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Mark chuckles but keeps his mouth shut as we continue to wait on the curb for our driver to arrive and take us to the airport. These last couple of days have been a whirlwind. We still have details to sort out with my contract, but I’m not ready to sign just yet. Jim has been going through it with a fine-tooth comb, and there are a few details that neither of us are happy about… the Songwriter Split Clause being one of them. The record label won’t remove the clause, and Tim only gave me until Monday to have an answer for him.
Do I take the contract and deal with the duets or take my chances that another label will want me?
I have a lot to digest.
“Hey, you guys,” Kyle calls from behind us, walking out of the hotel. “Where’s your car?”
Kyle, Mara, and Sydney opted to leave tomorrow instead of today. Tim offered to pay for Mark and me to stay another night, but I’m anxious to get back. After everything that’s happened, I want some downtime away from everyone to process it all.
Besides, I’m still not feeling all that well, and I want Malice to take care of me.
That could be dangerous though.
I swear, my ovaries shiver at the idea.
Mark shrugs. “Stuck in traffic but should be here any time.”
My seemingly constant headache throbs at my temples, and I dig in my purse for some Tylenol. “Do you have any water in that bag?” I point to Mark’s carry-on.
“No, why?” Mark asks. “TSA would confiscate it, so I was just gonna buy one at the airport.”
“I have a headache,” I mumble.
“You can have mine.” Kyle passes me his water. “I just grabbed it from the mini fridge so it’s nice and cold. Only took a sip, and I promise I don’t have cooties.”
I twist off the top, pop two Tylenol into my mouth, and chug the water before replacing the cap. “Thanks.”
“No problem. I guess I’ll see you guys tomorrow?” Kyle glances between us.
“Mark, possibly. Me, no. I’m getting Stella, my man, and going camping for a couple nights.”
“Have fun!” Kyle extends his hand for Mark to shake and then bends to wrap me in a side hug. “I’m gonna go get another water and meet up with Sydney and Mara at the bar on the corner. Have a safe flight.”
“See ya!” I call out as he heads back inside the hotel.
I take another sip of water and face Mark, who’s frowning at Kyle’s back.
“What crawled up your ass?”
“Kyle better quit fucking hugging you, or Malice is going to lose his shit.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll tell you the same thing I told your brother… He doesn’townme.”
“He may not own you, but he’s ‘your man’ and you’re ‘his woman’.”
Why do they all sound so archaic?
“True.” I pick up my bag as the Town car pulls up. “But trust is a two-way street. I trust him to stay away from the club bunnies. He needs to trust me.”
“Malice isn’t gonna be okay with any man hugging you, whether he trusts you or not,” Mark argues, taking my bag from me and placing it in the trunk. “I sure as hell wouldn’t.”
“I hope, someday, a woman knocks the Neanderthal right out of you.”
Before the driver can get around the car, Mark opens the door for me. “I hope so,” he says absently.
I lean back in the seat and close my eyes. My head is pounding, and I know the changes in air pressure while we fly won’t help. I pray the Tylenol kicks in quickly as we head to the airport.
I drift off and sometime later, Mark calls my name, startling me awake.
