Page 101 of The Twisted Beats

I shoot puppy-dog eyes at Bren. “But I have a point, don’t I?”

He nods and buries his face in his palms. “You two are gonna kill me being your go-between.”

Callum closes his eyes, lowers his head, and sighs. “Fine, but you’re not to step a foot away from our staff.”

“Done.” A smile spreads across my face. “So how does this even work? I usually go in with you guys.”

“My uncle has someone he vetted bringing you. Otherwise, you’ll be alone with nowhere to go for a few hours.” Callum plants a kiss on my lips. “I’m not even sure where they have us going tonight. It’s a weird setup.”

“What do you mean?” I plop down on the couch next to Bren.

Callum checks something on his phone. “They’re filming at a few different bars. I’m not sure which one we’re supposed to go to. The production crew has been trying to work it out, but nothing’s set in stone yet.”

Bren stands. “For a New Year’s Eve bash, this has got to be the most unorganized event we’ve ever played.”

Callum raises his head. “Yeah, I agree, but we’re not doing this under Ur Boyz management, so we’re a little out of our usual constraints and requirements.”

“I get it, but it still feels a little shady.” Bren strolls toward his room. “I hope we actually make it to the right place.”

“We will.” Callum goes back to fiddling with his phone.

He releases a frustrated growl and tosses his phone on the table in the living room between the two separate bedrooms.

I get up, sit next to him, and rub his back. “You’re going to do great tonight, love. I feel it in my bones.”

“Thanks.” He snuggles into me and gives me a quick peck. “Guns and I need to leave once he’s dressed. Can I get you anything before I go?”

“Can you leave me a line or two? I want to be on the same level as you guys when I get there.”

“Lily, I don’t want you using when I’m not there. It’s not a good idea.”

“But you use when I’m not around.”

“It’s not that. I just don’t want you using when I’m not there. Tonight’s messy.”

I push off the couch and march into my room. “You hear how that sounds, right? Like I’m fragile and you’re bulletproof.”

“Lily, it has nothing to do with that.” He follows me. “You’re here with no one but some guy my uncle hired to chauffeur you around. I’m with a group who won’t let anything bad happen to me.”

“You sound like you’re worried about me.” I turn and study him with a careful eye. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“No. I just have an off feeling about tonight.”

“I think you have a little stage fright.”

“Why do you say that?”

“It’s the first time out of your comfort zone. Of course it’s going to feel strange. It’s supposed to.” I saunter to him and place my hands on his chest. “You’re going to kill it out there, so relax.”

“I’m trying, but you heard Guns. Even he thinks something feels weird.”

I take Callum in a meaningful hug. “Just find me on the sidelines and focus on being Mayhem tonight. This is your chance to shine. Don’t let anything dull that experience.”

“I fucking love you.” He squeezes me tighter.

“I fucking love you, rockstar, so break a leg tonight.” I pull away and stare into his wary gaze. “You’ve got this. Trust yourself.”

There’s a knock on the door. Callum steps out of my arms. “That must be your escort for the night.”