And I wanted her on tour. Even amid actively refusing to sign off on her directing, I wanted her there. Call it a self-torture kink, but once she’d dropped directly in my path, I opted for punishing myself over losing the chance of seeing her.

As we walk off after the encore, Christian’s on a call with someone, telling him a flash flood damaged the venue in Atlanta. The canceled show creates an unexpected two-day gap in our schedule.

The extra downtime couldn’t have come at a better time, and within a few hours, I’ve hauled Colton and his cranky ass with me on a flight of our own.

I’m in need of a hard reset, and only one rooftop will do.

* * *

The patio on top of Chase and Val’s house is better than anything Chase and I found on our own. The stairs come out next to the elevator, and one entire side is open for the view. Smooth flagstone underfoot, a fireplace, a dining table for entertaining, and a lounge area that makes you feel lazy just by looking at it.

Perfect for relaxation, philosophical moments, and a place to gain a little bro-spective.

Weed helps with the last one as much as the bro who guides me through it.

We haven’t needed a four a.m. roof session in a long time, but he was waiting up here with beer and a joint even though he doesn’t drink or smoke. Now I’m halfway through both, and Chase is staring at me while I watch the night skyline.

“You never told me you found her back then,” he says. “We need another math lesson on what you tell your best friend?”

My mouth quirks up at the thought, but I grow somber again. “I didn’t see a point. She was gone, and you were dying.”

I didn’t give details on the reason Remi disappeared on me, only that she had a good one, and he isn’t pushing for more.

When he doesn’t say anything, I glance over, and he’s nodding. “Only for like a week. You’ve had five years since then to fill me in.”

Tightness creeps into my throat, all the regrets splashing at the surface. “I didn’t tell you because it was the reason I wasn’t there for you that night.” My voice is gravelly, and I have to swallow to clear it. “If I hadn’t gone after her, we would have gone rock climbing with Colt.”

His eyes dart to our sullen brother in a wicker chair who refuses to sit near me, but he’s most definitely been listening to every word.