Page 116 of Down Beat

Toby nods, turning his head toward the suite door when Rick rejoins the room.

“They ready?” Rick tips his head toward Rey and Kris.

Emery follows him in, pale as a ghost.

“You okay?” Toby pushes from his seat, our conversation seemingly forgotten for now.

Rick shakes his head at Emery, eyes hard. “If you can find out what the fuck he took, then good luck. He won’t tell me.”

“I’m fine.” Em waves the two of them off, uncapping the bottle of water in his hand.

Must be bad.

My attention is drawn to Toby when he leans back over the table to whisper, “Get my number from Kendall and send yours to me. Might be easier to have this convo that way.”

As though to cement his point, the slider opens and Rey calls across the room. “What are you lot talking about over there in your knitting circle?”

“Our walking chem lab,” Toby quips, gesturing to Emery.

Their bassist flips the bird in return.

“Fuck, man. You look like shit.” Rey rests his hands around my neck when he stops behind me. It’s an odd display of dominance, yet non-threatening. Almost arousing. I need help. “You okay, Em?”

“Fine.” Emery’s shoulders drop as he accepts a packet of the mini-bar crackers from Kris. “Thanks, mom.”

“Somebody has to look after you,” Kris mumbles before walking out the door. “I guarantee you haven’t eaten anything else.”

Emery follows with a shrug, tearing the packet open as he goes.

“Come on you two.” Rick jerks his head toward the door. “We need to get going.”

Toby lifts his jacket from the back of a chair on his way out, silently exiting behind Rick as Rey steps to my side and tucks his fingers under my chin to coax me to face him.

I lose myself in his concentrated gaze, recognizing the doubt that clouds those grays. “Go,” I urge softly. “You don’t want them pissed at you for making them wait again.”

“You can come too, if you want.” His thumb strokes beneath my bottom lip. “I didn’t mean to cut you out like that.”

“It’s fine.” I take his offered hand and let him guide me from my seat. “Like you said, I should use the time to compose. I’ll see you before the show, okay?”

He takes my face in his hands, resting his forehead to mine. “Wish I could stay here instead.”

“I wish you could too.” So many things I want to talk to him about, especially after his breakdown the other night. “But your fame awaits, mister rock star.”

“Don’t.” He shakes his head gently against mine. “Don’t call me that.”

“Isn’t that what you are?” I tease.

He pulls back, eyes hard on mine. “Not to you.”

I melt into his kiss, yet push gently against his chest to remind him he has people waiting.

He steps back with a laugh. “Fine. I’m going.”

“Not that I’m trying to get rid of you … but.”

He grins, backing toward the sofa where he then lifts his jacket. “I’m glad you came, kitty.”

“I am too.” Although I still wonder if it was the wise thing to do. “I’ll be here,” I reassure him, sensing he needs that promise.