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He stares at the cement in the dimly lit parking garage, before taking a long breath. Nodding to himself, his brown eyes finally look up and meet mine. “I know. But that’s not mine. That’s yours. Your music.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
“I downloaded everything off of my dad’s files. Everything you ever recorded is on that hard drive. It’s all there, and Rich Records doesn’t have a copy of any of it. I told my dad I deleted it.”
I don’t know what to say. EJ takes a step back, handing me the device. My eyes examine it, unsure what to do or say.
“Jade, I never meant to deceive you.” His words force me to look back up at him. He eyes my brother, then Derrik and EJ. “Fine, if I have to do it here, then I will. You came in that day at Rich Records and tore my dad a new one when you thought he purposely left your name on the list. For all I know, he did. But your words for him that day embarrassed me. Not that I haven’t been embarrassed by him before, but there you were, calling my dad this and that … how could I tell you who I was? I didn’t want you thinking the same thing about me. That’s why I used my mom’s name.
“And then, as time went on, I learned exactly who you were. You. Kristen the musician, not Jade the rock star. I wanted to tell you more than ever. But at the same time, I kept hiding it because I knew I was getting in too deep. How could I tell you? After getting closer to you, it’d look like I was deliberately lying. I never wanted it to be that way. But I was afraid if I told you, you’d hate me. In the end, I guess I was right.”
I want to believe him. I do. But I can’t.
He nods in silent understanding, knowing I won’t forgive him. “Yeah …” He peers at the ground. “I never meant to hurt you,” he says low. Finally meeting my gaze one last time, remorse covers his face. “I’m sorry.”
Turning around, he walks around his SUV and gets in, starting it. He stares over at me through the passenger side window, meeting my eyes before backing up and driving out of the parking garage.
We all stand around silently. My eyes jump from the boys to the hard drive and then to the ground. I twirl the device in my fingers, shaking my head. It’s touching, but how do I know this is the truth? Maybe he’s just trying to play me again. How do I know he actually deleted it? How do I know my music is even on this thing?
I scoff, doing my best to sound indifferent. “Right. As if. You believe that guy?”
When none of them answer, my gaze floats over them. Derrik bites his lip nervously. EJ winces in a manner I can’t tell if he’s confused or feels pity over me.
Maddox gazes back at me, his emerald eyes shining back at mine, before cringing. “I do.”
* * *
After getting home, I immediately plug in the hard drive to find everything there. All of my rough cuts, all of the guitar sounds, everything. I should be happy, and I am that I have my music, but I have no idea how to feel about everything else.
There’s no doubt that Austin doing that would have serious repercussions. I don’t know if Jimmy Richards would’ve ever released my stuff, though if I had to guess, I’d say he would. But now that he doesn’t have it, I’m sure he’s beyond upset that Austin did what he did. Would Austin risk that kind of wrath over me if I never meant anything to him? Bret didn’t even leave a lunch for me, but here’s Austin risking the onslaught of his father, simply to get me my music back.
Not only is there mixed happiness over my music, but I’m plagued with all of the boys believing him. How could they? He sounded honest and apologetic, but still. After we left the parking garage, none of them said a word. I could see Derrik and EJ falling for his lines, wanting to think the best of him, but not Maddox. The same guy who’s been an overprotecting brother for my entire life. But even Maddox believes him.
My brother never, not once, thought Bret was a good guy. He always warned me about him and that he seemed like he wanted to mooch off of our success. In the beginning, I thought it was just a brother thing, but looking back on it, I can see he was right. If he saw through Bret’s character, could he also be right about Austin? I don’t want him to be right because I still want to be mad. But at the same time … I don’t.
The next day, I decide I have to talk to Austin. I’m hoping to find some common ground with him. He did go out on a limb for me, so maybe there were real feelings between us. If he was being honest with me when he said he didn’t know how to tell me the truth, perhaps we can start over. I’d have to take it slow, but I want to believe him. And unlike believing my brother was right about Bret, this time I do want him to be right.
Heading into Rich Records, I find Shawn at the front desk, lounging with his feet on the desk. I fight off the feelings of distrust once again, secretly hoping Shawn wasn’t part of whatever maniacal plan I’ve imagined since finding out the truth.
When he sees me, he immediately sits up. “Oh, hey, Jade.”
“Hey, Shawn.” I bite my lip, feeling nervous about what I’m going to ask. “Um … Is Austin here or coming in today?”
He twists his head, giving me a perplexed stare. “I thought he talked to you.”
“He did, but I was …” An embarrassed laugh floats out of me. “I was pretty abrupt with him.”
He nods. “I see. Well, maybe he didn’t get through the whole story.” He glances around the lobby, then leans closer as if he’s about to tell me a secret. “He, uh, doesn’t work here anymore.”
My head jerks back, completely caught off guard. “What?”
“Yeah. When he told his dad he deleted your music files, well, it wasn’t pretty. They got into an argument. Then, Austin told him what he’s really going to school for and that he can’t stand how his dad does business. Afterward …” Trailing off, he gazes at the desk. He shakes his head; I can’t tell if it’s disappointment or sorrow. “His dad cut him off. From everything. No more job, no cash to live off of. He even cut off his money for school. It’s … bad.”
I don’t know what to say. I had no idea that his father could be that callous. Sure, he’s black and white when it came to business decisions. I know the reputation of Jimmy Richards in the music industry. If something doesn’t make financial sense, he won’t blink twice before cutting loose ends to make sure the money doesn’t stop flowing. But to think he’d do that with his own son. Even more than that, that Austin put that relationship with his father, no matter how shaky it may have been, on the line for me?
But what now? Do I search for him after he upended his whole life for me? Would he even want to see me? Before he told me the truth, I didn’t want to see him. It reminded me of what I lost. Would he feel the same with me? Everything he gave up for me, and then for me to only throw it back in his face when he finally told me the truth.
“Okay,” I reply to Shawn. “Thanks anyway.”
