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I smiled at Petra. “It is cool. I’ve played the Paramount before.”
Vicki’s voice was quiet. “Years ago.”
The Muffins had played the Paramount. It was a venue that held three thousand people, and we’d played it at the biggest we’d ever been, opening for Sleater-Kinney for two nights. Those two nights were the top of my punk rock career.
“Yeah,” I said, agreeing with Vicki. “Years ago.”
In the hallway outside the dressing room, I texted Finn, because my need for him was weirdly desperate. I wanted to hear from him, even if it was just a few words in writing.
Juliet: How are your blue balls today?
His reply was immediate.
Finn: It’s a serious medical condition. Don’t make fun.
I felt myself grinning at my phone.
Juliet: Just wank it in the shower and you’ll be fine.
Finn: Thank you for the advice. When was the last time an actual, real live man gave you an orgasm, by the way?
Juliet: I haven’t been counting, but it was more than one president ago.
His reply was a sad-face emoji, which made me laugh.
Juliet: Are you doing your tux fitting with Alistair?
Finn: Seriously? That was hours ago. Our fitting took ten minutes, tops.
Well, hell. Vicki had all of these bridesmaids, so we were making a day of it. Alistair only had Finn, and they had gotten it over with in minutes. Men.
Juliet: So where are you, then?
Finn: Alistair and I have the kids. We just left Home Depot.
Juliet: Home Depot? Do kids like Home Depot?
Finn: You’re asking me? I’m just following the actual dad on this expedition. They seemed to like it fine. Now we’re going to the grocery store.
Juliet: So parenthood is mostly about running errands?
Finn: That’s what I gather, yes. Are you still at the fitting?
Juliet: Almost done, and then we’re going for dinner. Are you coming to that?
Finn: No, I’m sticking with Alistair. He’s the childcare parent for the weekend. He says it’s to free Vicki up to spend time with her friends. And with you.
I stared at those words, overanalyzing them as if they were from a boy I liked. Had Vicki mentioned spending time with me specifically? Or had she only said she wanted to spend time with her wedding party? Had I screwed it up by making the crack about jumping Finn?
The world doesn’t revolve around you, Jules!
She wasn’t impressed with me. We had almost bitten each other’s heads off last night. She had probably arranged with Alistair to keep the kids so she could see Melanie, Hayley, and Petra. They were her friends, as she’d shouted at me last night. They mattered.
Well, fuck it. I had never made Vicki or Mom happy, and I wasn’t starting now. I craved Finn, even though I’d last seen him at two this morning, when he’d left me at my door.
And I was very, very bad at following rules.
I sent him another message.
