Page 66 of Recklessly, Wildly Yours

When he comes into view, Leigh eyes me. “You okay?”

I nod right as Tucker spots me. God knows how. A crowd separates us, but still, his eyes are now glued to mine and I’m stuck in a moment I wished to avoid.

I’ve thought about this moment, the first time we’d see each other after the disaster of our non-wedding. I mean, we work in the same industry, there was never going to be a way for us to avoid each other forever. I just thought it would be a long way off and that I’d have had more time to move through the mindfuck of it all.

My hand goes to my stomach, trying to ease the nerves that have sprung to life.

Shit.

I’m so not ready for this.

I feel sick.

“Maddie,” Leigh says, bringing me back to her. She’s looking at me with compassion that is so appreciated. “We can leave. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

I manage a grim smile. “Judy will ream you out again if we do that.”

“Let her. I can take it.”

I reach for her hand, needing the physical connection, and squeeze it. “I’m so grateful to have you by my side.” Glancing back at Tucker who is still watching me intently, I remove my hand from my stomach, push my shoulders back, and say, “I’m not going anywhere. I deserve to be here.”

“Damn right you do,” Leigh says. “But you also deserve peace in your life. Whatever you choose, I’ve got you.”

Tucker, the asshole, lets the crowd know I’ve arrived. He does it in such a way that it puts me on the spot, unable to do anything but what he wants me to. “Friends,” he says to the hundreds of people hanging off his every word, “my time here has come to an end, but I’ve just spotted Madeline, and since I know you’re all eager to see us together again, to know that we’re okay regardless of our relationship ending, I’d love to invite her up here to sing one of our songs with me before I leave.”

That fucker.

I paste a smile on my face as all eyes come to me and I do what I’m really fucking good at: I perform. But this time, I don’t follow any rule set down by Tucker or Darren. I follow my own rules.

My security guys get me through the throng and then I’m face-to-face with my ex who is watching me with a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes, his mask of public charm barely concealing the fury simmering beneath. Tucker is a highly strategic person, coldly calculating at times, and I see that in him now. He’s already plotted his next move and I’m the prey caught in his sights with no escape route.

I don’t think he got my memo though. The one I posted on Instagram in which I made it clear I’m no longer willing to play his games.

“Madeline,” he greets me so smoothly, like he’s not currently engaging in a campaign to have me canceled. “You’re looking beautiful today.”

The crowd is deathly silent. Probably holding their breath, waiting to see if this will all crash and burn.

“Thank you.” I remove the spare microphone from the mic stand and look out at our audience. “Unfortunately, Tucker and I won’t be singing together today. If you’ve ever gone through a break-up, which I imagine you all have, you’ll know how hard the aftermath is. It wouldn’t be fair to you if you had to sit through a love song from us when neither of us are feeling what we did when we sang it originally. I think it’s best if Tucker finishes up his set, giving you what you love from him, and then I give you what you love from me.” I smile genuinely as I add, “I’m really excited to have a new song for you today and can’t wait to share it with you.” I look at Tucker, ignoring the furious scowl in his eyes that’s just for me but that I think anyone with a bullshit detector wouldn’t miss, and say, with not one ounce of sweetness, “I’ll let you finish up.”

Without waiting for his response, I leave the makeshift stage and walk back to where Leigh’s staring at me with admiration.

“I like that there was no screaming involved,” she says, her lips twitching a little while she aims for a straight face. “Also”—she hands me my phone—“check your messages. The hot lawyer called and when I told him you were busy, he sent a text. He also said he’ll try to catch you tonight after you’re finished work for the day.”

As Tucker’s voice drones on in the background, I check my messages.

Hayden: Good news, Madeline. Darren has agreed to terminate your contract with no penalty, effective immediately. You’re free to hire your new manager and I’m happy to handle that contract for you. Also, we spoke with Tucker earlier and he’s agreed to a new contract to split your royalties equally. There will also be a lump sum payment for the royalties you should have been paid to date. I pushed him hard and got him to agree to more than he wanted to give, so I’d prepare for a clash the next time you see him. I’ll call you tonight to go over the details as this isn’t something I want to put in a text.

I stare at the message for longer than necessary, processing every word of it and every emotion it brings up for me. There’s a sense of victory but mostly it feels right and fair. These men took advantage of me for too long, and I let them, but now I’m standing up for myself and that feels like the best damn thing in the world.

“Maddie,” Leigh says, “Tucker’s finished.”

I glance up in time to catch his death stare as he walks away. Wow, yeah, he’s pissed. I can feel his hatred all the way from here. And he’s not even trying to hide it from his fans, which is unusual for him. That shows me the level of his emotion and it makes me suck in a breath.

This is the chaos, Miller.

Yes, yes it is, and while it has me feeling a bit bewildered, I’m running to it, not from it. Getting loud. Grabbing life by the horns.

A few minutes later, I’m standing in front of the same audience Tucker had. No, scratch that. Some guys walked away after he left, so it’s not the same audience. But more have stopped by and everyone appears ready to hear from me.

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