Blake grabs my hand and holds it out of view behind us, giving me some much needed support. This is twice in one day that my men are proving to me they’re here to have my back. I don’t have to go through anything alone again. It’s dumb that I need so many reminders, but I do. I’ve been alone for so freaking long. I just wish we didn’t have to hide it.
“Nothing new, but itisabout who you’re dating. I know you don’t want to bring attention to it, but your fans have been extremely outspoken about how much they enjoyed the dance between you and Darius.
“I know, I know,” she says, holding her hands up to stop anyone from interrupting her. “We’ve run the numbers and tested several ideas to work on repairing your image, and one came out far ahead of the others.”
I’m certain I won’t like what she’s about to say, and I’m already prepping myself for the outrage of my men. “What do you suggest?”
“Well the most favorable outcome was you leaning into the rumor of the two of you dating.” She holds up her hands to ward off any of us interrupting knowing we would have emotional reactions. “We can start off slow, putting in more of a flirtatious banter between the two of you in your performance.” She points between me and Darius, indicating exactly who she’s referring to, as if there were any question about it.
“No,” Nash calls out. He moves to step forward, but Keaton holds his arm out, stopping him before he can.
Instead, Keaton slides in front of him. “I’ll do it. Everyone loves the drummer.”
Izzy smiles at him, but it’s easy to see her answer in it. It’s amazing how controlled she can be when dealing with someone like Dickless, but when she’s in a personal client meeting, she drops that mask. It makes me trust her even more, seeing how comfortable she is with me and the guys.
“I know you’d rather it be one of you, but unless you want to start more rumors, then this is the most favorable path.”
“I’m okay with rumors,” Nash says, pushing Keaton aside so he can see Izzy.
Her focus lands on me. “Are you okay with that?”
Of course I want it to be one of my men, but I pause to really think about it from all angles. If I become flirty with someone new on stage, or off for that matter, then it will reinforce the rumors from so long ago that I was jumping from member to member of Napalm Delights.
It would start a chain reaction of headlines that will cause more harm than good. I can already see the tabloids running wild with it, painting me as a harlot, someone who sleeps around with anyone who’s close by.
Fuck, they’d probably label me as a sex addict. They’d love that, wouldn’t they?
I glance over at Darius, who’s watching me carefully, waiting for my reaction. He’s good at his job—too good, maybe. The chemistry we had on stage was undeniable, and the audience ate it up, but that was a one-time thing, a moment of spontaneity. I don’t want it to become something bigger, something people latch onto.
Well… even more than they already have.
My gaze shifts to Nash and Keaton while Blake squeezes my hand. They have my back, always, but the idea of forcing a connection on stage with someone who isn’t them feels wrong. Keaton’s calm presence, Nash’s protective nature, Blake’s ability to settle my nerves—those are what keep me grounded. They’re who I trust, and if we play into this fake flirtation with Darius, there’s a small part of me that worries I might begin to believe it. I’m already too attracted to him for my own good. It’s really not fair for a man to be that gorgeous.
Izzy clears her throat, reminding me she’s still waiting for an answer. I know she’s only doing her job, trying to help me navigate this mess, but it doesn’t make the decision any easier.
It’s not something I want, but I know what’s at stake, and sometimes you have to do what you hate to protect what matters. Everything with my career feels like it’s teetering on arazor sharp edge. If I fall on the wrong side, it could mean the end of everything I’ve built.
I let out a slow breath, forcing myself to make eye contact with Izzy, who’s watching me intently. Darius shifts slightly, arms crossed, clearly indifferent to whatever choice I’m about to make, yet his eyes are glued to the ground, and I swear it looks like he’s holding his breath. Is he hopeful that I’ll say yes? Does he want this to happen?
It takes me a moment to push those thoughts out of my mind and to come to a decision that might make or break me. “Fine,” I say, my voice quieter than I intend. “We’ll go with the flirtation.”
Keaton stiffens, and Nash lets out a frustrated breath, but neither says a word. Blake’s grip tightens almost painfully, and he doesn’t let go. The silence that follows feels heavy, like everyone’s holding back what they really want to say. My heart pounds in my chest, not from excitement, but from the tension that’s already creeping into the room.
Izzy’s smile returns, softer this time, but satisfied. “You’re making the right choice. We’ll work out the details so it feels natural, not forced.”
I glance at Darius, who raises an eyebrow but says nothing. He’s always been smooth, effortlessly charming when he wants to be. He won’t have a problem playing his part, but I know this is going to complicate things—both on stage and off.
Keaton’s fingers brush my arm, and I turn to see the worry in his eyes. I wish I could take it back, tell him I’ll figure out another way, but the truth is, I can’t. This decision isn’t only about me—it’s about the band, they don’t deserve their image to be tarnished by my past. And if this is the price I have to pay to keep that intact, then so be it.
Nash is the first to speak, his voice low. “You sure about this?”
I nod, even though a part of me isn’t. “Yeah. I am.”
Keaton’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t argue. Instead, he gives me a look that says everything words can’t. He’ll support me, no matter what, but that doesn’t mean he’s happy about it. And honestly, neither am I.
Izzy claps her hands together, breaking the tension. “Great! We’ll start weaving this into your performances. Don’t worry, it’ll be subtle at first. Just a little more eye contact, maybe some playful touches. The fans will eat it up.”
The room empties slowly, but the weight of my choice lingers, heavier than before. I know this is the best path to take, the one that will quiet the rumors and get everyone off my back, but that doesn’t mean it feels right.
