AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know that, darling. I just worry. It’s safer to be back at the house. Don’t you miss it?”
“Of course I miss it. It’s my home. But I have a job to do here.”
“And them? Starting something would be dangerous. Not when this stalker is about. I saw you’re online again. Do you want him to find you again?”
“It’s not me. I mean, it’s me. Just…Haze’s PA is running it. It’s just a PR thing. Did you see the photos that cropped up?”
“Yes, and that’s why I’m concerned for you. Maybe return home for a few days, see if everything dies down.”
“I can’t take any more time off. We’re behind schedule. I can’t do it. Are you okay at Brittney’s?”
“Yes, everything is fine. When do you think you’ll be back home?”
“Couple of weeks? I can’t say. We have to meet with the record label first. Oliver Jones is setting the appointment up.”
“Another person you should stay far away from.”
“I can take care of myself.”
We don’t hear Catalina’s reply as they walk out the front door.
None of us say anything about what we just heard. A few minutes later, Eden walks back inside and joins us in the living room.
“I’m taking Storm for his appointment. It’s forty minutes long, and we’ll be back after that.”
She looks at us uncomfortably and signals for her dog to follow her.
I quickly get up from the armchair.
“Do you mind if I tag along?”
I have no idea why I’m suggesting this. I’d rather be running in the opposite direction of this woman. But I know I need to clear the air between us properly.
She shrugs her shoulder and doesn’t look at Haze as I thought she might.
“Sure.”
We barely talked on the way to the animal therapy center. It’s not like we were ever best buddies as I am with the lads. Conversation between us doesn’t flow as freely as it does with them. My relationship with Eden in the past was a mix of bandmates and lovers. Back when she was my girlfriend, words flowed so easily between us. Now, I struggle to find any words other than music to talk with her.
She doesn’t seem to be as tense as I am. It’s as if she doesn’t seem to mind one way or another with me. Eden’s moved on, and I wish I could be more carefree around her, but there’s a void between us that prevents me from moving forward.
Perhaps it’s because we never properly broke up in the first place, and the feeling of being lost in limbo continues to linger. Seeing her with Haze opened old wounds I never knew existed or how deeply embedded they were.
After dropping off Storm, Eden suggests we take a stroll at the dog park next to where we parked her truck, and maybe it’ll be good to get some fresh air. However, the quality of air in Los Angeles is certainly questionable.
We walk and chat about music and while I enjoy this friendly banter, it’s not what I need to talk with her about. As soon as I see a free bench empty of people and furry canines, I lead us to it and sit down.
She joins me and takes care to keep some distance between us.
“Eden,” I say leaning my arms on my thighs as I lean forward towards the path. “I just want to clear the air between us from the other day. Are we alright?”
She bites her top lip in thought. Her eyes dart between me and the empty air.
“I’d like to think so. I’d also like to finish the music we started.”
“And then?”
“Then?” her eyes dart directly to mine. “Well, we continue this venture together, I guess.”
