Page 65 of Getting it Wrong (Addy's Rollercoaster)

She glanced at Collin, and I risked another peek. Though I didn’t need to look to know Collin was still staring, I felt him. He was warm and caring where Martin was calculating and cold.

Andy put his hand on his best friend’s shoulder and spoke to him, but Collin didn’t take his eyes off me.

“He used to be my boyfriend,” I said.

A chill hit me as Collin’s eyes darkened, and I wished I could read lips. Standing below the stage, Andy and Collin were alone. Barry’s kit was set up, and the other instruments were on stands. But there was no sign of the band’s drummer or my sister. Maybe she’d decided to wait outside for Barry.

Registering the coldness of Collin’s displeasure made my hollow stomach hurt. My eyes watered as I remembered our closeness last night. Thinking about how it had been before everything went wrong, I yearned for him. I wanted to cry, but I squeezed my hands into fists instead.

“Looks like he still wants to be your boyfriend.” Teresa squeezed my fisted hand. “Go talk to him. Whatever it is, whatever’s gone wrong, it’s obvious he means a lot to you.” Her voice softened. “I’m sure you can work it out.”

“No.” Ripping my gaze from Collin, I refocused on Teresa and shook my head. “No, we can’t. It’s not possible.”

“That’s what I thought about my Reggie.” Her gaze turned troubled. “I let too many late hours here come between us.” She glanced at Martin’s office where his door remained closed. Her hazel eyes back on me, she narrowed them. “Martin’s handsome, I know. It’s flattering when a man as powerful as he is pursues you, but in the end, we both know he only wants one thing and nothing more.”

Whoa. She thought I was into Martin.

“This is just a job for me,” I said firmly.

“No one just works for him, honey.” She shook her head sadly, her long auburn ponytail a pendulum between her slender shoulders.

“I do,” I said, just as a shadow fell over me.

My heart speeding up, I lifted my head to see Collin standing there.

“Can I talk to you?” he asked.

“I can’t. I’m working.” I shook my head and glanced furtively at Martin’s office again. The door remained closed. I let out a nervous exhale and refocused on Collin, pretending that seeing him and hearing his voice didn’t hurt.

“I’ll cover for you,” Teresa said, her gaze as bright as I imagined mine was. “Go. While he’s occupied.”

“Okay.”

I swallowed, trying to ease the tightness in my throat, and scooted sideways along the length of the long bar. I hadn’t really believed that one hastily written note would end Collin and me. I had a terrible feeling that it was going to take many more cuts before we eventually bled out all the feelings between us.

Reaching the swing gate, I lifted it and gestured to Collin. “Let’s talk backstage.” At least there, even if Martin came out of his office, he wouldn’t be able to see us.

Nodding grimly, Collin followed me. I walked fast. I might not be so afraid that I wouldn’t speak Martin’s name, but I did fear angering him might result in me losing the little I’d gained.

As soon as we were behind one of the concrete columns, Collin pulled me into his arms. “Addy, baby,” he said softly.

Handsome, familiar, he brought with him warmth that chased away the chill that had enveloped me all day. I let him frame my face, let his lips touch mine. Just this one last time, I wrapped my arms around his neck and arched my body into his.

“Quit.” His fervent lips moved along my jaw as his breath spilled tempting words into my ear. “Come with me to LA. I need you there. You’re my inspiration. How can I record an album? How can I do anything right without you?”

He rained hot, mind-melting kisses along my neck, down and then back up again.

Nipping my earlobe, he said, “Forget everything else. The rest doesn’t matter.”

But he was wrong about that. Knowing that, I stiffened in his arms.

The rest did matter, and I was the one who had to make the difficult decision. If I couldn’t sign off on the band paperwork as Rachel’s guardian, then Collin couldn’t have his dream. Rachel couldn’t have hers, and neither could Barry or Andy. There would be no record deal for ABCR.

“Stop.” I placed my hands on Collin’s chest and pushed. He didn’t budge, but he did lift his head, his beloved silver eyes searching mine. “What’s wrong?”

How can he seriously ask that?

“I spelled it all out for you in the note,” I said hoarsely, then tried to wiggle free from his grip on my upper arms.

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