Rocking His Fake World (Love You Forever #3) - Alexis Winter Page 0,33

Van’s thinking. Van, sure. He’s my best friend. But Ridge and Lane, not so much.

Van grabs us a table and I get drinks for the two of us. I make my way over and have a seat. “So, what’s up?”

He narrows his eyes on me. “I think you know what’s up. What I want to know is what’s up with you? Something’s off. You’re not feeling the music. You’re acting like you’re not even having fun up there. What gives?”

I take a sip of my Jack and Coke and let out a long breath. “I’m fine. Just tired,” I lie. I’m nowhere near ready to admit my feelings for a man who’s probably already moved on from me. It’s been a month since our last magical night together—both of us sticking to our word.

He cocks his head to the side. “I’m your best friend, Luna. And I know when you’re lying. Tell me what’s going on so we can fix it. Is it the band? The music? The label? What?”

My head tips back as I gaze up at the ceiling. “I miss him, Van,” I finally confess.

His eyes go wide. “Daniel?” he asks, almost like it’s unbelievable.

I just nod, unable to find my voice.

His shakes his head and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Do you really think it would be better to get even more attached to him, and then head out on tour?”

I feel tears stinging my eyes. “I don’t know, Van. At least then we’d be together. Not this—not denying our feelings for each other and hurting the whole time. I’d be able to call him and talk to him. He could come to nearby shows. Anything has to be better than this, right?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t think you’ve thought this through, Lune. I mean, I don’t think it would be that simple. Long-distance is hard. Really hard. Most people don’t make it. And that doesn’t include being famous and in the public eye. You need to keep your head in the game. This shit you’ve been doing lately, well, it’s crap. You’re making us all look bad because you’re not giving it your all and everyone can see you’re faking it.”

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I never wanted to hurt the band. I actually thought I was doing a good job at hiding it. “Thanks for that. Are you done?” I ask, lifting my glass and finishing it off.

His eyes falls closed like he just doesn’t know how else to get me to understand. I stand and leave the bar, ready to be home already.

I get a taxi and give him my address, but once we arrive and I find myself staring up at the building, something doesn’t feel right. It feels lonely and cold. Instead of exiting the cab and heading inside, I tell him to keep driving, unsure of where I’ll end up.

Eight

Daniel

One month without seeing her or talking to her. One month without hearing that beautiful voice of hers singing in my ears. One month of lonely nights and cold showers. It’s been the longest month of my life and I don’t know how I can keep going. Every day is a new fight with myself to put the phone away and head straight home after work. I’ve doubled my work hours, opting to focus on projects instead of letting my mind wander to her. When I’m not working, I’m killing myself at the gym. But some good has come out of it. I’ve managed to bump my runs from five miles to eight. My body is harder and more toned than ever. Not that that counts for anything.

I get out of the shower and pull on a pair of sweatpants. I run the towel over my hair—which is getting long because I haven’t had time to go get a cut. I also use the towel to dry the thick hair growing on my jaw, because I’m too lazy to do anything about it. Basically, I’ve given up on everything else while I focus on keeping my mind off of her.

I toss the towel into the hamper as I exit the bathroom and head to the drink cart in the living room to pour something strong enough to help me sleep. I grab the bottle of Jack and pour a glass. I’m not really a fan of the stuff, but when I drink it, it reminds me of Luna and I feel closer to her somehow.