Chapter 4 #2
“Lily…” I lift her chin with my fingers so I can stare into her eyes. “I love you. Once this tour is over and I get Mayhem on track, I’ll make sure you always feel good. No, I’ll make sure you’re better than that.”
“I know you will.” She leans over and gives me a quick kiss. “So you know, I only ever see you as Callum. I only say Cash when I want to piss you off.”
“It doesn’t make me mad. It hurts.”
“Oh. I didn’t know that.” Her expression falls. “I’m sorry. That’s not my intention, Callum. I’d never wish pain on anyone. I know too well how awful that is, so I wouldn’t do that on purpose.”
“That’s comforting to know.” I remember the question I asked her in Maliu. “You told me you bought painkillers from Marco.”
“Yeah, so?”
“It’s your life, so don’t take this the wrong way.”
“Okay. What?”
My throat constricts, causing me to swallow hard. “I don’t want you to do them anymore.”
She blinks a few times. “Why?”
“Because when you’re on them, you’re not yourself.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re distant. It’s like you don’t care about anything.”
Her cheeks redden. “But they help me get through the hard times without you. They’re the only things that block out how heartbroken I am.”
My insides hollow out. “Lily, I’m sorry you’re going through that. If there were a way for me to take it from you, I would.”
Her eyes gloss over, but the captain comes over the speaker and tells us to prepare for landing. She moves around, following instructions while hiding her face from me.
The cabin lights come on, but I sense the darkness around her. My limbs go numb and I lower my head in defeat.
How can I ask her to stop doing something that helps get her through a rough time that I’m putting her through?
I can’t. It’s not my right. I just pray I’m not making a huge mistake by not pushing the issue.
I pace the backstage venue, getting into performance mode. The music of Ur Boyz isn’t my style, but I’ll never be less than what I’m capable of being on stage in front of an audience.
Livianna’s dressed in a black leather skirt, fishnet tights, and a lace long-sleeved shirt with a violet form-fitting ripped-up T-shirt over it. She’s a huge distraction but one I’ll take any day.
I wave my hand up and down her body. “Vixen, you know you kill me when you dress like that.”
“I always wear clothes like this to your concerts and won’t stop, so get used to it.” She slinks up to me and presses her lips to mine.
I hold her for a moment, letting her presence calm my nerves. “You’re gonna stay right on the side of the stage tonight. No going anywhere else, okay?”
“Not even your uncle could get me to move.”
“Good. I love knowing I’m gonna find your eyes locked with mine.”
“That’s sweet, Callum.” She steps out of my embrace. “John said the crowd is smaller this time. Are you okay with that?”
“We got the intended results from that story going out. I’m just gonna take this performance like a practice session. I still need to perfect how I wanna be on stage.”
“You’re a rockstar, Callum. You don’t need to prove that or perfect it. Just step into that energy and everything else will fall in line.”
I lean over and kiss her on her forehead. “Is that something you’ve learned from acting?”
“Yes. I find the more I allow my character to come through, the better the filming goes.”
“That’s good advice, Lily.”
She smiles proudly. “Thanks.”
Uncle John opens the door where we’re all mingling. “Show time. Let’s go!”
We file out and take our usual spots. Even though we all sing at different times, I’m always in the center. I have more solo parts than anyone in the group. That’s because Lily’s right.
I am a rockstar. It’s time I let that flow through my bones and out from my lungs. Nothing can stop me if I do.
The concert goes off without a hitch and I’m flying high when I step off the stage.
Livianna beams with pride as she applauds and bounces on her toes. “Oh, Callum. You were on fire! I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
I swoop her up into a hug. “You were right.”
“About what?” She pulls back.
“Letting myself be who I truly am. There was nothing like what I felt out there tonight. It was like I was one with the universe.” I laugh at the realization. “And I haven’t touched alcohol or drugs in months, so I know it was real.”
Someone clapping their hands together in a slow appreciative manner off to the side of us snags my attention. I turn to see a taller man clad in head-to-toe designer duds, grinning like he’s about to claim a prize.
Electricity zings through me. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.
Record label owner and mega producer Leon Baker steps forward. “Fantastic performance tonight, Cash. Absolutely outstanding.”
“Thank you.” My pulse spikes and I hold out my hand. “Cash Mayze. It’s an honor to have you here tonight, Mr. Baker.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” A strange flicker of something I can’t read flashes in his eyes.
He shakes my hand, holding his other palm over the top so he’s cupping mine between both of his. It’s almost possessive. I toss off the creeping odd sensation in my gut and glance at Livianna.
I break my connection with Leon and gesture to her. “This is my girlfriend, Livianna Hemings.”
“Hi.” She dips her head in a show of respect. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Livianna, what a wonderful surprise.” His gray eyes slide over her as if he’s analyzing her worthiness.
Uncle John strolls up with a wary expression. “Leon, I didn’t know you were coming tonight. Had I known, I would’ve made sure you were—”
“I like to surprise my potential clients and hang out in the background. That way, I know what they’re really like.” Leon motions to the hallway. “Let’s go discuss where this relationship could lead.”
My heart pumps wildly, so hard it could break right out of my chest. “That would be great.”
I reach for Livianna’s hand. She takes it and slides up to my side. Her excitement is coming off her skin in waves. It only makes me feel that much more alive.
Mayhem is about to become a reality. I can feel it in my soul.
I tug on her to follow me, but Leon places his large palm on my shoulder and stops us. He shifts so he’s situated between her and me.
“No, Cash.” He shakes his head. “Ms. Hemings will need to wait for you back at your hotel.”
“Why?” I glance at my uncle.
His head is down and his stature is meek and timid. What the fuck is that about?
All my spidey senses fire off. I gaze back at Leon and his determined stare tells me if I put up a fight, I’ll never have his help and Mayhem could be nothing but a pipe dream.
He has the power to make or break anyone in this industry. And as he watches me like he already owns the outcome, a cold truth curls around my spine.
I thought I made a deal with the devil when I asked my uncle for help. But what if the man in the tailored suit is the real demon and I’m about to sign my soul away?