Page 9 of Dissonance

Manageable. Complicated. Left alone.

But she’s here now, and those carefully stored moments have resurfaced all at once, unhelpfully intact.

Her dark hair’s pulled back in a sleek bun, glasses perched high on her nose. Tailored trousers, blazer to match—there’s nothing soft about the woman standing in front of me. Even a full foot shorter, she commands the room like she owns it. Expression cool, professional, green eyes holding mine a beat longer than necessary.

Her lips press together, my name still hanging in the air between us. There’s a reason I’ve always been careful about how much space I give that sound inside my head. No matter how much time passes, it’s never long enough to change that.

Before I can react, Cooper laughs, bright and full of warmth, clapping me on the shoulder.

“Alright, easy, Lockie. It’s fine.” Grinning at Tyler, he adds, “Relax, dude. He just likes everyone to know he’s got the biggest dick in the room.”

For fuck’s sake.

Of all the places, all the people, with professionalism currently hanging by a thread, that’s what he decides to say?

“Jesus Christ, Coop,” Declan mutters under his breath.

He just beams, utterly unrepentant, mouthing, hung like a horse at his husband.

“I don’t even want to know how you know that,” Declan replies flatly.

Still grinning, Cooper tugs off his sunglasses and pulls Thea in, arms wide. “Now this is the best part of my day.”

She smiles, real this time, not strategic. “It would be better if you’d brought that cute baby of yours.”

“Trust me, we tried.”

“We absolutely did not,” Declan says.

“The grandparents ambushed us,” Cooper insists. “Practically had our bags packed, shoving car keys into our hands.”

“Looked like you handed the kid over and ran,” I say.

Declan’s mouth twitches as he hugs Thea. “We didn’t fight very hard.”

Cooper groans, throwing his hands up. “Sue me for wanting a few quiet days alone with my man before everything gets loud at the Grammys.”

“Okay then,” Thea says, glancing at her watch and shifting back into business mode with the ease of someone who’s been doing it their whole life. “Shall we get started? Cooper, meet Tyler.”

“Thanks for doing this,” Tyler blurts, cheeks flushing pink. “Seriously. I know you’re busy.”

The man behind Tyler stands slowly, in no particular hurry, sliding his phone into his pocket like the room’s been waiting for him. His gaze passes over Cooper again before settling on Tyler. “Just so we’re clear, ZeroSaint’s got press lined up. Appearances…parties…”

“Zane,” Tyler mutters.

Cooper’s smile doesn’t drop as he turns, giving the guy his full attention. “And you are?”

“He’s with me,” Tyler says quickly.

“Right. But you’re not writing the song?”

“I’m managing—”

“No,” Thea cuts in. “You’re not.”

“Okay, well, I don’t write with an audience,” Cooper says, tucking his sunglasses into his shirt pocket. “Haven’t for years.”

Zane scoffs. “So what? You’re kicking me out?”