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It was inevitable. I would be in his bed tonight. I accepted it when I took the papers from him.
Rachel frowned. “You work for him already.” She put her hand on her hip, the motion raising her cute midriff-baring top. “Us staying in his storage room doesn’t cost him a penny. You don’t owe him jack.”
Oh, but she was wrong.
“I owe him for keeping us hidden, and for this.” I waved the guardianship paperwork in the air before offering it to her.
Rachel took and unfolded the three-page document, her gaze moving back and forth as she scanned the legalese.
“He actually did it.” It was obvious by her tone and surprised expression that she’d had her doubts about him coming through too. Looking up with a frown, she said, “But we have this now. You don’t have to sleep with him.”
I didn’t go into everything now, how she was as much of a pawn in Martin’s games as I was. But at least she had her freedom, a future with ABCR—though not at Winston’s—and she had choices.
“He fired the band tonight,” I said.
“What? Why?”
“For being late. For the drugs in Andy’s dressing room.” I studied her a beat. “Andy didn’t tell you?”
“I haven’t seen him since he and Collin stormed off the stage.” Her lips twisted. “He’s not a big fan of mine. He doesn’t like Daniel, either. And I’m not a big fan of his at the moment.”
I could definitely understand. “Daniel is handsome.”
A blush darkened her makeup-free skin. “Yes.”
“He seems to care about you.”
She nodded. “He does. But he’s worried about you. We’re all worried about you.”Allmeaning Barry. “That wasn’t a good scene with you and Collin.”
“He’s moved on.” I was proud of myself that I could say the words without revealing the pain attached to them. But I had to know. “Was it only the drug use Collin hid from me? Was he fooling around on me the whole time we were together too?”
“Addy.” Looking far too reassuring for my peace of mind, she took my hands. “I don’t think so, but I don’t know for sure. He turned to Miranda super-fast after you broke up with him.”
“I told her to look out for you and him.” I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from saying more.
“Oh, Addy.” She shook her head. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“It was over,” I said. It had to be.
“You wanted to make certain it was over for him, but your face doesn’t say it’s over for you. Collin can see that and exploit it, I’m afraid, like he did tonight.” She blew out a breath. “I know he’s who you wanted, but he’s not who I wanted for you. At least, not long term.”
“Why didn’t you say anything before now?”
“Because he seemed to make you happy.” Rachel studied me for a long moment like I’d studied her. “But I always thought you would end up with someone else eventually.”
“Who?”
“Barry.”
“He’s too young.” He had been too young, at first, but now he seemed very much a man. “And he’s my best friend.”
I paused for a moment. At least, he once was. After that almost kiss, and all the rest, I just didn’t know.
“Barry thinks of me and you as family. He doesn’t see me as a girlfriend.”
“Good to know how you really feel,” Barry said from behind me.
Startled, I spun around, my hand flying to my throat.
