Page 23 of Finding Emotion

“They’ve backed off for now, since Damon said he wouldn’t take any hurtful attempts at bringing down his girl too kindly.” Mandy swiped at her phone. “A lot of the earlier posts and comments have been deleted.”

Skylar rolled her eyes. “My knight in shining armor.” She hadn’t asked him to do anything like that. It was going to make her seem even bitchier when she kicked him to the curb.

“The protective bit feeds into his image well. Honestly, you hooking up with him has been great for his popularity.” Mandy bent down, reaching into the paper gift bag she’d brought with her. She tossed the phone she pulled out onto the covers beside Skylar. “Per your request. All the necessary apps have been loaded in. I taped your new number under the case.”

The skeleton that peered at her from the back of the case had a sneer that Skylar appreciated. Mandy knew her well. She studied the woman, wondering if she’d gotten away with not telling her what had happened.

Mandy didn’t look away. “I warned upper management that Jack was breaching the contract in place.”

Skylar bit her lip. That was going to make Jack lose his shit worse. “I didn’t say—”

“You need to tell me if any of your old band makes contact. I mean it, Skylar.” Her hand reached up to close around the neat bun she always wore. “I know the label has been pushing this tour idea at you, but they have to back off if you don’t agree. The addition to your contract was clear and binding. I checked.”

Skylar left the new phone where it was as she rose to pace. The silk belt of the robe felt too constricting, and she hated the way it swished around her thighs. She turned to the closet. Mandy had already unpacked for her like she expected, and she grabbed a pair of cutoffs and a black shirt that, while tight, had been washed enough to feel soft too.

“I’m here if you want to talk,” Mandy offered.

Skylar made a face as she pulled on the shirt. “Don’t they pay your salary?” She paused, glaring at the closet wall. “Shit. Sorry, Mandy.” She turned away from the hiding spot, forcing herself to face her manager. The woman was too sweet, just like a certain rock star. “I’m fine. Really.”

Mandy’s face didn’t show anger or hurt, though Skylar hadn’t expected it. Her manager hid behind a façade better than Skylar did at times. “Mr. Lynch and his manager are waiting for us, if you’re up to it. They wanted to meet about the fake relationship.” She tilted her head. “It is still fake, isn’t it?”

“We just screwed. Don’t try to put a ring on it.” Skylar stared down at her hands. Damon seemed like someone who would want to talk about what had happened and take it way too seriously.

“Did you have any opinions on when to call things off?” Mandy asked.

Skylar shook her head. “Whatever works best for Mr. Sweetface. I kind of got him into this.”

“More than kind of.” Mandy rose. “Well, if you’re ready, we’ll go ask them about it.”

“Hold on.” Skylar went into the bathroom again to pop an antacid, hoping it’d work for once to settle the continued churning in her stomach.

Damon’s gaze moved straight to Skylar when she exited her bedroom. The pinched look she’d had around her eyes had eased, proving that she’d slept. There was a restlessness to her, though. Her gaze skimmed over everything in the room, including him, and her hands buffed her arms as if an electric current ran beneath the skin.

Her gaze focused on his manager first. “Sorry, Jimmy. I heard you and Mandy had to do some cleanup.”

“Cleanup?” Jimmy asked. His focus darted to Damon.

Damon flushed. “Since Mandy was here and said she’d take care of it, I hadn’t told Jimmy yet.”

“I already confiscated the tape.” Skylar’s manager met Jimmy’s wide-eyed stare. “But I warned Skylar that there’s no guarantee the hotel didn’t make copies.”

Jimmy was too amazed to glare. “What, you two got caught on tape? Were you doing what I think you were doing?”

“Just a bit of a workout.” Skylar’s smirk didn’t sit on her face quite right as she paced, her hands still clutching her arms. “I’m surprised Mr. Sweetface didn’t pass out like I did.”

Damon couldn’t help but remember how hard he had come when she’d finally told him to. Instead of it making him lethargic, he’d felt almost antsy after they’d parted.

Jimmy frowned. “That gives that social media pic more context.” He hummed in thought and crossed his arms. “If someone had the video, it would have leaked by now.”

“I agree,” Mandy said. She gestured toward the couches. “Should we sit as we discuss possible options for moving forward?”

Skylar moved toward the fridge instead. “Whatever Damon wants.” The light lent an almost translucent feel to her face. She snagged something from inside.

Damon sank onto one of the cushions and was relieved when Jimmy sat beside him. He’d wondered if his manager would be upset at him, since he’d seemed to have a crush on Skylar, but he wasn’t acting like it.

“I gotta admit, Skylar’s interest really promoted Damon.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re trending hotter, man. And I mean the hot kind of hotter. I’ve never seen so many comments calling you sexy.”

Damon flushed. He’d never considered himself a sex symbol either.

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