I whip back and there on the screen is fucking "Meek Car" swaying to the music backstage with his hands over his heart.
"I can't believe Rhys would get back together with him!" Harper accuses. "Where is my phone?"
Jo jumps up over the sofa and bops Harper's hand so the phone pops up into the air. She catches it and then tosses it over to Bryson who hands it to Aiden.
"You are not allowed to text Rhys about getting back together with his ex." Jo points a finger in her face.
"Why not?" Harper pouts.
"One, he's on stage." Bryson says as I can't take my eyes off the image of Rhys singing to the crowd with his douchebag of an ex behind him, supporting him.
"And two, you've been maragita-ing." Harper's friend Wes says. "Plus, girl, that is a celebrity gay relationship. I guarantee it is more complicated than you think."
The room quiets.
The music gets louder as everyone pairs off and snuggles close.
I can only hear the blood rushing in my ears.
The crowd at Rhys’s feet erupts in cheers as the countdown lights up behind him. All the musical acts from the night rush the stage, and I live a waking nightmare watching "Meek Car" make his way out there too. He slides right next to Rhys. My heart cracks as I watch a neatly manicured, smooth, hand grasp Rhys’s chin. The clock strikes twelve and I crumble watching the love of my life lock lips with his ex.
Chapter forty-four
Rhys
You Don't Just Want It, You Need It
Myentirebodytensesas Mike holds my chin. My throat burns, my chest caves, and I want to shove him off but I can't. I can't cause a scene.
Instead I keep my lips closed, biting my tongue until I taste metal, praying Duncan never sees this.
Seconds ago, as I was singing his song, I almost choked up with the desire to speak to him.
Duncan. I jerk back and then turn to the country starlette on my other side and lean down to kiss her on the cheek. Her hand flies to my chest and I feel her leg kick up behind her and I'm glad she's putting on a bit of a show.
Keeping my back turned to Mike I doll out hugs and kisses to everyone else on the stage and then lean into the microphone and wish the crowd good night.
As I march off stage I hear him jogging after me.
"Rhys, wait up."
I see Zara standing there and she looks shocked. My simmering rage starts to boil over. "Did you have anything to do with that?"
She shakes her head vigorously. "No, Rhys, I swear."
"Fine, but you're going to fix it." Zara nods and presses her lips together.
"Rhys, c'mon. We were so good together."
I turn on him. "Then why did you cheat? Why did you leave?"
"I needed the publicity, you weren't on tour, you weren't going to public events. I needed to be seen."
"Fuck off Mike."
"Wait, wait." He jumps in front of me. "Just like that we're done."
"Yes. Just like that. You ended this the minute you started shit with Saylor Vane behind my back."
