Brightside | ✓

48 | betty

"Axel got nominated for four Grammys," Eddie said.

Best new artist, best alternative music album, best alternative music performance, and song of the year. Kill Me Now was a fan favourite. Eddie could hardly remember the panic attack she'd had the first time she heard it, all she knew was how much fun Axel had making it. The only person who knocked him off the top lists was none other than Kingston Maverick and Curtain Call. Which was, arguably, a genuine contender for album of the decade. Eddie had the most talented people in the world surrounding her and realizing that was a blessing.

"I saw that," Roman said. "Very exciting."

"I'm really happy for him."

"Did you text him about it?"

"I didn't," Eddie said. "I want to, though."

"What's stopping you?" Roman adjusted the way that he was holding his baby. Put her head on his shoulder and patted her on the back. Burp cloth ready to catch whatever it needed to.

"We're in this... weird state," Eddie said. "Where I'm not sure where we stand. We haven't broken up, but it's not like we've been talking. It feels like a sculptor abandoned a project halfway through and now it's sitting in the back corner of the studio, just waiting."

"A relationship is always a work in progress," Roman said. "Projects in the corner aren't always abandoned entirely."

"I'm not much of an artist."

"Maybe you're the muse."

"You sure you're not making music like the rest of the people in my life?"

Roman laughed. "I'm just a therapist."

"You're a pretty good one."

"I'm honoured."

"I mean," Eddie said. "The only person I have to compare you to is Brendon Ellis. And I was... a little manic when I went there."

"Happens to the best of us," Roman said. "I'm sure Bash would've called a medical professional if he'd needed to."

"You two good friends?"

Roman smiled. "That's a story for another day. We're talking about you right now."

*

Eddie texted Maverick a thousand congratulations for an insane run of nine Grammy nominations. You Can't Kill Rock and Roll and Curtain Call were nominated in every category they were eligible for, and his alter-ego Pete Mitchell was a producer of the year candidate. MARS received texts for their nomination in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category—which was all too exciting when Maverick probably wanted them to win and they probably wanted the same for Maverick. Four Leaf Clover on Curtain Call was all about Maverick's imposter syndrome from their joint Grammy win, so that likely didn't help

The only text that went unsent, which didn't give it an opportunity to go potentially unanswered, was to Axel. I'm so proud of you. She wanted to write. Congratulations. She wanted to shout from the rooftops. But there was more she wanted to say, and those were things she needed to not hide behind her phone for.

Thank you, Maverick said. A couple smiling emojis with hearts surrounding the face. Another text came in too quickly. Is something wrong?

what the hell kind of response is that to a text about your grammy nominations?

It's the response you get from a friend who's noticing your absence at our yay us party, Maverick replied. If nothing else you could've come to not sing karaoke with Everleigh. Now she's stuck here with Axel and I all by herself. Never took you for not being a girl's girl.