Page 65 of Spite Crush

“This secrecy thing,” he clarified. “I don’t want to hide anymore. When the championship is over, if you’re ready, I’ll be ready.”

“This is a lot of bravery for one day.” I slid down the wall and sat on the floor, taking a few deep breaths to try to calm myself back down. “I just walked out on my label and now I have to tell the band we’re finished.”

“Holy shit,” he hissed. “Are you okay? What can I do?”

“You’re doing it,” I promised him. I looked up as the door opened and climbed to my feet when Adrian approached me. “Listen, I’ve got to go. But I’ll call you later and figure out when I can get back to Michigan for the game.”

“Okay. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” I hung up and met Adrian’s gaze. “What’s up?”

“Well, Munsey is pissed that he didn’t know the extent of your contract, but his lawyers have assured him that he has no recourse. So all that really remains is how you want to tell the guys. I’m happy to take that bullet for you. Especially with Craig.”

I laughed as I reached out to shake his hand. “I appreciate that. But I’ve got it. I was actually thinking about keeping Craig around.”

“Well, if you change your mind, Rye said to tell you he’s happy to give you Cherry to act as your new manager.”

“He’s a good friend,” I explained, rolling my eyes. “But I think it’s time I stop letting him take care of my business for me. I hope I can count on you, though.”

“I am at your service,” he promised me. “Good luck, Kellen.”

The conference room door opened again and Adrian and I walked quickly down the hall and toward the exit, not wanting to gettrapped in an elevator conversation with the men whose worlds I’d just rocked.

Especially since I still had one more hammer to drop.

Chapter Twenty-Six

~Kellen~

“Did Zak Dempsey’s cock fuck you absolutely senseless?” Ford yelled. “Because this might actually be the stupidest thing you’ve ever done. And that is really fucking saying something.”

“Ford, that’s enough!’ Craig slammed his hand on the table so hard we all jumped at the sound. “You signed the fucking contract. Kellen has every right to end the partnership.”

When I’d asked them to meet me at my place, I sort of expected them to know what it was about. They’d all been aware that I had a meeting with the head of the label.

Had Ford really believed I went to talk about a new album?

Honestly, I wasn’t shocked by his reaction. I knew he was going to be pissed at me. But the fact that he didn’t see it coming was a little surprising. Hell, he didn’t even like me anymore. Why wouldn’t he want to be free of me?

“We started HSF together,” Ford said, glaring at me. “You can’t just take it away from us.”

“Yes, I can,” I reminded him. “You’ll still receive royalties for album sales. And you’re free of me now, too. All you do is complain about me. I honestly thought you’d be glad it’s over.”

“We’re the biggest rock band in the world!” Ford let out a humorless chuckle. “Why would I want that to end?”

“This conversation is pointless,” I said. “I wanted to do you guys thecourtesy of telling you in person instead of having my lawyer contact you. Maybe that was a mistake.”

“No, we appreciate you talking to us yourself,” Craig said. “I know this isn’t easy for you.”

I wish I knew if he was being kind to me because he actually cared, or because he knew there was a chance I’d be able to use him again in the future and he didn’t want to screw up his chances.

Craig Casper was the ultimate manager. He knew how to move chess pieces around a board betterthan anyone I’d ever met. Which had been great for our business but left me confused and unsure if I could ever truly trust him.

“I don’t appreciate shit,” Ford said. “You’re fucking us over and acting like you’re doing us a favor. God, could you be any bigger of a prick? I always thought you were just stupid. But maybe you had us all fooled.”

Tim was oddly silent through all of this. He was sitting in a chair with his arms on his knees, staring at his hands clasped in front of him. Hehadn’t looked at any of us since I’d made the announcement, and I couldn’t tell what he might be thinking. But I was just glad he wasn’t yelling at me, too.

“Ford, you should leave,” Craig said calmly. “I think it’s time you went and started your podcast now.”

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