“Each other?” She found herself saying, the words rasping from her throat.
“Nothing,” her mom corrected, firmly. “WhatIremember is trying to find out where our next meals were coming from. How to make you think that sleeping in the car was a choice, a little slumber party, so that you didn’t realize we couldn’t afford the motel next to the pageant center.”
Whatever hopeful pipedream she’d had of her mom seeing her side – seeingher– was sharply deflated.
Juliet drew in a long breath, turning back to look at herself andonly herselfin the mirror.
Harrison had given them everything. He was the reason she had all of this. And his connections with the executives at the label were the reason why she was contractually obligated to perform at four of Harrison’s events every year – not including the promotions! – publicly aligning herself with him.
Yeah, they were family.
But he’d made sure to put it all in writing for her to sign when she’d barely been eighteen, just in case she ever started to think otherwise.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Darcy feltlike she was about to vibrate right out of her own body.
The countdown was on untilJukebox Calamitydropped, and the world got to decide what We, The Romantics was really made of. A group that struck gold with a single album success? Or a name that had staying power and lasting talent?
Copper Canyon had gone all-out for the release party, hosted at the penthouse of the Fox and Hyde hotel, on a beautiful waterfront stretch in Malibu.
She’d spent the night glued to Emerson and Blythe, because if she wasn’t glued to someone, she was pretty sure she might float away.
This was the night. This was the moment she’d been waiting for since they’d signed their deal with Copper Canyon almost exactly a year ago.
Darcy couldn’t remember half of the people that had approached them tonight. She was lucky that her mouth could start moving without her mind catching up when it came to discussing her music.
Colton returned to them, picking his way through the crowd. He presented a large plate, filled with food. “All right, I haveevery option. Charcuterie, veggies, and – hey, look, they have these fried chicken sliders. Grabbed enough for everyone.”
He offered the plate around, slowly, meeting their eyes as he went.
Darcy had forced down whatever Colton had put in front of her earlier but couldn’t possibly manage anything right now.
Emerson was pale, and she grimaced down at the plate, holding up her hand. “I can’t. You know I haven’t been able to stomach anything all day.”
He nodded with a wince, lowering the plate. Blythe frowned, reaching out and taking it from him, pushing it more forcefully at Emerson. “Which means you need to eat something now. If you throw up in one of these philodendrons, it is what it is.”
Under Blythe’s command and unwavering stare, Emerson gave in and reached out to take one of the sliders.
“Good,” Blythe nodded approvingly.
“Bossy,” Darcy murmured, teasing.
“Watch yourself,” Blythe shot back, as she returned the plate to Colton.
He took it absently from her, scanning his eyes around the room. He fixed on something, his face lighting up. “Hey, Juliet’s here!”
Just like that, lightning struck through her body, and she spun around to face the direction Colton was facing.
She hadn’t seen Juliet in just over two weeks, which… well, felt like forever. Absolutely ridiculous, but it was the longest they’d gone since they’d started sleeping together. And, to make matters worse, she’d never felt needier for someone in her life. Far worse now than when they’d started this thing.
As soon as her eyes landed on Juliet, she felt dumbfounded.
Sheshouldn’t; she knew exactly how attractive Juliet was. She had a more intimate knowledge than just about anyone.
But she almost swallowed her fucking tongue when she saw the dress Juliet was wearing. The dress Juliet had worn toheralbum release party.
So unlike Juliet’s typical public style, the electric blue dress had a long slit up the side, and…
