Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“I was going to give you two lassies one more minute.” He clicks his tongue at us.
“We’re sorry,” I say. “We were enjoying the castle. That crown is magnificent.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed your time. Let’s go. We’re going to walk the Royal Mile that connects the castle to Holyrood Palace.”
Maddie and I glance at each other, and Maddie chuckles.
Good. She’s been somber since getting the news about Jesse and me.
“What?” I ask.
“He sounds like a recording,” she says.
“I was thinking the same thing during his speech about the castle. He seemed annoyed when people asked questions. I’m sure he’s said these things about a million times.” I glance around. The man standing next to me is wearing an Emerald Phoenix T-shirt. “Hey,” I say to him.
He holds out his hand. “I’m Willie.”
“Brianna. You like Emerald Phoenix?”
“Love them. Got tickets to the concert tonight. Will you be there?”
“I will!” I gush. “And you’ll love—”
Willie’s eyes go wide, and he opens his mouth to say something, but Ferdie interrupts us through the microphone.
“A walk along the Royal Mile is a journey through the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, offering a mix of history, architecture, shops, and culture. It’s a cobblestone street that stretches approximately one mile—hence the name—from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. As you explore, you’ll pass by various landmarks and charming spots, including a visit to St. Giles’ Cathedral. We’ll begin our walk at Castlehill, where I’ll give you twenty minutes to take in the souvenir shops.”
“Souvenir shops?” Maddie shakes her head. “I’d rather have had the extra twenty minutes in the castle.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Me three,” Willie says. “You ladies mind if I join you?”
Maddie wrinkles her forehead. “Uh…who are you, exactly?”
“He’s a fan of Emerald Phoenix,” I say. “Oh! I was going to tell you. My boyfriend—her brother—is the lead singer of the opening band. Dragonlock.”
“He’s the co-lead singer,” Maddie corrects me. “My sister Rory also sings lead vocals.”
Willie’s eyes go wide. “You mean you two know Emerald Phoenix?”
“We do,” I say.
“Wow. I mean…wow!”
Willie is tall and handsome, and Maddie appears to take notice. “I’m Maddie.” She smiles shyly.
“Is that short for Madison?” he asks.
“Madeline,” she says. “And Willie’s short for William?”
“I wish.” He grimaces. “Willard, actually.”
I let myself walk behind Willie and Maddie as the tour heads on to Lawnmarket, which is lined with colorful shops, cafés, and historic buildings, all of which Ferdie describes in excruciating detail. I appreciate it for sure, but the droning is getting tiresome. Besides, I truly wish I were back at the castle with more time.
Maddie and Willie hang out for the rest of the tour, including our stop for lunch in Old Town, where we feast on brisket, neeps, and tatties—Scots speak for turnips and potatoes. But I don’t begrudge Maddie anything. I’m glad she found someone to give her some attention.
The tour is educational and fun, but by the time it ends, I’m missing Jesse so much I can taste it. I know he’s busy rehearsing and preparing for the concert, but I can’t help hoping that he’s missing me too, if only just a little.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Jesse
After a good rehearsal, I get a call from Callie when I’m back in my room. “Hey, sis. Everything okay?”
“Hey… Yeah. Dragon’s doing really well…”
My heart sinks at her tone. “I’m sensing a but coming.”
She sighs through the phone. “Yeah… His doctors think he should go home. Get into a rehab program.”
“For fuck’s sake.” I rub my jawline.
“I know. But here’s the thing. Dragon agrees.”
“He what?”
“Yeah. He doesn’t want to let you guys down, and—”
“For fuck’s sake,” I say again. “Just put him on the phone, will you?”
Callie sighs again. “He doesn’t want to talk to you, Jess.”
“Well, he’s going to. Put him on the damned phone.”
I hear the shuffling through the line, and then—
“Hey, Jess.”
“Dragon, what the fuck?”
“Look. The reason I didn’t want to talk to you is because I knew you would try to talk me out of this.” He pauses. “But I need to be honest with you, Jesse. I don’t want to let you down again, and I think the best thing for me to do is to go home, get into a serious rehab, and never fucking take a drink or smoke a joint again.”
“You’ve been clean for over five years.”
“Yeah. Except for the booze and the pot. I always thought I could handle it, but I want to be clean for good, Jesse. I don’t ever want this to happen to me again.”
“What exactly are you saying, Dragon?”
Silence for a moment that seems like an eternity, and already I know what’s coming. Damn him.
Damn the motherfucker for lying to me.
And damn myself for fucking believing him.
“I didn’t remember a lot of that night for a while, but slowly, things started coming back. I started to remember through the haze.”