He woke up in a room that wasn’t his own. Jessica Stam y beside him, led against his arm, her slender, warm body pressed against his. Her soft skied into his, as he recalled the previous night’s party. The gentle sway of the ship was almost imperceptible, yet it moved from side to side. As Billy shifted, Jessica stirred and made a small sound, as if trying to hold him back. He noticed her open her eyes, pleading for more time in bed.

  -We’ll do this again ter,- Billy said, giving her a light kiss, both chaste and affeate.

  -Mmmmm,- she responded, a little a being woken so early.

  Exiting the room, still a bit tired, Billy was met with Adriana’s accusataze. She stood there, hands on her hips, with a look of disapproval in her sharp green eyes as they headed towards the deck. Billy wasn’t much of a drinker, it wasn’t something he particurly enjoyed.

  -What would poor Avril think?- Adriana said, her words ced with judgment, yet masked with a smile of false cheer.

  -What does Avril have to do with this? I heard you and the prince have something else to say,- Billy replied, letting out a quick yawn as he ran a hand through his hair, fully prepared to meet Adriana's stern gaze. She was wearing tight yoga pants and a form-fitting bck shirt, her tanned skin radiating a certain iy.

  -Yirlfriend? Stop being so shameless. Where’s the sweet boy I onew?- Adriana teased.

  -She’s not my girlfriend. We’re good friends, we look out for each other. That’s just how we are. I’m not ied in dating Avril right now, and she agrees with me.-

  -Such a mess, -Adriana remarked. -So, is this what they call an opeionship nowadays?-

  -We’re not in a retionship, Adriana. We’re just together for now,- Billy said, sensing the tangled web that had formed between him and Avril. To question it now would only lead to more plications. If Avril started to doubt, she might ask for something he wasn’t ready to give.

  -What about love?- Adriana asked.

  -Love doesn’t matter, Adriana. Don’t you think that when two people truly love each other, they don’t o worry about anything else? Love should just be lived. But that hasn’t happened for us yet. When it does, we’ll do what we o,- Billy answered.

  -You’re so insiderate,- Adriana shot back, folding her legs into a yoga pose.

  -Anyway, I have a gift for you,- she said, handing him a Brazil jersey, number nine, signed by most of the 2002 Brazilian champions, along with the test edition of the team’s jersey.

  -Wow, thanks! How did you get all those pyers to sign it?- Billy asked, genuinely surprised by the rare gift.

  -They’d do anything, even if they deny it. It wasn’t hard. What else a millionaire want besides something money ’t buy?- Adriana smiled.

  -I’m going to Brazil in December,- Billy added, telling her about his uping tour, which she was already aware of.

  …

  The third day was much more rexed. Everyone mingled in their way, dang by the pool and enjoying some mueeded downtime. Laughter filled the air as they dao house music, which, to Billy’s ears, sounded different than before. The beat was being part of the musidustry, even in small ways, it illumihe young man's eyes.

  The day was full of gratutions.

  Curiously, Billy’s favorite dishes were served—sagna, empanadas, a, along with other delicacies. The food was delicious, though not the healthiest option for the women, but that didn’t matter. They followed his lead, breathing in the air as the best way to celebrate. After a few enjoyable trips, the room was finally ready for a birthday party.

  The women wore their dresses, starting with Avril in a white gown, curious as ever, paired with golden shoes. Her pale skin and slender figure stood out, a stark trast to her usual rocker look. Her friends and Adriana helped with her soft makeup and styling, something they’d takeire year to perfect.

  This time, the party felt more like a nightclub. Everyone was dang and energized, and by midnight, they had arrived in Bordeaux. The celebration tinued, with all the guests moving seamlessly to the right pces.

  Even now, the journey had a strange air about it.

  -I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do now that we’ve arrived, but we get going tomorrow,- Adriana said, still dang to the music, more animated than before. Billy approached Avril, who was enthusiastically dang, her moves remi of a high school prom. They took each other’s hands and twirled, ughing together as the dim lights urged them to keep dang.

  The bass as rose, filling the room as the music pushed them into a perfect rhythm for the dance.

  …

  -Here’s your birthday gift,- Avril said, handing Billy a small, handmade cy cup with the adian fg. Inside was a little charm with his name, Billy Carson, engraved on a pque with a rock symbol, simple yet meaningful.

  In the privacy of their room.

  -Do people sell these in music shops?- Billy asked, examining the charm in his hand. The cup and cy details made him chuckle. He ed Avril in a tight hug, which she warmly returhey y together, falling asleep in each other’s arms until m.

  -They do,- Avril murmured, stretg as she settled bato bed.

  They were saving their energy for the os, nightclubs, aaurants in Monaco, though they’d make several necessary stops along the way.

  ...