Page 115 of Living on the Edge

I start reading, and my heart sinks.

What did you do, Ryleigh?

I’m planning to take care of her.

Alex gave me his mother’s ring—the one she gave him to give to the woman he eventually proposed to—so I can propose to Ryleigh.

She didn’t have to do this.

Whywould she do this?

When her text appears on the screen of my phone, I ignore it, continuing to read.

My heart breaking a little with each word.

Including,“…this reporter’s nights in his bed, feeling wild and wanton and completely uninhibited. Even if I didn’t know exactly who the man in bed with me really was.”

Fury overrides the heartbreak as I stare at the words before me.

This can’t be happening.

She didn’t just betray me, she betrayed the band, her friends… There’s even a snarky comment about Sam robbing the cradle with his “virginal eighteen-year-old companion, who’s more innocent sex kitten than pop star.”

Sam is going to lose his shit.

Jonny is never going to forgive me for bringing more drama to the band, even though it’s not like I’m the one who invited Ryleigh to go on tour with us.

Sasha’s name flashes on the screen of my phone but I’m not ready to talk to her yet.

“Angus, you look a little pale, son.” Alex comes back in the room, his face an inscrutable mask.

“I don’t understand.” I shake my head. “I was ready to give her the world...”

He puts a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Believe me, I understand. I’ve been there.”

“If you and Mom were already dating, why would she marry your brother?” I ask in frustration.

“Because I always knew August was going to be the family patriarch someday, and I was born to be his wife.” My mother walks in looking as polished and perfectly put together as ever. “Now, what is it that has you so riled up at…” She pauses to look at her watch. “…ten fifteen in the morning.”

Alex holds out the magazine and she looks at it distastefully.

“Do I have to touch it? For heaven’s sake, what’s wrong with the two of you? Can someone please just give me Cliff’s Notes?” She looks from me to Alex and back again.

He sighs and then begins to read. “Angus Jeffries isn’t Angus Jeffries.In fact, Angus Jeffries isn’t even August Michael Hollingsworth, III. Well?—

She snatches the magazine out of his hands to read it herself.

“This!” she cries when she’s finished. “Thisis why we don’t date beneath us. This is what happens when you date greedy little strumpets with no breeding!”

I can’t even argue with her.

I don’t like her calling Ryleigh names but I also don’t understand how this happened. Ryleigh is literally the only other person who knew. Other than my parents, of course.

“Your father is going to be extremely frustrated,” she continues, making a face. “I guess you got your wish, Alex. But understand, this changes nothing. August and I already had a plan in place, just in case something like this happened.”

“A plan?” I stare at her.

“Yes. A plan. That’s what smart people do to stay ahead of things. You don’t allow the press to find things out all…willy-nilly.”

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