Page 120 of From Drummer to Gamer

“It’s a lot of work, firecracker. And it’s not as glamorous as you think.”

“I mean, yeah.” She scrunched up her nose. “It would be kinda weird to have my name be stamped by thousands of people every day.”

“Are you enjoying yourself?” I asked, taking in her side profile lit up by the sun. She was glowing, wearing a simple white sundress with daisies all over it, the skirt flowy and airy.

“Yeah.” She looked over her shoulder with a wide smile. “This is the best birthday ever,” she said, dangling the bracelet I gave her, which had a gaming controller and a drum charm interwoven together.

That was the answer I got whenever I asked her. And I only took it as a challenge to make every one after this her best one yet.

“I’m glad,” I whispered as I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her. I held her hand right there in my lap while she went back to gawking outside the window.

It was late afternoon already, and we’d been busy the entire day, and I had to get to the arena in exactly two hours for sound check.

“Did your parents call?”

“Yes, I spoke to them. They were all a bit teary that I wasn’t there with them. This is the first birthday we’re spending apart,” she explained. “Although my mother reminded me how I should make up for all the time I wasted this weekend by studying extra hours next week.”

Her voice took that raspy tone like it always did when she spoke of her mother.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about that today. It’s your birthday.”

“Okay,” she mumbled.

“Do you mind if we go see my sister? I would like to talk to her before the show. But it’s okay if you want to continue the tour.”

“No, not at all. I don’t mind. I’d like to see Katy too. Although…” Sierra bit her lip, wide-eyed. “Do you think she’ll approve of you and me? I mean, would she be okay with me dating you? I don’t have much to offer, and I’m really young and immat…”

“Shush.” I placed a finger over her lips. “You’re perfect, and K already adores you.”

She nodded, her eyes sweeping over me. “But you’re worried.”

“I am… just not about us. It’s…” I sighed. “It’s Katy, she’s been acting weird lately.”

She frowned. “Weird?”

“Yeah, she’s usually very bright and social, but lately, she’s been down. I don’t know what’s wrong. She won’t tell me anything. But I think something is going on between her and Lan, and I’m worried.”

“Maybe she’ll tell you when she’s ready,” she said softly, turning her full attention to me.

“I know that, but I still can’t help it.”

“Is it a twin thing?”

“Maybe. She’s never been like this before, and it makes me uncomfortable. I just want her to be okay.”

“I get that.” She squeezed my hand. “But trust me, your brother is the last person you would want to confide in if you have relationship problems. Just give her time, and she’ll come around.”

I nodded, kissing her forehead.

It took us about ten minutes to reach Katy and Lan’s mansion, and thankfully, I knew the code to the gate because Katy wasn’t answering my texts or my calls, which only made me more worried.

I huffed out a breath as my fist pounded the door for the fourth fucking time. Sierra and I had been standing at their front door for ten fucking minutes, and I was ready to break the door open.

“Maybe she’s not home,” Sierra offered with a small smile.

“She should be,” I muttered, and before my knuckles could meet the door, it dashed open with a thud.

“Who the fuc…” The annoyance on Lan’s face dropped when he took in the sight of us. “Matty.” He frowned. “Wasn’t expecting you.”