Page 76 of On The Edge
“Oh, fuck.” He shakes his head and covers his forehead in frustration.
“What?” Markus asks, stepping forward.
“Per Louis;‘I got her stuff sent here, it will be here at 6am. I’ve also talked with her social media partners.On The Edgeis the only client of Melody Sullivan’s, and her previous clients have been dispersed to the other partner. If this is what you’re all deciding to do; to keep this girl with you, then we need to go over the requisite paperwork in order to keep band secrets just that. We’ve had too many near hits, and we’ve grown the band’s visibility so much, I sincerely hope that there is no chance for her to ruin our vision. Please discuss with the others how this girl–while you all seem somewhat serious about–are a dime-a-dozen. If she’s not willing to beallabout the band, then you guys will be able to find someone more suitable. As always let me know if you need anything else,’” Reis stops reading.
What the fucking fuck?
My hands fist at my sides and my nostrils flare in anger.
“‘Dime-a-dozen? Not willing to be all about the band? Find someone more suitable?’ What the fuck is his problem?” I snarl. I swear to god, I’m going to have a discussion with our manager where his face will meet my fist.
“I don’t know, I really don’t,” Reis mutters.
“Okay, well,” Adam sighs, “let’s keep an eye on it. The last thing we need is for Melody to feel any friction. And you,” he says strongly, “figure out how you’re going to explain what you really meant to say or do for her, and for fucks sake,get it right.”
We’dall said to leave her alone and let her cool off.
But they didn’tactuallythink I’d do that, right?
Standing by the door, I hold my breath to listen for any noises from inside. Melody’s not a quiet girl normally, but right now—of course—she’s silent. Did she fall asleep? Is she packing a bag to leave? Did she climb out the window?
That would be the kind of dramatic shit I’d do.
Testing the doorknob lightly, I try to turn it but it’s locked. Luckily, I came prepared for that and pull my lock-picking kit from my pocket.
Yeah, I have a lock-picking kit. I don’t think that surprises anyone… I’m a damn good one too, there are no secrets here.
I silently unlock the door, stashing my kit, and slipping inside as quietly as I can. The oversized bed with our standard guest-white linens is untouched and my anxiety spikes.
Did she get out? Did she leave?
“You know,” Melody says from behind me, and I jump. “I should scream and let everyone know you snuck in here. Do you do this often?”
I scrunch up my nose at that, tilting my head to the side.
“Do you really want to know that answer?”
“Fair point,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest. Doing my best to not let my eyes fall to her chest—I don’t think she’d be okay with me ogling her at this moment—I turn to face her fully. Her beautiful brown eyes are red-rimmed and she wipes her nose with her hand quickly, standing up straighter. Like a goddess trying not to show any weakness. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to check on you.”
“I asked you not to.”
“I know, but when have I ever followed the rules?” I give her one of my smoldering looks that usually makes girls smile, but it doesn’t even faze her. “Melody,” I say softly, dropping the act and pulling her into a hug right as she starts to cry.
“I just don’t know what to believe anymore,” she sobs into my chest. Pulling back to look at me, I see the frustration, the anger, the fear, and the sadness floating through her eyes. It knocks the air from my lungs.
“You all say you love me, then Reis takes over my business. Hearing him say that and you guys just nod along, it reminded me of back then. Except, I guess this time, I know what happened. But I can’t help but feel exactly how I did that next morning when I was all alone. You all just agreed to fucking leave me without a word! He said he wouldn’t do that again, but then immediately does it? How am I supposed to believe him now? I picked myself up once and made a life for myself, but I don’t think I could do it twice.”
Fucking Reis. I should’ve punched him.
“I swear to you, you won’t have to.” Taking her hand, I flatten her palm against my chest right over my heart. “I swear on my life, Melody, we won’t disappoint you again. You’re it for me. I know they all feel the same way.” My heart pounds against her palm and I cover her hand with mine. “My heart beats for you, Melody. Always and forever, for you.”
Her eyes shine with new tears, and her lip quivers. The small beauty mark to the right of her mouth begs to be kissed, so I press my lips softly against it.
“You say that now,” she mumbles before getting progressively louder with each sentence. “You guys are quite literally rockstars. The most famous musicians as of late. And I’m a nobody from Oklahoma that you knew in high school. You guys are just toying with me, back and forth, back and forth. You can’t put all your social media marketing in my hands and hope for the best. I know you probably have a team, if not four teams doing all that. What is the game here?” She cries, and my heart breaks.
She’s spiraling. I can see it, I can feel it. I’velivedit.
