Page 16 of Pretty Obsessed

"Do you really think they’d be there two nights in a row?"

"We have a break before we leave for Japan. Nice little break to suss her out." He closed his eyes. His body relaxed and, if he hadn't spoken, I would have thought he'd fallen asleep. "Didn't you say she was friendly with the bartender asshole? Maybe that guy has a crush on her, which could be why he didn't give her up."

I scrubbed a hand over my face. "Want to go with me tonight?"

"Why not?” He laughed, opening his eyes. There was a light in them not normally there.

“Iris?”

“Yeah?” he replied.

“It’s a he.”

“Shit.” He rubbed his palm on his temple. “Kinda a big deal.”

I left his remark in silence. What could I do or say?

"You sleeping in here?" I asked as the silence settled around us, tucking my knees to my chest and resting my chin on them, watching the sun rising.

"If you don't mind."

"You know I never mind."

There had to be something going on with him and Cas. For Iris to avoid him for a night after a tiff, fine, but this was more. I could feel it. He'd agreed to go out with me, too, which wouldn't include Cas.

I hoped he'd tell me in his own time. Before our band burned to the ground over the lead singer and the lead guitarist fighting.

* * *

“I’m still surprised Cas let you off your leash.” I said as Iris and I walked out of the hotel to a sea of flashes. The blinding light came from every direction.

“I sat pretty and barked.” He side-eyed me, not giving me more while there were photogs all around us.

“Where are you going?” A girl yelled.

“Iris! Where’s Caspian?” another voice shouted.

“Where are you guys heading?” screamed a man in Iris’ face.

“Are the rumors true?” another asked.

“All the rumors are true. Print that.” He stubbed his cig out on his boot before slipping into the back of the SUV.

Screams chorused after us, echoing Iris’ words.

“You know that’s going to start all kinds of new rumors.”

He shrugged, lifting his sunglasses and pushing back his hair with them. “I don’t care anymore.”

I watched him for a moment. He appeared mostly sober again, which admittedly was nice. Better than zoned out like he’d been for a few months.

“Where is Cas tonight?” I asked again.

He shrugged. “I don’t want to talk about him.”

“You’re going to have to talk at some point.” If they were fighting, it was better to know. Keep it civil until we had to be on stage again.

He rolled his head towards me. “Or maybe I’ll write an album and make us all more money.”

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