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“You need to talk to someone. You’re already on thin ice with your label.”
Gray scoffs. “They need me more than I need them.”
I hate that he’s right. It makes it hard to get my point across. But I’m about to argue anyway when my phone rings. I know it’s going to be someone from the media team asking where I am. But despite the fact that I’m supposed to be sitting down with some journalists in thirty minutes, I don’t answer.
“I have to go. Stay here. I’ve got plenty of food. We’ll talk when I get back.”
The blonde looks at me expectantly and I groan. “Look after him, will you?”
She nods with a smile as I walk away, instantly regretting my choice to leave.
By the time I get to my office, I’m a disheveled shell of my usual self. I gave in and called one of Grayson’s bandmates on the way here. This guy has a good head on his shoulders, not that Grayson doesn’t—he just lost his way for a while. I have no doubt that Zach will look after him. He’ll be angry but he’ll be there. I just can’t expect him to take full responsibility. After all, like Gray, he’s practically a kid.
The newspaper interview is harmless, but I’m on edge the entire time. When I’m finally able to check my phone, I relax, seeing a message from Zach to say that Grayson’s okay. While I might be relieved, I’m still so fucking angry at the situation.What are you thinking, Gray?I have the strongest urge to knock some sense into him, if only I could guarantee it would work.
I’ve just rounded the corner to my office, intent on grabbing my keys and hitting the gym to work off this frustration, when I come face-to-face with Lucy. In a dress. Looking so beautiful it hurts.Not now, Lucy.Please.
My chest tightens as I scowl. “Whatever you’re selling, I ain’t buying,” I say, moving around her.
“Wes—”
“No, Lucy. If you need to talk to me, as thehead coach, you make an appointment,” I bark, completely unnecessarily, before walking away.
Chapter Sixteen
Lucy
“What’syourproblem?”Iwhisper-yell, chasing Wes down the hall. There’re a few office doors open, so I try hard not to draw any attention to us. Not that there is anusanymore. And maybe there never was.
Wes doesn’t respond. He just tosses me a look over his shoulder that says “are you kidding me with that question” and continues on his way. Like the conversation is over. But boy is he in for a shock. I get that things didn’t end well with us, but it takes two to tango. He never called, never messaged. He walked away that day and never looked back. Something he wishes he could do now.
As he storms into his office, pushing the door closed to shut me out, I jam my foot in the gap to stop it and let myself in, slamming it behind me.
“Do you mind? I’ve got shit to do.”
“I don’t really care how busy you are. We work together, Wes. I’m not putting up with this attitude for the foreseeable future.”
“Colleagues don’t have to be friends, Lucy. We may need to discuss players from time to time, but we don’t need to discuss our weekend, chat about the weather, or anything else outside of our specific roles. I’ll treat you how I treat everyone else, and you can treat me how you want. Deal?”
“No.” Plain and simple. I’m not letting him get away with this shit.
“No? Just like that?”
“Just like that.” I smile innocently, trying hard not to laugh at the shocked expression on his face. This is a side of him I’ve never seen before, but then I suppose I only knew him a week, and yet I act like we had some epic love affair and I’m jaded.
I sigh and change tack. “Look, I know things ended strangely with us. And I don’t think either of us is to blame—”
“I fucking hate liars,” Wes states, slamming his fist on his desk, cutting me off. “I was honest with you about that from the start. Lying is and always will be a deal breaker for me.” He pauses but I don’t say a word. The pained look on his face tells me he’s got more to say. More he needs to get off his chest.
“My dad told me nothing would change between us when he left—lies. My first agent said he’d always have my back—lies. My college girlfriend spun lies with practically every word that came out of her mouth. Even my mom told me she wasn’tthatsick, and she fucking died, Lucy. Shedied…
“People sugarcoat everything thinking they’re doing the right thing. But for who?Whodoes it benefit? Certainly not the person being lied to.”
He pauses again and this time I can’t speak, even though I want to. I don’t know what to say. “For some fucked-up reason I thought you were different,” he says after a moment. “And in hindsight that was a ridiculous notion because I barely even knew you. You told me all that shit about a surprise and…actually, I guess that wasn’t a lie, because God, did you surprise me. If you want to know myproblem, think back to our time together and the lies you spilled. You’ll get your answer. Now get the fuck out of my office.”
I don’t move. I can’t. I stare at him in shock as my pulse races, trying to unpack everything he just admitted. I’m angry at him,forhim. My heart pounds with rage while it shatters with heartache. He did tell me he hates liars, and I lied by omission. But he never gave me a chance to explain.
Wes stares back at me until it becomes apparent that I’m not going to leave.
