Page 79 of Sebastian's Baby

We wait a couple of minutes, then Clara says into the microphone, “You’re here with Clara and Shawn from Xpress FM 100.5 for our Hot 100 Songs of Summer and we are here with Cruise Control!”

His voice is amplified through the venue’s sound system, and the crowd in the general area cheers, along with a few whoops from inside the VIP area.

“How are you guys?” Shawn asks, then tilts his microphone toward us.

We all say some version of us thinking the night is going to be a good one, and Clara smiles. “Are you enjoying the party?”

“Yeah, it’s kind of epic,” I say, smiling as I think of Lita.

“I’m glad to hear it.” She smiles at me and asks, “Are there any songs you’re looking forward to hearing tonight?”

“April’s performance for sure. She always puts on a good show.”

It’s not a requirement for us to plug each other just because we’re signed to the same label, but I figure it’s good form to promote your friends when you can.

“What about you guys?” Shawn asks, and the guys give varying answers. “Well, thanks for being here. We can’t wait to see you perform tonight. Have a great night. That was Cruise Control, everybody. Now we’re going to number twenty-three, Crossroad Of Forever.”

“Thanks, guys. That was great. We’ll send someone to get you when it’s time for you to get ready, but enjoy yourselves in the meantime.” Clara smiles at us.

About half an hour later, Heather waves me over to where she and Ariana are still sitting, and I grin at her, my previous annoyance buried under the three drinks of whisky I’ve had. I’ve switched to water until after we perform, though, and I take a sip as I crouch next to her.

“What’s up, lover?” I grin at her.

“Hey, is it true you’re looking at buying a place in Seattle?”

She raises an eyebrow at me, and I shrug my shoulders. “Yeah. I mean, it makes sense because I keep paying for hotels, plus I’m going to have a kid there to visit.”

“And Lita.” She glances at Ariana, then back at me.

“Yes, I believe Lita lives in Seattle, too.”

“Okay. I was just wondering.”

I realize that I hadn’t given Heather this information, which means Lita did, but I ask her anyway, “Who told you I’m buying an apartment in Seattle?”

“I have my sources,” she says in an annoyingly smug tone. “You can go now.”

I laugh and shake my head before smirking at her. “Your source has a nice ass. I know that much.”

I walk back to the guys and see from the corner of my eye that Heather has pulled out her phone and is texting someone. I’m tempted to text Lita myself, but I figure I can get the gossip from her tomorrow and find out what Heather was saying about me.

I don’t have to wait until tomorrow, though, because five minutes later my phone buzzes in my pocket. I know it’s Lita because I set a custom vibration for her so I will always know it’s her in case of an emergency with the baby.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and read the message displayed on the screen.

Yo, dude. Heather thinks you’re in love with me. Can you tell her your baby mama is nothing more than a good fuck? Thanks!

There’s a lot to unpack there, and I read it a second time before shaking my head and unlocking my phone to call Lita.

She answers in a sarcastically bright voice. “Hi, Sebastian Fox, who isn’t in love with me, Becky’s here with me, and you’re on speaker. Calling for any particular reason?”

Clearly, this gossip session extends beyond Heather and Ariana.

“Yeah, just wondering why you’re sending me random texts about love on a Friday night when I’m meant to be focusing on this radio event I’m at tonight,” I laugh.

“Trying to settle an argument. Is Heather there with you?”

“She is; want to speak to her?” I ask as I walk over to where Heather and Ariana are sitting, curious about how this conversation will go down.

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