Page 67 of Forbidden Billionaire Rockstar

My brother can’t be there for both of us, and I’m not sure I deserve to have anyone in my corner right now, anyway.

Tears cascade down my cheeks like a waterfall, and I swipe them away, doing my best to catch my breath as I do. It’s useless. My body doesn’t know how to function without Jace near me, and that’s more terrifying than trying to figure out what the hell I’m going to do about a job. I wouldn’t put it past Hilary to blacklist me from ever working in the industry again, so I haven’t attempted to get in touch with anyone else.

I’ve been wallowing instead, which isn’t like me at all.

This new version of me - fragile, desperate, on the verge of tears - is a stranger. I’ve always prided myself on my resilience, but Jace has cracked the armor I’ve spent years building. And the scariest part? A part of me doesn’t want to rebuild it.

As if sensing my inner turmoil, my phone blares with a call from Julia and I slowly reach for the device with a frown on my face. If Julia’s calling me, she knows I’m not okay, and that’s the only reason I decide to answer her call. There’s only a select few people who can talk me down from the negative thoughts swirling around inside my head, and my best friend is one of them.

“Thank goodness you answered,” she says breathlessly, like she’s just getting done running a marathon, even though it’s more than likely only a few steps.

“Yeah, I’m here.”

“How are you feeling?”

I roll my eyes and scoff. “I got fired. How do you think?”

“Well, yeah, I’m sure that sucks… but that’s not what I’m talking about.”

“Gonna have to help me out here, Jules, you lost me.”

“You need to pick me up,” Julia says, her excitement palpable even through the phone. “Come to the next show. I’ll even pay for the airfare.”

I groan, sinking deeper into my couch. “Jules, that’s the last thing I need. Hilary would love to rub it all in my face.”

“You let me worry about her,” Julia counters, her tone leaving no room for argument. “It’s the last one I’m going to before Brent sends me back home.”

“Yeah, like that worked out last time,” I scoff, but I can feel my resolve weakening.

If I’m being honest, my concern isn’t with Hilary as much as it should be. Sure, I’m upset I lost my job, but I’ve dealt with worse throughout my life, and I know this is just another hurdle I’ll manage to get past.

My genuine concern lies with coming face to face with Jace all over again.

He hasn’t bothered sending me a text, calling me and leaving a voicemail begging for me to call him back — it’s been silent. Nothing but my sobs and tears to keep my company while I wait for a man who’s probably realizing just how much he lucked out with me leaving.

She was already supposed to be gone throughout the rest of the tour, but her not being able to stay away from my brother is the reason I ran into her in the hallway. Something tells me that’s how I’d be with Jace as well, but I guess I’ll never get the chance to see that. I might as well let my emotions run wild while having my best friend by my side.

Julia’s always the best shoulder to cry on.

Don’t get me wrong, Brent has always taken his older brother’s role seriously. He was the one who stood up to the guys who broke my heart in high school and always made sure I was fed, even though he had his own things to worry about. I’ve cried on his shoulder more times than I can count, but he’s fidgety with emotions, and it’s not hard to notice how uncomfortable he is when I come to him crying.

I’ve learned not to approach him with tears.

“You’re right, though. It would be nice to enjoy a show without having to worry about the work I need to get done.”

It’s probably the worst decision I could make. I’m no doubt going to run into Jace while I’m there, but I can’t bring myself tostay curled up in the apartment that feels empty since I walked through the door.

Normally, I prefer being alone.

Right now? I’m desperate for the company, but only from a certain guy — a guy who wants nothing to do with me.

Julia squeals, and I chuckle for the first time since I walked away from the hotel in Boston. “Down, girl.”

“It’s going to be a great night, you’ll see!” There’s a few muffled voices in the background, likely the guys, and my heart stings just a little before she clears her throat. “I’ll see you in a few days, yeah?”

“I’ll be there, but you owe me.”

“Of course,” she says sweetly. “Love you, babe. Talk to you soon!”

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