Page 36 of Hard Rock Muse

11

By the time Julian came back, Aaron had returned to his seat and I’d finished my drink. After what Aaron had told me, I’d knocked half of it back in one go.

“You want another?” Jessie asked me as Julian sat back down on the stool.

“I’m good.”

“Just holler if you change your mind,” she said before returning to work.

“You finished your drink quickly,” Julian noted, tapping on my empty glass.

My stomach roiled, nausea threatening to make me sick.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concerned.

“I’m fine,” I said. “How was Gael’s birthday thing?”

“It’s going to be great,” he said. “She’s got this whole party planned—”

Julian began to describe the affair Jessie had planned. I nodded along, not paying attention.

My head was spinning, Aaron’s words reverberating in my mind.

I’d been right.

I’d been right this whole time.

With a heavy heart, I pushed my glass away.

“I think I might go home,” I said.

“So soon?” Julian looked disappointed. “I wanted to talk some more about the song.”

Had that been what he’d wanted to tell me? Something about the song? It didn’t matter anymore. I just wanted to get the job over with and remove Julian from my life as soon as possible. I didn’t need this kind of heartache.

“I feel like we’re close to a breakthrough,” he said. “Do you have any more of those game ideas?”

“I’m not really in the mood for games tonight.”

“Please?” he asked. “I know Cerise said we have time, but I'm really feeling the pressure.”

I sighed.

“There is this one idea I had,” I said grudgingly.

“Let’s do it.”

“You don’t even know what it is.”

“If it’ll help us with the song, I’m willing to try anything.”

“Do you know of any quiet places?” I asked. “Somewhere we won’t be disturbed?”

Julian thought for a minute. “We could go to the roof.”

“Is that safe?”

“No idea.” His lips curled, as if suppressing a smile. ”Let’s go.”