When Eve left the house, Justin sneaked into the master bedroom while Josh was still sleeping peacefully. He took a fresh shirt out of the closet and returned downstairs. Then he grabbed Josh’s car key from the sideboard in the hallway and left the house.

Justin took Josh’s jeep to go home. Jess’ car was parking in front of their house. He prepared himself mentally for another fight, before he went inside. 

When he entered the house there was silence as the nanny left with the boys few minutes ago.  Justin went into the kitchen and saw Jess sitting at the terrace from distance. 

He went outside. Jess didn’t pay him any attention and took a sip of her latte. Justin sat down opposite of her and stared at her, until she finally looked back.

„I didn’t change my mind. I’ll go to Montana next weekend.“ She said coldhearted. 

„It’s okay.“ He replied.

„Then what do you want?“

„I want to know how you gonna deal with what I confessed yesterday night.“ 

Jess stared at him for a moment. 

„You kissed another woman. It fucking hurts, Justin.“

„Honesty I’m relieved you’re hurt. Because if you wouldn’t, things would be pretty clear to me.“

„I can’t believe you just said that.“

„I don’t feel loved, Jess. This is what hurts me.“

„You don’t feel loved because there is no sex? That’s how you define love?“

„This is not just about sex. You never touch me. You never kiss me. You never say something nice. All of this makes me believe that you simply lost your interest in me.“ 

„That’s why I need to go to Montana. I need to find out what I feel or not because honestly, I can’t give you an answer right now.“

Justin nodded. 

„Take the time you need. I’ll stay at C’s place until you leave.“

„How can you even look into your best friend’s face? You should feel ashamed…“

„I do, Jess. Believe me, I do. But please don’t intervene. I don’t wanna harm what he’s having with Eve.“

„She’s an asshole as you are. And he deserves to know before he marries her.“ 

„I told to you, she wasn’t the one who started this.“

„I’m still pretty sure, she enjoyed having your tongue in her throat. I mean, who wouldn’t? You’re a superstar, right?“ 

Justin sighed. He hated when she talked about him like this. But he decided not starting another fight. 

„Please, Jess. Just keep quiet.“ 

She took another sip of her coffee. 

„You know what? I couldn’t care less. Tell him or not, I don’t give a shit.“ 

After talking to Mateo in the kitchen, Eve went into her office. Her phone rang, receiving a message. She took it out of her pocket.

„Talked to Jess. She’s gonna keep quiet. You have not to be worried…“ [007]

„Are you saying you wanna continue hiding things from Josh???“ [M]

„Should we really upset him with this?“ [007]

Eve didn’t know how to reply. She understood Justin’s point of view. Telling Josh the truth would harm their friendship. And this was something he couldn’t afford in his current situation. But trusting Jess to keep quiet was not an option. Even Justin himself wasn’t able to keep the secret. She needed to face the problem if she liked it or not. 

When Eve returned home in the early evening, she heard music playing in the studio. She put her sandals off and her bag at the sideboard. Then she went to the opened door to the basement and just listened for a little while. 

Josh and Justin were downstairs. One of them played the guitar, the other one was playing keyboard. Justin sang few lyrics from an unknown song. Then Josh started singing the next part. Eve got goosebumps all over her body. It was beautiful hearing them together. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment until the music stopped. 

„C… I don’t wanna ruin the good vibes… but I wanna to do music with you again. I want it badly.“ Justin said. 

Eve heard Josh sighing.

„The answer is still no, T… just let it be…“ 

„You need to get over that Coachella thing. You really need to let go, man…“ 

„I’m not this person anymore and you know it. Things will never be the same.“

„Things don’t need to be the same again. All of us changed. No one expects us jumping around like lunatics at the stage and singing cheesy love songs over and over again, to give teenage girls a thrill. But we could start something bigger than this. I have so many ideas in my mind but I can’t do this without you, bro. We need you and you know it.“

„T… I don’t get it. You have an incredible career on your own. Your next album is almost done. Why the hell you’re pushing me so hard to do the reunion?“ 

„Because I’m tired doing things on my own. I miss my brothers and you know it. I told you before I started doing that album. If you would have agreed to reunite, I wouldn’t have made that record. You have no idea how hard I wished working on new songs with all of you instead. 

Josh sighed once again.

„I can’t.“

„You can.“

„I can’t, T! Just watch the festival disaster once again if you need proof!“ 

Eve heard Josh standing up and coming upstairs. She didn’t want him to know that she listened to their conversation and hurried into their bedroom to change her clothes. 

While being upstairs and undressing herself, Eve was thinking about what Josh just said to Justin. What happened during Coachella? What was this about? 

When she found out who Josh really was, she’ve spent several hours on YouTube and watched old videos from him, to get a picture of what she’ve missed in the last twenty years. But she’ve never seen the Coachella gig from 2019.

Then she glanced at Josh’s bedside table. His iPad was lying there as it always did. She finished putting on some pink sweat shorts and a white tanktop and sat down at their bed. Then she grabbed the iPad and started YouTube. It didn’t take her long to find the video she’s been looking for. After watching the gig few times, she was still missing the point. What was wrong? Why Josh called it a disaster?

Suddenly the door got open. Eve frightened as Josh came inside. Immediately she switched off the iPad and gave him an innocent look. 

„Here you are.“ He said and came few steps closer. 

She put his iPad aside, stood up and went towards him. She stopped standing in front of him and put her arms around his neck. He grabbed her waist and pulled her closer. 

„Hi.“ She said and kissed his lips gently.

„Hi.“ He replied. 

„What were you doing?“ He asked curiously. 

„Nothing important. I just checked something.“ 

„I’m hungry, but I guess cooking is not an option?“ He asked next, giving her an anticipated look.

She smiled. 

„I can cook.“

Josh smiled back. He loved her food and hoped she wouldn’t suggest placing an order instead. Eve kissed him one more time.

„How is T doing?“ 

„He was home this morning to get some clothes and talked to Jess. She’s still insisting going to Montana on her own. But I guess he understands this is the right thing to do. They need some space to sort their minds.“ 

Eve nodded. 

„And how are you, my love?“ She asked.

„I’m holding my beautiful fiancé in my arms, who just announced to make dinner. I couldn’t feel any better.“ 

„Bad news is, you gonna help me preparing the food.“ 

„Since when you expect me to help?“ 

„I believe you should improve your skills.“ 

„Which skills?“

„Josh, come on. Cooking is sexy.“ 

„Really? That’s your strategy to convince me?“

„Believe me. It’s sexy.“

„I’m sexy enough. You told me last night.“

„Did you ever tried cooking?“

„I did. But after almost burning down the house, I decided it’s something I shouldn’t do ever again.“

Eve laughed. 

„I believed burning down the house is Justin’s expertise.“ 

„I’m not contracting after what happened to his pizza. That’s why I suggest you should keep both of us away from the kitchen.“

When Eve and Josh returned downstairs, they heard Justin singing and playing guitar in the studio. 

„Hey ehm… I…“ Josh stammered. 

„Yes, go and join him. I’ll enjoy listening to you from upstairs.“ Eve said and smiled. 

Josh smiled back, kissed her head and went back into the studio. 

Eve made chicken breast with smashed potatoes and a mixed salad in the meantime. 

„Joshtin!!! Dinner is ready!!! She shouted, as she finished setting the table. 

Two seconds later she heard both of them hurrying upstairs. 

„Joshtin? Really, M?“ Justin said cynically. 

She chuckled. 

„The internet inspired me.“

He came closer and kissed her cheek. 

„Thank you for cooking.“

„Taste it before thanking me.“

„It’s smells delicious.“

Josh put some drinks out of the fridge and rolled his eyes. 

„Stop asskissing my girl, T…“

„But that’s how you keep people motivated.“ Justin said cheeky and gave Eve a wink.

„You better think about how to motivate yourself to tidy up that kitchen after dinner.“ She said. 

„Excuse me? I’m your guest!“ Justin complained. 

„I can’t remember anyone inviting you.“ Josh teased. 

„As you gave me your spare key you should have known the risk.“ Justin talked back. 

Eve enjoyed their silly conversation and forgot about her worries for a moment. She couldn’t explain why, but it was nice having Justin around. Despite of the fact that he brought her in deep trouble, she just couldn’t be mad at him and wondered why.