Reluctance seeped into my bones as I watched Lilly and Kayla climb into a baby blue car, and I crossed my arms over my chest. It would’ve been so easy to stay at this hotel and keep having sex, but life didn’t just stop. Rolling slowly off the curb, Kayla flashed me a wave from behind her closed window before really stepping on the gas pedal.

I couldn’t deny all of the knots that woman had tied me into. Not only had Kayla witnessed and heard what went on in the shower last night, but she didn’t try to be subtle about letting Lilly and I know she knew.

Lilly had been absolutely mortified and damn near cried, and I was filled with regret for letting Kayla stay in the room. It wasn’t like I knew Lilly would wake up and unleash the beast that was her newfound sex drive, though.

My car pulled up in front of me, and I stalked forward as the valet popped open the door to jump out. Replacing him in the driver’s seat, I was in too bad a mood to bother tipping as my mind raced through the events of the night. Kayla had freaked Lilly out, but it was the blood on the bed that really did her in because no one had ever told her anything about sex.

Speeding off down the drive, I gripped the steering wheel tight and flexed my fingers at the memory. I had to call a maid up to change the sheets, and Lilly was still reluctant to sleep on the bed. My experience with her told me she was just underdeveloped in relationships; her parents probably didn’t let her participate in sex ed. Kayla had a midnight conversation about it after the fact, but it was too late.

Part of me was ashamed for not realizing Lilly’s predicament earlier, and another part was ashamed because she didn’t feel comfortable enough to ask me before I started stripping her.

Shame. Shame all around.

My cell phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts, and I reached for the screen on the dash to accept the call. Pushing away my problems for now, I cleared my throat roughly before a deep, familiar voice reverberated through my speakers.

“Richard- hey, it’s William.” Furrowing my brows, I frowned at the introduction even as I ran my tongue against the roof of my mouth.

“Hey. What can I do for you? It’s been a while, huh?” Humor and curiosity filled my voice, and I turned out onto the main road in the ensuing silence. William and I had gone to high school together, but it was rare that he called me. We typically stayed out of each other’s way just as we had when I was a ‘bad boy’ that knew my way around a guitar, and he was a nerd with glasses and braces.

“Actually, I’m calling to ask you to do a job for me. My girlfriend’s friend is celebrating her fourth year in remission, so we’re going to throw her a party. Risha says her favorite band is Time Remembered, and I found out you own them.” My brows shot up at that, and I completely ignored the part about the job to focus on the more important, gossipy section.

I wasn’t without my faults, after all, and not knowing something like this was one of them.

“Girlfriend? When did you get a girlfriend?” The speakers crackled as I slowed to a stop behind a few cars at a red light, and I averted my gaze from the road to stare at the dash console.

“Ah- it’s a long story. We can get together, and I’ll tell it to you. The party is three months from now… is that enough of a warning?” My mind worked, creating a calendar of tour dates that I had committed to memory. Time Remembered was one of my biggest alternative rock bands, and I rubbed my jaw absently before the car in front of me started to roll into acceleration.

“Yeah. I’ll talk to the manager. But I’m more interested in this girlfriend of yours, Will.” Driving leisurely through downtown, I grinned out at the street when William guffawed.

“Of course, you are. Just get things rolling for me. Let me know when you do, and then I’ll tell you. I’ll text you the details in a minute. Thanks Richard.” Just like that, William hung up, and I shook my head at the sudden turn of events. I shouldn’t have been surprised at William’s call; it happened often. I just hadn’t expected him to call. He liked the fancier side of being unfathomably rich and powerful, and I was positive he didn’t even know who Time Remembered was before he looked them up.

A soft, shrill ping echoed from my phone speaker, but I didn’t bother to look at the text I’d just received. Taking a corner, I headed in the general direction out of downtown and towards my house. My car rolled at a comfortable 30mph, and I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel as I took in the scenery of full spring.

Shuffling through the front door of my single-story home, I tossed my keys into a small bowl on a table against a wall and kicked the barrier shut behind me. A heavy sigh burst from my lungs, and I headed for my kitchen to yank open the refrigerator door and peer inside. My sister’s meatballs sat in a large pot on the bottom shelf, and I hoisted it out and onto the counter with a frown on my face.

I couldn’t help but think about Lilly, and my chest tightened as I wondered how she was dealing now that I wasn’t there. Grabbing a roll distractedly from its bag in the bread box, I sauntered over to the oven to turn on the broiler with a jab of my thumb.

Lilly just had so much potential, and I found it hard to ignore. She was a diamond in the rough; a little polish and smoothening the edges, and she’d be formidable. Medical school was sure to help with that, but she needed more.

Just as Kayla had said, Lilly needed more help than any one person could give.

Spreading butter on my roll, I made the beginnings of a toasted meatball sandwich and stuck it in the oven. Leaving the door open a crack, I rolled my neck and leaned against the counter to stare through it.

I shouldn’t be that person. Not with the way I live. Not with the travel, business meetings- the 9-5 every day…

But maybe Lilly might benefit from that.

“I have to go to Memphis tomorrow.” Mumbling to myself, I raked my hand through my hair and down the back of my neck with a groan. “Lilly’s going to have to wait until after I check out a few promising artists.”

Distaste dribbled off my tongue even as I spoke the words, and I let my head fall back to stare at the white ceiling. One meeting- one night- and I was hooked on Lilly. Every cell in my body gravitated towards in a way that should’ve scared me, but all I had was a fierce ache in my chest. I could’ve spent a month in that room with her, and it wouldn’t have been long enough.

Carefully crafting my sandwich once the roll was done toasting, I ate absently as I debated my options. Lilly had every inclination to never see me again, but I knew that wasn’t what she wanted. She told me, straight out, that she wanted to.

And I wanted to take her places she’d never been before. From the first moment I saw her walk up to that piano, I could so easily imagine where we’d go- both physically and geographically. She would like the world, and the world would be kind to her in return.

Fishing my cell phone out of my pocket, I took a big bite of my sandwich to navigate to my contacts and start a call. The line rang twice, and I swallowed harshly before a soft, feminine voice filtered through the speaker to caress my ear.

“What’s up, Rich? I just confirmed your flight for tomorrow morning- 7a.m.. Did you need anything else?” Cadence’s firm voice gave me a sense of direction, and I heaved a sigh into the receiver. Nothing rattled her- ever- and she was quiet as I rolled my jaw before opening my mouth. I honestly didn’t know what I’d do without her; it was even better that she was a lesbian and wasn’t interested in me.

“Yeah. Did you get any word from Steve yet about those possible acts in Quebec?” Rattling off a random scout, I wolfed down the last of my sandwich as the line crackled, and Cadence hummed softly. Grabbing a glass from the dish drain, I held my phone to my ear with my shoulder to twist the sink faucet knob harshly. My mind threatened to stray, and I grimaced as I watched the glass fill with water.

Nothing had ever distracted me from work before, and after a long, quiet moment, Cadence filled the silence.

“Uh- nothing good, I’m afraid. But I received an e-mail last night about a promising rapper in… Buffalo, New York. Do you want me to send you the videos? He’s quite entertaining, and you know I don’t usually like rap.” Draining the glass in a few gulps as Cadence spoke, I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. Rap wasn’t doing too terrible for me, but, like her, I didn’t really enjoy what it was these days. There were too many derogatory messages, and most of the time, it was cringe-worthy to listen to.

“Yeah. That’d be great.”