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To her credit, Liz didn’t laugh at me. But she also didn’t deny it. I felt something hard and painful in my chest, growing worse the longer Liz let the silence hang between us.
“She might think that,” Liz said carefully. “I think a lot of people might. All the news stories and the magazine articles … those people like to show a certain image, you know?”
“I can’t help what they write about me!” It was a constant frustration for me. When I wanted to focus on music, the world seemed more interested in my latest hairstyle and which girl was walking me into the concert venue.
“I know. But it’s out there. Anyone reading about you is bound to assume you’re some rock star looking for fame and women and money.”
“But that’s not me,” I mumbled.
“I know that,” Liz assured me. “Of course I do. But Darcy hasn’t seen you since high school. You’ve barely talked to each other. All she’s had are the news articles and the talk-show interviews.”
“But don’t you tell her? When you talk about me, don’t you explain it’s all an act?”
Now was the time for Liz to laugh. She snorted, rolling her eyes at me.
“Despite what you might think, we don’t spend much time chatting about my older brother. God, maybe this rock-star role has gone to your head.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I said. But I had to admit it was a bit crazy to think Liz and Darcy sat around talking about me.
“It’s alright,” Liz said. “I know you’re not like that.”
We sipped coffee together, enjoying each other’s company.
“I have to shower and get to the office. Will you be alright?”
“Yeah,” I mumbled. I watched Liz cross back to the coffee pot to top off her mug.
“I’ll try to talk to her,” Liz said as she began to leave the room.
“Don’t!” I said, stopping Liz in her tracks. I was suddenly and irrationally panicked. What if Darcy was upset I’d talked to Liz? What if she thought I was spreading rumors about what happened last night?
“What?” Liz looked at me like I was crazy, a moment away from laughing again.
“I don’t … don’t tell her we talked about her.”
“What is this? High school?”
“I just … I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. Like you said … she’s been through a lot this year. The last thing I want is to put any pressure on her.”
“Alright,” Liz said. “I won’t bring anything up. Not unless she asks.”
“Thank you.” I sighed in relief.
“Try to relax today. You’ve been going nonstop.”
“With the concert over, no one’s expecting anything of me today,” I told her, feeling the reality of this for the first time all morning. “I plan to rest!”
My phone buzzed on the table next to me, and I looked down to see Liam’s name on the screen. Liam was the drummer of the Horizon, and one of my closest friends.
“I spoke too soon,” I said, showing Liz the name on my screen. My sister knew my bandmates well, even having a brief relationship with my bass player at one point. I had disapproved of the relationship the whole time, and I was much relieved when Liz settled down with Eric, a high school English teacher.
“Good luck,” Liz laughed. She left the room as I answered the phone.
“Hey man,” I said, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice.
“What’s up?” Liam asked. “How was the concert last night?”
“Good. Fun to play in my hometown.”
