Page 85 of Snared

“I always do,” I deadpanned, trying to regain control of my swirling emotions.

I couldn’t even look at Josh. Those swirling emotions had everything to do with him. It didn’t help that somehow, in all this mess, I’d started falling for him. I didn’t want to admit it, but there it was.

I’d fallen for my manager. For my husband.

Fucking hell. Could it get any worse?

Not likely. I wanted to curl up in my bunk and pretend none of this was happening. This was not how I’d thought my night would go. All my happy adrenaline from the show had long since faded, and I fought back a yawn. We probably had another two hours before we got to Dallas.

“I know it’s trite and you’re tired of hearing this, but it’ll be fine. Your skills behind your drums cannot be denied, and the guys and I will always support you. We’ve got another month on tour and then you guys can finish the album and this will all fade away,” Josh said.

I met his gaze, unable to read anything in his green eyes. I sucked in a breath. Was that what he wanted? For it all to fade away?

Maybe I was the only one stupidly falling.

Fuck. This was a nightmare.

“I’m too tired to deal with this right now. Wake me when we get to Dallas.” I turned toward the bunks and already dreaded that, in a few short hours, I would be stuck in a hotel room with Josh for the night.

“Charlie, hang out. Come on,” Jax said.

I held up my phone. “Have a few messages to respond to,” I said.

“Ignore them,” Josh said.

“I’m off pacify my family and take a quick nap. It’s fine.” I slipped behind the door, desperate for some privacy.

My eyes blurred. There were so many texts and messages on my private social media from old friends and bandmates. Everyone had an opinion and it made me realize how few actual friends I still had. I shook my head, pushing that depressing fact away, and continued to my phone texts. I was so fucking exhausted.

Cassie: I’m gutting that douchebag like a fish. Such bullshit. Ignore. Ignore. Ignore. And call me if you want.

Evie: The media will always try to dig into you, and your ex is an ex for a reason. We love you and know the truth and that’s all that matters. I’m always available to chat if you need it. And we’ll do a fun testosterone-free day when you get back. Whatever you want to do.

Cassie: I’m totally in. I’ll bring something scrumptious. See what I did there?

Evie: She’s got all the jokes. But seriously, I’m up for a chat anytime you want, and I’m always up for desserts and drinks.

I smiled at the rage and corny joke in Cassie’s text and swallowed the emotion swirling in me at Evie’s encouragement. Joining Steelwolf hadn’t only let me live out my dream, but it’d also brought me both of these women, and for that, I was grateful. I’d never realized how much I needed their friendship, especially now.

Charlie: You guys are the best. I’ll let you know if anyone needs gutting, Cass. We’re going to ignore the story and see what happens. Now I’m crashing because it’s been a day.

I knew they wouldn’t see it for a few hours, so I clicked on my sister’s text and shot her a response, reassuring her that I was fine.

I never texted my mother unless I was well-rested. Hell, if I texted in the middle of the night, she’d probably complain about her beauty sleep getting interrupted.

It was honestly a mystery how Jules and I were her daughters.

How the hell was I going to survive this train wreck?

My career and my heart were on the line.

JOSH

“I promise it’s going to be okay,” I repeated as the door shut behind us in our hotel room in Dallas. We’d managed to avoid the paparazzi by going in the back and using a service elevator. I’d learned my lesson after our last day in Vegas.

“Can we not do this right now? I just want a shower to get clean and a bed to pass out in,” she said, dropping her bag next to the king-sized bed that I’d had plans for.

Plans that had gone out the window at least a hundred miles back.

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