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“I already told you—”
“And I told you, you’re full of shit. If nothing else, she should know the kind of dickhead her father is.” He shakes his head at me, and the anger fades, but not the disappointment. Then he shoves the bottle of whisky back into my hand. “Here, drink the night away and mope in your own excuses, what do I care? I’m just your best friend. But don’t ever think you understand what my world is like because you have no idea. You got that?”
He doesn’t wait for a response, even if there wouldn’t be one vocally. I know I stepped over the line. However, the frustration over everything still keeps the embarrassment at bay, and I undo the cap on the bottle again.
Pouring another shot into the cup, I down it, and pull out my phone. For a half second, I scroll through my text messages and think Adam’s right. I see Cece’s name and wonder if I should call her and explain everything.
Then, I see Jenny’s last text message she sent me, halfway down my screen. Like a flash of light, an idea forms, and my stomach turns over. I pull up her contact info and hit the call button.
“Hey, you,” she answers, and I can already hear the smile in her voice. “I was wondering if I’d ever hear from you again.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I was … going through some stuff.”
“Oh, I hope everything’s okay.”
“It will be,” I reply, taking a deep breath. Pouring a third shot of whisky, I down it. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”
* * *
I hate myself. It’s a new feeling, because up until tonight, I’ve always thought I was awesome. I’m a King. A rock star. Ever since this whirlwind life started, I’ve been sitting on top of the world. Then, that world got flipped upside down meeting Cece, and though it was a complete one-eighty, I was still happy. No, beyond happy. I think I was starting to fall in love.
I know, right? Maddox Barkley in love? But damn it, I think I was.
And now, I just saw Jenny walk into the club, and I absolutely loathe who I am and what I’m about to do. Don’t misunderstand me, I still think it’s for the greater good. It’s still the best option I can come up with, but it’s an utterly disgusting idea.
Jenny eyes me, and I nod to the backstage area where she knows my room is. I’ve seen Cece a couple of times already, but as I look for her again, she’s nowhere to be found. I’m still not sure how I’m going to make this plan go off without a hitch.
As I wind down my first set, I search the area again, but still no Cece. She’s most likely busy with everything else that goes into running this place, which just adds more guilt on my shoulders. Regardless, it has to be done.
Getting backstage, Jenny is on her phone, and as I take a seat next to her on the couch, she gives me a hug. “I’ve missed you, Maddox.”
“Aw, thanks,” I reply, trying to sound calm.
“I have to be honest; I know you’re not known for doing the whole ‘serious’ thing,” she says, making air quotes. “But what would you say about maybe trying it out?” She takes my hand in hers, and as I look back at her, her expression is a mixture of uncertainty.
Wow. My plan is going to completely trash two girls in one night. I don’t know if I could feel more pathetic if I tried.
“Maybe,” I lie to her.
While my brain is still swirling with ideas of a way to get Cece to catch us in here, my door opens, and she steps in, holding a small box. “Maddox, I know you said you weren’t feeling good, so I got some cold medicine,” she says with a smile. It immediately vanishes when she sees Jenny and me sitting next to one another, her hand still in mine. “What … what’s going on here?”
I take a deep breath. “Hey, what’s up, Cece?” I say in the most carefree tone I can. “This is Jenny. Jenny, Cece.”
“Hi,” Jenny says with the utmost sincerity.
Cece takes a cautionary step closer. “Maddox, what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I reply, lifting my shoulders like I don’t understand what she means.
Her eyes jump to Jenny, and the red mini-dress she’s wearing. Coming back to me, a scowl forms over her. “What the hell is this?”
Her harsh tone is enough to force Jenny to look over at me. “Um, what’s going on?”
I lean back on the couch, spreading my arms out. “What? We’re just having a good time. Nothing to freak out over.”
Cece’s face drops. “A good time? Wait … what? Why is this happening right now?”
“Are you two …” Jenny gives me a perplexed gaze. “Maddox, are you two together?”
