Page 4 of Stuck with a Billionaire Rockstar

“You think he’s going to come?” I ask, trying not to sound as though I’m interested in whether her older brother is going to be there as well. I’m not. That crush sailed a long time ago.

If only I believed my own words.

“I sure hope not.” She shakes her head, sits at the edge of my bed, and crosses her tanned legs over one another with a small smile. “Enough about that though, we’ve got some wine to drink and plans to discuss.”

That’s the big mystery at the moment – what the hell does Mallory have planned once we get to St. Croix?

2

Brent

Ryker, one of my best friends and bandmates, is pacing back and forth in front of me while running a hand through his thick blonde hair, and I sigh heavily while leaning back onto the couch. He’s always been the most dramatic in our band, Raising Havoc, and it’s really showing tonight.

He snaps his attention over to me and glares. “Could you be a little more serious?”

I roll my eyes and lean forward, already hating the conversation that has barely started. “About?”

“You’re all over the media, Brent!” Ryker says, his face turning red from the frustration coursing through him.

“And?”

“And? And? We have someone trying to claim you slept with their wife. Do you have any idea the hell we’re going to be in?” Just as he asks the question, our manager, Mack, pushes through our front door and comes barreling over to me. Ryker throws his hands in the air and sighs in relief. “Finally, maybe someone else can try talking sense into him.”

I scoff, then open my mouth to say something back, but the narrowed gaze Mack points in my direction has me clamping my lips shut. I’ve learned throughout the years that if Mack has a bone to pick with you, it’s not something you want to try fighting. He can get his feelings out into the open, and then I’ll silently decide if I’m going to listen to them or not.

Truth is, most of the bullshit the media posts about me is just that – bullshit – and that’s why I take it with a grain of salt. I’ve had my fair share of hook-ups while on the road. I’m not going to deny that, but I would never get into bed with someone who’s married. The only reason I’m not angry at Ryker’s exaggeration over the situation is that he’s not so much worried about what they are saying but more so about how it’s going to reflect on the rest of the band.

“Brent,” Mack snaps and takes long strides over to me with a frown. “What the hell?”

“Don’t give me that look,” I mutter, then look between him and Ryker with my jaw clenched. “You both know I’d never do something like this.” Does Mack think that poorly of me? That I’d be involved in a scandal of this magnitude and put the band’s reputation in jeopardy?

Mack sinks his ass right onto the edge of our coffee table and I eye the space, then look up at Ryker who’s fidgeting in front of our manager with a finger shoved between his teeth nervously. Ryker isn’t only dramatic, he’s also a clean freak and needs everything to be spotless, which is how I know the OCD in him is desperate to come out, but no one would dare tell Mack what to do when he’s got his game face on.

Mack’s gaze softens only slightly, and he rests his elbows on his legs while leaning forward. “How do you plan on handling this, Brent?”

I roll my eyes, then arch a brow at him. “Isn’t that what we hired PR for?”

Mack sighs and scrubs a hand down his overgrown facial hair. “Brent, this is worse than usual for you right now. Maybe let’s skip the attitude and figure out a way to put this situation to bed?” He leans forward. “There’s a million cameras waiting outside the gates for you, just waiting to get an inside scoop on the latest scandal.”

“There’s always cameras waiting for us,” I mutter.

Ryker groans. “Can you just listen to him, man? We’ve got to get this thing under control.”

“I can go to my vacation home in San Diego,” I suggest.

Mack shakes his head. “You need to get further away than that if you want to lay low.”

The conversation I had with my sister the other day comes to mind and an idea pops into my head. I look over at Ryker, one of the only people in my life whose opinion matters, and ask, “Is that what you think I should do, too? What about the rest of the guys?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know, man. Donny’s holin’ up with his new girlfriend and can’t be bothered with shit right now, and Evan mentioned something about his mom.” Ryker shakes his head and frowns. “What do they have to do with anything?”

I sigh and lift from the couch. “My sister and her friend are going on a trip to the Virgin Islands, and I’m thinking about tagging along with them. Debunking it won’t do anything, not when it’s already been spread everywhere, so this is the next best thing.”

Ryker walks over to us, finally finding the nerve to calm down, and sits on the arm of our leather couch. “I think it would be a good idea.”

Our manager looks between the two of us, then rolls his eyes and stands up from the coffee table with a frown. He points a finger at the two of us and says, “You better talk it over with the rest of the guys. Your world tour is coming up, so make sure you’re all in agreement.” His gaze comes to me, and he places a hand on my shoulder. “And, if you go, for the love of God, stay out of trouble. Think you can manage that?”

“Have I ever been able to before, Mack?” He growls at the smirk I send his way, then shakes his head and storms toward the front door. “Love you too, man!”

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