I genuinely contemplated that, but I shook my head. “I’m missing my anniversary for this. I’m not going to spend tonight in bed alone when I should be spending it with Kiera.” Anger ripped up my spine at the thought of wasting this evening. If I was going to sacrifice a small part of our relationship, then it had better be worth it. And besides, we had to finalize the next song tonight so we could record it with Lana tomorrow. I really didn’t have a choice.

Understanding flashed through Evan’s features. “Shit…right…your anniversary. I’m sorry, man. I forgot. That sucks…no wonder you look like crap.”

His summation of my appearance made me frown. “Thanks?”

He laughed, then smacked the counter to get the attention of the bartender; we were hanging out at the hotel bar, killing time until Matt and Griffin were ready. It killed me that we didn’t have a show tonight, but I still couldn’t be with Kiera. Having responsibilities really fucking sucked.

Once the bartender looked our way, Evan told him, “One more round for my friend here. It’s his anniversary.”

The bartender nodded and turned to the minifridge to get me another bottled beer. My frown deepened. “I can’t believe I’m celebrating my anniversary…with you.”

Evan’s face twisted into a playful scowl. “I thought I was the best?” He poked my shoulder, then he kept doing it, until finally, I smiled and batted his hand away.

“You are the best,” I told him with a laugh. “But I can’t have sex with you.”

He laughed. “No, you can’t…I’m taken.”

I nearly spat out the swig of beer I’d been in the process of swallowing. As I coughed and laughed, Evan patted my back. Shaking my head at him, I tried calling Kiera again. Again, it rang and rang, then went to voicemail. Damn it.

I tried again before leaving the bar. Then again when we got to Matt’s room. Then again while Matt was trying to convince Griffin that he would be murdered if he left the hotel to go roam the streets looking for pot. Every time I called Kiera it rang and then went to voicemail. Was the bar really that busy? Maybe she’d put her phone in the back room. She did that sometimes when she was working. I just thought tonight she might make an exception. Annoyed, I called the bar directly.

“Pete’s Bar, this is Jenny.”

“Hey, Jenny…it’s Kellan.” Evan heard me say her name and his hand instantly shot out for the phone. I shook my head at him. He could talk to her later. He scowled at me.

“Hey, Kellan…how’s it going?”

I contained a sigh. It kind of sucks, actually. Making myself smile, I told her, “It’s good. Is Kiera there? Can I talk to her?”