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“Big Paw and Holly are watching her for the next two days, with the help of Leah, until I get back to town.” She pulled back a little and placed her palm against my cheek. Her dilated eyes pierced me. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head.
She hugged me tighter. “Okay.”
Just then, the dressing room door swung open, and Max came barging into the room. “Ian, we need to—” He stopped. He arched an eyebrow and eyed Hazel up and down. “Oh. Uh, sorry, I didn’t know you were with company.”
I stepped away from Hazel and gestured toward Max. “Haze, this is Max, my manager. Max, this is my girlfriend, Hazel.” It felt good introducing her that way to people—as my girlfriend.
Max’s eyes began to study Hazel a little more, and for the first time since I’d been working with him, I realized what he looked like. He looked like a rat, always studying things to see if he could get something from them.
He pushed out a smile, walked over to Hazel, and offered her a handshake. “Max Rider. Nice to meet you. So you’re the one taking up a lot of Ian’s focus, huh?”
Hazel grinned. “Guilty as charged.”
Max kept his lips pressed together tightly and traced his eyes over Hazel once again. “What’s your last name, Hazel?”
She cocked an eyebrow but answered. “Stone.”
Max whistled. “Hazel Stone and Ian Parker. It has a good ring to it. Anyway, I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I just wanted to remind you of the party tonight with some big names, Ian.”
I cringed and shook my head. “I was hoping to lay low tonight with Hazel. It’s been a crazy twenty-four hours.”
“Who are you telling? I know. I’ve been in charge of damage control, remember?”
Hazel cocked another eyebrow toward Max’s tone, and I could tell she was bothered by him. She must’ve been trying really hard to bite her tongue. I could imagine the sassy responses flying through her brain.
“Yeah, I know. But I just need a night off.”
“Not now,” he argued. “Now is the time you get out there and showcase that you aren’t on drugs. You be charming and funny and the persona we are creating Ian Parker to be.”
“I don’t feel like being charming and funny.”
“That’s why it’s called acting.”
“I’m a musician, not an actor.”
He laughed. “All musicians are actors. The only difference is musicians can sing better. Anyhoo, I’ll text you the details.”
He hurried out of the room and slammed the door behind him before I could respond.
“So that’s the amazing Max Fucking Rider, huh?” Hazel said, rolling her eyes so hard I thought she’d never see straight again. “He does know that at the end of the day, he works for you, right?”
I gave a lazy smile. “I doubt he knows that. Sorry you had to witness that. I was hoping we could talk and chill, but I think I have to make an appearance tonight, for damage control and all.”
“Who’s handling the damage control on your heart?” she asked.
I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in close. “You are.” I pressed my lips to her forehead. “I know you didn’t come out here to come to a party, but I’d love to have you by my side to keep me levelheaded.”
“Where you lead, I’ll follow. Whatever you need from me over these next thirty hours, I’m yours.”
33
HAZEL
Max Fucking Rider.
More like Max Fucking Dickhead.
