Enzo follows my gaze and groans, his smirk fading. “Great. Here we go.”
Lily steps off the bus, her brow furrowing as she spots Harris. “What’s he doing here?”
“Nothing good,” I reply, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Guess the silence is officially over.”
Jax lingers by the door, his jaw tightening as he sees Harris. He takes a deep breath, his hands twitching slightly, like he’s bracing himself for impact.
Marcus glances back at us, his voice low but resolute. “Let’s just get this over with.”
We approach Harris together, the tension thick enough to choke on. He doesn’t move, doesn’t speak, just watches us with that same infuriatingly calm look—the one that says he’s holding all the cards.
When we’re close enough, his sharp gaze flicks to Jax, then back to the rest of us. “We need to talk,” he says, his tone clipped and controlled.
Lily steps a little closer to me, her arm brushing against mine, a silent reassurance. Her jaw is tight, but her eyes are steady, unwavering.
“Alright,” I say, my voice sharp with defiance. “Talk.”
Harris lets his gaze linger on me for a moment before turning his focus back to Jax. “Not here. Let’s find someplace private.”
The knot in my stomach twists tighter. Whatever this is, it’s not going to be good.
CHAPTER 38
THE BREAKING POINT
LILY
Harris doesn’t botherwith pleasantries. His face is hard, mouth set in a grim line as he addresses us. The coldness in his eyes sends a chill down my spine.
“The label’s not renewing your contract,” he announces, his tone clipped, like he’s severing any hope before it can take root. “You’ve breached the agreement by pulling Lily on stage.”
The words hit like a sledgehammer. I hear the sharp intake of breath from the guys behind me. Enzo mutters a curse under his breath, Dylan shifts on his feet, and Marcus’s jaw tightens, his arms crossed as he stares Harris down.
“Wait, what?” My voice wavers, coming out more breathless than I intend. “Harris, we got approval. We went back and forth with them for weeks and they agreed. Plus, the fans loved it. The band has never been more connected.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Harris snaps, his icy gaze drilling into me. “This isn’t about what the crowd loved. It’s aboutwhat the label has written in the contract with the band. You knew the rules, Lily.”
Guilt crashes over me in waves. I glance back at the guys, their faces a mixture of anger and disbelief. Marcus is fuming but trying to keep his composure. Jax looks like the wind’s been knocked out of him, his pale face etched with defeat.
We read the contract, and it explicitly states that no guest artists can be added to the tour unless they are pre-approved and listed. But we did reach out to the label beforehand, got their approval, and now it feels like the whole thing was a carefully laid trap. They approved my appearance on stage, even though it technically violated the contract. I am not a listed artist.
“What does this mean?” Marcus speaks first, his voice low and sharp. “Are we done?”
Harris sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “The label is allowing you to finish your final two shows, but after that, your contract is terminated. And Lily,” he pauses, his words cutting like glass, “you’re done. Effective immediately.”
The world tilts. I struggle to process his words as they settle in.
Fired.
From the band. From the one place that’s felt more like home than anything else I’ve ever experienced. My breath catches in my throat, and I fight the tears burning at the back of my eyes.
“I… I’m fired?” The words barely come out, my voice trembling.
“Yes,” Harris confirms without an ounce of emotion. “Pack your things, Lily. You’re leaving with me.”
It feels like the ground beneath me is crumbling. I can’t stop myself from looking back at the guys. Enzo’s fists are clenched at his sides, his entire body taut with rage. Dylan’s jaw works as he stares at the ground, his usual easy-going demeanor nowhere to be found. Marcus meets my eyes, his expression one of helplessness. And Jax… Jax looks utterly broken, like the weight of this news has crushed him entirely.
“Lily,” Jax croaks, stepping forward, his voice hoarse and raw. “This can’t be happening.”
