Page 44 of The Bitter Words

“Stop, Callum.” I get between him and the bodyguard. “He didn’t do anything more than anyone else here has.”

“Lily, what the fuck?” Callum’s face turns red. “I don’t want people staring at you like that.”

“Then good luck being with me because it happens all the time. You need to get used to it.” I soften my stance. “I was only asking him to assist me.”

Callum growls. “You don’t need to touch the guy to get his help.”

“It was appreciated.” The bodyguard bounces his eyebrows up and down and peers over at Callum. “If you want her away from me, let me take you to Leon.”

Callum holds his stare for a few seconds with his jaw clenched. “Fine, but stay away from her. She’s only sixteen.”

My mouth falls open. He’s never used my age against me. If anything, he says we’re expected to be adults, so people should treat us as such.

“Well, shit. That changes things.” The guy turns to me. “You’re just a baby.”

I huff and spin away. How dare they mock me?

“Lily!” Callum digs his fingers into my waist to stop me from leaving. “I’m sorry. That was totally uncool of me.”

“You’re damn right it was.” I fume inside. “I’m going to use the bathroom and try to calm down. Go meet with Leon.”

“If I do, will you come find me when you’re done?”

I turn on my heels and glare. “I’m going to do what I need to do for me. If that isn’t enough for you, then I don’t know what to say.”

“Doing what you need is fine with me, but… Why do I have to explain it again? I wanna be with you at midnight. If we get separated, that won’t happen.”

I roll my eyes even though he’s right. “I’ll make them show me where you are once I’m in the space I can be around you again.”

“Lily, I said I’m sorry.”

“I heard you. Just give me a minute to get over it.”

His expression drops and he nods. “I shouldn’t have said anything about your age. It was rude. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

My shoulders come down a notch. “I know, but you did.”

“Forgive me?”

I keep my gaze on him for a second, then playfully push him away. “Only if you’ll quit giving me your puppy dog eyes.”

“All gone.” He holds back a smile.

“Okay, okay. But if I don’t find a toilet soon, I’m going to have a big mess to explain.”

“Take care of your business.”

“Yeah, you too.” I give him a quick kiss on the cheek.

He hugs me, then trudges away with the bodyguard leading him down a winding staircase. I find a restroom, relieve myself, and fix my makeup.

If everything goes according to plan, Callum and Mayhem will be one of the greatest rock bands of all time. I’m so excited for them.

Bringing in a new year with them working with Leon Baker is going to prove to be nothing more than amazing for them. Even with Callum having some unease around Leon, I don’t think anything can go wrong.

I think about my career. If I stay in acting, I’ll never get to see them out on tour. Besides that, I don’t like it anymore. It feels like something my mom wants for me.

I check out my reflection in the mirror and straighten out my dress. It’s a great design, but I could do better.