Chapter 4
Kalin
Record Label Asshole Owner
I know you’re upset with me, so I don’t expect a response.
Record Label Asshole Owner
But I’ve got something in the works so we can finally be public. You, me, and Spike. I want this, too, little one.
Record Label Asshole Owner
I miss you.
I scoffed and tossed my phone aside, fucking furious all over again—and just when I’d managed to find some semblance of peace, too.
When I looked at my phone, sure I’d wanted to see a text from him.
Of course, I fucking did because I was madly in love with the asshole, even if I was angry with him.
But his text just felt like more empty promises.
And I was so tired of empty promises. Tired of feeling like second best to his company and his reputation. Tired of feeling like I was just some fun little toy to him.
I didn’t understand how Spike was so calm and content as we were. I was splintering apart at the fucking seams.
I climbed out of our bunk and headed for the bathroom, only to bump right into Salem, who was coming out of the room he and Tor shared on the tour bus. I scowled at him, bumping into him having been my tipping point.
“Watch where the fuck you’re going, yeah?”
Salem scoffed. “Bro, I was just coming out of my room. Chill the fuck out and stop being a dick.”
I shoved his shoulder, anger burning through my veins. I didn’t have the patience to deal with him—or anyone—this morning. All I wanted was a fucking shower and then a cup of coffee. And avoid everyone I fucking could.
“I’m not the one just walking out of their fucking room like they own the place,” I snarled.
Salem shoved forward, coming toe to toe with me, his eyes emptying and going cold. If there was one person in our friend group who was truly dangerous, it was Salem. He could flip his emotions off like a fucking light switch.
“You wanna do this?” he asked, eerily calm. “You sure you want to start shit with me, bro?”
“Woah!” Tor yelled, rushing out behind Salem.
He was shirtless, clad in only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.
He wrapped his arms around Salem’s waist and tugged him back from me.
At the same time, Spike shoved his way between us and gripped my upper arms, guiding me backward.
“Don’t ever fucking think you can put your goddamn hands on me, Kalin. Family or not, I will fuck you up,” Salem seethed before Tor managed to get him into their room and slam the door shut to keep Salem from escalating the situation.
“Let me go,” I snarled, snapping my head up to glare at Spike.
“No. Not until we get outside,” he said calmly, meeting my gaze evenly, all while he continued backing me up toward the exit of the bus.
Dalton already had the door open, and when Spike spun me around so I could walk forward down the steps, Dalton asked quietly, “You okay, Kalin?”
“Fucking fine,” I spat before moving past him and out the door. Once we were on the cool pavement, Spike released me and raked his fingers through his hair. I crossed my arms over my chest, clenching my jaw as I stared at the ground, feeling a little stupid now that I was no longer on the bus.
Salem hadn’t done a damn thing to me, yet I’d taken my shit out on him. Fuck. I owed him an apology… if he’d even accept it. Salem was good at holding grudges.
Spike took a step closer to me. “What’s going on, baby?” he asked with so much concern, I wanted to cry.
I shuffled awkwardly on my feet, tightening my folded arms over my chest like it would somehow hold me together. When I didn’t answer, Spike gently pulled me closer, then wrapped his arms tightly around me. I shuddered and sank into him, my throat becoming so tight, I nearly couldn’t breathe.
He stroked his hands down my back. “Whenever you want to talk about it, I’m here. I’m always here, baby,” he said softly before dropping a kiss to the top of my head.
“Does he really even want us?” I asked, my voice mostly muffled by his neck, where I’d tucked my face.
Spike sighed softly, his breath blowing my hair. “He does, baby. I promise he does. He’s trying to protect us, even if we don’t need the protection.”
“I don’t like hiding.”
“I know,” Spike softly responded. “Whatever decision you make, baby, I’ll stand behind you ten toes down.
I swear.” He gripped my hair at my roots and tugged my head back so we were forced to look at each other.
He cupped my jaw with his other hand, stroking his thumb over my cheek.
“You are the center of my universe, you hear me? I will follow you everywhere.”
Tears sprang to my eyes, blurring my vision. “But you love him, too,” I croaked. I couldn’t ask him to come with me if I decided to leave Richard.
Spike shrugged. “I do, but me and you, baby? We’re where it started, and if it has to be that way, then just me and you will be how it ends, too.
” He leaned in and rested his forehead on mine.
I closed my eyes, drawing in a shaky breath that was filled with the scent of him—citrus and sandalwood.
“I love you. No matter what happens, remember that. I love you.”
I swallowed thickly and nodded. “I love you, too,” I whispered, then sank into him again, just wanting him to hold me for a little while longer. Because in Spike’s arms, I didn’t feel so goddamn broken.
Salem walked past me to the fridge. I stared down at my coffee for a moment before sucking my pride the fuck up and turning to face him. When he felt my staring, he turned his head away from the fridge and looked at me, arching a single brow.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted. He straightened, still not saying anything. I drew in a deep breath and shoved my hands into the pockets of my sweats. “I was pissed and upset this morning, but not at you. Not at any of you. But I took it out on you because you were my closest target, and… I’m sorry.”
He shrugged one shoulder and nodded. “All good, bro.” My shoulders relaxed a fraction. He wasn’t holding a grudge, thank fuck. He turned back to the fridge. “I don’t know what’s going on, but if you need to talk, we’re all here. Family above all, remember?”
Though he wasn’t looking at me because he was still looking in the fridge for…
something, I nodded. “I know. Thank you. Just not ready to open up about it right now,” I lied.
Truth was, I was ready to talk about it.
I was ready to shout to the entire fucking world that Spike and I were with Richard.
But Richard wasn’t fucking ready.
Sighing, I turned away, just wanting to crawl back into bed and watch a movie that had nothing to do with love until tonight, when I needed to get ready for our last concert for this tour.