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“I’m gonna—”
“No.” I put a hand to his chest. “Please, just let it go.”
I can see his jaw clench, but he nods in agreement. Unfortunately, Bret hurries up behind me, wrapping his arms around me.
“Look, I’m sorry, okay?” he tells me. “I won’t bring up the studio stuff anymore. It’s just … you know how bad I want this.”
Turning to face him, I catch sight of Maddox as I do. His death ray vision is locked on Bret, so I’m hoping I can get this conversation over with fast. The bass-filled music flows around us, along with everyone laughing and talking in the club. The lights still flash around us, but it feels nothing like a club. It feels like the loud thumping of dramatic music during a suspenseful movie scene. Like the tuba playing the theme for Jaws. Danger creeping up slowly.
“I know, Bret. And I’ll do what I can to help, but I can’t do everything for you.”
“I’m not asking you to do everything. A little support from my girlfriend would be nice, though.”
My eyes widen in surprise, and my cheeks heat in anger. “A little support? You have to be kidding me. Bret, all I do is support you.”
“Hey, why don’t you just get the hell out of here?” Maddox speaks up, walking over to us. Glancing behind him, I see Adam following, while the music and lights keep everyone else distracted. “No one wants you here, Bret.”
“Screw you!” Bret yells at him.
Before Maddox can do anything, Adam grabs him by the shoulders. “Chill, man. He’s not worth it.”
“Why don’t you shut up, Hollywood douche?” Bret calls to Adam. “No one’s talking to you.”
“It’s his party, dipshit,” Maddox screams. Getting in front of Bret, he pushes him. “You need to leave now before I knock you on your ass.”
“Maddox!” I yell at him.
Both he and Bret ignore me, as Bret shoves him back. “Get the hell out of my face!”
“Hey, hey!” EJ calls out, running over. He wraps his arms around Bret. “Bret, knock it off, man.”
“Get off of me, nice boy! This doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
“Bret, stop!” I scream at him, but he doesn’t listen.
Wrestling to get free from EJ, he does and swings wildly at him, hitting him across the face.
“You piece of shit!” Maddox screams, breaking free from Adam’s hold, and tackles Bret to the ground.
The next thing I know, Bret’s friend and guitar player, Mitch, jumps onto the pile, and it’s a wild brawl. Everyone backs away from the fight, as Adam and a few others try to pull apart my brother, EJ, Bret, and Mitch.
I’m so sick of this. Of Bret complaining and trying to work the angles. Of the back-and-forth between him and my brother. Of this entire war that seems to be brewing underneath the surface between my band and his.
Hurrying away, I don’t even try to break them up. I squeeze between bodies, dodging back into the elevator, frantically pressing the button to close the doors and get out of the building. While I wait in the elevator, two strangers stand silently, and the emotion starts to build up.
The elevator chimes, and I keep my head low, almost running through the lobby. I came with EJ, so I have no idea what I’m going to do, but I need to get out of this place. Unfortunately, I completely forgot about the paparazzi lingering on the outside, waiting for celebrities to show up and leave.
“Over here! Jade, right here!”
“Just leave me alone!” I yell, trying to hide my face with my hands. The embarrassment and aggravation continue to mount.
“Jade! Jade, over here!”
“Stop!” I call out again.
“Jade, here! Look right here!”
I spin around, trying to find the valet desk, but the flashes and the screaming disorient me. I want to turn invisible and get out of this entire situation. I throw my hand up, blocking out the flashes, wishing this would be over. “Leave me alone!”
