“If it hadn’t been him, it would have been someone else. It was only a matter of time.” I shook my head.
“Well, it wasn’t someone else, it washim.I hope all of his hair falls out and he winds up in an erectile dysfunction commercial.”
I snorted. “I can’t say that wouldn’t bring me some joy right now.”
A soft smile played across her lips. “I love you, babe. I want you to be happy.”
“I love you too.”
“Just think about this, okay?” She pulled me into a hug. “Think about what it isyouwant.”
I nodded, and we settled on the couch together, finishing our tea. When she left, I locked the door behind her and trudged back to the couch.
I pulled the sleeves of my sweatshirt over my hands, settling back into the couch. I grabbed the remote, clicking the button, and the next episode of a show that I did not care about started to play. Mama stretched out next to me, content to nap at my side, as I let the voices on the television lure me into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter 34
Jax
Ialmost took out a ‘noparking’ sign as I pulled Dallas’s Mercedes to a stop outside 6th & 15th Records. The record label was housed inside an old renovated home near Music Row with a banner outside congratulating one of their artists on going platinum.
I pushed through the front door to find a stunned receptionist gaping at me.
“You’re Jaxon Slade.” Ofcourse,she recognized me.
“I need to see Benton Wyatt,” I said firmly. “It’s urgent.”
“Mr. Slade, you have to have an appointment,” the receptionist said quietly, looking terrified of me. Hell, at that moment, I was terrified of me too.
“Please,” I pleaded. “I need to talk to Ben. We’re old friends.” The lie dripped right off my tongue. She narrowed her eyes as though trying to decide if she believed me. Maybe it was the fact that I looked like I’d lost my best friend, but she bought it hook, line, and sinker.
She pointed to a door toward the center of the building. “Go through there. It’s the last door on the right.”
“Thank you.” I sprinted through the first door and came to a stop in front of his office. His name was engraved in the frosted glass along with the 6th & 15th logo. I could hear him talking on the other side, but from the pauses he took, I gathered he was on the phone. I stormed through the door, and Benton’s mouth fell open.
“Chris, I’m going to have to call you back,” he said before slamming down the phone. “How did you get back here?”
“What? I thought you wanted to meet with me, Benton?” I feigned shock. “Isn’t that why you called that meeting with the band on New Year’s Eve?”
Benton shook his head as he maneuvered to the other side of his desk. He leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest. “What do you want, Jaxon?”
“To give you this.” I strode over to him and threw my fist at his face, connecting with his nose.
“Shit!” Benton covered his face with his hands. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“You fucking asshole!”
“What the hell is your problem?” He pulled his hands away to reveal the blood trickling down his face. He wiped at it with the back of his hand, managing to get some on the sleeve of his pristine white shirt. “I ought to have you fucking arrested for assault!”
“It was your fault that shit got out to the press. Are you happy now? You ruined her, and you ruined us.”
“Jesus Christ.” Benton sighed. “It wasn’t me, Jaxon. I never talked to the press.”
“A likely fucking story.” I snorted.
The receptionist from out front burst through the door, a look of horror on her face as she caught a glimpse of Benton.
“I’m fine, Ali,” he said. “Give me and Mr. Slade a moment, and cancel my afternoon meetings.”
