Page 20 of Not Another Rockstar
“You’re safe.” Axel placed his hand on her lower back. Her eyes met his.
She nodded, and got in the car.
“I’ll be right behind you,” he said as security closed the door.
The car pulled off, and Axel’s own car pulled up. If they’d ridden together, it would’ve just drawn more questions. He hopped into the back, while security put their bags in the back with the other luggage.
Axel let out a low sigh, only for his phone to ring. The only person who’d ring him at four in the morning was his cousin, Autumn. Being a musician herself, she didn’t keep to normal hours. She was the one person who’d understand how they were all feeling.
“Sorry if you can’t hear me, it’s a circus outside the hospital right now,” Axel said, skipping the pleasantries.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve been watching all the drama online; I can only imagine how hard it’s been for all of you. How is Phoebe doing?”
Axel barely heard her over the sound of the crowd banging on his window as they started to pull away.
“As good as can be expected. Being pinned in a car with her dead first love isn’t something she can walk off, not to mention the damage to her hand.”
“I imagine not, but she has you and the others to support her. It takes a village to heal. Speaking of healing, how are you?” Autumn pried.
“Dealing. Once everyone is home and safe, I’ll relax.”
“He was your friend too. Make sure you’re looking after yourself as much as the others.”
“I can love him and still think he was a prick.” It was easier to be angry at his friend than grieve. There was too much going on to collapse now. “We’re on our way to the airport to meet Nick and August. I’m worried about what’s waiting for us out on the other side,” he said, as they finally made it away from the hospital. He wouldn’t have minded running over one or two of the vultures.
“This stuff online is insane. You’re going to need some extra security,” Autumn said, reading his mind.
Now they were on the open road, he could focus. Autumn was his favourite cousin. They’d bonded over their love of music, though she clung to her piano while he kept to his drums, and introverted dislike of social settings. Autumn, having been stalked herself, knew how fame could turn nasty.
“We hired extra security for the hospital, but once we get home it’s going to be harder to manage. Most of the heat is coming from trolls online—hopefully with time they’ll go back to their lives.” The news cycle could be cruel, but this time it would play in their favour.
“Please stay safe, I’m worried about all of you. I don’t like that someone leaked the video of that crash. The attention will get worse now that people think she was driving,” Autumn warned.
“We’ve suggested she lie low for a while, but I doubt she’ll listen. I’m worried about her; she lives alone, now that Cillian is gone.”
He hadn’t thought too much about what would happen once they were home. August and Nick were barely holding it together, so he would have to step up.
“What if she were to stay with you? You already share that massive home, I’m sure you have more than a few spare rooms,” Autumn asked hesitantly. “It’s not like you’re strangers; you’ve known each other for years.”
“I doubt she wants to live with three guys, one being her brother—and as an extra bonus, a German Shepherd.” Axel shook his head. “She’ll want her own space to grieve and heal. They’ve told her she needs a lot of physiotherapy for her hand before she even considers painting again. I doubt she’ll want all of us hovering.”
“I wouldn’t suggest it if it weren’t for the threats, and I’m sorry to hear she’s suffering so much with her hand. Maybe that’s even more reason for her to stay with all of you. She’ll be surrounded by those who care about her. I loved isolating, but then Elijah turned up at the door, and as annoying as he was, he was exactly what I needed to get out of my bubble. Phoebe’s grieving not only for her art, but for her first love. Being alone might not be best, but don’t force her. I’m sure Nick can get through to her, and August loves her like a sister.”
Autumn’s logic was sound, but they weren’t the problem: he was. Being around her twenty-four seven would certainly complicate the situation and his feelings.
“I’ll think about it, and talk it over with the guys. Nick might not want to have his sister around the house,” he reasoned, trying to give himself an out. “How’s your life going? We haven’t talked in a while.”
“I’m fine,” Autumn said, giving little away about her own struggles.
“I’d expect nothing less,” he teased, and he heard her sigh. He’d seen in the news that her stalker’s trial had concluded recently. He wanted to ask, but he didn’t want to press her to talk about something she wasn’t ready to discuss.
“If you need anything, just call. I’m sending you some tickets to my next showcase this summer,” Autumn said. She hadn’t done a live performance since the trouble with her stalker, and it was great to hear she was performing again. “Bring Phoebe along—it’d be good for everyone to have something to look forward to.”
“I’m sure she’d love to come, and thanks for the free tickets. Before I forget, tell Elijah that August has some notes about the last game he created.”
“I’m sure he’ll love that. Just send him an email, and cc me—I want to see his reaction.” Autumn chuckled, delighting in her fiancé’s critics. They loved to wind each other up as much as they loved each other.
The sound of a dog barking in the background interrupted her.
