Page 66 of Driving Beats

“Onstage,” he corrects me. “Mostly. But I digress. Are you happy with the stuff Nese is making you get?”

He’s still fishing. Might as well give him what he wants. “She’s done a good job. Both with my wardrobe and other things.”

“Finally! I knew that little firecracker could restart your libido.”

I stop at a red light and women from the next car wave. My gaze darts around to confirm I’m the only car within their eyesight. I offer them a small wave, then hit the gas as soon as the light turns green. “Let’s not go crazy here, Río. She’s a kid.”

“How old is she?”

“Twenty-four. Like I said, a kid.”

“Coop, she’s beyond legal in my book. In any book you pick up, including your Buddhist ones. You should tap that.”

“I did,” I admit in a low voice. Ignoring Río’s whoop, I drive past my street because I need to continue this conversation without prying ears. “She’s the yin to my yang. She’s all outgoing and exuberant and spontaneous. I’m, well, me.”

“Putting all that aside, Bro, I’m proud of you. It’s way past time you fucked Lillian out of your system. Good on you.”

“Yeah, well⁠—”

“My only regret is I’m totally devoted to Hayden. Can you imagine if we were both on the prowl? The women on tour would have no idea what hit them.”

“I sincerely doubt⁠—”

“But 007 and Tris are still single. You should troll with them for some good pussy.”

“You know I’m not like that. Never was.”

He’s silent for a beat.

“Dude. Are you telling me Nese is it for you?”

His question hangs in the air. “Of course not. I’m merely stating the obvious that I never was the tomcat you and Bennett were.”

“Hey! Bennett was way worse than me!”

“Fine. I’ll grant you that. But you sure did give him a run for his money. Besides your vice was alcohol, not women.”

“Haha! Damn straight. Speaking of… what’s your vice? Books?”

I consider all the Zen and meditation books I’ve read over the past decade. “Never met one that let me down yet.”

“Dude. You really do need to get out more. Now that you’re out of your slump, I’m sure you will. Luke can hook you up.”

I protest, “It doesn’t have to come to that.” Images of Nese prancing around in the various stores flit through my mind, as do her eating dim sum, and confessing her difficult upbringing. In my pool.

And bed.

Ignoring my comment, he says, “I’ll take care of you, buddy. We’ll get you hooked up at every city UC goes to in Australia. Those women from Down Under will make your down under sing!” He laughs at his own joke.

I can’t bring myself to join him. “I’m not doing that.”

“Oh, come on. I’ve been waiting for ten years for you to be back on the market, and now I’m off it. You have to let me have some fun.”

“No, I don’t. It was a one-off thing with her anyway.”

“One-off as in you’re not doing it again with her—or one-off as in you’re not doing it again with anyone?”

“I don’t know.” My fingers rake through my hair. “Either. Both?”