Page 24 of Of Heartbreak and Harmony
“It’s Callie.”
“We would compensate you. Sixty thousand dollars to be paid in six installments. Twice a month for the extent of the tour, but should you choose to leave early—and you are free to leave whenever you choose—you will forfeit the rest of the payments.”
I blink. I blink again. My heart stops. I’m dead. No, I’m dying, and this is some weird fucking fever dream.
Sixtythousanddollars. It would take me years to save up that kind of money. That money could pay off Mom’s medical bills. Pay for more physical therapy. It could help put Glory through community college.
“Breathe. Breathe, Callie.”
Torren’s voice breaks through the loud thumping in my ears, and I slowly raise my eyes to meet his. Then I gasp, sucking in mouthfuls of air. Why does this man always take my breath away? And not in a good way.
I close my eyes and focus on breathing until my brain is functioning, then I make eye contact again. I make eye contact and I do my best to pretend like it doesn’t turn me inside out.
“What are the reasons?”
Torren doesn’t answer. Instead, he flicks his eyes at Sav, which makes fire lick up my insides.
“You said there were several reasons why the stories aren’t ideal. It must be something bad if you’re willing to pay me to play pretend with you. I want to know the reasons.”
“I have a stalker,” Sav states, and I whip my head to her. She gives me a smile-like grimace. “I have a stalker, and theyreallydon’t seem to like the relationship rumors.”
“And theyarerumors?”
She nods sincerely. “Yes, they are.”
I turn my head to Torren and try to read his face. It’s blank. No heartbreak, but no confirmation, either. It leaves me feeling uneasy.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask about the engagement debacle that took place last year—to dig into the details of that whole tabloid stormabout a fire, a sex tape, and an affair—but something more pressing grabs my attention.
“Will I be in danger?”
Sav shakes her head.
“We don’t think so. You’ll have your own security, and the stalker pretty much disappears when someone else is in the picture.” She laughs, but it’s tired and makes me feel a twinge of sympathy for her. “And anyway, they usually only fuck with me.”
I glance back at Hammond and Torren.
“So this whole thing will be to keep Sav safe? It’s just for her benefit?”
It’s Mabel Rossi who answers me.
“No. It will really help all of us. I’m sure you can imagine that having a stalker is really fucking annoying.”
I quirk a brow. I’ve never once imagined having a stalker. She keeps speaking.
“It messes with group morale. It messes with Sav’s performances, which messes with our performances. It stunts our creativity. It creates stress. Honestly, it’s a huge fucking mess.”
I glance at Jonah Hendrix. I could have forgotten he was here if I didn’t constantly feel his stare. He hasn’t said a word, but he nods in agreement.
I bring my eyes to my feet, my fingers once again coming up to pinch the bridge of my nose. I’m getting a tension headache, and what’s worse is that my protective streak is forcing its way out of the box where I’m trying to shove it.
“I don’t want you to feel obligated to do this,” Sav says. I don’t look at her, but I nod to signal I’m listening. “This isn’t some minor thing. There will be press. Yeah, some of it will be arranged by Hammond, but a lot of it won’t be. There will be a lack of privacy. Being on tour isn’t always luxurious, especially when we’re camping on the buses.”
I want to laugh. I remember how their bus looks on the inside. It’s a reminder of how different we are that they don’t consider it luxury.
“And honestly, a PR relationship isn’t much fun, either. Trust me on that. I would know.”
I hear a scoff from behind me, and when I peek my eyes open to glance at Torren, it’s obvious he took offense to what Sav said.
