“What are you doing in my bedroom?” he demands, grabbing the pillow that fell on his foot and tossing it back onto the bed. “Didn’t you see the closed door? Not only that but the front door was locked!”
“You wouldn’t answer your phone,” Amy says, deadpan, as if that explains why she invaded our privacy like a bomb was about to go off. “I figured you found a nice side piece to distract you and…” She nods at me.
Horror prickles at the base of my skull. They think I’m a side piece of ass?AmI just a side piece?I hang my head, hiding behind the curtain of hair to conceal my blush.
“Fuck you.” Sully strides forward and shoves Amy’s shoulder, but she doesn’t budge. “I’ll get to the damn studio when I’m ready. Now leave,” Sully orders, pointing at the door.
I lift my gaze briefly to see the muscles straining in his back as tension rolls off his skin. I’d give anything to rub his shoulders while he whispers into my ear that this is all some big misunderstanding. That I’m notjust another hookup and being strung along like I always feared would happen.
Amy whips her head to the side, moving her long black bangs out of her eyes. The haircut oddly works with her sharp nose and square jaw. But her eyes are dull pinpricks, like a shark’s. She sighs, the sound is harsh. I feel like this woman sighs a lot. Her lips bend into a permanent frown. “Sully, you—”
“Out,” Sully orders, standing firm with his arms across his chest.
She tsks and finally moves a couple of steps toward the door before her shark eyes land on me again as if I’m a little fish she could swallow whole. “I’ll wait out here while you get dressed,” she says, never removing her glare from me. I’m pinned into place, stuck in the bed naked with only a sheet to hide me as if she’s some wicked witch who cursed me to stay still. Maybe she’s related to Medusa and I’ll turn to stone by the end of the day.
Just as fast as she blew into the bedroom, she’s gone. But my heart remains hidden in my belly, too afraid to move back into its correct position. All my nerves are on edge as fear trickles down my spine.
Sully kicks the door closed, the wood rattling against the frame. He paces for a moment at the foot of the bed, shoving his hands into his messy hair. “I’m so sorry.” He grabs his clothes, pulling on his pants and shirt. His palms smooth over the wrinkles, but they stay creased. “Give me five minutes. I’ll get rid of her.”
I swallow hard, the lump in my throat thick and unmoving. He’s fully dressed—except for his shoes—and I’m still naked under the covers, while a stranger waits outside, ready to burn me at the stake for daring to tempt her rock star.
“What about the studio?” My voice sounds stronger than I feel.
He shrugs, forcing a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “They can wait while I drop you off at home.”
I nod, slipping on my practiced mask, trying to look cool and unbothered. But inside, everything is tight and knotted, my stomach churning with dread. A sick, twisting tension coils in my gut, like I'm bracing for something to break.
Is he dropping me off…and that’s it? Goodbye forever? Should I ask? No—don’t ask questions if you’re not ready for the answers.
Sully slips out of the room, closing the door with a loud click. It’s like a bullet to my soul. While alone, I gather my clothes and piece myself together. Their voices carry through the thin wall, and I can’t help but overhear.
Amy’s heels scrape against the wooden floor. One well-placed match would make this condo go up in flames and this whole awkward situation would be over in a flash.
“Sully, really,” she sighs but sounds like it’s more for effect than anything else. I can picture her as one of those helicopter PR reps who must fix everything just so. Straightening a picture here or moving a flower vase there. “You had to find a groupie when you need to be focusing on recording the new album. We booked studio time here to keep you on track and you’re—”
“How do you expect me to write without inspiration?” Sully spits back. His voice sends my stomach into a summersault.
“It’s not just the record. You’re performing at the Rock Music Awards in a few days and you need to practice your set.”
I cover my mouth to snuff my gasp. Could he be thinking of bringing me to the red-carpet event where Hollywood icons walk and talk? People I’d never dream of seeing in flesh and blood instead of on billboards,bus stops, and TV screens? What if I sit next to someone super famous? Should I prepare talking points?
“Practice? We’re playing one song. Why do we—”
Amy cuts Sully off with a tongue click. I can’t see her face, but in my mind’s eye she’s scowling and daggers fly out of her shark eyes.
“Forget it. Oh, and Gigi is all set to be your date. She’s super excited and already looking for the perfect dress. This is excellent timing for fans to see you two mesh before the European tour. This could also add a nice buzz for the record release next year.”
“What? No.” Sully’s voice is cold as steel.
My heart shatters on the floor. Of course, I’m not allowed to go. Why did I think there’d be a chance in hell I’d be invited? It’s for the pretty people and I don’t belong.
“Come on. The fans love your duet and want more. She’s blowing the charts up right now. Don’t you want Scarlet Failure on everyone’s radar?” Amy’s voice drips of sugar but deep down it’s poison.
“Humph.” I plop my ass onto the bed and close my eyes. Gigi isn’t that great. So what if her new album is soaring and blowing up on Spotify? She mixes rock and pop with a breathy voice and loud bass. In her videos, she mainly dances and screams. Last year she won three Grammys. Her newest single is about breaking up with a guy and setting his house on fire. Though if it was to escape a situation like this, I’d understand.
“No!” Sully’s voice bursts my thoughts and forces me to jump off the bed as if tased. “Veronica’s my date.”
My skin is too hot at the mention of my name. I couldn’t be happier there’s a door between Amy and me.
