Page 20 of Heart Break Her

So, like the reckless asshole I am, I ditched all my obligations and got on a plane. Much to Adrian’s displeasure.

“How did this happen?” she asks, her eyes closed again.

“Adrian’s working on that. Don’t worry. I’m going to bury them.”

If some fucker thinks it’s okay to plant a camera in my room and release a video without our consent, they’ve got another thing coming. Legal troubles will be the least of their concerns once I find out who it is, because the regret in Cassie’s eyes makes me want to ruin their life.

In my profession, I’m used to invasion of privacy. There’s rarely something I do that isn’t caught on camera in one way or another. But this was the ultimate breach. Someone invaded my private space. Someone got close. Too close. The hotel swears it wasn’t an employee, but I’m not sure who else would have had access.

Warm fingers thread through mine, and I look down to see Cassie holding my hand. A small move that settles me more than anyone’s words have over the past twenty-four hours.

I should pull away, knowing I’m rotten and broken. I’m a sickness waiting to spread, and her thinking any different will just hurt her more. But instead, I grip tighter and soak up her warmth just a little longer, praying I don’t drain all that’s left.

Cassie leans back and stares at the bathroom doorway.

“I need to delete all my social media,” she says. “Maybe I’ll just burn my phone. I’ve already taken a match to my life, so it’d be only fitting. I’m going to get fired, not that it will matter once my parents kill me…”

She’s mumbling it out loud, but she isn’t looking for a response as she assesses the damage in her head.

It strikes me, even if not for the first time, the aftermath she’s dealing with. While I’m upset someone is messing with my life, I know it won’t actually impact my reputation. If anything, my livelihood might benefit from something like this. People expect it, want it, need it.

But a scandal like this has the opposite effect on Cassie. One night with me has the potential to destroy her.

“You really think your work will fire you?”

She lets out a short breath. “They won’t be happy.”

I look around the bathroom, remembering the apartment I walked through when I arrived. It’s small, but nice. It feels like a home, which is more credit than I can give the tour bus I live on half the time. But it’s not extravagant, and I’m not sure losing her job is something she can handle financially.

“You’re an artist, right?” I remember being lost in how she talked about painting and drawing when we took breaks between orgasms. She lit up, and it reminded me how I used to feel about my music—like there was life behind it.

“I’m an illustrator,” she says, her eyebrows pulling together like she can’t figure out why I’m asking. “Or I was. Who knows now. Merry took my phone.”

“Probably for the best.”

She nods.

“What do you like to draw?”

“For work or for fun?” she asks, and I have to hold back a laugh at her always clarifying every question.

I squeeze her hand. “How about both?”

“I prefer to paint. It’s messy, and I like the freedom in it.” She sighs, and I almost get lost in her exhale. “But my job is for an advertising company. I draw pictures and logos for marketing messages, branding, you know, that kind of stuff. It’s nowhere near as cool as being a rock star, but I like it. It lets me be creative.”

“I happen to think it’s very cool,”

That brings the faintest smile to her lips, and I can’t help but squeeze her hand again. The warmth from the heat of her palm on mine reaches so deep in my bones that I forgot I was capable of getting that far in anymore.

“Here’s hoping I don’t lose my job then.” Cassie frowns.

“It’ll be okay.” I plant my other hand on top of hers so she’s sandwiched between them. “If your employer decides to be a prude dick, you can always come work for the band. We’re always looking for artists for tour merchandise and shit.”

Cassie pulls her hand away and sits up with a shocked look on her face. “What did you just say?”

“You could come work for—"

“No, no, no.” Cassie scrambles to her feet, and I can’t figure out why my offering to help has caused such a strong reaction.

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