I shift uncomfortably against the soft leather. “She stole my first boyfriend! What was Isupposed to do? Be the bigger person?”
He snorts as if that’s an incredible punchline to the joke that is me. “You're as petty as you are pretty, Matilda.”
Ican't really argue that. Igrab the remote and start flicking through apps while Lola appears and starts fussing over Dad. Her dark hair has beenbleached and dyed lime green, swirled into perfect pin curls to match her perpetual pin-up style.
“Why are you all dressed? Why’s Lola putting concealer on you?”
Lola rolls her dark grey eyes at me, “We’re going to the Rolling Stone offices, Baby! Keep up!”
“Right now? Why?”
“Old guard meets the new,” Dad says with a …
“Dad, why are you smiling? It’s freaking me out! Who are you meeting?”
“Jett Raven!” They both shout at me like I’m completely daft.
I start laughing hysterically, and my dad looks like I’ve grown two additional heads.
“What? His new album blew me the fuck away!”
“Seriously?”
Lola throws a signed vinyl at me. Ihave no idea where she pulled that from. Jett's sea glass green eyes stare at me for far too long, his black hair featuring streaks of royal purple, still wild and sticking out everywhere. Cheeks are a little less round. New lip ring accentuating his insane pout. Iget distracted thinking about how much money women spend on getting lips like that when Jett was clearly born with them. Then Isee the Sharpie.
‘Maxwell - This album wouldn’t exist without your influence. Iam not worthy, my king of rock, but the only thing that would make my big Hollywood Bowl performance better is if you joined me on stage for a song. Undying loyalty, Jett.’
I finally rip my eyes from Jett’s.Why was that hard?Itoss the record on the couch. Mickie had convinced me to go see Jett with her twice since we met him, once at the Whiskey and again at the Troubadour. He has since outgrown such venues and yes, Iwill admit we had fun.Jett is entertaining, of course, but Istill can't picture this old man loving his sound.
“Dad, is Mum jealous you have a boyfriend? Amuch younger one, at that?”
“Shut up, Baby!” Lola throws the concealer at my head.
I will admit, Jett is a powerhouse performer. His energy onstage crackles, absolutely electric. He’s silly and sweet, weird and outrageous. But he canalso be abhorrently obnoxious trying too hard with this whole courting my father thing.
“You’re seriously considering singing with him at the Bowl, Dad? Poppy emo whatever it is he’s doing?”
“This is the closest thing he’s done to rock and be quiet, because I’m here for it. He’s gonna bring rock ‘n roll back, Ijust feel it in my old bones. Fucker is finally learning to play that guitar for real, Iheard it with my own ears. Mum and Lola say he’s me in a younger body, and today I’m going to see for myself!”
I groan, and my dad’s not done. “Say one more word, Baby, and you’re coming with us.”
The words bubble up in my throat like a woman possessed, “It’s just that he’s so—”
“All right, you’re coming with us, loudmouth! Go get fucking dressed.”
Chapter 5
Maddy
Two hours later, and we’re rolling up to the offices in full rock royalty regalia. It’s hotter than hell for this early in the afternoon, but we’re all in black leather regardless. It’s just our thing.
Jude ruffles my hair, “If you can’t stand Jett that much, like why are you even here?”
I can stand him,sometimes,that’s the problem.Inever know when Iwill or won't be able to. Ismooth my hair in a huff.
“I don’t need to answer that. Why areyouhere?”
My brother, with his chocolate button eyes and curly brown hair pulled into a silly,attempting to look seriousman-bun, replies, “I need to be here. I’m Dad’s publicist.”
