Love of a Rockstar by Nicole Simone Read Free Book Online

there.”
    Her husband, my grandfather, died eight years ago from natural causes. There was a fifteen-year age gap between them, but you wouldn’t have known. My grandfather had the vigor of a twenty year old. They were the kind of old couple who held hands and shuffled down the city streets, setting an example for what a marriage should be. The day he died, my grandmother’s eyes took on a dim light. She hasn’t been the same since.
    “Do you believe Grandpa was your soul mate?” I asked.
    She shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
    It took me a minute to register her answer, since it didn’t make sense. They were meant for each other. Surely, my grandmother misheard me.
    I tried again. “I said, do you think grandpa…”
    She cut me off with an irritated look. “I may be old, but my hearing is fine.”
    My eyes widened “But I don’t understand. You and grandpa were so in love.”
    “We were, but I don’t believe in soul mates. It implies there’s only one person out there for you.” Doris scoffed. “That idea’s ridiculous.”
    “Then what do you believe?”
    My grandmother hoisted herself out of the rocking chair, and sat down next to me. Her expression was of a woman who had years of knowledge on me.
    “I believe in finding a man who can be your best friend, because once the lust fades, friendship is what will hold the foundation of your marriage together.”
    I agreed with what she said, but there had to be some form of love in a relationship. The days of women rushing to the altar with some hapless fool were over.
    “So you liked grandpa as a friend and not a lover?” I asked.
    “No, that’s not what I am saying. What I am saying is that you can’t pin everything onto a soul mate. That word doesn’t exist. Strike it from your vocabulary.” My grandma saw I was struggling with this concept and laughed. “You young people all want to live in a romantic movie but life isn’t like that. It’s messy and at the end of the day you want your best friend at your side.”
    “But why can’t you be madly in love with your best friend?” I challenged
    My grandmother let out an exasperated sigh. Normally, I wasn’t so pushy but I felt as if my life depended on her answer. She rubbed her temples; a clear sign the conversation was done. “I am tired. Can we pick this up another time?” my grandmother asked.
    “Sure, but can I ask you one more question?” She gestured with her hand for me to continue. “Can you fall in love with a man over time?”
    “That’s what happened with your grandpa. The first time I met him, I thought he wasn’t exciting enough for me.”
    “What changed?” I questioned.
    My grandmother looked out the window lost in a memory. Heartache shined so brightly in her eyes, I wanted to take the question back. “Dependable became exactly what I needed.”
    I sensed there was a much deeper story, but I’d asked enough questions for today. My grandmother would tell me when she was ready. Besides, she’d provided the solace I was seeking. Finn was a kind man who would be a good father figure in Nil’s life. Maybe I wouldn’t ever love him like Luke, but I could love him in a different way. A safer way.
     

     
    LATER THAT NIGHT, I stood in front of my bedroom mirror decked out in a lacey black dress. My blonde hair was swept into a ponytail, and gold dangly earrings decorated my ears. Finn had called earlier wanting to see me as soon as possible. We agreed to meet at my favorite restaurant, The Look Out, for dinner. Glancing at my watch, I saw I had another three minutes before I left.
    “What do you think? Another swipe of mascara?” I asked Nil.
    Nil sat on the rug with the contents of my makeup bag surrounding her. Blush and lipstick were smeared across her face while eye shadow decorated the upper part of her lids. Whenever I put makeup on to go out, Nil copied me. It was a mother-daughter ritual that Nil never passed up. My mom hated when I dropped off my daughter