Page 111 of Two Hit Wonder

"And this isn't?"

Shepherd looked down at the floor. "I've had feelings for Cam for longer than I should probably admit."

Iona's brain stuttered. "Since when?"

"Since…" He paused, considering. "I think since the first time I saw her. But she was nineteen, and… and chaos and so sure of herself and… I talked myself out of it back then. But then after all that business with Elijah, we started talking again and became friends and then… and then more."

Iona looked at his serious face and then started to laugh.

"What?" Shepherd said.

"You mean you and I got married when we both were lusting after other members of the band," she said.

"Um… when you put it like that it sounds… not great."

Iona put her arm around his waist. "We’re both idiots, aren’t we?" she said comfortably. "Are you really prepared to handle the chaos of Cam​?"

He grinned. "I’ve been doing it for years. No one’s better prepared than me."

“In that case, I’m thrilled for the both of you."

Maeve appeared at Iona's shoulder. "You’re an arse for not telling us before," she said.

Iona rolled her eyes. "Jesus, Maeve, it’s only been a couple of months. Some people need privacy. Not everyone can announce that they’re dating on a stage in front of forty thousand people."

Maeve grinned. "I suppose you’re right." She put her hand on Iona’s shoulder, and Iona’s body warmed at her touch. “Speaking of dating and things, I sorted things with Mo."

"You did​​?" Shepherd asked, looking suspicious.

"Easy peasy," Maeve said with a shrug. "I just told her that Oliver can stay over two nights a week if his parents are cool with it, there's to be no discussion of marriage until she's at least finished her A-levels, and if she breaks these rules I will personally tell Oliver embarrassing stories about her until he loses the will to live."

Iona took a step back. "Wait, you told her Oliver could stay over?"

Maeve shook her head. "She's almost seventeen, Iona. Do you remember what we were like at seventeen?"

Christ, did she? That thought didn’t make her feel any better at all. "That's different."

"Is it?"

Iona thought about it. Thought about being seventeen and desperate and so in love with someone that it felt like dying. Thought about how she would have done anything, promised anything, just to be close to Maeve. "I suppose not that different."

"Better to be supportive parents than the kind she has to hide things from," Maeve shrugged. "That's what Glinna always said, anyway. Worked for her six. Mostly."

Outside, someone shouted. Iona glanced out the window. There were photographers at the gate, cameras flashing despite the privacy hedge.

"Paparazzi," she said.

"Comes with the territory," Shepherd said. "We should get you some security. I’ll have a word with some people." He glared at Maeve. "Or at least I will when I’ve forgiven you for letting my teenage daughter share a bed with her boyfriend."

"Who said anything about sharing a bed," Maeve said. She flashed him a cheeky grin. "I’ve already ordered bunk beds for Mo’s room."

✽✽✽

Maeve watched Iona from across the room. Watched her tuck her dark hair behind her ears in the way she did when she was tired and starting to fade. Ellie, Cam and a couple of Mo’s school friends were messing around on instruments. There was dancing in the living room. The party was in full swing and looked like it might go on all night.

Well, they were rock and roll stars now, weren’t they?

She slid through the crowd until she was pressed up against Iona’s back, leaning over to whisper in her ear.