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29
Jade
“Thank you! Thank you so much!” a girl squeals, jumping up and down as Maddox signs an autograph for her.
Lily gives me a sideways glare, smirking, and I hold back a chuckle. Maddox is getting a haircut, and since Lily’s aunt owns her own beauty salon, Lily offered him a place to get his hair cut. We showed up to the salon fifteen minutes after it closed, but her aunt was running behind with a girl. The same girl who just freaked out when Lily walked us in.
Seemingly desperate for signatures, she had nothing on her but her cellphone, so Lily got a black marker, and we signed it for her. Her mom gave us both grateful smiles while the girl continued to longingly gaze at her phone in awe. She may never upgrade again.
“That never gets old,” Lily chuckles as Maddox takes a seat in the chair.
“What?” he asks.
“Watching people freak out over you guys.” She laughs.
Maddox quirks an eyebrow, smirking. “How come you never freak out?”
“What’s there to go all crazy over? I’ve known Jade forever, and you’re just her brother.” He scowls, forcing a laugh out of her. “Sorry, Maddox. I will never look at you like some bad boy rock star. You’ll always be Jade’s brother.”
“You know, that could still be hot. Sort of like a best friend’s brother who’s off-limits.”
“Pass,” she shouts, laughing again. “I’ll leave the groupie stuff for your new girl.”
“What new girl?” I ask, my own laughter finally calming down.
“Whoever this chick is that has Maddox in here getting a haircut after almost two years.”
“It’s not for a girl,” he responds, rolling his eyes. Lily doesn’t believe him, and she’s made that known since she set up the haircut. The two exchange a silent stare. “It’s not,” he persists. “It’s for a job.”
His comment now makes me scoff. “A job? Right, Maddox.”
He’s been very hush-hush about this whole thing, so this is the first I’m hearing about it. Lily’s aunt grabs a pair of scissors, then pulls up on his hair. It’s not incredibly long, but that’s only because he’s trimmed it himself for the past couple of years. He’s kept it long enough that when wet it falls down to his chin, but he usually doesn’t put any product in it, or he’ll wear a hat.
Showing him his hair in the mirror, she holds up most of it. “That’s a lot of hair,” she says. “You sure about this?”
He nods. “It’s just hair.” Lily and I exchange confused looks. He must notice because he lets out a sigh. “Okay, I haven’t said anything because I don’t want to jinx my chances.”
“This is weird,” I reply. “How in the world would you jinx your chances? You’re a King. What is this, Maddox?”
“It’s a residency over in Malibu.”
“A residency?”
“Yeah,” he continues. “Mavin International is opening up its newest resort soon. I heard through the grapevine that they’re looking for a resident DJ, and I really want it.”
“Why?”
It’s an honest question. I know he loves DJing and parties, but I don’t see why he’d want a residency at a hotel chain, even if it is for one of the most beautiful, luxurious hotel companies in the world. He’s a rock star living his dream life. What more could he want?
Taking a deep breath, he glances at me. “I want this for me, Jade. The same way you wanted to record your own stuff.”
“But what about our album? We’re gonna start recording soon after we work out the songs.”
“I’ll still be there. That’s why I want this, it’s in Malibu. Adam and I are actually thinking about leasing this awesome penthouse in Brentwood. The parties are going to be amaze-balls.” He laughs, forcing one out of me. “I’ll be close to you guys, and can do this, too.”
I can’t fault him for wanting something of his own. Playing music in clubs, behind his turntables and boards, has always been something he’s loved. We all support him, too, but I know he loves that he’s creating the exact beats and rhythm that he wants to create.
“I don’t understand one thing still,” Lily speaks up. “You’re Maddox Barkley. Why are you trying to impress them? Your credentials speak for themselves.”
