Time (Laws of Physics #3)(45)

Checking the time on my phone, I frowned. My stomach dropped. She never texted this late. She probably can’t make the call before her flight.

“But I also think it’s kind of sweet.”

Ruthie’s declaration had me glancing at her. “Sweet, huh?”

She gave me a small smile. “You look like a fucking porn star pirate fantasy, but you’re a sweet guy, Abram.”

I lifted an eyebrow at her. “Thanks?”

“It’s a compliment. You should be flattered.” Ruthie kicked my leg lightly with her boot. “Also, Charlie is right. You need to get laid.”

Glaring at Ruthie, because she was right, I said nothing. But it wasn’t just that I needed to get laid. I needed Mona.

Long-distance relationships totally sucked. Fantasies, jerking off, cold showers, vivid dreams, her pictures, more fantasies. I’d filled ten notebooks since Aspen. I had songs for decades. I’d sent a select few of the more complete poems to Kaitlyn and she’d been hugely inspired. She’d composed ten solid arrangements for the next album, we only needed four more, five tops.

Then what? Another album. Another tour? No.

No more tours.

A firm knock drew our attention to the door and had me gritting my teeth. Other than Charlie and Ruthie, who were always welcome, Stan and the crew knew not to knock. Not to enter. Not to seek me out or introduce me to some fucking VIP.

“Who is it?” Ruthie asked, glancing between us.

Our drummer shrugged, looking a tad defensive. “Don’t look at me. I have no idea.”

“Ohhhh.” Ruthie made a wincing face, her wide eyes on me. “Someone is going to get fired, then.”

Standing, I strolled to the door, fighting a spike in temper. Stan knew better. Taking a quick, deep breath before opening it, I reminded myself to stay calm. My fuse was too short these days. Everything and everyone pissed me off.

But then, upon finding Leo, his hands shoved in his pockets, a big smile on his face, my anger reluctantly diminished until I was more curious than irritated. I glanced between Stan, still at his post by the door, and Mona’s brother. The security guard’s face seemed carefully impassive, like both Leo and I bored him. Hmm.

“Leo,” I said, not masking my confusion.

“Hey,” Leo shouted over the noise, his grin widening. He looked like he was up to something. “Just in the neighborhood. Mind if I come in?”

I ignored the screams and voices calling my name from somewhere to my right, stepping to the side. “Please. Come in.”

“Leo! Good to see you.”

“It’s Leo!”

Charlie was already on his feet, but Ruthie blocked the way, insisting on a hug. Giving stoic Stan one more searching look, I closed the door, reclaimed my spot on the couch, and picked up my guitar. Checking my phone again while my three friends exchanged greetings and banalities, I frowned at the screen. No messages.

“I’m so relieved to see you, man. If it had been anyone else, I think Abram might’ve lost his shit.” Charlie chuckled, steering Leo to the chair where he’d been sitting earlier.

“Really?” Leo glanced at me. “What’s going on, Abram? Isn’t the tour going well? From everything I’ve seen—other than the rescheduled LA show—the reviews are awesome.”

“Tour is fine.” I strummed a series of chords, the beginning of a new song Kaitlyn had sent through. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in Miami.”

“Uh.” Leo’s eyebrows jumped, and he glanced at my bandmates. “Hey, you two, do you mind giving us a minute? I have some, uh, business to discuss. Label stuff.”

“Oh, sure. Yeah.” Ruthie looked confused and I understood why.

The excuse of label stuff made no sense. Leo may have introduced us to our EP and label, but he didn’t work for them.

“That’s Leo’s polite code for leave us the fuck alone.” Charlie backed away toward the door, opened it, and the building roar of backstage paired with the music of our opening act blared through. He motioned Ruthie forward. “Totally cool. We can catch up later.”

“Yes. Absolutely.” Leo pointed at Ruthie, then at Charlie. “See you after the concert. We’ll hang out.”

As soon as Charlie shut the door, the noise level returned to a faint hum, and Leo turned back to me, his smile falling away.

We stared at each other for a minute, but I didn’t get the sense he was upset, nor did he seem contrite, like he was here to apologize for anything. The last time I saw him had been in Aspen, and the last time we’d talked had been when I’d called to get Mona’s number. I was aware that he’d come to the hospital in LA, but he didn’t stay to visit. I’d been too sick and he needed to get back to Miami. Mona had seen him, though, but she never told me what they’d discussed.

“How you doing, Abram?” He sounded honestly curious. “You look like you’re recovered.”

“Why are you here, Leo?” Yeah. I was definitely in a mood.

My dissatisfaction and frustration with life on tour was bleeding into every facet of my personality. Charlie was right. Ruthie was right. I needed to lighten up.

“The truth?” He shrugged, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “I promised Mona I would come.”

I stopped strumming my guitar. “What?”