My body stiffens and I struggle to breathe. I stand.

"Can we go home?"

He looks up at me. "Did I say something wrong, did you two have a fight?"

"Travis, did you not talk to Chief at all for the last four years?"

"Not really."

"Travis...Lillian is dead."

CHAPTER 5.

"So he hasn't called, he could be busy." Reagan says, sitting on my kitchen bench and staring over at me pacing the room.

"I think I scared him off."

"How? Tell me everything that happened, stop being so tight lipped about it."

"We went to dinner, we kissed and then...well after the kiss he took me somewhere and we..."

"Oh my god you had sex?"

"No, of course not but he touched me."

"Travis Phoenix fingered you?"

I blush. "Do you have to be so blunt about it?"

"You lucky...oh my god...fuck."

"Now we have that out of the way, afterwards we talked, and he sang to me..."

"He SANG to you, Jesus Vi..."

"Then we got talking, and I may have said I don't believe in love."

"Violet!" She whines, shaking her head. "Why do you kill good moments? A gorgeous rockstar touches you, sings to you and then you say that! Woman, I ought to strangle you."

"There was something else, he asked about Lillian."

Reagan's face drops, and she grips my arm. "What did you say?"

"I said she was dead, and I didn't want to talk about it. Then he took me home."

"I don't think that would have been the problem, it was likely your little speech on love."

I grimace. "So I should text him?"

"I would, look it is simple...do you like him?"

"That is a stupid question; you know how I feel about him."

"Do you want to see him again?"

I sigh and whimper helplessly. "So much."

"Then text him and break the ice."

"Alright, ok..."

I pick up my phone and stare at her, then punch in Trav's number.

Hey rockstar.

"Rockstar?" Reagan asks, looking over my shoulder.

"He will understand."

We wait ten minutes, then fifteen, then half an hour.

"He isn't going to text back, and now I feel like an..."

My phone buzzes.

Hey beautiful.

"Oh my god he replied, and that is a good answer." Reagan cries, laughing.

"I have to play this cool." I say, taking a deep breath and replying.

How have you been?

Really good, you?

Good. I had a good time the other night.

Me too, sorry I didn't call. Work has been mad.

That's ok.

Have you been sleeping well?

Mostly.

Mostly?

I had a good time; I was wound up for a few nights after...well you know.

"You devil Vi!" Reagan laughs.

I am hard now, thanks for that.

"Oh my god!" We both squeal and laugh.

TRAV!.

Kidding...maybe...sorry to leave you wound up? Can I help?

Behave.

Come and see me for lunch, I have a surprise for you.

Oh? What is it? Is it in your pants?

Bad girl and it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you...now would it?

Fun spoiler.

I will send a car around, see you at lunch.

What if I say no?

Careful I like challenges.

Maybe I do too...

Behave Mischief, I will see you soon.

Later Trav.

"So that went well?" Reagan grins.

"I think so, what do you think the surprise is?"

"His hard..."

"Stop it!" I laugh, falling onto the couch.

"We need to find something for you to wear, sexy but sophisticated."

"Hey Reagan..."

She turns and stares at me.

"Thanks; for being the best friend in the world."

She grins. "Always."

"Do you think I should tell him about Lillian?"

"When you are ready, you will."

"I can barely speak her name; it scares me to think he might hate me."

She grips my shoulders. "What happened with Lillian was not your fault. Why do you do this to yourself?"

I frown. "You know why, I taunted her and..."

"And she did something to prove you wrong, it doesn't mean it was your fault Vi. You guys were young. Friends play with each other; they tease each other and taunt each other...it doesn't mean if something went wrong that they are horrible people. They are friends."

"But I am all dark and freaky because of it."

She rolls her eyes. "You are not, you are beautiful."

"I am not who I used to be, Trav can see bits of that in me. What if he decides he doesn't like it?"

"Look, Travis is back and chasing you. If he doesn't like you or something he sees, then you be honest and tell him why. If he still doesn't like it then it wasn't meant to be."

I sigh. "Why are you so smart?"

She flips her dark hair out of her face. "It's just good genetics."

I snort. "Let's find me something sexy to wear."

After an hour of dressing, I have settled for a short pair of black shorts with a white blouse. I pull on some lacy black sandals and pin my hair up loosely. When the limo arrives to get me, I am nervous. Reagan walks me down, and we watch as an older man gets out and smiles at us.

"Violet?"

"That's me." I say, giving Reagan's hand one last squeeze.

"Get in and we will be on our way, it is lovely to meet you, I am George."

"Hi George."

He opens the door for me, and I slide in the large Limo, wow. It's all black and leather, with mini fridges and loads of space. The ride to Trav's work is smooth and gentle; the car almost feels like it isn't moving. When we arrive, George opens the door for me, and I step out. I gape up at the huge building in front of me; it is at least ten stories high. Right at the top, in giant letters it has "Phoenix Records."

"Wow, I have never seen this place." I gasp.

"It's a beauty. Go on in the front door, ask reception for Travis. He is expecting you."

I thank him and walk in the front door, staring at the vast reception area with its white tiles, light colored walls and spacious wooden desk. I step up to the desk, and a young, blonde woman stares up at me.