Page 166 of Next to Everything We Wanted

“Been good as gold. The fans are loving the new music. Have you heard it?”

I shrugged. “It could be better.”

He glared at me. “Hater.”

I laughed.

“So, why is Phoenix Max texting me about you driving back to Cali in the middle of the night?” His green eyes studied me and my surroundings. “Are you at your parents’ house?”

“Yeah.”

“Why is Phoenix worried enough to textme? Shoot, I don’t even know where you live.”

I scratched the back of my neck. “He’s just worried because I, um, had a problem.”

His brows furrowed. “What problem?”

“I-I went through a breakup.”

“You were dating someone?”

I’ve dated two people, actually. “I met her after we last talked. It didn’t go that well.”

He gave me a sympathetic frown. “Man, I’m sorry. No wonder you look like a wreck.”

“Hey, I showered and combed my hair!”

“Yeah, but your eyes look sad and tired, like an ocean nobody swims in.”

“You didnotjust compare my eyes to an ocean.” I shook my head. “That’s the cheesiest cliché in the book.”

“Fine, like topaz nobody wears. Maybe aquamarine? Definitely not sapphire.”

“I’m concerned for your fanbase now that you’re writing your own songs.”

“My fans thought that video of me puking was sexy. Nothing could turn them away.” Justin shook his head. “But seriously, you look really beat up, like right before you left Charm Street.”

This conversation was a terrible idea. “I’ll be fine,” I said, trying to keep my voice light. “Tell Phoenix not to worry.”

“What were you doing hanging out withPhoenix? I didn’t know you were even friends. You never talked to him outside of the few times our bands networked and stuff.”

If only I hadn’t kept you so out of the loop. “I—I can’t explain it.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Gavin Felix Hanville, what are you hiding?”

“I told you to never say my middle name again, Justin Henry Lockhart.”

He sighed. “Fine. You don’t have to tell me about your secret relationship with Phoenix Max. I’ll let him know that you’re safe at home and keep making fun of me.” He paused for a moment. “What have you been doing recently? I’ve heard some rumors, though I doubt that they’re true.”

My stomach sank. “What rumors?”

“A lot. Like that you joined the military and are currently serving overseas, that you work at some resort in South America, that you met a beautiful girl and ran away in the middle of nowhere to start your family . . .”

I couldn’t help but snort. “Do people not have hobbies?”

Justin smiled. “We’re celebrities, they’d make a big deal if they caught us taking a dump in public. The most common rumor is that you died—which isn’t cool, and I’ve debunked that one, so you’re welcome. Oh, there’s one crazy one I’ve heard a few times—that you started a band in Nevada or someplace.”

My stomach rolled, a wave of nausea crashing over me.