Page 15 of Between Never and Forever
“In my defense, I don’t see all that money.”
“I know.” Shifting in his seat, he narrowed those green eyes that looked so much like his brother’s at me. “That's why I asked to see your contract.”
“I have it handled.” I didn’t need him knowing that I barely saw any of it.
He hummed like he didn’t believe me. Rightfully so since it was well-known my record label had me doing dodgy shit all the time. “And I’ve got you here for the next six months for assurance. Dom and I did good work with that.” He smiled big.
Dimitri didn’t really push where he didn’t need to. He handled things with a soft hand, one where he manipulated things before they were a problem. I’d finally admitted to him that the record label was a stressor for me, and I could still picture the way his face dropped in disappointment that I’d kept my pain to myself. The next thing I knew, I was offered a residency in Vegas, with creative control to sing anything I wanted, at the Black Diamond, which was now partially owned by HEAT. No one had made that happen other than Dimitri.
He knew I only had six months left before my contract with Trinity expired, and he’d built a bridge that I could be protected on with a contract that lasted exactly that long with his resort in Vegas.
“Months at the Black Diamond Resort and Casino under your—and Dex’s—watch. What could possibly go wrong?”
“Not much.” Dimitri wasn’t going to hide his viewpoint though. “Unless you decide to sneak around with him again.”
My gaze cut to him. We didn’t bring up the past so easily. He knew that. “I would never. I’m with Ethan, and we both know your brother hates me.”
“I wouldn’t usehate. He’s just pissed you broke his heart.”
“I didn’t. That was all a silly mistake.” I gave Dimitri a look because I had no idea who the woman doing my makeup was. No one was supposed to know about us. We’d buried that story long, long ago.
Dimitri patted her head and smiled at me. “Don’t worry. Pink doesn’t talk to anyone outside the casino.”
She stopped doing my makeup and squinted her smoky-eyelined blue irises at me before she turned her ice-cold gaze on Dimitri. “Pat me like that again and I’ll talk to everyone, including Bane, about how you’re petting me like a fucking dog.”
Dimitri held up his hands like he was being held at gunpoint. “Duly noted.” He started to back away. “You look drop-dead gorgeous, Kee. Come say hi before you go on stage, okay?”
“I don’t want to,” I whined.
“I know you don’t.” He smiled big and winked. “That’s why I’m telling you to. Call me if you need me.”
“Not if, always when,” I recited the line, and Olive mouthed it because she knew it was our saying by now.
After Dimitri exited, I let Pink work in silence while Olive tried to pep talk me. “It’s going to be fine.”
“It’s going to be a disaster.”
“Well, okay.” Olive wiggled the frames of her green glasses and nodded. “Probably, but I can have ice cream and drinks waiting after the show.”
“You know it’s bad when that doesn’t even sound good.” I blew out my dark-red painted lips.
Her honey-colored eyes widened. “How dare you? What if it’s turtle sundae?”
“Then I amend my answer, damn it. Still, this is going to suck.”
“It’s only one night. And maybe he won’t even be listening. I bet he doesn’t even know half the songs are about him.” What a pep talk.
“Olive!” I tried to correct her as my gaze flicked to where Pink stood. “They’re not about him. They’re about—”
“Don’t lie on my behalf.” Pink straightened. “I don’t care about your love life,” she deadpanned, brushing powder on my face.
“Sorry,” Olive squeaked. “Her love life is very much only about Ethan.”
“Ha,” Pink barked out. “I mean, you and Ethan are only seen together before an album hits. It’s obvious that the on-again, off-again relationship you have is for the media. If I don’t believe it, I wonder how much of your fan base does.”
I slouched in my chair as I stared at the girl who now held back a smile. She was abrasive but in a sort of loving way, like she might hate the world, but she’d fight the whole world for you too. “If I’m being honest, I bet like thirty percent believe it.”
“Probably more like ten,” she said back.
