I roll my eyes and attempt to deescalate the situation. “You get to keep touring.”
There’s not a hint of a change in the fury of Trenton’s face.
“We’re just taking a little break.” When Trenton rises to step onto his tip toes to look into the room again, I take a big step toward him and close the door behind me. “Hey, eyes on me.”
Now I’ve really pissed him off. He throws a finger into my face. “She made a promise to me.”
Without thinking my eyes flick to his finger where a wedding ring so easily could have been. Who knows how many other women have held that hand in the past few months. Who knows where that hand was last night. “I think you made promises, too.”
The loser laughs. He actually laughs. “Guess neither of us can keep a promise.”
“It’s time to go,” Mitch says, sensing the rising tensions. Trenton merely shrugs off the attempt.
“You both signed contracts, too…made promises.” He narrows his eyes at me and smirks. “Was sleeping with Raleigh on that contract?”
Any semi enjoyment I was getting from watching him squirm is gone in a heartbeat. Before I know what I’m doing, he’s across the hall and pinned up against the opposite wall.
“Hey! Dalton!” Mitch is already at my back trying to pull my arm away from Trenton, but I will not be budged.
It’s my turn to put a finger in his face. “I see you here again with ill intent and we’ll have big issues.”
“I’ll press charges," Trenton seethes, pushing me away from him. I let him create that separation because if I didn’t, it’s unlikely I’d let him go without inflicting some sort of damage.
“I’m prepared for the consequences. Are you?” I step toward him again, my fists itching to just get one good hit on him. “I could make it so your face could never be used on an album cover again.”
“Alright, that’s enough!” Mitch roars, stepping between us.
Realizing his defeat, Trenton leaves me with an empty threat. If he were to ever tattle on me, the whole history of his abuse with Mae would get investigated too. The label wouldn’t like that too much. Still, an unhinged man feeling like he was wronged is enough for me to let out a shaky breath as he disappears on the elevator.
With the threat gone, the adrenaline falls. As the high crashes, I recall my behavior in the heat of the moment. Leaning back against the wall, I gently lower to the cushioned carpet floor and let the anger wash from me.
“You didn’t hurt him too bad, did you?” Glancing up, I find the door to Mae’s suite partially opened with the wide-eyed woman peering out at me.
“No. I don’t think I hurt him at all.”
I’m not sure why she voices her next statement outloud, but I appreciate that she trusts me enough to do so. “I don’t think I should go back to him this time.”
“No, I don’t think you can, Mae.”
She nods before her hand slides down the door in defeat.
“Are you going to be okay? Should I call Raleigh for you?”
She glances over her shoulder where I hope Theresa is ready to catch her if she falls. “No, don’t bother her. I’ve got my guitar; I’ll be alright.”
With that, the door closes, and I’m left out in the hallway again. I don’t know how long it takes for me to be brave enough to text Raleigh about my shortcomings.
Dalton:I may have roughed him up.
She answers almost immediately.
Raleigh:I already heard…
Raleigh:I was hoping you’d done worse than a little verbal threat.
Raleigh:But I appreciate you not throwing any punches because having me be the one bailing you out of jail would have been really embarrassing for you and I’m finally starting to like you.
Dalton:I didn’t mess anything up, did I?
