Page 8 of Mic Drop

The hazards of keeping to myself all yesterday—the need to tell everyone what’s going on since they didn’t witness it. In this case, it’s a good thing. Wouldn’t want them to see the God-awful way things ended between us. My throat tightens.

“Gone.” My voice is gruff to my own ears.

“Huh? What do you mean, ‘gone’?”

“What I said. Like Elvis, she left the building.” I take a couple of strides. “I dumped her.” Not exactly, but close enough.

I realize Luke’s not at my side and turn around. He’s wearing a puzzled expression. “You broke up with her?”

My hands land on my hips. “That’s the polite way of putting it.”

“Why?”

“Why what? People break up all the time. Lots of different reasons. Money, sex, values. Take your pick.” I continue toward the elevators.

“You two seemed like the real deal. She was sticking up for you with the whole Lissa ordeal.”

Maybe I should seize on this as an easy out? Sounds better than saying she was homesick. I shake my head. Nah. Not going to lie to cover up her screwball tendencies. Better they come out now than if more time passes.

“She missed her mother. She went home. End of.” I stab the call button for the elevator. The doors open and without checking to see if our manager’s at my side, I storm inside.

Luke presses the button for the garage, where we’re meeting the rest of the band. I stand with my arms crossed, daring him to ask anything further. Utilizing self-preservation skills, he does not.

The door pings at our floor. “I think you should tell the guys.”

“On it.” I stalk to the waiting limo, and am the last band member to climb in. As soon as my ass hits the leather seat, I’m handed a bottle of beer. After taking a much-needed sip, I announce, “Jenna’s gone.”

My work colleagues stare at me with varying degrees of surprise. All except 007, who has the biggest smile stretched across his face. “Finally!” He extends his fist toward me to bump, which I force myself to do. “She doesn’t belong with UC. Glad you kicked her to the curb.”

My lips tick upward. “Thanks man. Sorry to make you all spew the shit defending her in Louisville. Thinking we don’t mention it again, and the hype will die down.”

Coop shifts in his seat. “We defended her to the world, Bennett, because she was cool. Why did you dump her?”

Thankful he thinks I broke up with her, I reply, “Turns out she was crazy. I didn’t see it before, although I should have picked up onit when we went out to celebrate her birthday with her mother. Yesterday, she was crying about missing her mother, so I cut her loose.”

Coop’s head bobs. “Wow.”

Río blurts, “Darren thought the chick was sweet. So did I. I can’t believe she turned out to be a psycho.” He leans across the bench seat to whack my shoulder. “You’ll bounce back. Plenty of other fish in the sea.”

“Yeah.” I tip my chin toward our drummer. After tonight’s show, I’ll choose a couple of blondes to take the edge off. Let Jenna stay home with mommy. I’m better off without her.

I chance a look at our new keyboardist, who doesn’t look surprised at all by my announcement. Perhaps my assessment of their relationship was spot on? I stare him down and he stares right back. When I can’t take it any longer, I snarl, “What’s your problem,Tristan?”

“Me?” His gaze darts throughout the limo. “She seemed broken up when I helped her into a taxi, that’s all.”

Like I guessed, she ran to the little prick when she left my room. I pitch forward, fists at the ready, but unable to get proper leverage againstTristanin the limo. “How long were you shacking up with her?” Coop places his arm against my chest.

Tristan slinks back against the seat. “I wasn’t, dude. I was only an ear.”

“Yeah, well, she can use yourearanytime she wants. Mine is off limits to her.” Coop removes his arm when it becomes clear I won’t start a fight in the confines of the limo.

Stepping into the breach, 007 holds up his bottle. “To the Black Widow. May she never darken our threshold again!” A second later, everyone—except Tristan—toasts.

The beer trips down my throat in starts and fits. I manage to swallow and keep it down, which I consider a win. Why doesn’t it taste like victory? I sent her packing. Rather, she was packing, and I told her to leave. Samediff.

The limo stops in front of the stadium. I let the rest of the band get out before maneuvering out of the vehicle, aware enough not to do anything to strain my groin muscle. After all, I didn’t have any physical therapy today. I can keep it in check all by myself.

The rest of the band is nearing the back entrance when my feet hit the pavement. Unlucky for me, Tristan waits by the door.

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