Page 32 of Bitter Beats

Jameson snorts. “You want to tell her?” He flips his chin to Mav. “Because this is gonna be a scandal, Mav. This isn’t some chump from town or?—”

“It was Senator Hayes’s wife,” Mav admits, his voice hoarse.

I turn toward him as surprise rolls through my body. His eyes pierce mine, holding. An apology is written in his irises. But why is he sorry?

Because he got caught?

Because he’s going to mess with band dynamics?

Because, on some level, I feel his distress?

“People say he’s angling for his party’s nomination. He wants to run for president,” I murmur.

Jameson snorts. “Well, not anymore.” He moves next to Mav and clasps a heavy hand on his shoulder, squeezing until Mav winces. “And we got Mav to thank for that. Got Mav to thank for the shitstorm this is gonna kick up in the press, here at home, and all over the fucking country.”

“I didn’t know who—” Mav starts.

Jameson shakes his head. “Save it, Maverick. I’m tired of your excuses. We all are. Now put some damn clothes on.” His gaze softens when it falls on me. “You too, Kenny. Family meeting in fifteen.”

“I, well, I’m not sure I need to be present for that,” I admit.

Jameson gives me a soft smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “You planning on moving out?”

With what money?“Not at the moment…” I let that sentence trail off delicately.

“Then you need to be present. Things are going to change around here. Drew called in more security. They’re only letting the band members, the team, and the girls through.” He tilts his chin toward me. “Right now, you’re one of us, Kenny. Get dressed.”

He strides out of my bedroom, leaving the door open.

Mav doesn’t follow right away. Our combined breathing, heavy and uncertain, fills the space for a handful of moments.

“I fucked up,” Mav murmurs, as close to an apology as he’s capable of.

“Yeah,” I admit, avoiding his eyes. “So did I.”

He stares at me for a long moment. Then, he surprises me. “Why’d you text me last night that you’re sorry?”

I work a swallow but hold his gaze. His eyes are intense, studying mine as if he can pick out clues from my expression. “Because you were right. You have tried to be a friend to me. And, for what it’s worth, I get what it’s like to screw up. Badly.”

Mav’s nostrils flare and I can tell he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t reply. Instead, his gaze turns curious. There’s no way he missed the sincerity in my tone even if he questions the veracity of my words.

Mav clears his throat. “Thanks for saying that.” Then, he walks out, closing the door behind him.

I sigh, letting my shoulders drop. I have no idea what’s going to happen, but the fallout is going to be massive. And if I’m living here, my life is certainly going to change.

I dress in leggings and a University of Boston Law hoodie. I pull my hair back into a low ponytail.

My gaze tracks over my busted laptop. The text messages from my friends I don’t deserve. The sounds of the paparazzi outside infiltrate my bedroom.

Right now, Mav and I have more in common than he realizes. And I also hope Aiden—the band’s lawyer who I’ve met a few times—brings bagels.

TWELVE

MAV

Everyone,save for Reign and Allegra, is gathered in the living room when Mckenna enters.

Dressed in black leggings and a hoodie, her face devoid of makeup, and her hair pulled back from her face, she looks younger. Paler and more innocent than usual.

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