Tangled Up In You (Rogue #1)

Chapter 55

55

GAVIN

T here was no going to sleep after that call. Not when his thoughts bounced from one thing to another the way they did. Everything was happening at once—the new album had been holding tight to the top of the charts for three months, the world tour would begin the following month, and he was about to get married.

That Need had immediately garnered excellent reviews both in Europe and America. It debuted in the top five in over a dozen countries, thanks to the massive success of “You’re My One.” The song had been released as the first single at the insistence of the record label, along with a subtle marketing campaign that put the Gavin and Sophie reunion story back in the news.

James was in a near frenzy every time he talked to the band, as the demands of his management duties had exponentially escalated and drained his capabilities. He now had a complicated, extensive organization supporting Rogue. He had even assigned one staffer the duty of dealing with media requests concerning Gavin and Sophie’s wedding.

Gavin got up and padded across the hardwood floors of Conor’s guest room to the bathroom. The vision in the mirror plainly revealed a hung-over young man. There were faint dark circles underneath his bloodshot eyes, his face had gone unshaven for several days, and his hair was a tangled mess.

“Who’d want to marry you?” he said softly, and then laughed.

Turning on the countertop radio, he heard his own voice singing “You’re My One.” Groaning, he turned to another station and heard “That Need.”

Giving in, he sang along with himself as he showered.

Afterward, with a towel around his waist, he wiped the steamy mirror to see if he looked any better. His wet hair, detangled with the help of conditioner, now dripped down his back but his eyes still needed help. He quickly dressed in jeans and a tee shirt before going to Conor’s room.

“Wake up, wanker,” Gavin told him, sitting heavily on the bed.

Conor groaned and pulled a pillow over his face.

“Come on, you’re supposed to be my best man.”

“What do you want, Gav?”

Gavin snatched the pillow from his friend’s face. “Look at me, Con. I’m getting married today and I look like shite.”

“Yes. Yes, you do. Now go away.”

Gavin watched as Conor turned on his side and away from him. He thought about letting him sleep but couldn’t dismiss his anxiety.

“I’ve got a question.” he said.

Conor was motionless for a few seconds before replying, “I’ve got an answer.” Rubbing his face as he yawned, he sat up and leaned against the headboard.

This question and answer repartee had begun when they were kids and was used as code to start a serious conversation. The question could be specific or general and the person who had “an answer” wasn’t claiming it would be the right answer, but that he would at least try to offer something of value.

“What if Christian was right?”

“About what?”

“Over holiday he said Rogue was about to explode. He said we’d get more attention than we could handle.”

“Sounds like a good thing to me.”

“It’ll mean more scrutiny on us. On me.”

Gavin watched as Conor silently understood then that his greatest fear really had to do with his mother. Rogue was a successful band on its own merits, but all the publicity about Gavin and Sophie’s romance had further driven Gavin into the spotlight. Now, with the intense popularity of this album, it was like time was running out. Soon, the story would come out that Gavin McManus had been abandoned by his own mother.

“You worry too much, Declan,” Conor said gently. The use of Gavin’s middle name, “Declan,” was intentional. Conor and Gavin had discovered the music of Elvis Costello together and got a kick out of the fact that the artist’s real name—Declan MacManus—was so similar to Gavin’s—Gavin Declan McManus. Conor used the name sparingly, in moments like this where he was trying to get through to his friend. “Let it happen. Just let it out of your grip. Because, you know what?”

“What?”

“It’s not yours to hold onto anyway.”

“I know you’re right.” Gavin nodded slightly and forced a weak grin.

“How’s about we get some breakfast? Get on with the day?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Gavin knew he had to shake off the anxiety he was feeling. He had an amazing day to look forward, too, after all.