We just weren’t working as a couple. Why couldn’t she see that?
I went over and over it in my head as I worked out. But any way I looked at it, it was the same old thing. Elle and I were just too fucking different, in the ways that really counted, to make this thing work.
We could never work it out anyway, even when we tried. We couldn’t even talk about shit without fighting. She got confrontational. I withdrew. She was quick-tempered. I was brooding.
To other men she was “passionate.” To other women I was “mysterious.”
We both drove each other crazy.
And she still loved me. I knew she did.
She always had.
That knowledge weighed like a rock in my gut. Because I knew she would do anything for me. For us.
When I was done at the gym, I paced through the hotel with my hood thrown up. It was the dead of night, and while it was Friday night in Vegas, the hotel corridors were pretty quiet.
I walked a long time, but there was nowhere for me to go to get away from this problem, and the problem was, Elle wanted more from me than I could give. She thought I was holding something back from her. Holding myself back.
Maybe I was.
I just didn’t know.
But I wasn’t looking to mess around with anyone else. I was just being me. That had never been enough for her, though. She just kept pushing and pulling, and it was bleeding me dry.
She wanted me to love her, unconditionally. I knew that. And it was a fair thing to want.
I just couldn’t get there.
And I was tired of feeling shitty about it. Feeling guilty.
I just wanted to let it go.
I wandered toward the lobby. It was lined with a bunch of giant columns, interspersed with massive plants. I was coming through the columns lining the walkway that led into it, and that’s when I saw them.
Zane, Maggie and Flynn, standing in the lobby.
They were with Maggie’s dad, Dizzy. Dizzy had his arm around some girl and Zane had his arm around Maggie. Maggie looked drunk, and something made me stop short.
As they parted ways, I heard the chick with Dizzy say, “Farewell!” in a sing-song voice. She and Dizzy seemed to be heading for the bar. It was closed, but since he owned the place, probably not a problem. “Sleep tight, Mr. and Mrs. Traynor!” the girl shout-whispered across the lobby. Then Dizzy grabbed her hand and tugged her out of sight.
Mrs. Traynor?
I stared at Zane and Maggie, and it all came together in an instant. Las Vegas. The bouquet in Maggie’s hand.
The fucking rings.
I could see them, glinting in the lights off the bank of elevators. Zane wore a lot of rings, so I couldn’t be sure. But Maggie was definitely wearing a wedding band on her ring finger.
I saw it when she put her hand on his cheek.
What the fuck?
I watched them get in the elevator, leaning way too close together. Flynn stepped in silently behind them, and the doors closed.
They never saw me.
I wandered around a while longer. Then I went back to my room, poured myself a couple of fingers of bourbon and tried to absorb what I’d seen.
Totally impossible, and defying every law of the universe I’d ever heard of, but I was pretty fucking sure that Zane and Maggie had just gotten married.
Damn.
How long had this been going on? Were they fucking?
Of course they were fucking.
Were they in love?
Probably. That’s usually what a wedding implied.
Weirdly, I could see it with Zane. Surprised he would ever marry anyone, and yet, I could see him falling for Maggie. He’d always had a thing for her. I just didn’t know how serious it was, apparently.
Zane never seemed to take anything that serious. Wasn’t really his style. But somehow… yeah, I could see him taking Maggie seriously.
Maggie, though? What the fuck was she doing marrying Zane?
Shit. I sat back on the bed and had to wonder… Should I be concerned? Should I say something to Zane? To Brody? Maggie had looked pretty drunk, weaving into the elevator in her high heels. Zane had been helping her along. I’d rarely seen her that drunk.
Fucking hell. I rubbed my hand through my hair and told myself it wasn’t my problem. Not my business at all. So long as Zane didn’t screw up what we had with Maggie. She was part of the team. Part of our family. He’d be in big fucking trouble if he fucked Maggie over.
There were a lot of people, me included, who’d have a problem with that.
I just hoped, for the band’s sake, that he knew that.
Motherfucker.
I shook my head. But there was nothing to be done, not until they mentioned it. Maybe Zane would make an announcement at the show, on stage. Declare his love for Maggie in front of the world.
I grinned at the thought. It was actually kind of sweet.
Kinda shocking, but I was happy for them. So long as they were happy.
Anyway, I had problems of my own.
I went out on the balcony a while, looking out over the glittering city, and pondered it. Because Elle was family too, and I really didn’t want to be the motherfucker who pissed everyone off.
Zane marries Maggie and I break up with Elle?
Who’s the asshole now?
Shit. How would everyone react?
Would they be pissed at me?
We’d been in this band, together, for a decade. Elle, Zane, Dylan and I. And no one was gonna be happy about what I was about to do.
Least of all Elle.
But I had to do it.
I’d wait until after tomorrow’s show, though. Tonight’s show. It was after five in the morning; the tour would be over tonight.
The morning after the show, Elle and I were going to her place in L.A.. I was hoping to meet up with my sister when she got into town. Just planning to lay low. Write some music. Spend time with friends. Take a
