LUKA (The Rhythm Series, Book 2) Read Online Free

friends.”
    “If you say so,” he said skeptically. “So you’re going to stay in London the whole summer?”
    I gazed out across the vast city scape, shimmering in the May sunshine.
    “For a while. Sarah said I can use her apartment while she’s in Australia.”
    “You’re not going home at all?”
    I thought about that. I’d sublet my apartment in Koper to my sister, and there was no way I’d stay with my parents. Maybe my grandmother for a short visit, but that was it.
    “Man, I’ve been traveling so long, I don’t even know where home is anymore. I like London—it’ll be good.”
    Ash smiled. “Well, you’re welcome to visit with us in Chicago anytime. You’ve already met our couch.”
    I raised my eyebrows.
    “Does Laney know about that very generous offer?”
    Ash laughed. “I might have remembered to tell her. She’s fine.”
    “She thinks I screw around too much.”
    “You do.”
    “I know.” I spread my arms wide. “And this is one hell of a playground.”
    Ash slapped my back then pulled me into a tight hug.
    “Look after yourself, brother. I’m going to miss you.”
    “I’ll see you in December when we start rehearsals for the next tour.”
    Ash nodded, kissed me on both cheeks and stepped back.
    “When are you leaving for Heathrow?” I asked.
    “In an hour. Selma organized a bus to take us to the airport.”
    All the dancers and band members had been hired in Chicago, and with the exception of me and Sarah, they were all traveling back together.
    “Do you think Yveta will be okay?”
    I wasn’t sure if I was asking about her upcoming surgery, or . . . everything else.
    He frowned, thinking about it.
    “Honestly? I don’t know. Doing Slave , she had a purpose, a reason for getting up in the morning, you know? Gary will look after her, but in the future? Yes, no, maybe.”
    He held up his hands helplessly.
    “Say goodbye to them for me?”
    “You don’t want to say goodbye yourself?”
    “No, I hate goodbyes.”
    I was going to miss them, but I’d said my goodbyes last night. That was enough.
    “So, what’s this then?” he grinned, pointing at himself.
    I laughed and stood up.
    “I’ve got to finish packing my shit. I guess I’ll see you in seven months.”
    “Or sooner,” Ash reminded me. “Stay in touch.”
    He walked out of the hotel’s rooftop bar, and I gazed around at the empty tables, a place that had been part home for the last two weeks.
    I took the elevator to the seventh floor, too tired to run down the stairs like I usually did.
    I’d packed half my clothes, but I was waiting for the hotel laundry to come back with the rest. Then I’d be out of here.
    For the last six months, we’d toured half of Europe with Ash’s ballroom dance show Slave . We were due a l-o-n-g break before we did a mini tour in the U.S. next year, and Ash wanted to start rehearsals in December. But until then, I was going to spend the next three months in London, rest up, take a few dance classes so I didn’t lose condition, and generally enjoy a depraved lifestyle of drinking, dancing and fucking like it was about to be outlawed.
    At least I had use of Sarah’s apartment while she was away, which would save a ton of money on rent. Plus, it got old living in hotels out of two suitcases.
    My laundry arrived, washed and pressed, and I finished packing.
    I was putting off texting Sarah, but then my phone buzzed with an incoming message.
    Why did you let me drink so much? LOL I have a bitching headache. Hope you’re ok. Off to the airport. Here’s my address. Keys are under the flowerpot.
    Sarah x
    She was leaving already. My stomach lurched. She regretted what we’d done last night. Damn it! I didn’t want to lose a friend.
    The sex was good and I’d woken up disappointed that she hadn’t stayed around for seconds, and now she was going to be in Australia. We’d gotten close while we were touring and I’d miss her sarcastic sense of humor. Hell, I’d miss having her