AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I don’t fight him off, though. I just take it, shake it off, because who am I kidding? I deserve it.
The disappointed look on his face makes my shoulders slump, recognizing the fury stamped all over his features for what it is. I’m on the shit list.Again.
Nick lets go of my shirt with a sharp jolt and starts pacing back and forth across the small room. Glaring at me, his tongue works madly behind his cheek, his fingers balled up into fists at his sides, and he seriously looks like he wants to kill me.
Literally, kill me.
But death? Nah. What would be the point of that? I’d be worm food, and Cold Neptune would be short one bass player. Lose-lose.
“Jesus, Kael, I can’t believe we’re back here again. Dealing with the same shit. It’s like fuckingGroundhog Daywith you. Do you have any idea the ramifications this could have on the tour if word gets leaked to the media? Or god-forbid this Devon guy, or his father, decides to press charges against you. Just because you’re in rehab doesn’t mean the laws of the land don’t apply. You assaulted him, Kael. You could be charged with goddamn assault!”
I say nothing. Oops. Didn’t think of that.
“Delaney’s already drafted a very generous settlement on your behalf, just so you know. Hush money isn’t the exact word he used, but that’s what it is. We’re in no position to have this matter go public, not when we’re about to head off on a world tour. What is it with you and tours? Do you do these things deliberately? The last tour you and Reed almost ruined everything by getting into it behind a police station. This time, you pick a fight in rehab with a guy who’s got a chip on his shoulder bigger than the Rock of Gibraltar.”
I open my mouth to respond, but close it again when he keeps talking.
“And don’t expect the band to cover the costs of this, not a fucking chance. Any money the family accepts is coming straight out of your bank account.”
I nod slowly.
“You do realize you’re supposed to be getting out of here on Monday?”
“I do.”
“So what the hell were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t.”
“Do you know how hard it’s been keeping your admission in here out of the press? We’ve done everything we can on our end to keep the paparazzi away from this place. We’ve kept your name out of the newspapers. The guys have had to lie to cover your ass. But that’s what we’ve done, to give you the time you need to get on top of things, to sort out your health and get back on your feet again. Empress Records has done everything they can to keep your recovery on the down low. But won’t this just fuel their fire when the music industry’s bad boy rolls out of rehab with a black eye and busted knuckles.”
I can only stare at him. If he thinks I look bad, he should see the other guy. I keep that thought to myself, though. I’m not that stupid.
Nick’s still ranting and raving…
“I don’t know what goes through your head sometimes,” he continues, pacing back and forth again. “I really don’t. I hope it was worth it, man, because I don’t like where this is going or how the hell we’re going to get you out of it. This affects the whole band, not just you. The guys are going to be furious when they find out what’s happened. You get that, right?”
Before I can respond, voices hit me from out in the hallway. Dr. Copeland finishes up with his phone call at the exact same moment the door opens, and Sienna walks into the room with Chad firmly at her side.
Everything stops.
And I mean everything.
My heart, my lungs, my legs… except for my eyes because they’re super occupied right now scrolling over every inch of her face, searching for something, anything, that tells me she still feels the same way today as she did the other night.
“Hey, Jonesy,” I say, deep voice, easy, casual.
“Really, Kael, that’s how you speak to your therapist?” That’s Nick again, his eyes darting back and forth between the two of us, giving me an“I don’t believe you”sort of look. His timing sucks. Flipping him the bird, honestly, it isn’t an option right now. But man I’m tempted. I’m so fucking tempted my fingers literally twitch against my palms.
“That’s none of your business,” I tell him quietly, turning my attention back to Sienna. I don’t take my eyes off her. “And to answer your question from before, yeah it was worth it. It was totally worth it.”
“You’re asking for trouble,” he warns me.
“I’m well aware of that.” My eyes don’t leave hers. “Sometimes trouble is the only way to get what you really want.”
“And this is what you want?”
“I’m a big boy, Nick. I’ve been making my own mistakes for a while now. Reckon I’ve got it covered.”
