Page 10 of The Jaded Notes

I cringe inside and my stomach bottoms out. “What was that?”

“Um…nothing. Just consider what I said.”

“Is Callum sharing a room with you?”

“Yeah, unless he implodes between now and soundcheck.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “Does that mean he heard our conversation?”

“Given the evil stare I’m getting, I’d say yeah.” Something shifts over the receiver. “Just be careful. That world can devour you and leave you bare.”

“The world I was in already did that. This time, I want to walk in with my eyes open.”

“Don’t make me come save your ass.”

“I don’t want saving. I want sovereignty over myself.”Even if it cuts me to the bone.

Chapter Three

CALLUM/CASH

Then

Crowned In Ruin & Wreckage

If pain were power, I’d be a king…and she’d still be the girl who crowned me with her goodbye.

Idrag myself to the living room of Bren’s and my suite. We got in late last night, and I drank myself to sleep.

What’s new, Cash?

I never thought making my dreams come true would mean losing myself completely. I wrestle with that and make a screwdriver. Something’s gotta numb me. It may as well be more alcohol.

Bren’s sitting out on the patio, facing away from me with the sliding glass door open, talking to Livianna on the phone.

I swear her voice is what pulled me out of my drunken slumber. I seem to have a sixth sense for her.

He stands and grabs the back of his chair. “Livianna, it’s your turn to think. Be real and consider what could go wrong. Besides, why do you need to go to a sex club? How are yougonna find what you’re looking for when all anyone who’s there wants is sex?”

She’s going to a sex club?

Oh, fucking hell no! Not if I can stop her.

I pick up my glass and slam it against the wall. It shatters, just like my life has since the day Leon fucking Baker burrowed his way into it.

I hate him and see red, rage boiling inside. It’s only a matter of time before I kill him.

My chest heaves as I stomp across the floor and glare at Bren, warning him to tell her she can’t go to any goddamn sex club.

It’s already hell knowing she’s had sex with other guys. I won’t make it knowing she’s out there doing…whatever the fuck they do at those places.

Bren makes some smart-ass comment to Livianna and hangs up. He slides his phone into his sweatpants pocket.

“Cash, don’t look at me like that.” He comes inside and closes the door. “You do crazy shit with hookups all the time. Livianna can do whatever she wants.”

“Fuck off, Guns. You know I don’t give two shits about them. It’s Lily I’m thinking about.”

“I’m sure it would comfort Livianna to know that when you’re fucking someone else, you’re thinking about her.”