“I would never.”
“Shit, I know that. God, I’m just trying to parent here.”
“You’re a great parent. Addison adores you both. It killed her to keep her stay here a secret.”
“Was that your doing?”
“No, sir. I didn’t even know she was here. Scared the shit out of me, to be honest.”
“So this hasn’t been going on long?”
How could I tell him that my relationship with Addison was both new and old? Sure, we’d only come together in the last few days, but there was an undeniable history that made it feel as if she’d been mine for years.
That’s exactly what I told him.
“Shit, what do I do now? I know you’re a good guy. You can take care of her. Provide for her. But that’s my fucking baby.”
“I know. However, you should know that I won’t step back for you. Addison is it for me. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. I’d fight to be with her. I don’t know when things changed. I never thought of her like this when she was younger. But when I saw her last week, things were different.”
Harlan seemed to contemplate my words, his eyes narrowing, a frown marring his typical laid-back grin.
“I have Focal Dystonia,” I blurted out randomly. Maybe I sensed his change in mood and acceptance of my relationship with Addison. I didn’t want any more secrets between my best friend and me.
When he cocked his head in confusion, I described the disorder and how it affected my job and ability to play. Harlan never spoke or offered advice. He simply listened to me vent out my frustrations.
“Are you done with your pity party?” he asked and I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony.
“What?”
“God, you sound just like Addison. She put me in my place and called it a pity party too.”
“Did she give you any advice?”
“I told her I didn’t want any.”
Chuckling, Harlan added, “What happened after that?”
I blushed as I remembered how we fucked in the outdoor shower afterward, but I realized he didn’t need to know that bit of information.
“I called my manager and we set up a meeting with the guys. I’m going to offer to take a salary cut to pay for a lead guitarist to join the band. Even though I’m going to negotiate with the label since we bring in enough royalties.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t give you a list of guitarists she thought would fit the band since it’s no secret how big of a fan she is.”
“She didn’t get the chance. We had a fight about her job and my getting her an interview before I could tell her. And please, you don’t need to tell me that I screwed up with that one.”
“I don’t think you did. You just went about it the wrong way. I would have done the same thing.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. That’s how I know you actually care about her.”
“I do, man. She’s the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met.”
“Well, I guess if I was going to give her up to anyone, I’m glad it’s you. You’re practically family anyway.”
The silence grew in the kitchen and I felt jumpy. I walked around the open space remembering how I patched up Addison’s leg in the bathroom that first night and then ran. Maybe even then I knew that I was in love with this girl I hadn’t seen in what felt like forever.
“What do you think they’re doing up there?” Harlan asked as we heard a few stomps above us.