Page 24 of Heart of a Rebel

Been there once

Been there twice

Been there way too many times

Don’t lie tonight

There’s been enough of that for one life

We were feeling fine

But it’s poison on a good night

Say what you want, what you will

Who you are is lost, and still

Don’t lie tonight

I just might let you”

Sebastian holds the microphone up in the air while Noah starts to go wild on the drums. Rome drops to his knees in front of Eloise, and she smirks down at him. The crowd is screaming, and I catch sight of Sebastian’s buddy Myth right in the mess of it, feeling it like everyone else in here is.

There’s no doubt in my mind, they’ve done it. Everything is about to change for the band.

Standing up as the song ends and the room erupts, I casually finish my drink and push my chair in. Turning, I look one of the execs straight in the eye and smirk, baiting him. I lift an eyebrow and tip my head, walking away toward the backstage area.

Knowing, they’re going to come to find me. Knowing, the band is going to be leaving. Knowing, I’m going to have to make a decision.

Stay or go.

9

Adrian

Sebastianflopsdownontothe bed. “I could get used to this shit.”

I’m sure he could. Anyone would be tempted by the spoils Neon Records has been throwing at us for the past week we’ve been in Los Angeles. The label flew the band out to sign their contracts, and they are already showering them with perks.

When we’re not figuring out logistics, they’ve been treating the five of us to the nicest restaurants, getting us VIP tables at the hottest clubs, and booking us rooms in a hotel that puts our entire hometown to shame.

Chocolates on the fucking pillows and all the shit a person doesn’t need in life because it’ll go straight to their heads.

As nice as it all is, I can’t seem to get into it. It might be a far cry from the dirt trench I was sleeping in a year ago, but it feels fake and like they’re trying to buy us. And maybe that’s why it’s a good thing I finally agreed to Sebastian’s ridiculous proposal to be their band manager. Because the guys are already diving deep into the perks, and someone’s going to have to try and help them keep their heads above water before they drown in the lavishness of it all.

Sebastian props himself up on his elbows on the bed. “It’s fucking nice, right?”

I nod my head before realizing he’s not talking to me.

Jasmine and honeysuckle strike my senses before Eloise brushes past. She must have just gotten out of the shower because I didn’t know she was even here. She walks by me, and I take in her baggy T-shirt and sweats. Her face is makeup free and her wet hair is in strings around her freckled cheeks, but she looks downright gorgeous.

“I’ll tell you one thing.” Eloise drops down onto the bed next to Sebastian and smiles wide. “Nothing beats that water pressure.”

Sebastian rolls his eyes and sits up. “Chicks, man.”

She nudges him in the arm. “Don’t be a misogynistic jerk.”

At that, he laughs and stands up, ignoring her narrowed gaze. I’m still figuring out the dynamic between Eloise and the guys. Her morals seem to constantly clash with their immaturity, but she also has no problem putting them in their place and swiftly brushing them off.

---