Page 83 of Love is a Lyric
Maggie asked a few more questions before asking them to stand out in front of the house for a picture. Quinn pressed her lips to his for the camera, but the kiss was cold, calculated. Had all of their kisses been like that?
They said goodbye to the reporter, but neither moved to go in quite yet as they watched her drive away, both knowing it was almost time to leave the one person they’d miss most of all.
Quinn went inside first, leaving Ben to stare up at the house he’d grown up in, the one that held most of his childhood memories.
And now some of his most cherished adult memories.
With a sigh, he pulled open the front door. He didn’t head for the noisy kitchen, instead trudging up the stairs to the bathroom.
Bending over the sink, he gripped the porcelain and looked into the mirror, not recognizing the man staring back at him. But this was Ben Evans,Fate’s front man.
He turned on the faucet and splashed water on his face, scrubbing to get every bit of makeup off his skin. Bending forward, he ducked his head underneath the icy cold stream of water, reaching to the shelf next to the sink for the shampoo. He scrubbed until the gel no longer left its greasy shine in his locks.
When he lifted his head, water streamed down the back of his neck, soaking his shirt. Black streaked along his cheeks, remnants of the eyeliner. He retrieved cotton balls and lotion, wiping away the excess proof he was someone he didn’t want to be.
Someone who didn’t exist.
Last, he took out the contacts and retrieved his glasses. After changing his shirt and towel-drying his hair, he went back downstairs to face his family as himself once again.
His dad smiled when he entered the kitchen. “Look who’s returned to us.”
His mom snapped her husband with a towel. “Don’t make him feel bad about wearing makeup.”
Chase—where did he come from?—grinned through a mouthful of food. “Bro.”
“When did you get here?” Ben scanned the room, finding both Piper and Quinn missing.
“Taking a long lunch from work. Mom texted saying there’d be food.” He leaned in and dropped his voice. “No one told me Drew Stone would be here.” He looked over his shoulder.
Their dad laughed. “You wouldn’t believe how many famous people slept in our house last night, son.”
Chase’s eyes widened. “Do tell.”
Drew sat next to him, completely oblivious to the fan-boying going on. “It was just Noah, Dax, and Jo.”
Chase closed his eyes. “Do not tell me you mean Noah Clarke, Dax Nelson, and Jo Jackson.”
“Yup.” Drew stuffed a roll into his mouth.
Chase punched Ben’s shoulder. “Jerk.”
“Ow! What did I ever do to you?”
“Bro, I led the paparazzi on a chase through rainy streets, and you can’t so much as text your brother telling him all your famous and super-hot friends are having a sleepover.”
Drew snorted. “He’s right, man. You’re a terrible brother.”
“You aren’t supposed to get excited by famous people when your brother is famous,” Ben grumbled.
Chase pinned him with a look. “But you’re a boring famous person because I know you. It’s not the same.”
“True dat.” Drew lifted his fist, and Chase bumped it. “I mean, if Dwayne Johnson walked in here right now, I’d probably have a heart attack.”
Ben shook his head and slid his chair back to stand. Movement out in the yard caught his eye. Piper and Quinn walked side by side, their backs to the house.
Well, they were both alive.
He knew how much Piper wanted to mend things with Quinn. For her sake, he hoped Quinn could change.
