Ace runs a hand through his hair, still tense but no longer looking like he might punch the wall. “You should have told me.”
“I’m telling you now.” I flash him a grin. “Besides, it worked out perfectly. She has no idea it was us, and we maintained complete control of the situation.”
“We fucked our client,” Ace hisses as if he only just realized.
“Actually, you fucked her,” I correct him.
“You know what I mean.”
Vander stands, heading toward the door without a word.
“Where are you going?” Ace asks.
Vander pauses, his hand on the doorknob. “Day off, remember?”
He leaves without another word, and I turn to Ace. “That was almost a full conversation for him.”
Ace shoots me a look. “He talks when he needs to.”
I scoff. “To you, maybe.”
Before Ace can respond, there’s a knock on the door.
Ace opens it to find Maddie standing there in sleep shorts and an oversized band tee, her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. She glances past him and scans the apartment.
“Morning,” she says. “Where’s Vander?”
“Day off,” I call from my spot on the couch.
She looks past Ace to me, one eyebrow raised. “But Vander never takes days off.”
“He can now that we have Rhodes on staff,” Ace says.
Maddie studies us for a moment, and I wonder if she suspects anything. Then her phone rings, and she glances at the screen.
“It’s Kade,” she mutters. “What’s up, rock star?”
Her expression shifts from confusion to delight in about three seconds.
“Are you serious?” She grins widely. “Which video? Wait, let me check... oh my god. OH MY GOD!”
She pulls the phone away from her ear and scrolls on the screen. Then she’s laughing so hard she has to lean against the doorframe.
“Kade, I’m sorry, but this is the best thing ever.” More laughter ensues. “Yes, I know you’re embarrassed. That’s what makes it so much better for me.” She pauses. “No, I’m not taking it down. It has three million views.” Another pause. “Love you too, wedgie boy.”
She hangs up and immediately turns her phone toward us. On the screen is a video of Kade on stage, clearly thinking he’s off camera. He reaches back and adjusts his pants with the unmistakable motion of someone dealing with a wedgie situation.
The caption reads, “He might be your rock star, but he’s my brother” with several crying-laughing emojis.
“Three point two million views and climbing,” Maddie announces proudly. “I am a content genius.”
I can’t help it; I burst out laughing and hold up my hand. “That’s hilarious. High five.”
She grins and smacks her palm against mine.
“Your brother is going to kill you when he sees you,” Ace says, but even he sounds slightly amused.
“He’ll get over it.” Maddie pockets her phone. “Besides, he pantsed me at his album release party. Payback’s a bitch.”
