“Lo, you coming here isn’t a good idea. I’ll be working all day, and you’ll be bored out of your mind. We’d only have nights together.”
I bite my lip. “All we need are the nights, baby,” I say suggestively. I know he catches my meaning because he hesitates.
“As tempting as that is,” he says, “I’d feel guilty about neglecting you all day. And some days might turn into late nights working. It’s just bad timing. I’m sorry.”
“Okay,” I say, completely heartbroken. “But you’ll visit me in Acapulco, then? Once I’m settled?”
“We’ll see. Listen, I gotta go. My roommate is here, and we’re heading out to a party. Bye, Lo!”
He hangs up before I can get my “I love you” out.
I’m losing him.
If I haven’t already.
7
KARL
Friday morning, we’re supposed to meet with Roger and our publicity team, but I get to Bren’s apartment early. I smile when I get off the elevator at his penthouse and see the chaotic mess everywhere.
Well, isn’t this poetic? Neat-freak Brenner Reindhart’s apartment is messier than my place. His daughter’s toys are everywhere. Sofa cushions are on every surface except the actual couches. This must be driving him insane. And that starts off my day putting me in the best mood.
Sofia screams from down the hallway, and a tiny wisp of black hair in a ponytail shooting straight up catches my attention as their daughter comes running into the living room. “Addy, get back here! We need to get a shirt on you,” Sofia whines.
Addy only giggles, and on wobbly, fat legs, runs to me and crashes into my leg, wrapping her arms around it. I pick her up in my arms.
“Addy-girl, you’re getting fast. Once they got you walking, you blazed straight to running, didn’t ya?”
She giggles and palms the side of my face. “Io Kal,” she says. I know she means ‘tíoKarl.’ Sofia has taught her to call Fritz, Adrian, and me ‘tío,’ to Bren’s annoyance.
“Oh, hey, Karl,” Sofia says, surprised. She looks down at her watch. “You’re early.”
“Don’t look so surprised,” I tease and hand her Addy for her to put her shirt on. Addy protests, trying to clasp on to my shirt. I think I’m her favorite in the band—well, apart from Bren.
Sofia glances behind her toward the hallway leading to their room. “Bren’s in the shower. I thought you were meeting at Fritz’s today? I’m sorry it’s such a mess.”
I shrug. “Yeah, we are, but I was hoping to talk to Bren first. One-on-one.”
Sofia smiles approvingly. “Can I give you one piece of advice?”
“I sure could use it,” I say.
“He’s all bark and no bite. Don’t let Bren get in your head. Under that intimidating exterior, he’s just a big ol’ fluffy teddy bear.”
I nod. I’m surprised how well she knows him already. They haven’t been together long, even if they share a daughter.
“He in a good mood today? I ask.”
“You know him. He’s perpetually serious.”
We both laugh and both stop midway when Bren’s voice startles us.
“Who’s serious?” he asks.
Sofia spins to look at Bren. “Addy needs a fresh diaper. I’ll leave you two to it.”
Bren walks toward me and steps on one of Addy’s sharp toys with his bare foot. He winces with pain, closes his eyes, and his nostrils flare, but he says nothing. Oh, this is amusing as all hell. Why haven’t I been over more often?