“You’re going to do great. First thing’s first. We have to tell Skylar you need time off. Hell, you should just quit. By the time you get back from the tour, you’ll be famous.”
“I can’t quit. I have bills. I have no idea when I’ll get a royalty check, and it’s only for the one song, split six ways after the label gets their cut. How much can it really be?”
“I’ll cover your rent while you’re gone.”
“I told you before, I’ll never borrow money from you, no matter how rich your parents are.”
He laughs. “I’m a bartender at my aunt’s restaurant, Reece. It’s not like they’re knocking down the door to give me money. They want me to find my own way or some shit like that.”
“Your mom is a best-selling author, and your dad owns two production companies, not to mention one of New York City’s best fitness centers. There are ways to make more money if you need it.”
“I’ve tried everything they’ve thrown at me, you know that. I worked three different jobs at his production company and hated all of them. Tried my hand at the gym—we both know how that worked out. Hell, I was even an apprentice for my Uncle Griffin’s photography studio.”
“And yet it’s bartending you seem to have settled on.”
“It’s not permanent.”
“Two years is a long time, Maddox.”
“I like it. It’s fun, and you’re there, but it’s not a long-term gig. I’m waiting to be inspired, I guess.”
“You could learn to play an instrument and work for me someday,” I joke.
He holds up his hands. “Not with these two left thumbs.”
I lean into him. “We’re quite the pair, aren’t we?”
“Just don’t forget me when you get famous.”
I kiss his cheek. “I’ll never forget you.”
“Tell me again how come we never hooked up?”
“Because we’re best friends, and we don’t want to ruin that. Besides, we kissed once and you kind of sucked at it.”
“I was drunk, Reece.”
“Are you saying you want another shot?”
“No, you’re right, it would ruin what we have. I just don’t want you thinking I’m a bad kisser. I’m not. Ask anyone.”
“If you dated anyone, I’d ask them.”
“I date.”
“You went out with four girls last year and what, twelve dates? That’s hardly dating.”
“I’m waiting for the right woman.”
“You’ll never find her if you don’t get out there. Girls ask you out all the time at work.”
“I’m not dating someone who tries to pick me up at the bar. I’m looking for someone with more, I don’t know, substance.”
“We’re twenty-four, Maddox. Time won’t wait forever.”
“Now you sound like my mother.”
“Gross.” My phone pings with an incoming email, and my heart pounds. “It’s from Indica Record Label.”
“Read it.”
“It’s from someone named Ronni Collins. Says she’s Reckless Alibi’s agent. They want me to rehearse ‘Swerve’ with them every Friday afternoon before the tour.” I look at Maddox, a sick feeling washing over me. “Tomorrow is Friday. Oh, God, Mad, I’m going to have to see him. Play with him. I think I’m going to throw up.”
He fetches me a cold bottle of water.
I press it to my forehead and then take a drink. “I’m terrified.”
He picks up his phone and texts someone.
I pout. “Who can you possibly be texting while my life is in chaos?”
“Skylar.”
“You didn’t just tell her I’m quitting, did you? Because I’m not leaving Mitchell’s. I love my job, and I’m not about to burn that bridge.”
“It wasn’t about you. You’re off tomorrow, and I asked her to find someone to cover me until six.”
“Why?”
“I’m going with you to rehearsal.”
My stomach calms. “You are?”
He nods. “You need someone on your side. I’ll be there to make sure they don’t bully you or pull some shit to make you back out of the whole deal.”
I link my arm through his. “It’s like you’ll be my bodyguard.”
“Hell, yes.”
“Thank you. Knowing you’ll be there makes me feel better. I’m scared to face him again.”
“You faced him today.”
“But I didn’t talk to him. Mike did most of the talking. I’ll have to speak to him tomorrow. All of them. And I’ll be the bitch who sued them into this situation.”
“It might be awkward for a while, but they’ll come around. Even if Garrett doesn’t, I bet the rest of them will.”
“They’re a band, Maddox. That’s like family.”
“For more than two months, you’ll be a part of their family.”
I laugh disingenuously. “Yeah, like the bastard child nobody wants.”
“Or maybe they’ll surprise you, and you’ll be like the long-lost cousin they never knew they had.”
I suddenly remember something. “Garrett thought I was still married.”
“How is that possible?”
“I don’t know. It’s like he left behind everything in his past the day he walked out my door.”
“How’d he react?”
“Called me a gold digger. Told everyone my husband left me penniless, and I was looking for money. I think he actually used the word extortion.”
“What an asshole. Do you think I could take him?”
I have a hard time trying not to smile. “It’d be a pretty even fight.”
He clutches his chest. “Ouch, Reece, way to emasculate me.”
I eye him suspiciously, knowing how he reacts to men who treat me poorly at work. “You’re not going to start anything with him, are you?”
“Not unless he deserves it.”
“Maddox, I’m serious. I know this is super messed up, but I can’t do anything to ruin this. It might be my one opportunity to make something of myself. You said it yourself—this could be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“You’d have made it happen eventually. With your talent, it’s a given. This will simply escalate the process.”
Nerves take up residence in my stomach again. “Do you really think I can do this?”
“I know you can. Now come on. Let’s get ready for work.”
We go to our separate rooms, but I don’t change clothes. I find the shoebox in the back of my closet, the one I haven’t touched in years. I open it and go through old pictures of Garrett and me. He was so different then. Younger. More innocent. I trace the edge of one of his tattoos. I used to do it often when we were together, but today I could barely make them out. He’s got a full sleeve of them.
I wonder how fame might have changed him. He seemed edgier than he used to be. But there was a moment, just a fraction of a second, when it looked like he felt remorse. For stealing my song? For the way things ended between us?