Page 59 of Spite Crush

“Plus he wasn’t wearing makeup,” Kellen said, grinning at me. “The video game, huh? Inglorious?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Do you play it, too?”

“You’re a moron,” he said. “Or you’re not very good at the game.”

“Well, both of those could be true,” I said, chuckling.

“All the songs in the final level are mine,” he said. “I also did soundtrack songs for All Metal, Crash, and Dubious.”

“You, or HSF?” I asked.

“Me.” He shrugged. “But then, all of HSF’s songs are mine, too. I get solo writing credits on everything we do. Tim and Ford are great at playing, but they’re not so much into the creative side. Or the business side.They pretty much just show up and get paid.”

I was surprised at the lack of bitterness in his tone when he said that. It seemed like he was the one putting in all the work for the band. That had to be exhausting.

But maybe I thought differently because I was part of a team and every aspect of our games depended on everyone doing their jobs.

“I’m really sorry you’ve been dealing with all of that,” I told him. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Unfortunately, this is one of those things that I have to deal with on my own,” he said. “I have a meeting with our label on Thursday, so…I guess we’ll see what kind of mood I’m in.”

“You’re just going to vibe it?” I teased him.

“Pretty much.” He shrugged. “I’ve made worse decisions on less.”

“That is not the flex you think it is.” I laughed. “But I like it.”

“Glad you approve.” He groaned, rolling onto his back and covering his stomach with his hand. “That was toomany tacos. Do you eat like that every day?”

“I’m a growing boy,” I said. “And I play competitive sports. You should never try to go taco for taco with me.” I shifted over and rubbed soft circles over his stomach. “Do you want a pickle?”

“Shut up,” he hissed. “I want to go to bed.”

“Well, we can certainly do that.”

“To sleep,” he clarified.

“Fine,” I said, getting to my feet and reaching out a hand to pull him up. “We’ll sleep. Nerd.”

“You have no idea how big of a nerd I am,” he said. “But that’s a conversation for a different day.”

The truth was, I was a giant nerd, too. I just hadn’t wanted to admit that to him. But eventually, he was going to see my Star Wars room. Then we’d see how in love with me he truly was.

Because I wasn’t getting rid of my custom life-sized Boba Fett statue for anyone.

Not even Kellen Fox.

Chapter Twenty-Three

~Kellen~

“Are you sure you want me to come to the game?” I asked him one final time as I hesitated by his front door.

We’d spent days going back and forth with each other about whether or not it was a good idea for me to be seen at another game. I’d offered to stay at his place and watch it on television, had suggested hiding away in a suite like I’d done in Vegas, and even considered going back toL.A. all together to avoid any temptation.

“I’m sure,” he insisted. “Kel, I want you there.”

“People are going to talk.”

---