25
SKY
Newsof our argument’s leaked by an employee at the PR offices, and an opportunist took a shot of me leaving the building red-eyed and tearful. Great. By the end of the day, there’s another “break-up” story. A pissed off Dylan heads straight over to Tina in an attempt to sort yesterday’s events out. By events, I know he means the invisible baby claims too. I stay at the apartment. I don’t want to involve myself, exhausted.
I rest up watching TV drama reruns, but Lily invades my thoughts. I’m upset Lily caused issues, and my rationality took a vacation yesterday. I’m also paranoid Lily’s stalking could step up a notch after her approaching my car yesterday.
Which means when the apartment intercom buzzes, I freak out. Half inclined to ignore it, I relent and ask who’s there.
“Hey, Sky.”
“Bryn? I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Dylan isn’t with you? He forgot, didn’t he?”
“He’s out. He should’ve called you. Hang on.” I can’t have this conversation over the intercom and hit the button to unlock the door. I stand with the apartment door open, arms wrapped around myself, and wait for him to climb out of the elevator. A few minutes later a dishevelled Bryn appears. This tall, broad guy normally carries himself with a laid-back gait, but he’s hunched, and as he approaches, I see stress lines on Bryn’s face beneath his auburn curls.
He gives me a rueful smile as we head into the lounge.
“I’m not sure when Dylan will be home.”
“You look like crap,” he remarks.
“You don’t look much better.”
The familiar Bryn grin appears. “Yeah. True. Congratulations by the way. Dylan’s hell excited. I hope yours and Jem’s kids don’t fight as much as they do.”
I smile. “I’m sure they’ll both be a force of nature.” Dylan already has notions the two children will become best friends, and it’s hard to avoid imagining the pair together and wondering how they’ll be. Personality clashes or best friends? Likely both.
Bryn sinks onto the sofa and blows air into his cheeks. “Will Dylan be long?”
“I’m not sure. He had to see Tina about the latest media bullshit.”
“Oh, yeah, I heard you had a fight. Must be serious, you guys don’t fight in public.”
“We’re okay now. Lily stuff.”
“Oh? Is she back? Not good.” His dismissive response catches me off guard. This isn’t like Bryn. He rubs his face and sits forward in the seat, staring at his feet. “Should I wait or come back later?”
“Bryn, are you okay? Do you want to talk to me instead of Dylan? You look like you need to talk to someone.”
“Nah. I mean, yeah. Dunno.”
“Pick an answer.”
“Dylan told me about his solo project. I wanted to chat to him about that.” Still focusing on his feet. Hmm.
I sit next to him. “And is that all?”
Bryn huffs drags both hands though his hair. “Okay, I told Dylan something I haven’t told the other guys, and I wanted to talk to him about it.”
“Oh? Are you thinking about some solo work too?”
He laughs. “Nah. Too much happening in my life.”
“Problems with Avery again?” I suggest.
He frowns at me. “Did Dylan say something to you?”