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She gives me a look that says she doesn’t entirely buy it, but she doesn’t push. “Okay. Just so we’re clear, I’m not going to start chasing you around because Europe made you mysterious.”

I laugh. “Please don’t.”

“Good.” She picks up her coffee and points it at me. “You know where to find me if whatever this is wears off.”

“I do.”

She smiles, though there’s more curiosity in it now than there was when she walked in, then heads back out. I’m left standing there with the cold brew she brought me and absolutely no urge to follow her.

Apparently, I’m the variable now.

I’m not suddenly a different person because I slept with my neighbor once. Ruby didn’t rearrange my brain overnight. I like women. I like flirting. I like sex without complications, and until approximately twelve hours ago, I was exceptionally good at all three.

Our drummer walks past carrying a cymbal case. “You going to drink that or stare at it?”

I take a long swallow mostly to prove I still know how coffee works. “Mind your business.”

He laughs and keeps walking.

By the time I leave rehearsal, I’ve decided the whole Chelsea thing means nothing. I’m tired. Ruby is fresh in my head. The sex was memorable.

That’s it.

The explanation is completely reasonable as long as I don’t examine it too closely.

Later that afternoon, Conlin shows up at my place without warning with a grocery bag tucked under one arm and Lachlin behind him, which immediately makes me suspicious.

“Why are you both here?”

Conlin walks past me into the duplex. “Nice to see you too.”

Lachlin follows with a coffee in one hand. “Briar told me to make myself scarce for an hour.”

I shut the door behind them. “Already?”

“I was hovering.”

Conlin drops the grocery bag on my counter and pulls out a beer. “His word, not hers.”

“What was her word?”

Lachlin gives him a warning look, which does nothing to stop Conlin from smiling. “Unbearable.”

I laugh and grab one of the beers from the bag. “So, she kicked you out?”

“She didn’t kick me out. Mom came over to see Jack, and Briar suggested I take advantage of the opportunity to get out for a while.”

“So, she kicked you out politely.”

Lachlin ignores both of us and looks around the living room until his attention lands on the boxes still stacked beside the wall. “You still haven’t unpacked those?”

“I’ve been busy.”

“With what?”

“Rehearsal. Tattoo appointments. Having a life.”

Conlin takes a beer for himself. “How’s the tattoo?”