Page 51 of Electric Touch

My frown returns as I turn back to Ciro. “What does that mean?”

“In the space of ten minutes, I learned about the best money management program, and the architect who built the Geisel Library in San Diego.”

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “She knows a hell of a lot. About everything.”

“She seems to like you,” he says, as if he’s horrified.

“Why do you sound like that is something that shouldn’t be possible?”

“Do you like her?”

“Why would you ask me that? You don’t usually give a shit what goes on with the rest of us.”

“You brought her to the poker game, you kept staring at her. Are you into her?”

Ciro narrows his eyes. We don’t have heart to hearts, but it looks like Adrestia has worked her magic on him, too. For a moment, jealousy grips me. Is he interested in her? Is he trying to figure out whether I’m with her? Or does he think I’m not good enough for her because she is smarter than me? Fuck him. She’s mine. He isn’t getting a chance with her.

“Yeah, I like her,” I tell him. “And if you’re even thinking about it, then back off,” I add, a warning to my tone.

His lip twitches. His eyes flick over my shoulder for a moment, then back. “Good.” He walks away.

What the hell? I turn around and see Riley standing well within earshot. Fucking Ciro. Riley was standing behind me that whole time and heard everything. She looks crestfallen. Her jaw is tight, but I turn away and head over to Dylan. That is not a conversation I want to get into.

She hasn’t reached out again after what happened at the studio. I guess she is finally getting the picture and I meant what I said the other day. Now she knows I’m spending time with another woman.

“When is this getting started?” I ask the set director.

“As soon as everyone is ready,” he says, glancing at the makeup area.

“Jack!” I shout. “Stop flirting and get over here. Everyone else is waiting on your dumb ass!”

Dylan side-eyes me and laughs when Jack scowls. Still, he gives the girl a filthy grin, then gets up and saunters over.

“What’s got your panties in a bunch?” Jack drawls.

“It costs money being here. No one wants the additional dollars while you’re trying to get your dick sucked,” Ciro says.

“I don’t need to try.”

“Arrogant little shit,” I shake my head. He laughs. No one mentions we don’t need to worry about costs anymore. The people who organised this are paying us, I remind myself. I guess all of us are still trying to get into that mindset.

We head to the set and spend two hours having various different pictures taken. I guess someone told them not to put me and Riley together. We’re always at opposite ends of the groupings. The closest she gets is when they have Alessa and Riley lying on the floor, her feet almost touching mine.

Despite everything, I enjoy it. Dylan’s mood is infectious, and he’s keeping everyone upbeat.

We each go for our own separate shoots, and a short interview that will be attached to our bio. The questions are pretty straight-forward and about the music. This isn’t a trashy gossip site, it’s a legitimate rock music platform. There are no questions about me and Riley working together after a break-up.

After changing and washing all the crap off my face, I head out. Alessa appears when I get out of the elevator and hooks her arm with mine. Not in a friendly way. It’s more aggressive, and she drags me out of the building.

“What are you doing?” I ask as we step outside. The bright light of the midday sun hurts my eyes. Even after being under the spotlights inside, there were no windows in the studio. I’d grab my sunglasses if Alessa would let go of me. She all but frogmarches me to a waiting SUV. It is not something our label has provided.

“In,” she orders.

“Since when did you get to boss me around?”

“Since I have questions. In, now.”

A burly guy in a suit opens the back door. Ah, this is Jordan’s. Alessa spends a lot of time pissed at the way he babies her. When it suits her, she is happy to utilise his favours. I don’t bother arguing and get in.

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