บททั้งหมดของ No Return: บทที่ 121 - บทที่ 130

Afraid the housekeeper would bag her up and put her in the bin, Silvia fled to the deck, determined to stay out of the woman’s way. It was her fifth day in LA, and the first time she’d insisted in staying home while Jim “went to work”, like he called it.About to release the fourth cut of their last album, Deborah wouldn’t give him a break, and Silvia knew he wanted her by his side as much as possible. So she’d gone with him to two late-night talk shows, a radio interview that had included a short live acoustic set, three interviews with paper and online magazines. They dined out every evening, usually with Sean and Jo, and Tom and Liam hopped in now and then. Later they would go for a drink to some bar or some club, but they never stayed as late as the first night, for the club opening.It was exhausting sometimes, and Jim was surprised she didn’t even blink every time Deborah added something to his schedule. So he didn’

Sean drove to Santa Monica in the warm noon, feeling more than ready to play until dinner time nonstop. However, he couldn’t help wondering if Jim would be able to focus on their music, knowing Silvia downstairs and waiting for him. Not the musing he would’ve chosen, but it was better than wondering how many corny love songs Jim had made over those three weeks of marital bliss.He saw Tom’s car on the driveway and found the bassist had made himself at home at the porch, smoking a joint while he read something on his phone.“He’s home,” said Tom, seeing Sean’s stormy scowl as he got out of his car. “Guess he’s already upstairs, ‘cause I heard him play.”That would explain why Jim hadn’t heard the doorbell. Sean produced his spare keys and opened the front door. They’d hardly walked in when they heard Jim’s guitar pouring down the stairwell, as if he hadn’t closed the door to

Deborah hated it every time Silvia picked up Jim’s phone, leaving her no choice but to accept her words excusing him. But on Wednesday, she was glad to hear her pick up. Deborah confirmed Jim remembered the live stream scheduled for that afternoon, and smiled to herself when Silvia used the plural about being in her office in a couple of hours.She disconnected and called Ron over. Her assistant didn’t hide his disbelief as he wrote down on his phone the list of errands she needed him to run in the next ninety minutes. She didn’t give any explanation, but she was determined to turn around the unwavering negative buzz about Jim’s new chick, and the fundraising dinner the next night was an excellent chance to do it.To keep the Q&A from going on forever, only Jim, Liam and Tom would take part of it. Sam had everything set at the conference room by Deborah’s office, so the musicians would go straight there.As soon as she had the three of them sitting for makeu

“Now you believe me?”Jim chuckled while Silvia kept shaking her head slowly, eyes out the windshield.He’d joined her and Sean at the bar by the time they were done with their beer, and his brother had left without a word, just nodding goodbye at them with one last glance at Silvia.Jim took the way to his home, hearing her incredulous account of her close encounter with the eldest Robinson.“I mean, from the moment I left you to your Q&A, it all felt like I’d stumbled on an acid and it fell down my throat, getting me lost on a bizarre trip,” she said, making him laugh. “All of a sudden I’m wearing a frigging Versace! And diamonds! What the hell! And a minute later, I’m having a beer with Sean?” She threw up her hands, feeding Jim’s laughter. “You know what’s the craziest thing of all? Seeing you walk into the bar was the most reassuring thing to

Jim strolled out of his closet still pulling up his old shorts, never caring about the trail of water he left behind. The bed was neatly laid with clean sheets, even though the housekeeper hadn’t arrived yet. He headed downstairs, almost enjoying his foul mood and ready to feed it on anything he found at hand.He stopped short before walking into the kitchen, where Silvia was sitting at the isle, typing on her phone while she waited for him, a cold lunch for two served before her. He saw the home-sweet-home scene and spun on his heels.She looked up, hearing his footsteps clatter up the stairs, and sighed. She could only hope Jim wouldn’t go off on her before she had any kind of answer for him.Jim didn’t stop until he reached the studio on the third floor. His eyes moved between the rack of guitars and the wall piano.He snorted. Enough of nice melodies already.He lit a joint and rummaged one of the side tables for pen and paper, to write down th