Page 35 of Hard Rock Muse

“That’s coming up soon, right?” he replied.

“It is!” She beamed, her face lighting up. “I need to surprise him somehow, but it’s impossible. He knows all the tricks in the books.”

“And you’re looking for some help?” Julian guessed.

“Exactly,” Jessie said. “You mind talking to me and Walt for a second?”

“Sure.” Julian slid off his seat and patted my arm. “Jessie is Gael’s boyfriend.”

As soon as he said it, the name rang a bell. Gael was the bassist of Cherry Lips, Cerise’s brother.

“I’ll be right back,” Julian continued.

Julian left with Jessie, who I assumed worked at the bar.

I nursed my drink and turned my attention to the bar patrons. The leather jacket guys were still playing pool. Aaron’s group of friends chatted and laughed at a round table near the entrance. There was a solitary man sitting in a dark corner writing in a thick notebook, every so often lifting his eyes from the paper to survey the room. We caught each other's gaze once or twice, but he immediately ducked his head back down and went back to scribbling with his fountain pen.

I watched Walt clean up the bar area, washing mugs and wiping down spills. For such a beefy man, he was oddly graceful, as if every movement was a choreographed dance. He was clearly at ease in this dive bar atmosphere.

“Hey,” said a voice from behind me.

I turned to find Aaron standing with his hands in his pockets, an odd expression on his face. Almost embarrassed, but determined.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“I just wanted to ask…” He huffed out a laugh and rubbed the stubble on his chin. “This is so rude. I shouldn’t even be here.”

Curiosity piqued, I swiveled on my stool to face him. “What is it?”

“Are you and Julian dating?” he asked bluntly.

I stared at him. “How is that any of your business?”

“It’s not,” he said with a shrug. “But me and Julian had a great thing together. He’s a good guy. Then it all turned to shit.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“It’’s not like I’m trying to warn you off or anything,” he hurried to say. “But our break up was a shit show.” He sighed heavily and looked away. “It’s not my business anymore, but I thought maybe I should say something. I wouldn’t want to see anyone else get hurt.”

“Hurt how?” I asked. “Julian said you broke up because you couldn’t handle him living the rock style lifestyle. Touring, fans, the whole thing.”

He pursed his lips. “It was partly that.”

I understood what went unsaid.

“What was the other part?” I asked.

“Like I said, Julian’s a great guy. I really loved him.” His eyebrows drew down. “Or, I thought I loved him. I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I’m just saying…”

Aaron looked me in the eyes, giving me that same sad smile he gave Julian.

“I’m just saying, it’s hard to be with a guy who’s in love with someone else.”