Page 37 of Just My Type of wrong guy

“Fine, but stop stalling, what happened?” A.J. asks, smacking my leg.

I watch him for a moment. His curious gaze, restless hands, and short breaths show that he’s really concerned. I sit cross-legged and let my hair down, gently brushing it as I try to put into words what still hurts. There’s no point in hiding it. A.J. will find out sooner or later.

“You can tell me, Alex. Even if he made you some... proposal...”

“It wasn’t anything P. Diddy, A.J., thank God,” I blurt out immediately, and the relief on his face is so huge it almost freaks me out. “Has he done that with you guys?”

“No! No way. But we never really know people for real in this business...”

“I know. But let’s get to the point: do you really like me?”

“Of course not, I just tolerate you.” The double door fridge next to me pushes me with its giant hand, making me laugh. “Gross, get away from me.”

“Well, A.J., I’ve got some really bad news for you.”

“Why?”

“You know those songs you helped me arrange?” I ask, and he nods excitedly. “They’re gonna have to wait a little longer.” He furrows his brow in complete confusion. “I signed the contract to stay on tour with you guys yesterday, I’ll doMade to Never Breaktill the end.” I sigh, shrugging under A.J.'s confused gaze.

“Wow, that’s…” A.J. goes quiet when he realizes I’m sad about giving up my own music. “I thought we already had an opening show. Was that canceled?”

“I won’t be opening the shows with you guys, I’m joining the backing vocals and performing our song with you,” I explain, staring at my feet.

“You gave up your songs and your career forthis?” A.J. tries to lift my face, but I press my head down, and he gives up.

“I’ve waited this long, I can wait a few more months,” I explain, but my friend doesn’t seem convinced. “They were two voice-and-piano songs I was going to release at the end of the year, A.J. They wouldn’t be the summer hit or the Carnival hit, you know? And being with VB brings me more visibility, so yes, I might be working for someone else, but I’ll reap those benefits.”

“The career is yours, you know what’s best for it, I just don’t know if I think it’s a good decision long-term.”

His words are careful but firm. I think if he knew about the show possibilities, he’d be freaking out right now. And that’s exactly why I ignored Thalia’s messages. Nothing hurt more than asking her to stop all the negotiations and only keep the Rio show.

“The contract’s signed, A.J., there’s not much I can do now except keep crying over the burial of my career.”

“You know it’s not a burial.” A.J. shifts out of “worried musician” mode and into “friend who doesn’t question” mode. “It’s just a hospitalization, she’s in a medically induced coma, and one day, we’ll bring her back.” He watches me, making me smirk in spite of myself, before picking me up as if I were a feather and gently laying me down, resting my head on his chest.

“I guess I can see it that way…”

“So what are the plans now?”

“Get the courage to talk to my manager about delaying all our projects and decide if I’ll stay in Brazil during the show break or rent a place in the U.S. I think Victor would help me with that, with the money part…”

“He would help, but you don’t need him, because you’re going to my place.”

“No way, A.J., that’s your space.” I reject the idea, pulling away, but he pulls me back. “It’s your vacation too!” I remind him.

“Okay, let’s think hypothetically, if you could spend three months living in New York…” He mentions the full schedule. Vicious Bonds will be back on stage after Thanksgiving, and the tour will go until early February. “What would you want to do?”

“Be alone! Explore the city, visit the tourist spots… Imagine if it snows? Oh my God, the cold, the overpriced coffee. I’d decorate my room like Pinterest, hit some thrift shops, and, of course, I’d catch some hot guy for a torrid romance that would traumatize me for life.” I sigh before summarizing. “I think I’d live everything romantic comedies promised me.”

I finish speaking with such a big smile I almost feel embarrassed, but A.J. smiles back, winking at me, and I allow myself to laugh at my own silliness.

“That’s a lot of goals for three months… considering we’re back on stage in less than a month. Good thing you’ll have a hot guy nearby.” A.J. smooths his chest, and I close my eyes to keep from laughing. “But no trauma part; I’m cool.”

I roll my eyes and pull away, sitting back down.

“It’s kinda funny hearing you talk like that, ‘cause you’re, like, one of the girls, and I don’t date girls.”

“Lucky for you, I do.”

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