Page 8 of Forbidden Billionaire Rockstar

My stomach clenches. I keep my voice casual as I reply, "Yeah, she's cool. You raised her right, big bro."

Brent laughs, the moment passing. But as we start our workout, I can't shake the feeling that I'm walking on thin ice, and it's only a matter of time before it cracks beneath my feet.

Each of us was surprised when Carmen suggested that we add Sweet Surrender to the concert line-up, stressing that it would give them the recognition they deserve. We didn’t hesitate to agree. We know what it’s like to start from the bottom. We’re just lucky we moved up the ranks as quickly as we did.

I can’t even start to imagine how different my life would be if I wasn’t hired by Raising Havoc to join the band. Ryker was an inspiration for me, and I followed his example. I’ve followed his career every step of the way and knew as soon as Raising Havoc mentioned needing a new guitarist that it would be my best bet.

It was a bit rough and unfamiliar in the beginning, but as time went on, I’ve become more open. Brent is one of my closest friends, so I make it a point to come here every morning and exercise with him. Soon enough, we won’t be able to do as muchworking out, so we’ve been hammering out what we’ll be missing while on the tour.

But joining the band also meant being around Brent more...and, by extension, Mallory. I shake my head. I need to stop thinking about her. She’s just Brent’s little sister. Nothing more.

Right?

“You trust their new hire?”

I haven’t bothered looking at the papers Carmen handed me, but I’m willing to bet the new hire is listed on it, and for some reason, I can’t bring myself to look at it.

Brent shrugs, a frown on his face. “It’s not really my choice, is it? She’s part of their staff, and we have to trust her no matter what.”

We’re silent for a few moments, which gives me plenty of time to get into my head the way I usually do when we’re around each other. Even though he’s the one I’m closest to between all the guys, I haven’t gotten the nerve to tell him about what happened between me and Mallory months ago.

He’s dealt with my harmless flirting when she’s around but sees it as a way to rile her up — it is, but it’s also been more than that. There’s something that calls to me about her; maybe it’s the simple way she smiles in light of everything or the fire she’s got hidden beneath her that only rises to the surface when I’m around.

Brent wouldn’t understand the way I feel around her, and he definitely wouldn’t want to. It’s an unspoken rule — under no circumstances do you go after your best friend’s sister.

The guilt gnaws at me, a constant companion these days. Every time I look at Brent, I feel like I'm betraying him twice over - once for what happened with Mallory and again for keeping it secret. But how can I tell him? The words stick in my throat every time I try. I know I should come clean, but the fear of losing my best friend, of potentially fracturing the band, paralyzes me. And beneath it all, there's a part of me that doesn't want to let go of that night with Mallory, doesn't want to make it "wrong" by confessing. It's all such a mess, and I have no idea how to untangle it.

I’ve thought a lot about that night she and I spent together and what I could’ve done differently so I didn’t have to keep something away from Brent, but nothing would’ve stopped me from approaching her that night.

“We getting started, or what? Julia has this Lamaze class she wants me to go to with her in a few hours.”

“Uh, yeah, it will help to clear my mind for that interview tomorrow, anyway.”

What I’m not telling him is that each morning I come here to workout with him, the memories of Mallory moaning beneath me fade away to nothing, and I don’t have to worry about the fact that I can’t seem to stop thinking about that night.

I’m sure it will all pass. I just need a little more time — which is what I’ve been telling myself every day for the last three months.

I’ve got more important things to focus on, like making sure I’m on my A-game for the interview tomorrow without thoughts of Mallory popping into my head.

***

As we pile into the car for the interview, I find myself wedged between Donny and Evan. Donny's drumming a nervous rhythm on his thighs, while Evan looks lost in thought, probably thinking about Mia and their growing family back home.

"You good, Don?" I ask, nudging him with my elbow.

He stops drumming and flashes me a sheepish grin. "Yeah, just... you know how I get before these things. Never know what they're gonna ask."

"Relax," Brent calls from the front seat, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. "It's just another day at the office. Smile, nod, say something vague about our 'creative process.' Easy."

I can't help but chuckle at Brent's nonchalance. It's part of why he's such a good frontman - nothing seems to faze him.

Evan shifts beside me, his brow furrowed. "Hey, do you guys think we could wrap this up quickly? I promised Mia I'd call her before Liam's home from school."

"Aww, look at our Evan, all domesticated," Donny teases, reaching across me to punch Evan's arm lightly.

"Hey, fatherhood's no joke," I say, feeling a pang of... something. Longing? I push it aside.

Brent turns around in his seat. "Don't worry, we'll get you home to Mia and Liam. But maybe this time, try not to mention your 'newfound inspiration from fatherhood.' The last thing we need is another round of speculation about whether all our new songs are lullabies."

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