Page 36 of The Road to Forever (Beaumont: Next Generation #7)

“Women,” Dad says. I give him a confused look, curious about what kind of issues he could have had with Mom. They’re the two most compatible people I know.

“We’re here with provisions,” Noah says as he sets a bag down. He opens it and pulls out jugs of orange juice, bottles of soda, and those bottles of coffee sold in the cooler section at the convenience store.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m about to tie one on,” Ben says as he rubs his belly.

“You’ll have to wait your turn, mate,” JD grabs a bottle of juice and twists the lid off, flipping it toward Noah’s truck.

“You guys, I meant what I said yesterday—I’m good.”

“We know,” Dad says as he puts his hand on my shoulder.

“Seriously though. This isn’t some cover,” I add. I feel like I’m begging them to understand.

“We’re just here to chill,” Liam says.

The six of us sit there, drinking OJ, iced coffee, and soda, saying nothing until my dumb ass blurts out, “I think I’m in love with someone.”

“Yes, mate!” JD holds his hand up high and then sighs audibly when I just stare at him.

This doesn’t call for a celebration moment, even though I’m happy on the inside.

It’s a heavy admission to say you’re in love with someone else after dropping the bomb that you and your fiancée are no longer together.

JD keeps his hand there and nods for me to slap it. I finally do. “That’s what I’m talking about,” he says as he sends his empty bottle of iced coffee toward Noah’s truck. The glass shatters, which means we all cheer. I swear this shit is therapeutic.

“Is it Justine?” Dad asks.

I glance at him and then Noah. “I didn’t say anything,” he says as he holds his hands up.

“How’d you know?” I ask my dad.

“I can see it. It’s in the way you guys perform together. Last year, you were just there,” he says, shrugging. “Like you were going through the motions. Now, you’re goingtothe emotions.”

“Your dad’s right,” Liam adds. “I noticed the shift around the second or third stop. The fans have noticed as well. Of course, Nola’s absence from the tour fuels fan speculation.”

“Are you conversing with fans?” I ask him.

Liam chuckles. “No, Paige is though. She runs all of Elle’s social media, which means she’s running Sinful Distraction’s. She’s brought it up a couple of times.”

“Huh,” I say, while wondering why Paige didn’t bring it up yesterday when we were having our pity session in the studio. “So, yeah, that’s where I’m at.”

“Better than a fan,” JD adds. “That’s when shit gets messed up.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Ben adds. “Does Elle know?”

I shake my head slowly.

“Yeah, that’s where this love affair could get slippery.”

“Yep.” I sigh. “The last thing I want to do is ruin shit for my sister. Our relationship and her business are far more important than . . .”

“Don’t say that,” Noah says. “Your heart, your passion—it’s what makes you Quinn.

Not only around us, but when you’re on stage.

Elle’s not going to tell you to stop seeing or pursuing Justine.

You just have to find the right balance between band duties.

Neither of you can put yourselves in front of your responsibilities while on tour. ”

All of us turn and look at Noah. He stares back at us and shrugs. “Believe me, I think about this shit all the time.”

Liam gives Noah’s shoulder a squeeze.

“I may be the only one to say it, but if you’re falling for Justine, fall and fall hard,” Noah says. “Don’t pussyfoot around shit because you’re afraid of what someone might say.”

Again, we stare at him. He takes a drink of his soda and then lets the bottle fall to the bed of his truck. “That would’ve been more satisfying if it had been beer.”

“Way too early for that,” JD says. “But I agree.”

Everyone nods in some semblance of agreement with JD, which feels a little weird because, well, he’s JD, and not always the sensible one of the group.

“I think I’m going to get a tattoo,” I blurt out. “Nola hated them, but I’ve thought about getting one for a while now.”

“Yes,” the collective, minus Noah and Ben, cheers.

“I’m getting the triplets’ names done, so I’m right there with you.”

Ben runs his hand through his hair, which has grown back curly. “And I’m thinking about one as well.” He shrugs. “Seems like a rite of passage.”

My dad pats the spot where all our names are.

Liam does the same.

JD shrugs off his jacket and lifts his shirt to show me Eden’s name inked across his ribs. “It’s just writing and hurt like a bitch.”

“Duly noted,” I say, although I have no idea what I’d get or where. This feels like a go big or go home moment though. If I’m going to do it, then I have to be sure of what I want to get.

We’re silent for a minute, the group of us staring out into the field beyond the water tower. If I had to guess, Liam and Noah are recalling memories of what it was like for them when they were teens, the popular jocks in the school, having their Friday nights fueled by victories and cheap beer.

Me, I’m wondering what Justine’s doing and mentally looking at the calendar. I want my parents to come to a show when we have a little cushion of time so they can meet and hang out with Justine, not as the lead singer of Plum, but as my girlfriend.

“I want you and Mom to meet Justine,” I say out in the open even though it’s directed at my dad.

“Okay, tell us when.”

“It’s too bad you have to go back tonight,” Noah says. “Or you could have her come here now.”

“She doesn’t have much family, does she?” Dad asks.

I shake my head. “I haven’t asked, outside of what I already know about her running away, and she doesn’t talk about it. She spent yesterday with Keane and Chandler, so she wasn’t alone.”

“Well, something tells me she won’t be alone next year,” Dad says as he pats my shoulder. “I’m never going to be the parent that tells you what to do, but I am going to be the dad that encourages you to chase your dreams.” He pulls me into his side and hugs me as tightly as he can.

“And for what it’s worth,” Ben interjects, “I think Elle’s going to be fine with you guys dating.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Shit, this calls for Ralph’s,” Liam says as he stands. “Come on, JD’s buying.”

“You can fuck right off, Page. I ain’t buying shit.”

Everyone laughs as we make our way to the ladder.

Liam goes down first and then we follow.

I hop into Noah’s truck, and without my sisters around, I’m not the odd man out.

It’s the three of us friends, following those other three friends, to our favorite watering hole, where we’ll kick back a few and enjoy the day after Christmas.

Tomorrow, we’ll all be back to work.