Page 25 of Loyalty (The Salvation Society)

“Well, how about you all tell me what it is you want tonight, and I’ll see how I can work with it,” I say.

Kegan gets up and sits next to me, causing me to press against the window. He winks as he picks up my phone.

“I want to get drunk and bang,” Lane says.

Everett says, “I want to get shit faced and fuck.”

They are laughing and I sigh.

“I want to fucking dance,” Remi says. We all stop what we are doing and look at him. “What?”

“You want to dance, like grind against some sexy chick?” Everett asks.

He shrugs and Kegan peeks over at me. I shrug and look between him and Remi. Maybe what I said really did get into his head. I only did it because the guys seemed so sure that he wasn’t happy, and I guess they were right. If he was truly happy with Olivia, he wouldn’t want to be grinding on anyone but her. The thing is, from a publicist standpoint, I can’t allow that. Not unless he breaks up with her. The last thing they need is a headline about cheating. It would be suicide for their name.

“Have you talked to Olivia?” I ask.

> “This has nothing to do with her,” he says.

“Man, come on. This has everything to do with her. I don’t even need Lorelei to say it because I’m saying it first. You can’t go out there in public and cheat on her. It would destroy your reputation and ours,” Kegan says.

I’m so thankful he gets it, because I know now the rest of them will agree. He’s the boss, the big guy. They do as he says without question.

“You’re one to talk about not doing shit in public, Kegan. I’m not taking advice from a guy that dips his dick in every pussy that comes within a foot of him. A guy that has no moral compass or ethical standards,” Remi hisses.

Kegan laughs and squeezes my phone in his hand. I know I should be more focused on what’s happening, but I’m worried he’s going to crush my phone. What the hell is he doing with my phone anyway?

“That’s some funny shit coming from the guy who told me on more than one drunk occasion that he’s jealous I can fuck anyone, anytime. That he’s tired of feeling trapped to a woman that he no longer loves.” He crosses his arms, my phone now tucked under one, and lifts an eyebrow. “Everyone knows I’m single and that I screw around. Judge me all you want, but that’s how they see me. They see you as the committed one. So yeah, you fucking around with someone that isn’t Olivia, is worse than me fucking around with someone.”

I know I’m new here, but this is the first time I’ve seen them get angry with each other. It’s actually making me nervous. I feel like at any minute one of them is going to throw a punch. I look over at Lane and Everett, widening my eyes in hopes they understand what I’m saying.

Lane nods and stands between where they are both sitting. “Chill the fuck out, both of you. Remi, if you want to break up with Olivia, do it. If you want to stay with her, do it. Either way we’ll support you, but you know you can’t cheat. You wouldn’t do that shit even if we weren’t traveling the country on tour. We’ve all been raised to respect women, so stop acting like you would do anything but.” He turns to look at Kegan and grabs onto the back of his neck. He’s nervous facing off with his brother. “You’re right, but don’t go at him like that. He’s obviously trying to work through some shit. Stop being such an asshole.”

Lane’s words find me by surprise. They’ve all been raised to respect women, yet I feel like Kegan missed that lesson. Lane and Everett aren’t as bad as Kegan. I’ve never heard of them fucking in the bathroom at a bar, or fingering a chick under the table or dry humping on the dance floor. Maybe it’s that he has no respect for himself, I really don’t know.

Remi stands up and runs his hands through his hair. “I don’t know how to do it.”

“Do what?” Lane asks.

“Leave her without feeling like a piece of shit.”

“You be honest,” I chime in. They all turn to me and I smile. “As the only woman here, I can tell you that being honest is all you need to do. If you don’t want to be with her anymore and you’re forcing it, it’s like lying. You are making her believe you are in when you’re really out. You are saying things you don’t mean and doing things you don’t feel. Honesty, Remi. Tell her the truth. She’ll respect you more in the long run.”

He nods his head and walks toward the bunk room. I hope I helped, because it’s clear he is tortured by this decision.

“He’ll be good,” Lane says. “Give him time.”

“So, back to tonight,” Everett says, breaking the tension. He’s definitely the one who needs to keep everyone laughing. “Drinking and sex? Do we need to ask your permission for that or what?”

“I can’t tell you what to do in private. If you want to drink, go ahead. If you want to bring a chick back to your room, go ahead. Just don’t get trashed and fuck her on the bar,” I say, laughing.

He stands up and salutes me. “You got it.”

Kegan moves a little closer, resting his hand on my thigh as he passes me my phone back. I take it, sliding it to my other side so it’s not easily in his reach. He squeezes my thigh and I fight back a sigh.

“Read your phone, angel,” he whispers, seductively.

I pick it up and a text message is staring at me. He texted someone from my phone.

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