Page 58 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

I shake my head. “We never got to that point before he walked out.”

“You’ll see him all the time. You’ll have plenty of chances to talk to him. Just let everything settle down, give each other some space.”

“This... this isn’t how I wanted it to go.” My breath shudders as I fight for control, closing my eyes tight. I wanted to wake up, make us breakfast, and tell him everything I didn’t get to when I walked through the door last night.”

I plead with myself, desperate to keep the tears at bay. But it’s too late. They’re already threatening to spill over.”

Mallory leans forward, smirking, and arches a brow. “And why didn’t you say anything last night? Too occupied?”

My cheeks heat and Julia playfully slaps her best friend on the arm while rolling her eyes. “Ignore her,” she mutters before her gaze softens on me. “We’ve got you, girl. Anything you need us to do and we’ll do it for you.”

“What if I can’t keep working close to him? Maybe I should think about finding someone else to manage, let Raising Havoc be in the past.”

It isn’t lost on me that I’m doing exactly what Layla instructed me not to do in the first place, and that’s making rash decisions when my emotions are so high. How can I not, though? There’s no way I could work close to Donny after everything that’s happened.

I’m in love with him. I want more with him. He walked out on me, and I’m not sure I can face him again. If he wanted to hear my side of things, he could’ve stayed here and let me explain more. I would’ve been able to admit the feelings I have for him.

“No, no, no,” Mia says, a frown on her face as she shakes her head. “You’re not doing that.”

“Why shouldn’t I, Mia?” I ask, tears falling down my cheek on their own accord that have me swiping them away. “I can’t look at him. Every time I see him, I’ll be reminded of my feelings.”

“We’re going to get this figured out,” she says softly, her arms wrapping around me in a tight hug. “Don’t give up yet, okay? Everything will be fine. I’ll make sure of it.”

I nod against her, my heart aching a little more at the fact that these girls are comforting me right now while the man I love has chosen to walk out the door. Mia holds me for what seems like forever, until my body becomes exhausted, and she helps me lift from the couch. The girls talk back and forth to each other as they lead me down the hall, but I can’t concentrate on anything they’re saying.

All I can think about is the night I had with Donny and how, at the end of it, I was going to tell him that I loved him… and now that’s not the case. Instead, it’s being ruined by an article that never should’ve been posted in the first place.

My job is to keep an eye on Raising Havoc’s image, to make sure they get good press, and now I have to think about how I can make this into something good.

How can I do that?

The wheels are turning in my head as Mia gently lays me down on the bed. Then she throws the thick comforter over me and runs her hand over my face. I feel the bed dip under everyone’s weight as they surround me. Mia’s brows scrunched in concern, and I slowly let my eyes fall shut.

My phone rings from my nightstand, cluing me in that someone must’ve grabbed on our way in here, and I reach out to snag thedevice. Mia takes it from me with a shake of her head, glancing at it with a frown before sitting it back in its spot. I don’t even have the energy to fight her on it. It’s all been wiped out from the crying.

Before I know it, I’m falling asleep with two thoughts in my mind — I can either quit my position with Raising Havoc and find someone else to manage, or I can go to the media with my own story.

Sleep pulls me under, but not before one clear thought settles in—I know exactly what I need to do.

I’ll have to risk everything to make this right.

22

Donny

The guys had shownup earlier, after seeing the headlines about the fake engagement all over social media. They knew how I felt about Carmen, but I couldn’t bring myself to talk about it. I couldn’t put it into words—only feel it. So they stayed, not pressing me, just being here to show their support.

Dim light in the room casts long shadows over the polished hardwood floor, and the whiskey burns as it slides down my throat. The silence between us is thick, like a storm waiting to break. Just as I finish my second glass, a frantic knock echoes through the space, snapping the tension in the air.

Brent stops me from answering the door, his son strapped protectively in front of him, and steps ahead of me to answer.

“Julia?” He says as soon as the door swings open. “What are you doing here?”

His wife comes barreling through, pushing past him, and she storms over to me with her eyes narrowed. “Are you going to act this dense, Donny?”

I blink and frown at her. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“She’s thinking about walking away from everything!”

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