I hate time differences. Glancing down at my phone again, there is still no call back from York, and I’ve been waiting to hear from him. Zander filled me in on his side of what transpired, but I haven’t heard from my brother. I’m worried about them, that something so out of character could happen. I don’t want their friendship to be ruined over business. I blame York’s secretary, but the internal investigation isn’t yet complete. Those usually took a long time, and I know Zander has been working nonstop on it. He’s been working so hard that we’ve barely spoken this week. I don’t want to distract him, and I’ve been dealing with my own issues over here.
Ezra Hamilton is persistent. I’ve been helping Ocean dodge his calls, but there might not be another chance for that. He picked up his own new client and that person is someone Ocean has wanted to perform a duet with for years.
Jade and I have talked multiple times about her distaste for Onyx’s stage coordinator, Narissa. She and Jade have buttheads a few times, and Jade reports Onyx takes Narissa’s side every time. Which, I’m sure is natural to him. Narissa has been with him since the beginning of his career.
Rise Above is back in New Zealand tonight, and the guys want to stop by. I’m a nervous wreck. After Atlanta, I haven’t told them that Zander proposed or that I said yes. It feels weird keeping things from them, but at the same time, I’m not ready if Becks is going to be upset or judgmental again. Our friendship may not survive it.
My phone vibrates, and I glance down to see York’s name.
“Finally.” I laugh into the phone, and I hear his answering chuckle.
“Sorry, Mi. It’s been a crazy last week. Plus, I’m down a secretary right now, so I’ve been doing all my own shit.” He groans, and I can picture him rubbing his eyes.
“Well, York, I never liked your secretary, so I’m not going to complain,” I respond, and he laughs again.
“Yeah, well, next time I’ll know better than to hire someone from our hometown, out of respect, rather than someone actually good at their job.”
My nose wrinkles. “She was from Magnolia Hills?”
“Yeah, she went to high school with Zander and me. I thought maybe it would be a good thing, you know, pass along some good vibes for our hometown, but obviously not.”
“Obviously,” I drawl, “I’m sorry you’re going through that. Zander said he was going to help you out, though?”
“Yes. He’s letting me borrow Katie, his secretary, to help pick out my new hire and train her. That way, they also have a good flow between them, so things don’t get missed,” York confirms.
“Then who’s going to help Zander if you have his secretary?” I laugh, trying to imagine the guys figuring all these things out on their own.
“Ah, he has a temp hire. A man, actually, fresh from college and willing to work,” York explains, and I agree with him. “Other than that, I think we’re okay. Zander seems to have calmed down some.”
“Awww, that’s good. I would hate it if your friendship was ruined over it. I told Zan the same thing,” I tell him, feeling happy that they are back on track. Zander didn’t come right out and say it, but I knew he was angry when he first heard the news and hadn’t talked to York yet. No matter how much time passes, Zander will always be protective of Knight Industries and the work he has put into it, which will always be more than what York had to do with Allister Holdings.
York laughs with me, and we check in for a few more minutes before he has to get going with his morning. We hang up, and I get back to popping a wine bottle and making up the charcuterie board with snacks. Spyder and Becks should be here any minute. My stomach flutters in anticipation. When the doorbell rings, it’s all I can do not to throw up. On shaky legs, I make my way to the door and open it. Both guys walk in, easy smiles on their faces. Spyder wraps me in a hug first, and I hold onto him, taking his strength. Tears spring to my eyes. It’s been too long, and I’ve missed them, here like this.
I turn to Becks and move to hug him, but notice he is already looking at my hand. “You’re engaged to him?”
I bite my lip, nodding. “He asked me before he left. I wanted to tell you both in person.” I look from Becks to Spyder, who is giving me an encouraging smile.
“I’m happy for you, Love,” Spyder tells me, “I just want the best for you.”
The damn tears are back, and I wipe them from my eyes. “Thank you.”
I turn to Becks, who is watching me, contemplating, his face darker than when he first walked in. “Becks…”
He takes my ring hand and runs his thumb over it. “In my eyes, he’ll never be good enough for you. Because we love you and never want you to be hurt again. But if he’s what you want and you trust him, all I can do is be there for you. And I will be, Amelia. Always there for you.”
His voice trails off, and I go to him, burying my head in his chest, sobbing. Becks wraps his arms around me, holding me to him. I feel his lips touch the top of my head. I can feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat under my ear, and it’s comforting. I don’t feel like my heart is soaring though. And maybe that is part of why I could never let myself love Becks as more than family or more than a friend. He glances down at me, and I can tell he notices it too. Pain flashes in his eyes, but there is also acceptance. We’ve gone back and forth so many times.
“Always, friends,” he tells me, kissing my forehead. I nod into his chest and hold him tighter.
“Always Family,” Spyder adds. I peer at him from the circle of Becks’s arms. He’s standing near us, but also letting us have this. I had no idea how much I truly needed to have them both in my corner. Our lives may be taking us in different directions, but we’re irrevocably tied to each other for life.
We move into the kitchen and snack, while they tell me about the new record. I hear from them as well about the plan for a music tour with Onyx and Ocean. Everyone is on track with all new music, and it would be a great idea to get the label’s name out there as well. I don’t hate it; it’s the cost I’m worried about. Tours are a lot of up-front money and bookings. Things can always go wrong. Sometimes tours end up getting canceled, causing money to be lost. In the meantime, I have Tabbi looking into it.
My phone rings, interrupting us, and I jump. I wasn’t expecting anyone. Zander’s name flashes and lights up the screen. He had said he wouldn’t be calling tonight, because he knew I was with the guys and we had a lot to discuss. My stomach dips.
“Hey,” I answer, waiting, feeling like something is wrong.
“You need to come back here,” Zander says. His tone cold and without explanation.
“Are you okay? Is York okay?” I feel my anxiety spike.
“It’s best you come here as soon as you can. We’ll talk then,” he responds, and I don’t get a word in before he hangs up, leaving me gasping, hurt and confused.
I stand in shock, looking at my phone when a new text from York comes in.
York: Mia, you need to come here. It’s urgent.
The room spins. My heart drops. I can already feel like everything is ending.
