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"What the hell is going on there?"
Torn between confusion and annoyance, Carmen, who was blushing, snapped, "It's Ramiro, alright? Ramiro Brandt. He's here and we're - "
"Don't you fucking tell people where I am, minx."
"Shut up."
"Excuse me?" Tanner said, shocked.
"Not you! God, not you! It's - It's Ramiro. He's here. We've been talking." She glared back at the disgruntled blond god blinking up at her.
"You have a meeting with him at six-twenty-two in the morning?"
Carmen frowned at the phone. "Why are you calling so early?"
"God, minx, really? Will you let me sleep?"
She turned back to Ramiro. His face was pressed on the pillow, and his stupid, hobo hair still looked glorious despite being tangled and mussed from sleep. She frowned at the familiar gray t-shirt he was wearing. "Will you shut up? My fiancé is on the line!"
Ramiro snorted. "Ramiro Brandt sends his regards."
"Hold on. Are you telling me that Ramiro Brandt is with you? Where are you?" Tanner asked.
Keeping the phone pressed to her ear, Carmen tripped and staggered to the sliding glass doors that led to the hot tub. A shiver ran up and down her spine before it spread in her entire body as the cold morning mist hit her. She was wearing only a tissue-thin t-shirt and boxers. Wrapping an arm around herself, she spoke to Tanner.
"I'm at home. Ramiro came by early because he's out of rehab and wants his career back," she told Tanner, sitting on a padded lounge chair bathed in soft sunlight. The slight warmth melted off some of the chills from her legs. She rubbed them vigorously for more warmth.
"A bit unorthodox, the idea of a rock star awake at sunrise," Tanner remarked. "I thought you - well - "
Frowning, she asked, "What?"
"Never mind. I called to check on you."
"If you are calling to check on me, you sure took your time. I got only your voice mail last night." Carmen didn't believe in drama, much less throwing a hissy fit. "Why didn't you call or text earlier? I hit my fucking head, Tanner. I was unconscious for a few seconds. I was in the hospital."
"Well, I'm calling now, aren't I? Besides, I had to screen my calls last night, Carmen. Everyone wants everything they could get about Tina. We've released a statement but you know how those sons of bitches are."
But Carmen was not a forgiving woman. Not now, anyway. "You could have sent me a message."
"I told you. I couldn't. After releasing a statement, I had everything go to voice mail. I was exhausted."
"And what is it that you thought was happening earlier when you called?" She pressed, raising an eyebrow.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"When you said how it's unorthodox for a rock star to be awake. You said you thought something of me. What is it."
Tanner sighed. "Carmen."
Her expression was stony. "Tanner."
"Please don't ruin this, alright? We've only just started talking again."
"I'm not the one with these thoughts. Tell me exactly what you were thinking." As she spoke, she heard the doors parting open. Out sauntered Ramiro, yawning hugely. He raised his t-shirt and scratched his flat stomach, the other arm stretching up.
"Look, I'm sorry, alright? But we haven't really spoken in weeks and I shouldn't have thought you're with another guy."
"I can't believe you! You really think I'd go and fuck someone just because we haven't been okay for a while?"
