Page 100 of Gabriel's Album

“Really?” Dane’s eyebrows fly up into his hairline. “Why would you say that?”

“Because she told him she didn’t want me around, and he just did exactly what she wanted him to do,” Stacey scowls.

“Wait, so Sebastian asked you to leave, then?” Dane asks, looking confused as he does.

Stacey flushes bright red and says, “No, that was when I decided that I’d had enough of being around them. I know I’m going to get a bunch of hate from Cruise Control fans, but the only two who were halfway decent were Hayden and Harrison. Gabriel and Sebastian were so full of themselves, and the girls were the actual worst.”

“Well, it’s fascinating to get the inside scoop on Cruise Control. I’ve heard lots of rumors about them, so thanks for sharing your insider’s perspective for us,” Dane says.

“Insider, my ass,” Sebastian huffs.

“You’re welcome.” She gives him a bright smile.

He grins back at her, then turns to the camera before saying, “Well, that was Stacey Baker with the hottest gossip around about the inner workings of Cruise Control. We’ll be back after the break with Darius Thompson here to promote his new movie.”

I flinch involuntarily at the mention of Ariana’s uncle. The cruel irony of him being the guest after an interview slamming his niece doesn’t escape me. The video on the screen switches to Dane sitting in a chair in an office with him grinning at the camera.

“Thanks for watching our show. Make sure you hit that like button because any time you don’t, a puppy gets stuck in a drain. Subscribe and hit the bell icon too, or a kitten will get stuck up a tree.”

I roll my eyes at the screen and lock the phone. “Well, that was fun.”

“You sure know how to pick them, Seb,” Hayden says while shaking his head.

“You’re telling me. Cooper’s going to have my dick in a chastity device after this,” Sebastian jokes in a grim tone.

It’s probably a case of, ‘if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry,’ but I actually burst out laughing at his comment, and everyone looks at me.

I turn to look up at Sebastian standing behind me, and I grin at him. “Will he be able to find one small enough for you, though?”

He glares at me for a second before he starts laughing too. “Probably not, and he’ll have to wait until I’m finishednotsatisfying some groupie to put it on me, anyway.”

“I’ll be in the corner of the room being jealous, of course,” Heather adds with a smirk.

“Well, I thought that went without saying,” Sebastian grins back.

I think we all might be slightly hysterical from the stress and craziness of the last few days, because we continue joking about the ridiculousness of the interview for the next ten minutes. By the time Cooper and Tristan arrive, my stomach hurts from laughing so much, and I have tears streaming from my eyes as we laugh uncontrollably at our jokes.

As soon as I see the new arrivals, my amusement vanishes, and all of my worries come rushing back. My heart begins pounding in my chest, and my mouth gets dry as I remember the situation we’re in.

“Hi, gentlemen.” Tristan nods his head at us. “Heather, I’m Tristan Scott. Nice to meet you.” He shakes her hand, and we all take seats around the dining table.

“I’ll see you guys later,” Heather says.

She kisses Harrison and waves solemnly at us before leaving, all amusement from our joking having apparently disappeared for her, as well.

Tristan looks around the table and says, “Well, you guys did a great job yesterday. Unfortunately, it seems Stacey beat us to the punch. Your first interview aired today, while hers went live last night. Since hers is a lot more sensational, you can imagine which is getting the most coverage.”

I cringe, because the answer is so damn obvious. “Why did they even have her on?”

“You’re hot gossip, and she was willing to dish it out. It seems as though she wants to turn this little escapade into something, because she’s already got a manager, and he’s shopping her around, apparently.”

Cooper sniffs loudly, with a look of disgust on his face. “Of course, she does. Trust Sebastian to dick over a talentless bimbo with dreams of stardom.”

“Yawn. Another day of Cooper raging at me. I’m bored.” Sebastian fakes a very obvious yawn, and Cooper glares at him.

“I thought you’d be a little more humble, considering this is all your fault.”

“Oh, please. I’ve apologized to the people who deserved one. Meanwhile, I pay you good money to deal with my shit, so calm your tits,” Sebastian drawls.

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