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“What’s our fault, love?” Ryder lifts a pierced, curious brow. “The record deal without having to fish it to dozens of labels?”
“Don’t try to play me. I’m not like the little wide-eyed, naïve girls you’re used to, ready to believe everything you say and fall at your feet. And I never asked either of you to take on my music. I only asked you to listen.”
“Watch it, Lily,” Maddox growls. “We know you didn’t ask. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t show a little gratitude instead of acting like an entitled brat.”
“Entitled brat?” My eyes widen as I step back so I don’t punch him. “I don’t think I’m entitled to anything except an answer. Were you impressed with the music, or was it an opportunity to meddle?”
“What do you think we are meddling in?” Ryder asks, his arms folded across his wide chest.
“Cut the crap. You know what I’m talking about. He told me you know.”
Maddox’s frown returns to its wide smile. “I know a lot of things. The C chord comprises E, G, and C. A hummingbird can beat its wings eighty times a second, and a blue whale’s penis is just over eight feet long.”
Ryder turns toward Maddox with a low whistle. “Eight feet, huh? Bloody hell, that’s a massive dick. Speaking of dicks, you know I’ve often wondered about Liam’s.” My teeth grind as he continues to speak as if I’m not here. “In three years, I’ve never seen him with a woman. He’s clearly not into men. Then there’s the way he gets all broody whenever she’s around—”
“Worse when she’s not around.” Maddox cuts him off and tilts his head as if pondering the notion.
“Exactly. It leads one to wonder: does his dick not work, or does it only work for one girl?”
My entire body heats. I’m not embarrassed, but… Maybe a little from being called out. These two know. They are playing dumb, but they know… probably everything. “It obviously works for more than just me,” I snap. “Since you two seem to know so much, you should know that, right?”
“Seems we know more than you,” Maddox levels me with a look that burns.
“Then why do we have to work together?” I hiss. You need to set me up with someone else.”
“Why?” He leans against the wall, crossing arms and ankles.
My hands fly, exasperation blowing from my mouth as I pace back and forth in the small metal box. “Because we have history!”
“But you’re engaged now, right?” Something in his tone makes my stomach lurch and my skin prickle. Does he know that too? No, he can’t possibly know. No one knows. “Which means you’re over him. You’ve moved on. So it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Whatever,” I growl, my head dipping until my chin touches my chest. My teeth and jaw ache from how hard they clench. I have a feeling I don’t want to push this. I meet their arrogant faces and seethe. “But you two just made my shit list.” The elevator doors open, but I have one more question before I step out. “How long have you two known?”
Maddox shrugs. “Since Angel’s wedding.”
“Of freaking course,” I spit.
Their loud cajoling echoes as I storm out of the elevator, ready to be anywhere but here.
Liam
I lean back in my chair, staring at the digital file on my computer, replaying the night of Angel’s wedding in my head. It happens often because that’s the night I fell in love with something forbidden. I’m always trying to pinpoint when, what, and why, but I never can because it wasn’t a single moment that night. It was everything about her. My heart didn’t ask permission. It just decided she’s it. No one else would ever be enough.
I crossed a line three years ago, knowing I would regret it. Except I didn’t regret it at all. The connection I felt was unlike any other, and she felt it, too, because the fiery free spirit would never have sought me out otherwise. And that terrified me, making me run from her as fast as I could, telling her it was a mistake.
I used every excuse in the book. Our age, which was an issue for me in the beginning, soon became a crutch—a way to avoid telling the truth, just like my issues with Angel finding out. I don’t have proof, but I have a feeling he knows, just like Maddox and Ryder. I’d bet money they all do.
But coming out… making our relationship public meant I’d have to admit the truth. I became obsessed with the girl the moment she ran off the blond Barbie Doll at her dad’s party. If I confessed that, I’d open myself up to a world of pain.
I would never be enough for Lily. She’s twenty-one, full of life and adventure, and accustomed to a lifestyle I could never provide. I’m almost thirty-six with a grown daughter. My life working with rock stars may seem exciting, but the biggest part of my day is making sure everyone shows up when they should.
Or it was a week ago.
I couldn’t keep Krista happy when I was twenty-one. What chance did I stand with Lily? The thought of getting my heart broken again kept me in a constant state of fear and our relationship in limbo. Krista hurt me, but Lily had the power to decimate me with nothing more than a flutter of her lashes.
But I caved because I wanted her too much. I was ready—kind of—to tell everyone. We had a timeframe of sorts. But it was my fear and one fucked up night that cost me everything.
She ran and didn’t give me a chance to explain. To tell her the truth. And I’m guessing she hasn’t allowed anyone else to, either. If I know my girl, anyone that knows about us—which until today she believed was only Henry and his wife, Ashleigh—she’s forbidden from speaking of me. She wouldn’t ask her brother or Josephine, and they would have no reason to bring me or my shit up.
