“Wow,” I say, stunned. “I had no idea.”
“Karl hides behind the playfulness, but he’s never felt good enough for anyone—for anything.”
“How are you so sure about all this?”
“Get a little whiskey in him, and it’s like Veritaserum to Karl.” Adrian laughs.
“Adrian, I honestly couldn’t love you any harder.” I smile, thinking of this broody man with a scowl on his face as he readLes MiserablesandHarry Potter. What other secrets does he keep?
But I know Adrian is deflecting from the real conversation at hand. And while I will heed his warning and take gentle care of Karl’s heart, it’s Adrian I’m concerned about tonight.
“But, back to you, my friend. Do you have anyone you can talk with about your demons?” I ask.
Adrian considers that for a moment. “How many people have you told about your parents?” he asks, deflecting yet again.
I laugh a bitter little laugh. “You’re the first,” I say. “At least the full story. Only you and I know the last words I ever said to my parents.”
“So you know. It’s hard to have this conversation with someone who hasn’t been through it.”
I nod even though he can’t see me. “I’m always here if you ever need to talk.”
22
KARL
Ihead to Lola’s room to wake her up before my workout as it’s become our routine, but she doesn’t answer the door when I knock. I open it to find her bed is unmade and empty. It’s rare for her to be up before me. I head into the kitchen, thinking I’ll find her making coffee, but the apartment is quiet. Where did she go? Pixel is nowhere to be seen, so she must have taken her out.
Next, I head to Adrian’s room to ask him if he wants to work out with me, though I already know the answer will be no.
Only, when I gently open his bedroom door, there are three forms on the bed instead of one.
What the fuck is this?
Adrian is sleeping in the middle, one arm wrapped around Pixel. She snores softly into his chest. And Lola—Lola is behind Adrian, in a similar position with one arm over Adrian’s naked waist.
I try not to snicker at this ultimate betrayal from my supposed best friend and supposed girlfriend.
Instinctively, I know what happened. Adrian had a nightmare. The entire band and regular entourage all know about his nightmares. Lola heard him and came in here to wake him up. Then in true Lola fashion, she wanted to talk to him—to comfort him.
This was innocent at best, thoughtless at worst, but I know nothing happened. And still, I could have fun with this.
The mess of curls is splayed over her face, and I move them away gently with one index finger.
“Lo,” I whisper. “Wake up.”
“Mmm,” Lola moans.
I nudge her shoulder, stretching over Pixel and Adrian. “Lo. Wake up.”
“Wha . . .” Her eyes flutter open, and she pulls her forehead away from Adrian’s naked back. Her brows furrow with confusion, then her eyes grow wide. I raise a brow at her when she finally looks up at me, a smirk tugging the corner of my mouth.
She shoots out of bed like it’s made of lava. “This is not what it looks like,” she whispers, though she still manages to sound alarmed. “Adrian had a bad dream,” she continues as if she might run out of words if she doesn’t get them out quickly enough. “I just came to wake him up and let him have Pixel. I thought she might help. Then we got to talking, and I must have fallen asleep.”
With my chin, I point to the door and wait for her outside. Neither Pixel nor Adrian stirs as we leave their room and gently close the door behind us.
“What the fuck, Iggy?” I ask, but I know I’m not looking quite as annoyed as I want to be.
“It was an accident. I swear. We just . . . slept. I didn’t mean to sleep in there; it just happened.” Lola looks at the closed door with regret painted on her sweet features.