Page 105 of Unguarded

He nods.

“Who?” I whisper.

He blows out a slow breath. “It was Zade.”

My vision blurs. I take a step back, my jaw falling open. “Ember and Zade?”

Brooks reaches out a hand to grip my forearm, steadying me. “I’m sorry. I think she was keeping it from everyone.”

The betrayal cuts me like a knife. It’s not Zade I’m shocked by—he’d fuck a rock if it smiled at him. It’s my best friend—the girl who’s been through so much with me—thatI’m completely floored by. She’s been my assistant and close friend for over five years.

She held me while I cried about my breakup with Clint, about the embarrassment of him cheating on me and mistreating me the entire relationship when I continued to forgive him, to give him chance after chance. Ember was the one who put me back together. She was the one who bought me wine and told me that all men sucked and we didn’t need them anyway.

My stomach roils, rejecting my breakfast.

“Are you telling the truth—you swear to me? You’re one hundred percent sure?” I implore him with my eyes. My bottom lip trembles.

His eyes soften, and he nods. “I’m sure. I saw the messages between them. They were sexting, talking about their night together and … about you.”

Tears well in my eyes. I wasn’t expecting this. I’ve been getting weird vibes from her since the tour break started, but this … this is so twisted, even for a girl who’s always had a problem with jealousy. I stumble toward the bathroom.

“Monroe, I’m ready for you, honey,” the hairstylist calls to me.

I nod dumbly, still ambling to the bathroom. “Be right there,” I mumble before shutting myself off in the bathroom.

I lock the door before crumbling against it, sliding down to my butt and hugging my knees to my chest as my whole world shatters.

38

CASH

“Where is she now?” I pace across the hotel room floor.

“She’s in her room, getting hair and makeup done. She seems … distressed.” Brooks is standing at the door of my room, which is only three doors down from hers.

“I should tell her now that I’m here. She’s upset, right? With me?” My fingers comb through my hair. I can’t sit still, nervous energy pulsing through me.

He frowns. “I think she’s mostly upset about Zade and Ember.”

I pause, staring at his face. “What about Zade and Ember?”

“I didn’t know what to say. She cornered me, and I didn’t want to lie to her. She deserved to know. They’ve been sleeping together for a while now.”

The oxygen escapes from my lungs. “Zade, her ex, and Ember, her assistant?”

He nods, his face grim. “I found out a few weeks ago. Iknew why you wanted me to stick around, so I didn’t mention it. But yeah, that’s why I was going to quit.”

Zade and Ember being an item surprises me. Ember seemed like a true friend. Sleeping with Monroe’s ex behind her back is a backstabbing move. The urge to go to Monroe and check up on her overwhelms me.

I flew to Nashville the day after she left with a plan to confess my love to her, to tell her I couldn’t wait a full week to think about starting a life with her. I don’t need a week. I never expected someone like her to walk into my life, but she’s exactly what I want. I’d be a damn fool to let her go. She insisted I stay at the ranch and decide on what I really wanted, but I never should’ve done it. I want her.

“Go back and stay with her. She shouldn’t be alone right now.”

Brooks nods, turning back to walk out the door.

I lay a hand on his arm before he leaves. “Do you have Katherine’s number?”

He nods. “I can send it to you.”

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