“Which shirt are you wearing?”
“Cyndi Lauper,” I lie.
“Liar,” he whispers.
“Journey,” I lie again.
“Try again, sunshine.”
“I might be wearing a signed Nash shirt that my sweet boyfriend gave to me.”
“That’s better.” I hear him yawn and I scoot back down to lie under the covers.
“You should go to sleep. We had a long day.”
“You should sleep too.”
“We have to hang up.” I laugh.
“You hang up,” he mumbles.
“Are we sixteen?”
“Get some rest, baby. I love you.”
He hangs up and I turn on my back and think back on the day. The song, the dancing, the cliffs where we’ll build a house someday.
If this is a dream, I don’t want to ever wake up.
***
“I don’t know why you wouldn’t let me take you out to lunch.” I complain to Luke when he opens the door to his house.
“Maybe because you’re not making any money, so how would you be able to buy lunch?” He takes my coat and evades when I try to punch him in the arm.
“Don’t be a douche.” I scowl at him. “I have savings. I’m not about to be homeless or anything.”
“Gee, I’m so glad to hear that.” He rolls his eyes and walks ahead of me into the kitchen.
“Where are Nat and Liv?” I pull myself up onto a barstool and lean on the breakfast bar. I’m in an oversized sweatshirt and leggings, opting for comfort today.
I have no one to impress.
“They’re out with Jules.”
“They didn’t invite me.” I frown.
“They knew you were going to be here with me,” he grins and shakes his head as he pours me a glass of iced tea. “Don’t get all offended, sis.”
“Well, okay then.” He passes me the tea, pours his own glass and then leans against the counter and sips his drink, contemplating me over the rim.
“What?”
“You and Leo work things out?”
“Just cut to the chase, Luke.” I roll my eyes at him but he just lifts his eyebrow. “That doesn’t work with me either. I’m your sister, not your wife.”
“Boy, that’s the truth. You are definitely not my wife.”
“I’m never going to be anyone’s wife.” I shrug and take a sip of tea.
“Why?” He asks with a frown. “I thought things were going well with Leo.”
“They are. That doesn’t mean I need a ring on my finger. We’re not even moving in together for a while. I know you don’t understand that concept given that you and Nat went from a mugging to a baby in about twelve minutes.”
“Fuck off.” He smirks.
“You don’t need a contract to be in a committed relationship.”
“Okay.” He frowns again and then shrugs. “To each her own.”
“Yep.” I agree.
“Why didn’t you tell me your job was giving you grief because of me?” He asks, his eyes sad.
“Because I didn’t want to see that look on your face.” I sigh and rub my hands down my face.
“C’mon, Sam, this is always going to be an issue, and I’m sorry for it, but you need to stop being so stubborn and let me help.”
“How are you going to help, Luke?” I jump off the stool and pace over to his floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the Sound. “There’s nothing to do.”
“You can at least talk to me about it.”
“And then you’ll feel guilty and I’ll have to kick your ass because it’s not your fault.” I shrug and turn around to face him. “Luke, it’s not your fault. I’m so proud of you and all that you’ve accomplished. You’ve earned it.”
“I know you are, but I also know that being related to me isn’t easy. And now you’re romantically connected to someone even more famous than I am, and that makes me worry about you.”
“I’ve already discovered that it’s different with thirty-something rock stars than it is with heartthrobs.” I grin as he scowls.
“I’m no fucking heartthrob.”
“Anymore.” I shrug. “We don’t have young girls following us around. The groupies are interesting.” I concede and then laugh.
“There will be more photos printed,” he reminds me. “That didn’t seem to thrill you.”
“It surprised me that Melissa, the publicist.” I clarify at his raised eyebrow. “Let it leak after Leo specifically told her not to. It pissed me off more that he told you guys about my job.”
“You should have told us.”
“I know, but I didn’t want you to worry. Leo reminded me that that’s what family does; they worry.”
“Leo’s smart.” Luke offers me a half-smile.
“But not good enough for me.” I remind him and sigh.
“Sam, I said that in anger. You’re my sister. No one is good enough for you because I love you.” He pushes his hands through his blonde hair and scratches his scalp.
“Just like Natalie wasn’t good enough for you either.” I smirk. “At least you didn’t accuse Leo of being a gold-digging whore.”
“There is that.” He agrees with a laugh.
“And now I love her. She’s perfect for you.” I tilt my head to the side and watch as his face softens as he thinks of her; his eyes smile. “You’re good for each other.”