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I hit the end button, pissed I didn't get the last word, and take another long s ofat the table, I start to make plans for how I can see Renner next

Cady's warning be damned

My thoughts are disrupted by a figure sliding into the booth next to aze impassively at Maeve Mullowney--OTE's bassist, vocalist, ood friend and my former lover

"What's the long face for, Cillian?" Her eyes are bright with alcohol and she slides in close so that her leg is flush with mine I want to crawl in the opposite direction but there's a wall to o

"Nothin' I'm fine"

Maeve's hand snakes out and lies on top of her I takeher upward ascent "Don't, Maeve Just don't"

She gives h of relief but she justyou Let me take your mind off whatever it is You know I can"

I look into her blue eyes eyes that I thought I'd be happy to stare at for an indefinite period of ti ain, although she certainly didn't stop trying to make it happen

Taking her hand off ive it a friendly squeeze "I'm sorry, Maeve But it's a no It will always be no You would do us a both a world of good if you quit asking"

Maeve's eyes are hot with anger as she slides out of the booth "You're wrong, Cillian We're good together You'll see it one day"

I don't respond to her because it would do no good It seems like we've had this conversation a million times Maeve and I became quick friends when I started OTE and there was no doubt that she was the best bassist for the job About a year ago, we both got ether It wasn't aard or anything the nextand I have to credit that to the friendship and business relationship we had first So, it just seeether, then that developed into a relationship of sorts Isomeone by my side ere on the road It wasn't as lonely, and I didn't have to spend ti to sort outthat it would just be Maeve

We had sizzling chee, but past that there's not et bored and I knew that a long-term relationship with her wasn't possible On top of that, Maeve parties really hard I get it's part of the lifestyle, but she takes it to the extre drinks, just to reach over and pull out a pint of vodka to take a swig She insists it's better than coffee

I eeks trying to figure out how to let Maeve doorried that this would affect our ability to play ether Ultimately, the choice was taken out of my hands when I found Maeve in bed with soht, which was par for the course, and decided to bang one of the road crew

When I found theht, and in fact, I was relieved I just quietly told Maeve that it was ti e did best and that was just being band mates

She agreed and for a while, it was business as usual But lately, she's been co and Maeve drinksa lot It's starting to wear thin

I resolve to sit down soon and have a serious talk with her, e're both sober If I don't nip this problem now, it could be disastrous for OTE down the road

I pick upup froet the hell out of here and get some sleep

I wonder what Renner is doing right thisabout me

CHAPTER 3

Renner

My apartan stroll in Frick and Frack, Mutt and Jeff, Siegfried and Roy where one went, the other was usually not far behind They'd probably ether

"Don't you ever knock or is it coe into people's homes here?"

Cady and Teagan give identical eye rolls and proceed to ransack e for solass of Coke

"We're fa on family hoiven me a key if it bothers you"

I give her a grin and take an apple froan pulls out a bowl of soe, lifts the cover for a sniff, and then grimaces She puts it back and closes the door