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“Bret, you’ve done enough.”
“Jade, I don’t want this thing screwed up.” He opens the door for me. “You practically spit on him the first time we met.”
“I did not,” I snap. “I was just annoyed you wanted to set that meeting up in the first place.”
“Okay, okay,” he whispers, waving his hands. “Just … be calm.”
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head and continue following him. Suddenly, I see Austin. A smile instantly hits my lips, but as soon as it does, my eyes jump to the man next to him. It’s Jimmy Richards.
I don’t know what to feel. The warm and fuzzy feelings I’ve had since I’ve been around Austin immediately dissipate. I don’t understand what’s happening. Why is he standing next to Jimmy Richards?
I keep moving forward, but my steps are slower. I watch Austin smile uncomfortably, offering me a wave, but I don’t wave back. Does he work directly for Richards? I knew he worked at Rich Records, but could he be his personal assistant? My mind starts racing even further. Why didn’t he tell me? Was this a play all along? To get close to me, working for Richards to try and get me to sign with them and break up my band? My blood begins to boil, thinking about the possible sabotage missions Jimmy Richards and now apparently Austin could’ve been working on.
“Thank you for meeting with us so soon, Mr. Richards,” Bret says, offering him his hand.
“Certainly,” Jimmy responds, smiling. It’s the same suspicious smile I remember from our first meeting.
“Hey, what’s up, Austin?” Bret asks him, offering his hand, too.
“Wait, what?” I glare at Bret. “You know him?”
“Yeah.” Bret nods as if everything is right in the world. “We met at a couple of weeks back.”
“Are you kidding me?” My head snaps to Austin, who looks ashamed, then to Bret. “You’ve been working with his personal assistant the entire time? You’ve been setting this thing up from the beginning?”
“Whoa, calm down,” Bret responds. “Personal assistant?”
My glare turns to Austin. “That’s what you are, right? You’re Jimmy Richards’ right-hand man? That’s why you have free rein over Rich Records. You can come and go as you please? What, you were just trying to snake in between my band and me?”
“Jade, what are you talking about?” Bret asks.
“Let me explain,” Austin pleads.
“Oh, so you know my son?” Jimmy says, taking a seat in his chair. His action inspires the same from Bret, but Austin stays standing, holding my gaze. “I guess there’s no need for introductions, then.”
“Son?” I whisper, feeling dizzy.
“Please,” Austin repeats. “I can explain.”
Ignoring our personal exchange, Bret gets right down to business. “Mr. Richards, as I told you, Jade isn’t recording at Rich Records.”
“Yes, I’m sorry to hear that, Jade,” Jimmy says. “I was hoping we’d have—”
“I want nothing to do with you,” I snap at Jimmy, finally coming to some coherency. My gaze jumps back to Austin. “Any of you.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” Jimmy replies.
“Jade—”
“No!” I throw a finger in Austin’s face, cutting him off. “Don’t you dare try and talk to me.”
“What the hell is going on?” Bret asks.
“I’m leaving,” I say, spinning around.
Before I can take a step, Bret grabs my wrist. “Jade, where are you going? We need to figure this out.”
“There’s nothing to figure out,” I yell at him, turning to face them all. “I’m done. I’m so done. With all of this. I can’t believe you!” I shout at Austin. “You lied to me.”
