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33
Jade
I wish I could say I’ve stopped thinking about Austin, but I haven’t. I also wish I could say I want to try and get ahold of him again, but I don’t.
No, I do.
I don’t know.
After finding out that he isn’t at Rich Records anymore, I initially thought I’d be happy about that. And there is a small piece of me that is. Then I remember everything else he lied about … or inadvertently lied or withheld information. However you want to describe it, it still stings. Which is why I decided to not reach out to him anymore. Maybe it’s better to let it all fade away and get on with my life. Which is easier to do when your best friend and brother aren’t always asking about it.
I expected it from Lily, but what has caught me off guard is that Maddox has brought Austin up a couple of times. Like the other day, when we were all in the studio, we took a quick break for lunch. We all went and grabbed some tacos, and on the way back Maddox asked if I was going to try and talk to Austin again. When I said I wasn’t going to, he asked why not.
“Because what’s done is done,” I told him, and he seemed to drop it.
It still caught me off guard that he brought him up. I’ve gotten so used to him hating Bret and telling me I was better off without him, that him taking an interest in Austin is perplexing. Regardless, I’m doing my best to ignore it.
Tonight is the grand opening of Luxe, the brand new nightclub atop of the newest Mavin International Resort and Hotel in Malibu. It’s Maddox’s first night as the resident DJ for the next three months. The only time I think I’ve ever seen him this excited was the night before we started our world tour. Not only is everyone in the band here tonight to support and have fun, but Zoey came along with Skye and her band. And, of course, Adam Coleman. It’s almost a celebration for my brother.
“What’s up, Malibu!” Adam shouts out from the stage, and the audience cheers. The rest of us are sitting on the second story, watching from the area Maddox has reserved for us. “You guys know I had to be here for not only the grand opening of this place but the King of Bad’s first official night as Luxe’s resident DJ. Who’s ready to party tonight?” Another cheer. “Then let’s hear it for drummer extraordinaire of the Kings of Karmichael, the King of Bad, and my boy, Maddox Barkley!”
“What is this? A coronation?” Derrik asks, laughing.
“It might as well be,” EJ replies.
We all chuckle along as Maddox hops up on the stage and plays it up for the crowd, before starting his set with a heavy bass rhythm playing through the speakers.
It’s an amazing place, and since a lot of people found out Maddox is the resident DJ for the new club, we aren’t the only celebrities in attendance. Red and gold lights flash around the ceiling, with small strobe lights pulsing around the stage. A full dance floor stands in front of where Maddox is playing, with a long bar serving customers at the entrance of the club. On the second floor, where we are, there’s a private bar as well, and waitresses to wait on the VIP clients up here. Truth be told, the entire club is a VIP experience.
It’s a first-rate place, and as Maddox has explained it, Mavin International wants to open more clubs around the country. That’s contingent on whether this location does well or not. No doubt that’s one of the reasons they brought Maddox in. He’s a fantastic DJ, but some other well-known artists were vying for this residency. Mavin International wouldn’t have lost out if they had gone with any of them. Still, I’m sure retaining Maddox Barkley will no doubt bring more eyes on their location simply by name recognition alone.
“How’s the record coming along?” I ask Leah, the lead singer to Skye’s band, The Electrocutes.
“It’s good,” she answers with a wild smile. “When are we gonna get you back in there?”
“Maybe we can do that this week. Me and the guys are toying around with a few songs, but it’s still in the early stages.”
“Perfect.”
She turns to Roxie, their drummer, as she shows her something on her phone. Across the way, I see Derrik and Zoey laughing. To my left, Skye whispers to EJ, who chuckles and replies by tickling her. It’s little moments like these that no matter how much I don’t want to think about Austin, I do. It’s hard to believe sometimes that I was more affectionate with him than I was with Bret, given that I was with Bret months longer than Austin.
“I’ll be back,” I tell Leah and get up from the crowd, heading down to Maddox.
Seeing me approach his area, Maddox lifts his brows, then switches the song. Adam stands behind him with a petite brunette under his arm with a drink in his other hand. The music plays, and Maddox calls me over, as he checks for something in the headphone on one of his ears.
“What do you think?” he calls to me, adjusting a level on his board.
“It’s definitely a scene,” I reply. “Mavin International is pulling out all the stops in this place.”
He nods. “I heard they want to open spots in select cities. New York and Miami are next.”
“If it stays like this the entire time, I don’t see why they wouldn’t.”
“It’s gonna be amazing, sis,” he says, smiling.
Changing the song over, he slips his headphones over his ears and adjusts more levels. The dance floor is flooded, and the bar on the first floor is packed. There’s no doubt in my mind the resort is going to make a killing with this place. I’m happy for my brother, being able to shine on his own for this.
“So, what are you doing down here?” he asks.
