“I’m running a for-profit record label in a cutthroat industry, Georgie. Not the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
I flip him off with my right hand—with the middle finger wearing my mother’s wedding ring. And I truly believe she’s cheering me on from heaven for doing it.
“So mature,” he says. “And so predictable.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Was that too ‘dramatic’?” I say mockingly. “Am I play-acting in my mommy’s heels? Well, guess what, Reed? I wish I were play-acting in my mommy’s heels. Unfortunately, I haven’t had thepleasure of wearing my mommy’s heels, whether to play-act in them, or just dress up for a special night out, since I was nine. Which is when she died in a car accident. So, don’t say a fucking word about my mommy’s heels ever again!”
He’s stricken. Pained. Full of regret. “Oh, Georgie. I had no idea.”
“And then my father married Alessandra’s mother, and it felt like my mother had died a second time.” I wipe my eyes, but it’s no use. I’m a hot mess. “I was so full of rage about the wedding, Reed. Crushed. Confused. Betrayed. But Alessandra was sweet about it, even thoughherfather had just died. She had every reason to be as angry as I was. She had every reason to lash out, the way I did. But, see, that’s not Alessandra Tennison. Whereas I’ve always lashedoutwhen I’m hurt, she’s always lashedin.Yes, I’m too quick to flip someone off. I own that. But at least, I get it out. That poor girl has struggled her whole life with anxiety and self-doubt and crippling shyness. But she’s come so far. She went to that audition for Berklee andnailedit. She’s come so far out of her shell, you have no idea. And do you know why?Because of her music. So, yes, she might still be a sweet little pony who’s afraid of her own shadow sometimes. But she’s well worth the time and effort to lead her out of the barn. I know, because for years, I was the only person she played her songs for. The only one. She knew I was going through so much, and she’d sing those songs to me and make me feel better. She was my angel. And all I wanted was for something wonderful to happen for her. I just wanted to pay her back for all she’s given to me, through her music, and her love, and kind heart, over the years.”
“Georgie,” Reed says. He gets up from the bed, clearly intending to comfort me.
But I hold up my palm. “Stop.”
He stops in the middle of the room, mere feet away from me, his bare chest heaving.
“I get that you couldn’t possibly love Alessandra’s music the way I do. And I know in your world nobody gets a gold star for progress, only results. But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel crushed in this moment, to hear your brutally honest opinion. It doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to feel whatever I honestly feel, and give myself time to process it and try to move past it. I’m sorry you’re not getting laid tonight, like you planned. Like you think you’reowed.But you should know I’m not withholdingmy body from you because you didn’t give me the result I wanted on the demo. I’m not a spoiled brat. And I’m not a whore. I’m withholding my body from you because I’m pissed at the way you spoke to me. The way you assumed I’m so quick to trade on my body.” I take a deep breath. “Now, I’m going to my room to be alone for the rest of the night, to process my emotions and anger, because, if I don’t, I’m going to say something I regret. Or, quite possibly, punch you in the face.” With that, I swing open Reed’s door with gusto, tossing over my shoulder, “See you in the morning, Mr. Rivers.But only because you’re my fucking job.”
32
REED
After Georgina slams my bedroom door shut behind her, I stride to it, every fiber in my body urgently wanting to fling it open and follow her. But I stop myself. Indeed, I stand at the door and press my forehead against it and force myself to stay put.
Goddammit. Why did Georgie have to push so hard about that demo? I knew listening to it would lead to nothing good.I could feel it in my bones.But she pushed and pushed. And now, here we are.
Doesn’t she know I went in wanting to love Alessandra’s music? Doesn’t she know nothing would have given me greater pleasure? But I had to be honest. Brutally honest. I’ll lie and fudge a little about certain things. But not about my professional judgment. Not for friends or family or anyone else. Not even for the most electrifying girl I’ve ever met in my life.
Fuck. I thought I’d be tying sexy Georgina’s limbs to my bedposts tonight, and then fucking her to bliss like she’s never been fucked before. Not making her hate my guts. Yeah, making Georgina storm out of my bedroom tonight most definitely wasn’t the plan. Neither was making her cry.
For the love of fuck, how was I supposed to know about Georgina’s mother? Somewhere in my brain, I vaguely remember Georgina saying something about Alessandra losing her father as a kid... I think? ButGeorgie’s never said a word about her own mother. How was I supposed to know Georgina’s grief about her mother, and her love for Alessandra, and for Alessandra’s music, are all tied up together inside her? I mean, if I’d known that, it wouldn’t have changed my opinion in any way. It wouldn’t have changed the ultimate result. ButmaybeI would have phrased things slightly differently. With a touch more, I don’t know, gentleness? Am I even capable of doing that, though? I sincerely don’t know.
Shit!
I want so badly to march into Georgina’s room and explain myself. Or maybe, just try to comfort her. But I know I can’t. Georgina said she wants to be alone, and I can’t chase her. Long before she stormed out, when she was perfectly calm earlier, she requested a separate room, much to my dismay. Which means she didn’t want me the way I want her, even before this latest fiasco.
Sighing, I straighten up from the door, drag my exhausted ass back to bed, and turn off my lamp. God, I’m exhausted. This has been a long damned day. I close my eyes and command my body to sleep. But, soon, it’s clear my body isn’t going to obey. I’m way too wound up.
Muttering expletives, I grab my laptop and click into a licensing agreement requiring my review. But I can’t concentrate. Because...Georgina.
Goddammit! I knew she’d fly off the handle about the demo. I knew it, without a doubt. Because underneath all that beauty beats the heart of a fucking psycho. There. I said it. She’s beautiful and sexy and smart and funny. And the most exciting woman I’ve ever met. But all that comes with a price. Namely, that she’s also a fucking psycho.
I sit up in bed and drag a palm over my face. God, she’s sexy as hell when her psycho peeks out. I shouldn’t get turned on by her flashes of anger the way I do, but, oh, God, I do. So fucking much.
I sit up, grab my phone, and text Owen:You up?
Two seconds later, I get his reply:No, I’m asleep.
Calling now.
Oh, yay.
Of course, Owen dutifully picks up after one ring. Because he’s Owen.
“Hello, boss,” he says. “How lovely to hear from you at midnight after I worked all day and night.”
“Yeah, don’t you mean after you fucked up? You’re the one who let Georgina out of your sight, just long enough for C-Bomb to get her alone.”
