “What are ya goin’ ta do about it, mate?” His Scottish brogue got deep when he was drunk or pissed off. I was guessing he was pretty furious about now.
“Can I ask you a question first?” I asked slowly.
“Sure.”
“How come you care so much? I already know there’s nothing between the two of you but—”
“But there is,” he interrupted. “Not that,” he added quickly, glancing over at me. “But we became friends. She understood right off that I’m hesitant to get close to people, that I keep a bit of a distance because I don’t trust anyone not to screw with me.”
“There’s more to the story of the accident than you’ve told anyone, isn’t there?” I asked carefully.
“I told everyone,” he said gently, “but alas, we’re not talking about me. I care about the two of you because you’re my friend and bandmate. She’s actually a friend. And I don’t have many of those. Not the kind I know I can trust.”
“Can you trust me?” It was suddenly really important to me to know.
“We’re getting there. It takes time.”
“But you’ve known me longer than her,” I protested. I was kind of jealous, but not in a romantic way. Envious was probably a better word, because I wanted that kind of bond with everyone in my band, not just Bash and Lexi.
“But she showed herself to me sooner,” he responded. “Just like she showed herself to you. I think maybe you weren’t ready for that much reality.”
“What do I do?” I asked after a minute. “All I’ve been thinking about is getting to her, talking to her, making things right, but it’s starting to feel like that won’t be enough. That’s why she hasn’t returned my calls or texts.”
“You have to show her, mate.”
“A ring?”
He shook his head. “That’s good for a second step, but the initial step has to be much more intense. More personal. You need to do something big, to show her how you feel.”
“Family,” I said thoughtfully.
“What?”
“Family. Mostly mine. She desperately wants a family, and I miss mine. One thing that really bothered her was that my brother didn’t trust her. If I could somehow get Marcus here…” My voice trailed off. “Shit. They’d have to leave Limaj right now. Dammit.” I pulled out my phone and called Casey. It was late there, but this was important.
“You know I have a newborn and it’s three in the morning here,” she muttered when she answered.
“I’m sorry. I need your help.”
“Uh-huh.” She yawned.
“Any chance you can put Marcus on the jet? Like right now?”
“Well, kinda.”
“Huh?”
“He’s already on the jet. He’s with Erik, and they’re on their way to New York. They might actually already be there.”
“Can they just come straight here? I need Marcus here. Tomorrow is the hearing, and I think it would mean so much if he would show Ariel support, even if he doesn’t completely trust her. And I was thinking if Erik—”
“Okay, slow down. Erik is planning to be there tomorrow, and since Marcus has protection duty, he’ll be with him.”
“He will?”
“Of course. Unlike some people, some of us have had Ariel’s back.”
“That’s a low blow,” I muttered. “But totally deserved.”
“I hope you’ve finally gotten your head out of your ass.”
“For sure.”
“Be there tomorrow. Show her you’re there for her, no matter what. Especially if the judge leaves the conservatorship in place.”
“Jesus, bite your tongue.” I paused.
“It’s entirely possible. Look at Britney Spears—she’s been trying to fight hers for years.”
“Dammit, I can’t even imagine.”
“Look, I need to get some sleep, but text your brother. He’ll have more info than I do.”
“Sorry I woke you up.”
“It’s not the first time. Good night, Tyler.”
“Good night.” I hung up and drummed my fingers on my thigh. Having Marcus there was one thing, but I needed to do more. King Erik’s appearance would undoubtedly help Ariel’s case, but it wouldn’t do much for mine, and I had to go big if I was going to show her I was serious.
“I have to go see Darren,” I said after a minute. “I have to get