AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Which means," she says in her snobby voice. "You only have a week to get everything in order."
My heart pumps double time at all the shit we have to do to get to the damn contest before it starts. Packing. Getting money. The car. Fuck. Getting the guys on board and…
"Here's the five grand," she says, waving around an envelope full of cash. "And my word that your father hasn't found out. In fact, he'll be on a business trip for the next week or so." She lifts her chin, looking smug as hell. But I'm too concerned with the amount of shit I have to do to pay her any mind. She can jump off a cliff for all I care.
"Great," I say, collecting the paper and shoveling it back into the envelope they came in. "You know it's a crime to rifle through other people's mail." Looking over my shoulder, I look at her, and she shrugs, holding onto the cash with a firm grip.
"Callum asked me to look for the mail," she sniffs. "You have been away for a week."
Every possible outcome runs through my mind.
"Remember, though," Gloria says, climbing to her feet and brushing her hands down her pants. "The other part of our deal. I'll give you the extra funds if you…."
"Yeah. Don't worry. I won't forget about you and Camilla." I shake my head. I can only imagine how insufferable my father will be when his two main punching bags disappear from the situation.
"And?" She raises a brow, coming to stand in front of me.
"Would you spit it out? I don't have time for this."
"The girl stays here. No matter what. She'll ruin everything we've set out to do."
"We've? You mean the band?" She swallows hard and waves a hand.
"Of course, your band," she scoffs.
I wipe every emotion from my face and nod. No matter how much I want to fight it, Gloria's right. The guys are ready to hand over the keys and fucking stay here in Central City, where we'll never go anywhere. We'll never get our band off the ground if we stay for River.
Gloria's grin grows a mile, and she bounces on her toes. "If you want my advice," she says, leaning in as I scowl. I don't want anything from her. I want to lie down and collect myself. Maybe take a hot shower and leave the memory of River down the drain, which is impossible to do. "A little birdy told me you'll want to speak with Donavan Drake. He might have a few ideas on how to rid yourselves of the trash. Pictures included." She taps my cheek condescendingly and waltzes away with a victorious pep in her step.
God. Burn my eyes out now. Please take me away from this miserable place.
Although, I don't blame her for wanting to take my sister and run for the hills. My father is less than desirable. She has an ass-backward way of doing things. I sigh, rub the headache away from my forehead and pull out my phone. My plate fills higher and higher with bullshit, but I know the remedy to alleviate it.
As I step into my bathroom and set my phone on the counter, I take a long look in the mirror. My tired, hazel eyes stare back at me, bloodshot and guilt-ridden. My messy blonde hair sticks on end as the room fills with steam, slowly erasing the face in front of me.
Every choice I've made has been for the band—my family. The boys who have grown to be my brothers in the shit storm called life. Whatever I do with this information will affect us, even River. She won't go unscathed. It may break her heart for a week or two, but she's resilient and one tough chick. She'll move on to some other poor schmuck, and then, we'll be a distant, painful memory. That's all the motivation I need to contact the last person I ever thought I'd want to speak with.
Asher: We need to talk.
Staring at the blank screen, I shake my head and jump into the shower. Memories of our weekend flash through my mind as my fingers work through my hair, massaging my roots. My eyes squeeze shut, and I groan at the images sitting behind my eyes. River’s naked form sprawled out and ready for the taking. River panting and moaning as we fuck her against the dining room table. The taste of her flesh as I licked the salt off and forced my tongue down her throat. My fingers tightly wrapped around her throat, squeezing until she silently begged for breath. My dick impaling her over and over until she screamed my name. Fuck. My dick gets hard as the heat pounds against my back and neck, washing away the world pressing down on me. I stare at my traitorous dick. It was one weekend of fun, and that's it. I made myself a promise and let go, embracing what I had wanted since the Ferris wheel. Her. The whole package. And now that I had her, I had to let go and let her essence wash down the drain with every ounce of guilt pressing down on me.
Once I'm out of the shower and running the soft towel across my skin, clarity hits me smack in the head. I know exactly what I have to do to get us through this and onto California without the distraction. Now, all I have to do is set it all up.
Asher: How's Little Brat?
Walking into my room, I get dressed in jeans, a shirt, and a sweatshirt.
Kieran: …. Meet us in the ER.
Rad: Can't say it through text, bro. But it isn't good and…
My heart sinks. They said her mom was taken by ambulance and sick but did she succumb to whatever was ailing her? Jesus. That would complicate everything times ten. But whatever the issue, I'll push forward with all my might and get what we need. It's for the better of the band…my family.
The smell of cheap, burned coffee fills my nose when I round the corner, greeting the solemn faces of Callum and Rad, resting in the uncomfortable-looking ER waiting room. Tears stain their cheeks, and a deep-red tint fills their glazed eyes.
The whole drive to the hospital had my thoughts in a tailspin of worry, guilt, and trying to convince myself I was doing the right thing. I am, right? Am I doing the best thing I can for the guys? For the fucking band? I’m the one looking out for them. They don’t know what the fuck they want right now. Well, except for a win at the Battle of the Bands. One day, I'll be able to reflect on this and not drown in the misery I've created for myself.
"What's going on?" I ask, coming to a halt right in front of them.
