Page 33 of Pretty Obsessed

When you spent so much time with someone, it was hard to know if they were losing weight until all of a sudden he looked like a shell of himself. I needed to dig into what was going on.

“I’m jealous,” Emory said. “I’ve always wanted to go. Maybe someday my books will be translated there and they’ll ask me to sign.”

I wanted to ask him to come with us, but I bit back the question. It seemed a little over the top for a first night together. A little borderline stalkerish. I didn’t want him to think those things about me, even if they were true.

“You should go. One of my favorite places in the world,” I said side-eyeing him. “We’ve haven’t played yet there but visited.”

“Is this your normal night type stuff when you aren’t playing?” Emory gestured between us.

Iris laughed. “It depends.”

“For me yes, I chill a lot more than the other guys. Iris has an affinity for—parties. Cas usually follows Iris around like a lost puppy.” I gave Iris a look, but he pointedly kept his attention on his plate. “Lowe has a mini entourage of his own. He’s a real artist type. He likes nice clothes and wine. He always has a camera in his hands. So he’s off with his own people a lot. Alister goes to the gym with me a lot. He has an old Hollywood vibe. He likes jazz clubs. Bass players.”

Iris said the last with me and we laughed.

“Do you guys ever hang out all together?” Emory asked. I could tell the entire dynamic fascinated him.

“Sometimes,” Iris said. “We used to a lot more. This year has been—”

“Has been?” Emory asked.

“Yes,” Iris replied, not at all elaborating.

“I think there’s some tension going on right now.” I filled in. “But people are taking space and letting it chill, also exploring what it’s like to be themselves and not just a member of the band. They’re all younger than I am, too, so like for Iris he can only legally drink this year.”

“Wow, you didn’t even get to grow up.”

Iris nodded. “I’m the baby. I went right from high school to touring full-time.”

“Sounds intense.” Emory seemed to see Iris in a new light.

“We’ve been touring for nearly three years straight. Only took enough time off to make a second album. It’s been intense. That’s a good word for it.” The topic made me nostalgic for the road here and all the things we’d done together. I loved our band, and I didn’t want to see us drift apart the way so many bands did.

“It’s been a lot of things, intense being one of them. Really good, too. So many privileges and lessons. Things most people our age will never have access to. We are very lucky,” Iris added. Sometimes I forgot how smart and humble he was after witnessing weeklong benders.

It broke my heart a little. I knew his childhood was terrible, and he was happy to be away from it, but I couldn’t help but wonder if all the fame was the best thing for him.

“I can’t imagine. I know I live a privileged life. I got pretty lucky with my first book getting noticed like it did, but you guys are like that to an extreme.” Emory picked up his glass and pushed his plate back. He cradled it into his chest and pulled his knees to his chest.

I did the same with my plate and scooted closer to him. Shoulder to shoulder, contact. It felt like fresh air I’d been craving.

We settled into conversation. It was easy. Easier than I’d ever experienced. Usually our fame intimidated people, and it made for awkward fanning. But he fit right in. He was curious about our lives, but we were as curious about his. His profession was as irregular as ours was.

Iris laughed and seemed more at ease than I’d seen him in months. It made my heart lighter. I was going to have to talk to Cas or drag out of Iris what was going on with the two of them.

“I need to go.” Emory looked at his watch during a lull in the conversation.

“I think leaving is the worst idea you’ve had all night.” I slid an arm around his shoulders.

“Is it?”

“Yes, I firmly believe it is the wrong idea.”

“And what makes you think it’s the wrong idea?” he replied looking up at me through his eyelashes.

“Because I’m not through with you.”

He shifted, shooting a glance at Iris. “I’m sleepy and I have to be up early.”

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