Page 26 of Forbidden Billionaire Rockstar

“No problem. We look out for each other, right?”

“Yeah, right.” We pause at the exit, and he cocks his head to the side. “It’s nothing more than that?”

“Not sure what you mean.”

"Are you trying to get in my sister's pants, Jace?" Brent's voice is light, but there's an undercurrent of steel that makes my stomach clench.

I force a laugh, praying it sounds more convincing to him than it does to me. "Come on, man. It's Mallory. Your sister." I meet his eyes, willing him to see sincerity instead of guilt. "That's a line I'd never cross. Bros before... well, you know."

Brent holds my gaze for a long moment, and I feel like he's looking right through me. Finally, he nods, but there's a flicker of something - doubt? concern? - in his eyes. "Yeah, I know. It's just... Mallory's been hurt before. I couldn't handle it if..."

"Hey," I cut him off, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "I get it. But trust me, there's nothing to worry about. Mallory's family."

The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but Brent’s shoulders relax. “Yeah, you’re right. Sorry, I just... I worry about her, you know?”

I nod, guilt and relief warring in my chest. “I get it. But trust me, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Nothing except the fact that I’m falling for her, I add silently.

His shoulders sink with relief, and he nods before walking ahead of me. Meanwhile, I’m trying to figure out how I can make sure he never finds out about mine and Mallory’s night together… or the kiss I shared with her earlier today.

Along with making sure none of it happens again.

9

Mallory

My finger hovers overthe ‘Post’ button, a mix of excitement and trepidation coursing through my veins. This social media campaign could make or break Sweet Surrender’s tour. I inhale deeply, preparing myself. Here goes everything.

Today is a new step in our marketing plan — social media.

I plan to get good pictures of the guys while they rehearse in the middle of their shows... It will be the perfect way to boost their popularity, for sure.

Thankfully, I haven’t given them a reason not to trust me, so earlier today, I got some candid photos of them as a group before capturing a few individual photos. I figured I would create a post with multiple photos, starting with an image of them together, and go down the line of the members.

With the images I took today, it’s hard to believe women won’t go wild for these guys.

When I step into the stadium for our next tour stop, everyone is already hanging around the space and talking in hushed voices with each other. Trevor is sitting on the arm of a couch, nodding at something Ledger says, and only when I clear my throat do I get all of their attention.

“Sleeping Beauty,” Trevor says cheerfully. “Nice of you to join us.”

Ledger grunts in response, then rises from his place and saunters over to a table that’s filled with snacks. He picks at them half-heartedly, surveying them, then shoves a brownie into his mouth. Hilary walks up to him, leaning close as she whispers something, and I dart my attention away from the two of them.

Clearly, there’s something going on there, but neither of them wants anyone to know — I’m not about to be the one who shouts whatever it is they’ve got going on.

“Are we on board for the social media post today?”

They each nod, and Trevor smiles. “It’s safe to say we trust you at this point, coach. You’ve done a great job with our following.”

“That’s great to hear,” I say softly.

Hearing and knowing the information are two different things. I may have known that their following has increased tremendously, but hearing that they are putting it on me is a relief and lets me know I’m doing my job just the way I was hired to. I’m proving my worth, and it’s exhilarating.

For a moment, I allow myself to bask in the glow of accomplishment. This is what I’ve been working towards, what I’ve sacrificed so much for. But the warmth is quickly chased by a familiar chill of doubt. How long before I mess it all up again?

“We’ll let you get to your work,” Trevor says, then nudges the other guys before jumping from his place on the couch. “We’ve got our own rehearsals once Raising Havoc is done, anyway.”

I nod, then sink into one of the leather chairs with a relieved sigh. It feels much better when I don’t have an audience to see what I’m doing.

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