Siren Song by Alex Hayes

Author:Alex Hayes [Hayes, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781595730084
Publisher: Shaking the Tree Press
Published: 2019-10-07T16:00:00+00:00

Love is too damned complicated. And I’m as far from an aficionado as one can get. I’ve never been in love, so how do I tell whether Con is in love with that she he talked about.

Sure, I’m attracted to him. But how much of that comes from chemistry and how much is derived from our crystals? My affection for the Con of my childhood remains with me. Strong. Like family.

But I hardly know this adult Con with a life all his own.

I’m barely through the front door of the apartment when pounding shoes rush down the staircase.

Idris stops at its foot. “Rowan. Finally. I’ve been going out of my mind.”

“What’s up?” I step backward to close the door and rub my temples against the floating headache I’d almost managed to forget.

He rocks back and forth on his heels, arms swinging with pent-up energy, then darts across the living room and throws himself onto the couch.

“Nicole’s been calling non-stop. I apologized about the photo, like a thousand times. She said she doesn’t care, but wants to meet up and talk. I told her what Max said, about lying low, and she said the photo wasn’t a big deal, that we should go out, let people see we’re just friends.”

I settle on the other end of the sofa. “Are you sure friends is all she wants?”

He sinks back into the seat cushions. “What else could she want? She knows I’m engaged.”

“And you think she’ll respect someone else’s claim?” Given her behavior, I kind of doubt that.

“Claim?” His face scrunches into a pained expression. “What am I, a gold mine?”

I laugh. “To her, maybe, and I’ll bet she’s hoping to hit the mother lode.” I sigh. “She’s using you, Idris. You’re talented, good-looking and kind, which makes you an easy target. Reality doesn’t matter to her. It’s what appears to be going on that she cares about.”

He shakes his head. “Nicole’s done nothing but help. She’s connected me with dozens of people.”

“Yeah, but they’re people who now connect her to you.”

His breath whistles out of him in a tired sigh. “I’ve heard plenty about sleazebuckets like the paparazzi guy who took that picture, but Nicole’s not like that.”

“I think what she wants from you is more subtle.” I rock my head against the cushions, trying to ease the growing ache. “Be careful, that’s all. This isn’t just about your popularity or your reputation. It’s about that beautiful girl you left in New York who’d be here if she weren’t stuck in lizard form carrying your baby. She’s what you can’t afford to risk.”

“I’ll stay away from Nicole. But I can’t stay cooped up here for long. Do you think those paparazzi will keep following me?” His hands ball up. “I came here to make music and build my career. I don’t need this tabloid drama.”

I tilt my head. “Unfortunately, this stuff goes with the territory. You’ll have to get used to it and get wise to the tricks people play.” Like ever-so-helpful Nicole.

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