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“Oh, I won’t.” His face reddened as he shook his tensed hand near his throat. “You’re neck deep in shit, Lewis. The thing is...” He closed his eyes, drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. Muscles in his tensed jawline ticked. “I’m too fucking mad to think straight. I hate seeing Tia hurt, and you’re the reason.”

Clutching my knees, I dug my fingernails into my bones. She was the one who’d ended it, not me. I had nothing left to lose, so I let loose. Drawing my shoulders back, I glared at Cole. “I wanted us to work, to stop sneaking around once we knew how we felt. But she didn’t. She’s so protective of you and has always put you and the band first.” I flicked my hand at him. “She has always tried to honor your stupid code and not get involved with anyone close to you guys. But your fucking dibs rule has done nothing but hurt her, made her miserable and too afraid to take chances.”

Cole staggered back a step and sank his ass onto the desk. Yeah. Truth hurts, asshole. As he rubbed his brow, sadness fogged his eyes. He stared toward the floor. “She told me about Phil. I never knew. After all these years, it’s like I don’t know my sister at all.”

“That’s right—you don’t. She’s not a kid anymore. If you spent time with her, you’d see that.”

His voice softened but flames still licked through his tone. “We used to be close and told each other everything. We used to hang out. Tia and Phil were always a package deal growing up. They were the life of the party. Always up to crazy antics. Then we got signed, our music took off, and she left for Chicago. We lost a piece of our soul. Phil changed. Now I know why.”

I shook my head and shot air through my nose. “There are so many secrets in this band, it’s insane. If we were upfront and more honest with each other, maybe no one would get hurt.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” A flash of pain rippled through his eyes before they burned red.

I’d hit a nerve. He had secrets too. Don’t we all? No, I didn’t. Not anymore.

Cole’s voice sliced through his teeth. “I’ll do anything and everything to protect those I love. I will never falter on that.”

“I got it.” My heart shuddered. I just didn’t fit under that umbrella.

The door flung open and in strolled Flint and Slip. Flint held his arms wide. “What the hell is going on?”

“Lewis has been fucking Tia.” Cole flicked his hand at me.

“Oh.” Slip straightened, clearly trying to sound surprised but failing.

“Damn.” Flint wasn’t much better than Slip.

Cole glared at them. “You two knew?”

“Yeah.” Slip shrugged. “I’ve known since your birthday.”

“I’ve had my suspicions for a few weeks.” Flint scratched his stubble.

“Why did no one fucking tell me?” Cole’s voice shot through the roof.

Shit. Flint had speculated too. God, I should have trusted our friendship more. I’d been such a fool.

“Nope.” Flint shrugged. “They needed time to work their shit out without us breathing down their necks. They would’ve told us when they were ready.” He leaned his elbow against the end of the piano and crossed his ankles. Turning toward me, he shook his head, wrinkled his nose, and chuckled. “But fuck...with Tia?”

“Yes.” I closed my eyes and nodded. The pain still burned inside my chest. “But it’s all turned to shit. Emilio texted again. She saw his messages. We had a huge fight. She won’t believe me when I say it’s over. But trust me, it’s so over. I’ve deleted his number.” Too little, too late.

“You and Tee were so good together.” Taking a seat on one of the Marshall amps, Slip leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “She’s had a lot to deal with since losing Phil. Being dumped by Rhett and injured hasn’t helped. But you’re the one who put a smile back on her face, got her out of the house, and helped her live life again. Tia hates being a burden on anyone and would’ve been petrified you’d get bored with her.”

A sly smirk curled the corner of my mouth. Her in cuffs flickered through my mind. “Oh...she’s never been boring. We were good, but it’s over. Don’t fall in love. It fucking sucks.”

“Nah.” Flint grinned. Shuffling forward, he slapped me on the shoulder. “It just takes a few goes until you find the right one.”

One day, I’d find what Flint had found with Sutton. But not today.

“Is there any chance you two will sort things out?” Slip asked.

“No.” I lowered my chin. “I tried to reassure her that Em was out of my life, but it wasn’t enough. She won’t take a chance on us or let go of our pasts. I’m sorry we got involved. But I knew there’d be consequences. I understand it if you want me to leave.” With a heavy heart, I scanned the room. Was there anything I had left to pack?

“What?” Slip gaped. “No.”

“It’s okay, man. Family comes first.” Eyeing a notebook I’d left on the coffee table, I headed over to grab it. I picked it up and tossed it in with my Fender bass and clipped the case shut. As I stood staring at my gear, my stomach sank to the floor. “Tia belongs with you guys. She should be on our...I mean, your...production crew. She goes on about school and tv production careers and new movie roles, but in all honesty, this is where she wants to be. She comes alive behind a mixer, and when she’s monitoring every stage light and tuned into our performances. Tia loves this band as much as each one of you. But she’s afraid of making mistakes and letting you down. The continual reminders of all the crazy shit she used to do don’t help. She’s worried you’ll never take her seriously and was worried our relationship would cause issues. But you don’t have to be concerned about the last one if I’m not here. You’ll find another bassist.”

“Lewis, stop.” Taking a step toward me, Flint held out his hand. “We don’t want another bassist. We want you. You’re one of us. You’re like me...adopted. We can’t let you go.”