Page 48 of Madden

So much for her being scared about us getting caught by her boss.

“A real-life Prince Charming,” I bark out.

Kyla rolls her eyes and resumes shuffling through papers.

“Have you checked the charts again? You guys are still holding that number one spot.”

I grin. I’ve tried to chill out but have been checking since our album went live. It still manages to blow my mind. Somehow, we’ve topped all the charts in less than twenty-four hours from the album dropping and held that spot for the past week.

“Still number one, baby,” Brix bellows, slapping his hand down on the counter. Tysin is following him.

Trey is still in his suite getting ready or on a video call with Layken. He’s anxious being away from her. She’s due any day now. I think he’s worried the moment he steps away, she’ll go into labor.

“Crazy, man,” I say, clapping their hands and pulling them in for a hug.

“Madden, Tonya should be here any minute. I’ll have Abel head to the lobby to meet her. Brix, will you let Trey know we’re about ready to head out? We need to be there at five o’clock to make sure we hit the red carpet on time.”

I don’t know what we’d do without Kyla keeping us in line.

Tonya is waiting for us when we make it out the door. She’s wearing a long silver dress, her blond hair curled over one shoulder.

She smiles when she sees me and kisses me on the cheek before Kyla ushers us into the SUV.

I hate doing red carpets about as much as I hate talking with the press. A million photographers snap our photos, and interviewers throw hundreds of questions our way. Thankfully, Brix, Tysin, and even Trey seem to take the brunt of them until one interviewer turns to me.

“Madden, you’re here with Tonya Lively tonight. You both look stunning together. So tell us, is this the mystery woman we saw photographed with you outside Granite hotel recently?”

My body stiffens, and I flick my gaze over to Tonya.

The guys chuckle behind me. I’ve managed to steer clear of these sorts of comments in the past. I don’t doubt they love having them fired at me for a change.

“No, it’s a friend of mine who I was visiting in the area.” I smile, hoping they’ll drop it.

“This isn’t the first time you’ve brought Tonya with you to an event. Any chance we can get a little tease as to what special woman you’ve been spending your time with as of late?”

“Not at this time.” I grit my teeth, clenching my hand resting on Tonya’s hip into a fist.

Something about being here with her, when I wish I could be with Brielle instead, makes my hand feel out of place. Like I shouldn’t be touching Tonya right now.

I fight against the urge to drop my arm to my side and step away, making it clear where we stand. I don’t doubt Brielle will see these photos and read the interview, and that thought alone makes me want to do something I know I shouldn’t.

“Tonya and I have been friends for a while now. We have a good time when we’re together, but we’re only friends. The woman you saw me with in New York is someone I care a lot about. It’s still new, and we’re taking it slow, and I hope in the future I can tell you more about her.”

Tonya pats her hand against my chest, and we step away, effectively ending the conversation.

“Why didn’t you warn me you were seeing someone?” she whispers under her breath.

“I didn’t think it would matter. This is business for us, right?”

“Right, but like you said, we’ve been friends for a while now. A heads-up would’ve been nice.”

“It was plastered on the front page of Hollywood Tea. I would’ve thought you knew along with the rest of the world.”

She chuckles. “I don’t pay attention to the garbage they post. You should know better by now.”

“Then don’t worry about what anyone thinks. The woman they saw me with knows we’re here together tonight. She understands this is business for me.”

I swallow hard. At least I hope she does. Maybe I’m wrong, though.

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