Page 127 of Pretty Obsessed

"See you then. But I'm here if you need me."

"Thanks."

Twenty-Four

River Wade

“That’s not the face of someone who had mind-blowing sex all night.” Iris glanced over his shoulder when I slid the balcony door open.

“I can say the same about yours.”

"Would you believe me if I said I was at the studio until an hour ago?" He turned, leaning against the rail.

"I didn't know we had studio time today, I would have been there." I couldn't help the frown that formed on my face. "Even if it was my birthday…"

He shook his head. "It wasn't for us."

"Did they ask you to sit in with someone else?" I crossed the space and searched his face.

"We were shooting the shit after our meeting today and one of the writers asked me if I had anything going on today and if I wanted to sit in with them." The smile on his mouth and the light in his eyes told me so much.

It was the happiest I'd seen him in a long time.

"Good session. By the look on your face, I can see it was."

"It felt so good to focus on art with other people who create all day, every day. Some of these guys had record deals, but they found they prefer the songwriting side of it." He had an almost whimsical tone to his voice.

"You should do it more."

"If I can find the time. They said I'm welcome back whenever I want." He ran his fingers through his hair and looked me over. "What are you two fighting about?"

"How'd you know?"

"It's a bit impossible not to hear in a hotel room. The walls are paper thin." He fidgeted uncomfortably. "I came out here so I wasn't eavesdropping."

"How much did you hear?"

"Enough." He tucked his thumbs into his pockets. "The conversation didn't go well then?"

"I don't understand what his hang up is. He's so stuck on this idea that we'll go too long without seeing each other."

"He thinks you'll cheat?" Iris' brows pulled. "You don't sleep with anyone. Out of all of us, you're probably the only one who's never slept with a fan."

"I haven't… but the clubs…" I knew Iris would understand.

"Your only vice." He shook his head. "And barely even that."

"It still exists.”

“But does he know that's your only thing?"

"I guess— Or maybe not. We didn't explicitly discuss what the club was. Not really.”

Iris turned back to lean on the rail and look out over the city. "Maybe he doesn't get it. Or maybe he doesn't want to wait while you're away."

"I don't know. He doesn't seem the type. From what he's said, his last relationship was monogamous and longterm." I took the spot next to him. "I keep going over and over it, trying to figure it out. He said it was best for me. And he kept bringing up my needs and not having expectations. Like he won't get off the idea."

"Rockstars aren't exactly known for our monogamy. He's got to be assuming the distance will be too hard. Maybe for both of you. Maybe this is genuine and from a good place."

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