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“I didn’t take it. I swear.”
She scowled. “Not like I can trust a word that comes out of your mouth.”
I opened my mouth, but with a glare from Brant, I closed it again. It wasn’t like I could make her believe me. But when Charlie returned her purse, she’d see the song still inside. I hadn’t taken it. I turned and walked away, Santa hat in hand.
I’d parked my car around the corner, and when I got there, Dick was leaning up against the side of it. I walked up to him and drew back my fist and punched him.
“You’re fired. Consider that your notice.”
“What the hell, man?” Dick squealed. “I’m going to sue your ass. I have a contract, you know.”
“And you have been passing someone else’s songs off as your own. How well do you think that will hold up in court?”
“She gave them to me. I swear.”
“Humph. Well, she just revoked your rights and I’m not going to fight her.”
“The label will fail. The board will have your hide.”
“Could be.” I climbed into my car and drove away, leaving Dick there in the muddy snow. I was sorry that I’d deceived Lily. I knew I hated dishonesty, and somehow I’d let that jerk talk me into it. She was talented and kind, and I certainly didn’t deserve her.
I was going to have to take my lumps as far as the label. I was sorry for the other groups on it, but the company was probably going to let them go. Without the headliner, and a big hit, they’d see it as money down the drain. Hell, I’d be lucky if I didn’t get fired.
But I’d do right by Lily. She deserved it. For Dick to steal from her, and then me coming in playing friendly Santa . . . I sighed. It had all been one big lie. And I was done being dishonest.
Lily
WhatanidiotI’dbeen. Letting two guys deceive me in the space of a few days? What was I, a magnet for losers? As soon as we’d been sure they were gone, I grabbed my coat and went back to the city. I needed some space and some time with my own thoughts.
I’d thought Santa or Noah or whoever he was and I were having fun, but he’d been after the song the whole time. I couldn’t believe I’d given him my attention. No one ever saw me for who I was, just what I could give them. I was swearing off men this time, for good.
The next night, my doorbell rang and I peered through the keyhole. “Go away.”
“Lily,” Justine said. “Open up.”
“I don’t want anything to do with them.”
“Of course not. But I’m your friend and I’m here to check on you.”
I opened the door slowly and there was no one else in the hall, so I let Justine and her very large bottle of wine in. “What’s that for?” I asked sourly.
“To help you forget your troubles,” she said.
“I don’t even know why I bother,” I muttered.
“Bother what? With men?” She laughed. “Aww, girl, we’ve all been there.” She went into my kitchen and dug around for a bottle opener.
I dropped down on my couch and glared at the coffee table. I was tired and I’m sure my eyes were puffy. I’d tossed and turned all night. I’d taken a shower and thrown on jeans and a sweater, but I couldn’t seem to wash away last night. I’d spent the whole day moping around my apartment. I shouldn’t let them affect me so much.
Justine sat down next to me and handed me a glass of wine. “To assholes. May we never forget, never surrender.”
I couldn’t help the chuckle that erupted from me. “I can’t believe you and Liam were just defending him.”
“Who? Dick?” Justine played dumb. “We’d never defend him.”
“Noah,” I growled.
She raised an eyebrow. “Did he take your song?”
