The bright lights of the TV studio were like the blazing sun overhead. 

It was the fifth day of our whirlwind New York City tour. After four productive days in the studio, the label's publicity machine had kicked in and we found ourselves getting primped and powdered for interviews. 

Just like the old days.

Except this time, we had an overexcited Claire in tow. My sister, drunk on the limelight she was so jealous not to share with us all those years ago, was tripping all over herself trying to get a word in edgewise during the morning talk show appearance. 

Unfortunately for her, Jonah-the-overachiever was in full-schmooze-mode. He could charm talk show hosts with one hand tied behind his back, and these two were no different from the rest of them. 

Poor Claire. You could almost see the frustrated steam rising off her head. I almost burst out laughing. 

And then they started asking about our love lives. 

"Tell us about what's changed most for everyone during the hiatus. Jonah, I hear you're engaged?" 

My older brother's fake smile faded and a real one took its place. "That's right. Ruby wants a fall wedding, so we're looking at next September. Before the school year starts though."

"Oh!" This seemed to surprise the female host. "Is she a student?"

"A teacher." Jonah beamed with pride. "Kindergarten, actually. Which is good, because she's teaching me some tricks on dealing with this lot." He glared at us and gave an exaggerated eyeroll. 

So many things had changed. But Jonah's exasperated schtick during interviews never did. 

"And my girl is a nurse," Gabe interjected. "So when I inevitably beat up Jonah for saying things like that." He glared back pointedly. "She can stitch him back up, good as new."

"That's right." The male host turned to Gabe. "You're dating the woman who served as your nurse during your recovery, correct?"

"Everly." Gabe nodded, suddenly all serious. "She's the best thing that ever happened to me." He looked far away for a second, and then remembered himself and where he was. "This band being a distant second."

Both hosts chuckled. I chuckled right along with them, the years of practice kicking in to keep my face neutral, even as inside I wanted to run screaming from the room. 

Because I knew the question would come to me soon. And what would I say?

The feeling that nothing had changed, that the last two years never happened, kept forcing me to remember that they had happened. And I was a fool. A stupid, cowardly fool for not demanding that the limo bus stop at the Chosen compound before we left town. I should have found Rachel and demanded to hear her tell me it was over to my face. I shouldn't have just slunk away with my tail between my legs. I should have fought for her. I fucking loved her. 

And I probably always would. 

Now the question was, did I have the guts to say that into a TV camera? It wasn't like she'd see it. 

Except maybe, somehow, she might. 

"And Finn." The female interviewer recrossed her legs demurely. "How about you? Anyone special?" 

It was just the kind of question nosy interviewers would ask us when we were kids, hoping to get some kind of precociously adorable quote. And Finn knew it, too. I fully expected him to roll his eyes, but he checked himself and just gave a mildly disappointed laugh. "Nah, nobody wants to deal with me."

"Oh I know that's not true," the female host interjected, giving him a decidedly appraising look. 

He raised one eyebrow at her. Then, keeping his voice carefully neutral, he said, "I'm just grateful for the chance to play music with my family, and when this is all over, I'm going to go hide in the woods away from people for the rest of my life." He leaned forward, giving the host the full benefit of his quizzical eyebrow. "Seriously, how do you New Yorkers deal with all the people around you all the time?"

The host looked like she wanted to leap onto Finn and lick his face. Claire cleared her throat. "I’m single too," she piped up, her little sister syndrome kicking into high gear. "And loving it. All I need are my girls." She leaned forward, trying to break into the one-sided staring contest the female host was having with Finn, who was now studying his feet. "Isn't that right? We don't need men!"

The male host stepped in. I braced myself. "And of course, Beau. The Quiet One." I smiled and nodded in acknowledgment of my old moniker. "Don't think that by keeping silent we're going to forget you're here!" Chuckles all around. "Is there anyone special in your life?"

I leaned forward. "Yes, there is," I said immediately. 

I felt my siblings turn to stare at me, but I ignored their shock. "And I love her very much." I took a deep breath. "And she's trying to figure some things out right now, but I hope that someday our paths will cross again."