Page 58 of Heart Break Her

“Sorry, bro,” Rome says, leveling me with his gaze. “Just figured. You’re not one to stay in for the night unless someone is riding your dick.”

God, I need my own fucking bus; these guys are giving me a headache. At least when Myth was around, he used to know how to shut the fuck up. We’d sit and watch some crap on TV. I’d drink, and he’d smoke something. We’d just chill. Rome and Noah are too amped all the damn time.

Rome reaches in his pocket and pulls out a baggie of white powder. “Want some?” he asks, waving it in front of my face.

“I thought you were cutting that shit out,” Eloise says, narrowing her eyes at him.

“It’s just a little coke.” Rome shrugs. “Passing the time. So sue me.”

“Lawsuits would be Sebastian’s problem,” Adrian says, coming out of the back of the bus and plucking the baggie from Rome’s hand.

“What the fuck, Adrian?” Rome frowns.

He shakes his head. “Save this shit for after tonight’s show. I have enough to deal with right now.”

Here we go. I love Adrian, I really do. The guy has always looked out for our best interests, which is difficult when you’re dealing with four stubborn rock stars and a record label that is ready to fuck you with a strap-on at any given moment. But today, I’d really like to skip the lecture.

He’s made it no secret how he feels about Cassie being on tour with us, and after last night, I’m sure his irritation has reached a new level. The sex tape was one thing. Having the girl in the video on tour was another. But punching a guy in the face outside the bar for hitting on her—Adrian’s probably not happy.

“I don’t give a crap if that guy is suing.” I lean back in my seat.

“I’m sure you don’t. You never do.” Adrian is standing with his arms crossed, and he looks tired. He hasn’t shaved in at least a week, and even the dark hair on his head is starting to grow out a little. At thirty-two, he’s only six years older than me, but the stress from his job compounds to a lot more.

“You didn’t hear what that piece of shit said.”

“Is it what he said?” Adrian holds my stare. “Or is it that he said it to her?”

“Cassie. She has a fucking name. And he asked her to suck his dick.”

“So?”

So help me, I’m going to lose my shit on one of my best friends right now. “What do you mean, so?”

“Exactly what I said. How many women suck your dick in any given week. Or Noah’s or Rome’s? Suddenly you’ve got a problem with a chick getting on her knees?”

I stand up and walk over to him, but Noah hops off the couch to meet me, acting like a barrier between Adrian and me. Not that Adrian seems phased by me coming at him. He knows I won’t hit his stupid face because even if he pisses me off, he’s still a friend.

“Don’t you fucking dare talk about Myth’s sister like that.”

“Is that really the issue, Sebastian?” Adrian asks, not backing down.

“What the fuck else would it be?” I immediately wish I could reel the words back in because the smile that forms in the corner of Adrian’s mouth tells me everything he’s thinking.

“She needs to go home before this gets worse.” Adrian uncrosses his arms and grabs onto the counter behind him. “First the tape, now the fight outside the bar. What’s next? I know you think you’re helping her, but that’s not really it, is it?”

Fuck him.

I am helping her. Back at home, she’d be swarmed with paparazzi and guys like Zane who think they can take advantage. She’d be sitting there alone, worried about if she has a job or not, with no one there to protect her if something happens.

Myth would have protected her. He would never have let this happen. But he’s dead. And who’s fault is that?

Voices beyond the grave reach out to me.

I rake my hands through my hair and walk to the couch furthest away from everyone else, sinking into it. If I was the good guy, I’d send her packing. I’d hire security, and I’d stay far away. But if I was the good guy, she wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place.

“She’s staying,” is all I say.

Adrian looks less than thrilled, but he doesn’t say anything more about it. He knows when to drop a subject. Although the heat in his gaze tells me this is far from over.

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