“What?”

“The changes.”

She frowns. “There’s a clause in my contract about medical conditions. Shows can be delayed or postponed, or, in the worst case, canceled.” Her shoulders sag. “I’d hate to do that to the fans. Or the crew. People depend on getting paid for this tour.”

I never realized that such a huge responsibility was placed on a headlining act. “So, you’ll keep it?” I ask. “Not that it’s any of my business.”

“I kind of made it your business.” Ariel looks down at her lap. “I don’t know. It’s easy to think you’ll do something a certain way until you’re confronted with it.” Her eyes meet mine. “What would you do?”

“Me?” I haven’t put much thought into it because I’m always careful. “I guess it would depend on my situation. If I could financially support a baby, and if the father wanted to be involved, for example.”

She gives me a tiny smile. “Well, if you slip up with Gunnar, you know you’re covered. He’s been dedicated to his nephew since the day Oliver was born. It’s part of why we broke up.”

I never questioned their reasons. “Really?”

“Call me selfish, but I didn’t feel like I could compete after he won custody and moved away. He was wrapped up in starting a new life, and I couldn’t give him the time or attention he deserved. We agreed it would be best to call it quits.”

At least she admits she was partly to blame.

Ariel leans over to check the remaining time on my phone. “Who would have thought one drunk night would lead to this?” She pauses. “Never mind. That was a stupid question. The probability is actually quite high.”

Before I can agree with her, the timer goes off. We look at each other and she lets go of my hand. “Here goes nothing.”

She straightens her spine as she walks away, and I stand in anticipation. When she disappears through the bathroom door, I start to pace. I feel bad for her. She made a bad decision, yes, but so did Zach. I silently wonder if he’s going to be supportive, or if he’s going to ditch her like Levi did Audrey.

When Ariel doesn’t reappear after a minute, I go find her. It doesn’t take that long to read one pink line or two. Peeking around the corner, I can tell by her expression what the outcome is without asking.

“Congratulations,” I whisper.

She gives me a sad smile before a tear rolls down her cheek.

~~~~

All I want is a bottle of water, I think as I weave my way around bodies. It’s been almost an hour since Ariel learned she was expecting and left the party. She said she was going to find Zach and break the news, so I decided to find the guys and make sure they were living it up. Little do they know all of this could come to an abrupt end, depending on how Ariel feels and what she decides to do.

“Excuse me. Pardon me. Sorry,” I say as I finally make it to the wet bar. Some random guy is behind it, having dubbed himself honorary bartender. “Can I get a bottle of water please?”

“One water comin’ up,” he says and flips a bottle behind his back and over his shoulder. He catches it and presents it to me.

“Thanks,” I say.

“Aww. Look, girls. The bitch is trying to come off as Snow White.”

My body tenses at the sound of Heidi’s voice. Slowly, I turn around and find her standing with her friends. “Well. If it isn’t the old hag here to hand out more poison.”

Her narrowed eyes bounce between me and the water. “Do you think you’re above us?”

“No. I think I’m thirsty.”

“Thirsty for Dean, maybe,” one of her lackeys snipes.

Is she serious?  “Oh, honey,” I take a step toward her, “I wouldn’t go there if I were you. Heidi knows there’s only one man I’m thirsty for. Right, Heids?”

She doesn’t like my cutesy nickname, and she crosses her arms. “Then how come we just saw you come out of Dean’s room?”

My forehead pinches. Is she high?  I look over my shoulder, in the direction I just came from. “Do you mean back there?” I point. “That’s my room. Get your facts straight, sweetheart.”

I refuse to interact with stupid, so I leave. I swear Heidi has nothing better to do than make assumptions about me. She should take a hint from Mean Girls and back the hell off. She could get hit by a bus.

A tour bus, to be exact.

Spying the sliding glass doors, I decide to make my way to the balcony for some fresh air. Just as I squeeze past the last few people in my way, I hear, “Hey. I’ve been looking for you.” A hand grazes my elbow, and I turn to see a certain record executive smiling at me.

“Caleb?  What are you doing here?”

He ushers me to the side, then leans against the wall. “I’m keeping an eye on my interests. How have you been?”

I can’t help my skeptical look. “Things are good.” What else can I say?

“Do you like the penthouse?”

I glance around. “It’s nice. I’d enjoy it more without all these people, though.”

He laughs. “Well, at least you have tomorrow and Houston.”

“How do you know about Houston?”

He gives me a self-deprecating smile and my eyes widen. “You upgraded us?”

“Guilty.”

Well, that was generous.

“Listen, Jen.” Caleb shifts his weight. “I don’t know what Gunnar’s told you, but I want to make sure we’re okay. I don’t want any bad feelings between you and me. You’re a crucial piece of Dean’s band.”

I’m confused. “And?”

“And he could be part of the Snare Records family again. I want him to be comfortable in making that choice.”

He can’t be serious. “Do you think I’m bad mouthing you to Dean?”

He puts his hands in his pockets and shrugs. “I’d like to think you’re not.”

I shake my head to clear it. I refuse to get involved in anything political. “You’re overestimating my part in this. Yes, Latson’s told me about your past, but I haven’t brought it up to Dean. Why would I?  You cut him off back then just like you did Latson. He doesn’t need me to remind him.”

“Precisely.” Caleb pushes his body away from the wall. “I think he’s moved on, and I’d like it to stay that way. The past needs to stay in the past. If you talk to Gunnar, tell him –”

His thoughts are cut short when Dean approaches. “Hey, man. How’s it going?” He gives Dean a hearty slap on the shoulder. “Great show tonight, as always.”

Dean grins. “I didn’t know you were there. Can I get you something to drink?  A beer?” He notices me. “Jen!  Do you need anything?”

I notice the glaze in Dean’s eyes. He’s well on his way to having too much. “Nope. I’m good. Maybe you should put that bottle down and pick up one of these.” I hold up my water. “You don’t need a nasty hangover.”

“You’re probably right.” Dean runs his hand through his hair. “It’s good to have a voice of reason around. Don’t you think, Caleb?”

Caleb looks at me. “As long as the voice can be trusted.”

I have to stop my mouth from falling open. He wants to talk about trust?  Please.

“Deeeean.”

Oh, for the love of God.

My eyes meet the ceiling as Heidi whines Dean’s name. She walks up behind him and hangs on his arm. “Can I borrow your cell?  I left mine in my room by accident.”

“Sure,” he says and pulls it from his pocket. “Take your time.”

She slides it from his hand with a sly smile. “Thanks.” She gives him a quick peck on the cheek, and I inwardly cringe. I’m going to have to speak to this boy when he’s sober about the company he keeps.

Dean and Caleb start to talk about tonight’s show, so I take the opportunity to disappear. I step around them and head to my original destination: the balcony. I find a spot between some people and lean against the railing to stare out over the city. A smile forms on my lips as I remember sitting on the fire escape and doing the same thing with Latson. I don’t know which direction I’m facing right now, but I pretend it’s east. I telepathically send my thoughts to him, letting him know I miss him and things are getting complicated here.