Page 120 of Hard Rock Muse

“Wait,” I asked her. “Who else’s contact info do you have?”

A look of understanding crossed her face. She scrolled through her contacts and handed me her phone.

I looked at the screen. She had pulled up Keith’s number. I didn’t know how or why she had it, but I was grateful she did.

I tapped the call button and put it to my ear. It rang once. Twice.

Keith picked up.

“Hello?” he asked, sounding confused. “Is this Cerise Moreau?”

My fingers gripped the phone tight.

“Keith,” I said shortly. “It’s me.”

He let out an amused hum.

“Ever,” he drawled. “I thought I’d hear from you soon. How’s Julian?”

“We’re amazing, actually,” I said. “I’m just calling to tell you two things.”

“Oh?” I could hear his raised eyebrow. “And what is that?”

“First of all, fuck you.” I didn’t spit the words or growl. They were said simply and firmly.

His shocked silence spoke volumes.

“I don’t care what threats you make or what lies you tell,” I continued. “You may have tried to break me and ruin me, but I’m not going to let you get away with that anymore. I don’t need you. I never needed you.”

“You’ve grown quite the backbone,” he said archly.

“I’ve had one all along,” I told him. “I just learned how to use it again. So that’s the second thing I called to tell you. I’m starting up Where Angels Burn again and you’re not going to stop me.”

“You want to test me, girl?” he sneered. “Don’t forget, all it takes it a few words in the right ear.”

“And don’t you forget,” I shot back, “I’m not alone anymore. I’ve got people on my side this time. People who care about me. So go ahead,” I challenged. “You just try and stop me. I’m going to love watching you fail.”

And with that, I hung up on him. I handed the phone back to Cerise. She put it back into her pocket, looking impressed.

“That’s it, then,” I said.

Julian and Seth looked to each other. They looked to me. Slowly, the rage and apprehension on their face smoothed out, replaced by anticipation.

“We’re starting up the band,” I said with a grin.

“Fuck yeah!” Seth hooted, pumping a fist in the air.

Julian swung me in his arms as I whooped out loud.

It may have taken years, and there many have been dozens of bumps in the road along the way, but somehow Julian and I had found our way back together again. And I couldn’t have been happier.

“All right, enough playing around,” I said, tapping on Julian’s shoulder for him to put me down.

I wiped the giddy tears from my eyes.

“It looks like we’ve got some work to do.”