Page 6 of Wicked Truths

I’ve had really bad luck with men lately. My cheeks burn. I kind of wish the floor would open up and swallow me whole.

“One day you’ll get tired of chasing guys who just aren’t that into you,” Marcus says with a cruel chuckle. “Want to play with me?” He purrs the words, so close I can feel the heat vibrating off him. His head tilts down toward me as he spins his tongue piercing like he doesn’t have a care in the world, but my body has a violent reaction. A shiver slides down my spine as I try to hold myself back from pouncing. “It’s up to you.” He shrugs. “I thought it might be better than sitting in your room all alone, but—”

“Yeah.” I shudder out a heavy breath. “Let’s play.” He gives me a playful look, raising his eyebrows as he bites his lower lip. “Let’s playmusic,” I clarify, giving his chest a shove.

ChapterTwo

Oakley

The next few days nothing really happens. We’re still waiting for Jamen to find us a rhythm guitarist, but the longer it takes, the more my hope seems to dwindle.

“Where’s your phone?” Sullivan asks, tossing himself down on the couch next to me.

“No clue.” I shrug, dropping the pen on the notebook. “Why?”

“Jamen called me since he couldn’t get in touch with you or Hawkins.”

“Oh shit. What’s up?” I put the notebook down on the coffee table. That’s bad. I’m pretty sure we’re always supposed to be reachable by the label when they need us.

“There’s a show tonight Jamen asked us to cover.” Sulli crosses his arms over his chest. His body language is clear. He’s completely closed off to me. “Apparently there was a weather delay and the band he scheduled won’t be there by the time the performance starts.”

My heart pangs, but I do my best to shut down my embarrassment.

The last time we had a late-night show in a club, I majorly misread things and somehow destroyed our friendship with one ill-fated kiss.

I shake my head and get back on track. “What are we doing about rhythm?”

“Jamen has someone scheduled to fill-in,” Sulli says, tossing his feet up on the coffee table. “Are you sure you’re good to perform on such short notice?”

I’m not sure what his deal is. I thought he wanted this musical career as much as I did, or maybe I let myself believe it because I wanted it to be true so badly. He’s been so negative lately that it’s starting to get under my skin. Add on the tension between us since that night and saying I’m miserable doesn’t cover how I feel.

“How far is it from the penthouse? And what time is the show?” I push myself up and off the couch cushions.

Sullivan mutters his reply. I cross my arms over my chest and have to bite my cheek to keep from saying something to him about his crappy attitude. It doesn’t matter. He used to talk to me and listen to what I had to say. He seemed to care about how I felt.

Obsessing about our problems is getting me nowhere.

“Thanks,” I mutter, spinning around and aiming for my bedroom. I need to warm up my voice and get ready if we have a show in just a few hours.

Hawk is coming out of his room as I head down the hallway. He does a double take when he spots me. “What’s up?”

My full-time security has more than a foot in height on me when he’s barefoot. When he’s in boots like he is now, I have to crane my neck even higher to make eye contact.

He’s dressed like he’s going out, which isn’t unusual, but…

Sullivan said Jamen tried to reach him. It’s unusual for him to be anything less than fully on top of his job. The scent of his cologne fills my nostrils, and I don’t let myself focus on where he’s going. Honestly, I probably don’t want to know.

“I’m getting ready for a last-minute show.” I sidestep to head around him.

“Shit.” He swipes his hand over his face. “It’s supposed to be my night off, and I’ve got stuff I have to take care of.”

Everyone deserves a night off, but a hollow pit forms in my gut at the thought he might be going out on a date. The last time he was off for a few days I got into this giant mess with Sullivan.

“So do it,” I say as my face burns. “That’s what B Team is for. They’re completely capable of keeping an eye on me. Have a good night.”

I don’t look back.

Every single guy in my life has been really freaking weird since getting to this penthouse, and I’m officially tired of it.

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