Page 68 of 4-Ever

Lennie escorted her out of the room, and I looked to Zoe.

“How bad is it? And don’t bullshit.”

Zoe shook her head. “Like I said, your fans are behind you, but?—”

“Maybe I should head back home,” Faise announced suddenly.

“What? No!”

“You heard what Zoe said, Ro. The media think I relapsed and attacked you guys.”

“No, I said there was a rumor circulating—” Zoe started.

“Whatever,” Faise bit out. “We know how this works. Wouldn’t it be better if I hide out for a while until the news dies down? Keep my distance from them?”

I didn’t want that at all. I didn’t want any distance between us. Ever.

Zoe shook her head. “What’s best for you and Ronin and Ciara is a united front. If anything, I’d prefer you stay here for a while. That way, if the paps do get a shot of you, they’ll see that nothing has changed between you and Ronin. Still supportive. Still besties.”

More than that. I hoped.

I looked at Faise, but he refused to make eye contact. My stomach flipped over and not in a good way. Then I wondered if what had happened upstairs was the start of something incredible or the end of it.

My phone buzzed. It was a group text from Brodie and Holls.

Brodie: Are you guys okay? We’re coming over.

Holloway: Daws and I are on our way. How about we jam? A bit of distraction might be welcome.

I tapped out a quick reply.

Ronin: Sounds like a plan. The police just left. Talk when you get here.

Then I glanced over at Zoe. “Holls and Brodie are heading over.”

Faise’s phone rang, and he walked out of the room to answer it. I heard him say “Av” and it made that insecure part of me flare to life again. Would Faise change his mind? What if everything that had happened this morning was all we had?

Stop. This is Faise. He wouldn’t do that.

“What about my sister?” I asked Zoe, then turned to Ciara. “Ci? Do you have any active accounts Zoe should know about?”

It was the first time Ciara smiled since she arrived. “I work in social media, Ro, of course I have accounts. I’ve shut down my personal one. I texted my boss this morning and requested an emergency leave. Given what happened and all the negative publicity, I’m confident they’re going to fire me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’d need to quit anyway. You were right. After what happened, I can’t go back to New York. To be honest, I wanted the big city dream, but the reality wasn’t good. Maybe if I hadn’t been so damn lonely when I arrived, I wouldn’t have let Dallas treat me this way. I don’t know. And now your name’s being dragged through the press. It’s all my fault. All of this.”

“Hey, no,” I reassured her. “None of this is your fault. He’s the asshole.”

“I need a job, though. Or something. I just can’t sit around for the foreseeable future doing nothing.”

“As it happens, I’m looking for someone to work behind the scenes,” Zoe offered. “Copywriting. For other bands in our roster. What do you think?”

Ciara bit her lip. “Remote?”

Zoe nodded. “Freelance.”

“Thanks. Can I think about it?”

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