“Who’s the guy she’s with?” Evan asked. “He’s been wrapped around her all night.”
“Like I haven’t noticed.” The words poured out like venom, making my chest burn. “She says he’s just a friend, but it looks like a hell of a lot more than that to me.”
“Uh huh,” Evan said, drawing my attention back to him. “And you’re not the kind of guy who sits on his hands, waiting for things to happen. So why’re you over here, seething, while buddy makes a play for your girl?”
“You know why.” I looked him in the eye. “Can’t afford another media shitstorm, boss. Isn’t that what you told me after my last break-up? Lay low. Keep it in my pants. And shut the fuck up.” I curled my hand into a fist at my side. “Your words.”
Evan winced. “Yeah, I might’ve been a little harsh. But I was pissed. We’d been through this before, one too many times, and I was trying to make sure you knew it couldn’t happen again.”
“Got your message. Loud and clear.” The short leash he’d put me on that day was the only thing holding me back now. That and all strangers with cell phones, who may or may not be local reporters covering the big birthday bash for Knox.
Cece had gone all out. Transformed their grounds with tents, live music, an open bar, and impressive catered spread. She’d even presented her new husband with a classic Corvette that used to belong to his old man. And it had taken everything in my buddy to choke back the tears when he laid one on his new bride.
As happy as I was for them, it tore my own wound open, making me bleed a little more.
“I know your career means everything to you,” Evan said, following my gaze to Charli. “You’ve given everything to me and Titan from day one, and I appreciate that, man.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. My career used to mean everything to me, but day by day, Charli was slowly edging it out, taking a place of prominence in my life that I never would have guessed was up for grabs.
“I know how lucky I am, getting to do what I love,” I said, clearing my throat. “That wouldn’t be possible if you and your brother hadn’t been willing to take a chance to me. I won’t forget that. And I don’t wanna make any more trouble for you or the label.”
“But you can’t put your career first anymore.” Evan chuckled at my look of surprise. “I wouldn’t be able to read you so easily unless I’d been where you are, Dade. I lost Erika once.” His smile slipped. “Made the mistake of putting my career first and she left me.”
I let the air seep through my teeth, wondering how that shaped the man who had family photos lining every square inch of the credenza in his office. Erika and his kids were his world and had been since long before I met him.
“She left you… while you were married?”
He shook his head, looking somber. “No, we weren’t married yet. Just living together. But I gotta tell you, it gutted me. Never thought I’d get over it.” He smirked. “And I didn’t. That’s why I had to make it my mission to get her back. Everything else, including my career, took a back seat, ‘cause I knew I had to make that woman my wife.”
I smiled in spite of my foul mood. “Nice to know some folks get their happy ending.” I tapped my glass against his. “Couldn’t happen to a nicer couple either.”
“You deserve that too, you know,” he said, side-eyeing me. “Your happy ending. Kids. Wife. The whole nine. I know that’s what you want more than anything, so don’t even try to deny it.” Before I could agree, he said, “Platinum records and awards are nice. So are millions in the bank.” He smiled. “But take it from me, there’s nothing nicer than hearing your woman and kid tell you they love you at the end of a hellacious day. That’s the shit that puts it all in perspective.”
“And that’s what I’ve been chasing, and failing to catch, for years.” I wasn’t feeling sorry for myself, just stating a fact. Even when I chased down love, it still evaded me. As I watched Charli cozying up to the man who wanted to take my place, I had to wonder whether it was time to make peace… or go down fighting.
Chapter 18
Charli
Ihad to give Max credit. He was a damn good actor. I’d invited him to the party with a two-part mission. Help silence the speculation about me and Dade and send a message to the man himself: it’s over.
It killed me to see that look in Dade’s eyes though. Like I’d somehow betrayed him, but I’d done what I had to do. I couldn’t waste another day pretending he was going to come to his senses when he obviously wasn’t.
“Let it go, beautiful,” Max said, brushing his lips over my temple. “He’s not worth it.”
If any man had ever been worth the heartache it would be Dade, but my heart wasn’t strong enough for another pummeling. “I know.”
We were locked in a slow dance, listening to Sky belt out her latest ballad about lost chances and heartbreak. She sang those lyrics like she’d lived them and the way she fixated on Archer when she sang told me they came from the heart.
“You’ve been a really good friend,” I said, looping my arms around his neck. “Thank you for that.” I’d been spending a lot of time at Max’s place, instead of going home to the folks’ house after work. We’d been working on our music and he’d been helping me forget how lonely I was without Dade.
I’d been upfront, told him I was in love with my boss, and he respected that. But he told me some of the best relationships were born of close friendships and he didn’t mind biding his time. I knew Max wasn’t the man for me. Even if Dade wasn’t taking up all the precious real estate in my head and heart, Max and I would never cross that line.
Our fake kisses tonight just drove that point home. I felt nothing when his lips touched mine. Unlike Dade’s kisses… which made me feel like I might spontaneously combust.
“Can I cut in?”
Oh shit. Dade.
