𝚃𝚘𝚛𝚗- ᑕ0ᗰᑭᒪᗴ丅ᗴ

ch 29: sunny

After saying goodbye to Xavier, my producer, and Kai, my sound engineer, I turned to the stand-in band that I was recording with all day.

"You guys all rock. Today was awesome."

They all said their goodbye's and a few minutes later, I was sitting in my car, still shaking a little.

I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I was actually recording a real album.

It wasn't like when I was just messing around at home in my studio; this was the real thing.

All I wanted was to call Nate, but then my heart tore open, thinking about what I had seen last night.

Part of me knew that Nate was over me, but seeing it with my own eyes was enough to make me want to throw up.

Knowing that I'd be seeing both Nate and Tristan at dinner that evening, I knew I was gonna need a buffer and after calling Gia to explain, she was more than ready to be my plus one.

"Hell, yeah, babe. I got you. I'm so there!"

✨

"Uncle Karl, Aunt Trish. This is Gia, my best friend."

Gia and I were about fifteen minutes late, only because I didn't wanna suffer through any awkwardness with Tristan or Nate if we had shown up not just early, but even on time.

This way, Gia and I had no real-time for small talk; we needed to look at the menus.

As we both sat in our seats, Aunt Trish chimed in.

"Oh, Sunny, babe. I love your jacket. Those pins are absolutely adorable."

I looked down and smiled at the pin-riddled simple black blazer I was wearing. The pins were all on the right chest pocket, shining and dazzling under the light.

"Oh, thanks. Gia actually designed it."

"Really?!"

Thankfully the conversation was kept on Gia and her fashion endeavors until my and Gia's drinks were delivered when my dad decided to make a toast.

"To these kids, their senior year, and all of the opportunities in front of them."

✨

After dinner, as I waited for Gia outside the restroom, I scrolled on my phone, looking at my recording schedule for the following week, when I was surprised by Nate.

"Flower..."

I looked up at him and smiled sadly, knowing that any shot we might've had was ruined by me and me alone, years ago.

"Look, about last night..."

I shook my head with a sad smile on my face, not wanting to hear anything about what happened in that room. I was lucky when a second later, Gia finally emerged from the restroom.

"Look, Nate, I don't need an explanation, you're a big boy. Just... make sure you lock the door next time, okay?"

I didn't give him a chance to respond. There was nothing he could say to fill the hole in my chest. I quickly grabbed Gia's hand and made a beeline straight for the exit.

🖤