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“Justine!” Wynonna says as she gets closer. “I’ve been texting you all day. Where have you been? Hey Quinn.”
“Hello,” I say as I step aside.
“Seriously, where were you?” Priscilla asks.
“I need to rework some lines in one of the songs,” I say quickly. I don’t know why Justine ignored their texts but am happy she did.
“That’s all you do is work,” Wynonna says. “Live a little.”
“Right. I’ll see ya.” I leave, needing to get away from the girls.
As I walk back to my room, I replay the day in my mind—the record store, the busker, the henna tattoo, and most of all, those final moments outside her room. The possibility of what might have happened if her bandmates hadn’t come down the hall.
But I’m not disappointed. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I have something to look forward to. Something real. Something that isn’t about the past, but about what comes next.
EIGHTEEN
This day has been circled on the calendar since Peyton and Noah made all the men in their family take part in a wet T-shirt event. Elle made sure the tour had a break so I could be there for my nephews and niece’s births. My phone buzzes against the table with a text from my sister.
Elle
Car’s outside
“All right, I’m outta here,” I tell the band as I reach for my bag. “Have a fabulous mini vacay without me.” I give the two-finger salute. Because we’ll only have a couple days off, Elle gave the bands a chance to go home or chill at the resort she booked.
Everyone decided to chill.
“What’s wrong?” Dana asks, startling awake from her nap in the sun.
“Peyton’s having the triplets. Remember?”
Her face softens. “Right. Yes, I didn’t forget. Send a ton of pictures.”
“I will.”
Another text arrives.
Elle
Jet’s waiting, see you later, Quinny
“I’m gonna catch a ride with you. I need to pick some things up at the store,” Keane says as he follows me out.
“Let’s go.”
In the car, I stare out the window, my leg bouncing with nervous energy. I’ve never been an uncle before, although, at times, it feels like I am with Ollie. I think the huge age gap and the fact that I don’t live at home is what makes my relationship with Ollie feel that way. It’s my hope he’s as close to the triplets and I am with the twins. But again, Elle’s having her baby soon and I suspect whether it’s a boy or girl, they’ll be close to Peyton’s.
So many babies and here I am, single.
Sigh.
“You’re going to be great,” Keane says quietly.
I look over at him. “What?”
“As an uncle. You have that . . . thing. Kids are drawn to you.”
I smile despite my nerves. “Thanks, man.”