Page 56 of Resist

“That’s too bad.” He sighs, crossing his legs as he looks at us. “I guess I have no choice then.”

“About what?” Fox mutters.

“Exposing your relationship. You aren’t allowed to date, right? I’m sure if your label finds out, you’ll be dropped for breaching your contract.” His smile grows as we stare at him, shocked and scared. “Ah, so my intel was right. Interesting.”

He looks at his nails idly. “I always get what I want. I warned you.”

“I didn’t realize how much of a cruel streak you had,” Fox sneers.

His smile is bitter as he looks at us. “That’s because you never wanted to see the true me, only the person you wanted me to be. I could never compare to the image you built in your mind. I was never kind enough, never funny enough, so I hid it so you would still love me.” Standing, he eyes Fox once more. “But it doesn’t matter. You can hate me, but we both know you’ll come back to me because unlike me, you are a good guy, and you would never risk your band’s future. I know what you’re like. You’re so by the book and straightlaced, you would never put anyone else in harm’s way, especially for you. I have the money and lifestyle I wanted, it simply took a few years, and now I want you. End it and come back to me, or I will be forced to act. You know I never bluff.”

Standing, he pats my shoulder as he walks past. “First rule in this game, rock star, is that you have to have something to bargain with, and you have nothing.” He looks at Fox. “You know where to find me when you’re done playing with him.”

We watch him go, both of us silent, and when we share a look, there is fear in our eyes.

“Do you think he’ll do it?” Strike asks softly. We are sitting around the dining table, discussing what happened. Fox looks anxious and ashamed. Gripping his hand under the table, I squeeze it to let him know I’m here.

“I don’t think he was lying,” I admit, which I hate.

“Me either,” Fox says. He’s been so quiet. “If he found that out about our contract, it means he’s been digging. You only put that much work in if you are willing to follow through.” He scrubs his face, looking so lost it makes my heart ache for him.

“Shit,” Dash exclaims, banging on the table. “That fucker is willing to ruin your future and everything you have worked for just because he can’t have you?”

“We should kill him,” Strike says, and we look at him. “It was just a suggestion.”

Smiling, I lean into Fox as he stares at the table. “I’m sorry, guys. This is my mess, but it’s affecting you.”

“Shut up,” Strike demands, his voice harsh, and we jerk around. “We are a family, so your mess is our mess. You aren’t inconveniencing us, so don’t apologize. When Dash got drunk and crashed, who helped him? When Ry made all those mistakes, who helped clean them up? We help each other. That’s what we do. You aren’t at fault.”

“He’s right,” I murmur as softly as I can. “You had no idea he would do this. Nobody did. You can’t blame yourself for simply loving someone in the past.”

“But what do we do?” He looks so lost as he stares into my eyes. “Tell me and I’ll do it. Every option I think of ends the sameway. I’ll lose you or I’ll lose this band. I can’t do either. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“Remember what I promised you?” I ask, unconcerned that the others are watching. “We are in this together now, no matter what. I love you, Fox, and I love this band. I will not let you lose either of us. I will protect you. No matter what, we aren’t giving in.” I look at Strike and Dash then Fox. “Whatever the consequences, we stay together.”

“Together.” Strike and Dash nod.

“But what if—” Fox starts.

I kiss him to silence him as I grip his cheek. “Let him come for us. As long as we have each other, it doesn’t matter. Okay?”

“Okay.” His eyes close as he presses into my touch. “I love you guys.”

“I love you too,” Strike replies before he coughs. “Just not in the way Ry does.” That makes us break apart, and Strike grins. “What? He’s a big boy. My poor ass couldn’t handle that.”

Laughter explodes from us, and even Fox chuckles.

Let him try to ruin us. I don’t care. This is all I need, right here. Fuck everyone else.

TWENTY-FIVE

Despite my outward bravado, I’m worried. Theo never lies, so if he says he will expose us, then he will, and it isn’t me I’m concerned about. It’s Ry. He only just realized he likes men and that he loves me. He has a past they will use against him, and our band could suffer. I hate the idea of anyone else being hurt because of someone I once gave everything to.

It’s why I’m still awake. Ry snores next to me in my bed as I sit at my desk, scribbling absentmindedly in my lyric notebook.

The vibration of my phone makes me sigh. Picking it up, I expect to see more Instagram notifications, but I freeze at the words staring at me.

THATPRICK: VIDEO ATTACHMENT

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