Page 100 of Raise Me Up

I snicker as he wanders back over to the couch and drops down on my other side. When he holds the bowl out to me, I pluck a Cheeto and pop it into my mouth. “Can this be considered dinner?”

“We’re grown adults, right?” Hail throws a piece of popcorn into the air and catches it in his mouth, making me giggle.

“Can we watch the one with the proper soundtrack again?” Z asks.

Hail starts up a movie, no further convincing needed. I spend the evening squished between them, blanketed in comfort, and provided snacks and drinks whenever they saw fit.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. All I know is I’m going to do my best to be strong for both of the men holding my heart.

thirty

Liam

The morning passes with no word from Beau.

I text him three times before lunch, an unsettling feeling brewing in my gut.

He’s probably asleep.

From what I’ve read online, a seizure can take a serious toll on your body. Add in the fact that I haven’t been allowing him to rest much in the evenings.

If I don’t hear back by the end of the day, I’ll call the hospital.

Even with that decision made, the motivation to carry out my work evades me. All I can think about throughout my recording sessions is Beau and Stasi, and how I fucked everything up.

Not only did I trigger a seizure in Beau, I abandoned Stasi outside my house like a complete asshole. I was too stuck in my head, convinced I had no right to touch her.

I owe her more than an apology.

Thankfully, Emma’s running the show with her cut-throat nails, juggling artists and polishing tracks, while I’m stuck tangled in a net of fear, dreading a text message with bad news.

I’m at war with myself on whether or not to call it quits and drive up to the hospital right now. Part of me believes Beau is hiding something. That he lied about wanting sleep to get rid of us.

After all, he lied about having a hotel reservation when I picked him up from the airport, he wasn’t forthcoming about getting kicked out of Lithos, and he kept his feelings to himself during our hookups.

How many times has he tried to save me from uncomfortable situations I wasn’t ready to deal with?

Now’s not the time to wallow. Hail and Z are about to show up to lay down some new material.

I should have rescheduled with the mood I’m in, but what kind of professional would I be if I turned away artists because I’m struggling with personal shit?

Fans have been frothing at the mouth to hear more of Z and Hail ever since they reunited publicly on stage. So, I do my best to adjust my attitude and dismiss my staff early to save some face for having to deal with me today.

Emma hesitates on her way out. “Hope your day gets better, boss.”

I release a heavy breath when she’s gone.

What a fucking disaster.

Hiding in my office, I glare at my phone on my desk, willing Beau to call. He has every right to be done with me.Bothof them do. But if he is done, I just want to know that he’s going to be taken care of wherever he ends up. That someone will be waiting for him back in Phoenix.

Bells above the entrance jingle. Shortly after, Hail peeks his head in my office. “I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing Liam Beckner behind a desk. When do you pull out the suit and tie?”

Sighing, I tuck my phone into my pocket. “Didn’t you come here to record something?”

So much for my attitude adjustment.

Hail’s brows knit together. “Yeah. You okay?”