Page 167 of Silver Sweet

“She did,” Eliot says, then asks her, “Why the change of heart, sister?”

Before she can answer, the door opens. Great, it’s Phoenix. Because today just needs a little more spark.

The thought almost makes me smile.

Phoenix enters this warzone with a water-repellent duffel bag and a backpack. His luggage for the tour. His brows crease in puzzlement at the girl in the kitchen.

Audrey lets out a delighted squeal. “You’re Tom’s drummer.”

He sets down his duffel and backpack, side-eyeing me before saying to her, “No offense, but should I know who you are?”

“None taken,” she says. “Tom is to blame for not describing me properly.”

Phoenix can’t restrain a laugh, not even on my fucking birthday.

I defend myself, “I described youperfectly. I told him you supply at least ten percent of drama to my life. Which,accurate.”

Audrey whips her orange hair over her shoulder as afuck youto me. Then she outstretches a hand to Phoenix but makes no move toward him. “I’m very pleased tofinallyintroduce myself?—”

“Audrey Virginia Cobalt,” I steal her thunder with pride.

She humphs but keeps her palm extended.

It forces my drummer to bridge the distance. He shakes her hand. “Phoenix.”

“I know.” She grins. “You’re trending all over social media, but as your stage name, which is your middle name, I’ve heard. It’s exceptional, really. All the videos dissecting your little finger twitches on your knees. They say you’re holding yourself backfrom touching Tom romantically. Est-ce vrai?”Is that true?She adds, “J’ai entendu que tu parles français.”I heard that you speak French.Then she gasps. “You brought luggage! Are you spending the night?” She gaspsagain.“Where will you sleep? With Tom? In the same bed?”

Eliot opens a box of cigars with an amused grin.

Phoenix gives my sister a sharp look. “Am I under investigation?”

“Possibly. I did hear you have an arrest under your belt?—”

“Hey, I have a birthday wish,” I cut in before Phoenix can speak. “Don’t aggravate my drummer before we leave for our national tour.”

“She’s fine,” Phoenix says, unperturbed. “Your parents were more intimidating.” His jaw muscle tics.

“Wait.” I hold the marble counter behind me, so I don’t fall over. “You’ve met my parents? When?”

“Like two minutes ago,” Phoenix says. “In the lobby.”

Holy shit. My parents are here. He had a full-blown interaction with them and I wasn’t there? I need a play-by-play. My head spins, especially as I stare right at my little sister and her shrewd smile. “Did you ride here with Mom and Dad?” I ask.

She never mentioned them.

“Yes,” she confesses. “We’re brieflystopping by to wish you a happy birthday and a deep congratulations onSilver Sweet. Then we’re leaving to spend the night at The Plaza.” Audrey loves that hotel.

“So you never intended to crash my birthday?”

“No birthday crashing will be had,” she confirms. “I promised you I would skip this one on behalf of Ben’s emotional state. But the next one, I will be in attendance. You can’t cast me out forever.”

“We would never,” Eliot declares.

She got us good tonight. I’m impressed.

I begin to smile, and Eliot and I exchange proud grins. We applaud Audrey with hearty claps.

“Well done, sister,” Eliot says.