Page 20 of Dirty Rock

“You look worried today. You’re never worried. Is it the band?”

“No.”

“Is it me?”

“No. Quit it.” Julia swallowed before she took a small step back and raised her chin in defiance. “I said I’m fine.”

“No, you said you were great. Now you’re saying you’re fine. Which is it?”

“What is with you today?”

“I’m just concerned for my friend.”

“Well, yourfriendisfine. Great, even. And we don’t have time for this,” she huffed.

“I do. I have time for you.”

“You have to be ready in ten minutes. We’ve got a journalist meeting the band in room—”

“Seven-one-one. Yeah, I know. Now tell me something I don’t know. Tell me what’s eating away at you.”

“Nothing.”

“Liar.” I took a step closer.

“Why do you keep doing that?”

“Doing what?”

She glanced down at my feet before she looked up into my eyes again. “That. Stepping closer.”

“Because it’s making you feel uncomfortable, and it’s the same thing you pull on me when you know I’m hiding something. You try to intimidate us with this caring bullshit. I’ve learnt from the best. I’m trying it on you. You like the taste of your own medicine, baby?”

Her eyes narrowed, and her face turned cold. It was… unfamiliar. “Not today, Rhett.”

“Why not today? What’s going on, Jules?”

Her phone beeped in her hand. She looked scared as she swiped the screen to unlock her phone and read the text she’d received.

When she finally looked up, the woman who was normally nothing but confident had tears in her eyes.I’d never seen her look so afraid.

“I said not today, Rhett. Okay?” she croaked before she turned and stormed out of the hotel room in a very un-Julia-like manner.

I stood there for a minute, scratching the back of my neck as I tried to figure out what the fuck had just happened.

* * *

Presley this.

Presley that.

Tessa this.

Tessa that.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Even Presley was getting agitated with this interviewer. It went on and on until Presley glanced behind him.

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