Tate sat at the kitchen island watching it over and over again, not saying anything. I could feel the guilt radiating off of him. I hugged him from behind and tried to assure him that it wasn’t that big of a deal, but I understood why he was upset. I was too.
It didn’t help that we had another gig that was requiring us to travel the next day. I asked Tate what he wanted to do. The rest of the band was due for rehearsal soon.
“We’ve talked about bringing them both with us or letting her stay overnight with Elena or your parents,” I reminded him. He was scowling.
“Bringing them with us would make us have to rent another hotel room. That’s more money,” he said. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.
“Stop with the money thing. I’ve got it. I like having something good to do with my money. I never really went crazy like Dally did when we got it.”
Not many people were aware of the wealth my twin brother and I had inherited from our former stepfather’s mother. Our grandmother Clara Sue, or rather, my unofficial cousin Brooklyn’s grandmother, had died when we were toddlers. At the time, the truth about who was our real father hadn’t been exposed. Nor had Brooklyn been born. So, when she passed on, she left a rather large amount of money to the two of us. Although, our mom told me once that she had been aware of the truth and didn’t care. She loved us just the same.
As we grew up, so did the number sitting in those accounts. By the time we were old enough to touch the money, it had grown into an amount so large that we never had to work a day in our lives. As long as we invested and spent it wisely. I did. I wasn’t so sure about my brother.
I reached back out to my husband, forcing myself between his legs and wrapping my arms around his middle.
“If it makes you more comfortable, we’ll take them with us. We just won’t tell the others what room they’re in.”
Tate smiled and kissed my forehead. “I love you. Thank you.”
“Hey, I think I’d prefer them with us too. It’s not just for you.”
Just then the crew arrived all together. We turned and waved them in. They came in like a herd of elephants, loud, stomping, and a little frightening.
Ronny went straight for the fridge, grabbing beers and water out for everyone.
“You like my new digs?” Dallas asked the room. I turned away from Ronny, who was handing me my drink to look at my brother. I blinked as I looked at what he was talking about. He had his arms outstretched, the leather jacket he wore every day, regardless of the weather, open and showing off his shirt. It was a normal black t-shirt. The graphic on it was what made me freeze. My eyes went wide and my mouth fall open as I stared at it.
“Oh, wow. That’s...” Tate was just as shocked as I was.
“Tierney,” I whispered in horror. Dally was laughing at my shock at the image. There she was, my gorgeous former best friend. I wasn’t offended by her name in big letters across his chest. I was horrified by her almost completely naked body under it. All she had on was three small hearts. Two on her chest and one between her open legs.
“Where did you get that?” I demanded, hurrying over and forcing his arms down. I shut his jacket, not wanting to see the offensive image.
“From the mall. She’s got a video to match. Obviously, you haven’t seen it. She’s got an album coming out and everything. It’s... interesting,” Dallas laughed again.
“This isn’t funny,” I snapped and turned away. I put my hands on the sides of my face, trying to process the information. That wasn’t the Tierney I knew and loved. That wasn’t her. What had they done?
“They are putting a lot of money behind her. She’s touring. They already announced her schedule with the single. It’s... different,” Cash added. I looked up at him, blinking rapidly. He looked away, his eyes full of guilt.
“Have you talked to her?” I accused. He shook his head.
“No. We were at the mall, saw her merch and the video. So, I called around.”
“Do you want to see it?” Ronny giggled like a little schoolgirl. “I’ve already watched it like five times.”
I shot the dirtiest look at him, and he mimicked me.
“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. Fuck, I think they got deeper in there than I ever did.”
“Bruh,” Cash said. “Gross. She’s still Tierney.”
“Oh, come on,” Ronny complained. “She hasn’t talked to any of us in over a year. That’s my God given right as an ex-lover. To talk about all the dirty, dirty things we did together.”
“Watch it,” Tate warned, shooting a look at me. Ronny put his hands up.
“That one’s too fresh,” he said and winked at me. I blushed and Tate scowled. This was the first time since we all agreed to be amicable that one of them has made a joke. A joke that was taken well and didn’t start a brawl. I wanted to point it out and wave my hands excitedly, but I shook the silly thoughts away. We were focusing on Tierney.
“Do I want to see the video?” I cringed, glancing at Dallas’ shirt again.
