Page 67 of I Was Always Yours (RCA: Royal Crown Academy)

“We have another gig next weekend, you should come. I can get you backstage passes.”

I’m a terrible person because the thought of getting backstage passes to see his mediocre band gives me the ick.

I’m saved from replying when my phone dings.

Bellamy:FYI I think Rogue texted Phoenix and told him you were here.

I look up and see her watching me, sitting next to Rogue as he types away on his phone with an evil smirk on his face.

Me:Why?

Bellamy:That guy was existing a little too close to you apparently.

Me:Lol Phoenix acts like I don’t exist most of the time. Why would he care?

He’s the one who said this was going to be an open marriage so if he’s going to use the fact that I’m talking to a guy as another reason to hate me, he can go right ahead.

Bellamy:Maybe he won’t. But something tells me he will.

Me:I doubt it.

Bellamy:You know what to do when he gets here?

Me:He won’t come. But, no, what?

Bellamy:Give him a show.

Give him a show. Give him ashow.

I have no idea how to do that and I might need her to provide instructions.

A few minutes later, I extricate myself from Spencer’s tentacle-like hold and head to the table to pour myself another drink. A quick look around tells me the other girls have gone dancing.

Rhys sits unblinking, watching Thayer as she dances ten feet away from him. His eyes follow every move of her body and a small smile touches his lips when she laughs with Bellamy.

Nera is MIA. She was here just a few minutes ago, but she’s not in our area and I don’t see her on the dancefloor.

I look up when a shadow falls over me and see Rogue standing there.

He crosses his arms and gives me a warning look. “You should tell your friend to run.”

I focus on finishing my drink, also pouring two shots of tequila in the process because I can tell I’m going to need them.

“Ladies and gentlemen, he speaks.” I marvel, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I take a sip and glare at him, “I didn’t know you were acknowledging my existence again. How thrilling.” I add, drolly.

When Phoenix turned his back on me, so did Rogue and Rhys. They’re his best friends so I understood they were being loyal to him but…

They were my friends as well once.

He lifts a shoulder in a shrug. Of course, he’d never apologize for the years of ignoring me, but I didn’t expect him to.

“There’s no shame in running.” He offers. “Especially while he still has the use of his legs.”

I bring the glass up to my lips and take a drink. “And what is he meant to be running from?”

“Phoenix.”

It’s stated as a simple fact, like it’s an unavoidable outcome.

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