Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
LIVIANNA/LILY
Then
Eight Months Later
Glittery Backdrops & Torturous Links
Something shifts the second the countdown starts, but no one else seems to hear it crack.
“You’re gonna watch us tonight, right?” Bren and I are FaceTiming.
He’s in the performers’ holding area in New York because Mayhem was asked to sing for the New Year’s Eve bash in Times Square. This appearance kicks off their worldwide tour.
I’m in a suite in Vegas with Gia, attending an industry party that’s being held at Efron Lux Casino.
I pretend to be fixing my makeup in the mirror. “I don’t know, Bren. We’re going to be out. I’m not sure the venue will have that broadcast playing.”
“Come on, Livianna. You could find a place to watch if you wanted to.”
“I’ll leave it up to Gia. This is her big event. I’m just a tagalong.” I step back so he can see all of me on his screen. “What do you think?”
He gives me an honest once-over. “Your designs are fucking awesome. It’s great you did so well after you hit all the fashion shows last fall.”
“You helped.”
“What did I do?”
“You’ve worn something I created for you to every one of your press conferences. Mayhem is the hottest band right now. By showcasing my high-end fashion line, you took me to a level of success I never dreamed possible. At least not this fast.”
He flashes me a lopsided grin. “I had to accept your clothes. It was the only way I got you to come back home and visit after you moved out.”
My insides tighten. “I couldn’t live there anymore when I knew Callum would be practicing with the band a couple of floors away from me every day. We couldn’t be in the same room together without one of us getting so angry we wanted to tear the other apart.”
“Yeah, I know.” Bren sighs. “Once you told him about your sex life, he got stuck in his pain. That’s why he stormed out of the bar that night and almost died by running in front of a moving car.”
“His pain? Yeah, whatever.” I shake my head and ignore the part where Callum almost got hit by a vehicle. “He makes no sense. It’s not like he’s never done the same kinds of things. And I wasn’t with him, so I wasn’t cheating.”
Bren’s jaw muscles twitch as he stares at me through the screen. He slides his palm across his lips.
Anytime I bring up Callum cheating on me, Bren shuts his mouth. I thought he’d agree with me, but he must think he needs to remain neutral.
“Bren, I’m not asking you to side with me, but we both know what he did.” I pick up my phone that’s been propped up on the bathroom sink.
“Livianna, it isn’t that simple.”
“It is, but I don’t want to put you in this position. I love you and want you to be the best rock band ever. Let’s agree to let the topic of Callum go for good as a New Year’s resolution.”
“Sure, but you need to know…” He glances off to the side, then brings his gaze back to me. “Cash just came in, so I need to let you go. Promise me you’ll try to watch us tonight.”
“Promise.” I show him a sincere smile. “Break a leg, Bren. And please stay in touch while you’re out on tour.”
“Thanks, Liv.” He places his hand on his heart. “I’ll stay in touch if you’ll stop cutting on yourself.”
My eyes sting with tears and I blink them away. “Yeah, I’ll do my best.”
“Happy New Year. Know I love you and wish you were out on the road with us.”
“I love you too and have a great year ahead.”
Callum appears in the background wearing his usual I hate the world scowl. I have to look away and say goodbye. Bren and I disconnect and a text slides across my screen.
Casey: I just wanted you to know I’m thinking about you tonight. You don’t want to hear this, but I do love you, Livianna. I wish you would see that a relationship with me wouldn’t make our work situation any different. Please reconsider.
Me: You know I can’t do that, Casey. We’ve had a lot of good times, but I’m not where you are. I’m sorry, but this is for the best. Have a great night and Happy New Year.
I stroll out to the common area of our luxurious suite Gia was given. Her career is booming. She just landed a great role and is going to be leaving soon because they’re shooting the movie out of the country.
We’re here for her to do some press for the film she was a co-star in that just wrapped. She’s in her room, talking to Sebastian on the phone. They haven’t hooked up yet, but the writing is on the wall.
To waste the time, I scroll through some of the entertainment sites online, hoping someone will be wearing one of my new creations. I’ve sent some pieces out to a few key influencers and to my surprise, they’re wearing them to major events.
I type in Livianna Grace Designs into the search bar and a bunch of links pop up. One in particular catches my attention.
It’s a frozen screen of a video of a clearly wasted Callum and two blonde women coming out of a bar. He’s twenty-one now and seems to be taking advantage of his age.
Mayhem hit it big over the past year and their careers are skyrocketing off the charts. Because of that, he’s constantly in the media.
Mayhem is one of the most sought-after groups and they get paid for appearances now. They’re making great money and I’m happy for their success. The downside is he’s always pictured leaving clubs with different ladies.
I shouldn’t watch the clip, but I can’t help myself. As much as I hate what he did to me, I still love him and know I always will.
I click the play button. The paparazzi aren’t pictured, but you can hear a guy ask Callum, “Did you hear about Livianna’s new fashion line?”
Callum ignores the question and pulls both girls closer to him. His arms are around each one of their shoulders. He whispers something to one of them and she giggles as she pats his abs.
The reporter tries again. “What do you think about Livianna’s new design label?”
Callum doesn’t say anything but turns to the other girl and kisses her on the cheek. She steps away from him and holds out her arms.
“I love Livianna’s style. This is one of her latest pieces. Isn’t it beautiful?” She spins and shows off an original red leather and lace form-fitting quality made body-con dress.
I smile for a second, then realize that the outfit she’s wearing is one I created while I was daydreaming about Callum and me getting back together. A heavy wave of fiery flames scorches my entire rib cage.
I sigh and pretend I don’t notice. “At least someone got to wear it for him.”
The reporter zooms in on Callum. His glazed but heated stare scrolls over her perfect curves, and he runs his tongue between his lips. His response to her is a brutal fucking gut punch.
She sways back to Callum and he slides his arm around her again. They all snuggle together.
The reporter says to him, “It looks like Livianna is a part of your threesome tonight, Cash. You can’t seem to get away from her.”
He stops walking, takes both women’s hands in each of his, moves to their middle fingers, lifts both of them up, and flips off the camera.
“That’s what I think of your comment and how I feel about anything else you asked me about. Now if you’ll let me get back to these two beauties, I would appreciate it.”
The frame zooms out and Bren comes into view behind Callum. He has two similar-looking women hanging off of him. Hawke and Cooper are behind them, chatting with more female fans.
The guy asking questions chuckles. “It appears you’re going to have a late night, shooting off some rounds tonight because each one of you has two girls hanging off your arms.”
Bren flashes the crew a lazy smirk.
“This is what we like to call Cash and Guns unlimited sexsomes. All these women will take turns shooting off the Guns and then Cash in when they’re ready. Not necessarily in that order.” He winks and adds, “Just kidding. We’re just gonna get some burgers.”
They all laugh.
Callum peeks back over his shoulder at Bren and tips his chin. He says something and all the girls squeal. As he’s turning back around, he pulls one of the ladies closer and makes out with her.
Yeah, I’d say they’re back to their old ways as bandmates and best friends. My stomach hardens and I close out of the link.
Why do I keep punishing myself by watching these?
It’s not an honest question. I do it because deep down I deserve to have all the anguish I experience. I’ve hurt so many people and no matter what I do to heal, I can’t get over any of it.
Gia saunters out of her room in a short little black dress I designed for her. “Livianna, this fits me so well. It makes my horrible big ass and thighs look small. You’re a magician.”
“Your body is amazing, so quit talking about yourself like that.” I go over to her and adjust the hem.
“It’s perfect, Livianna. You don’t need to change anything.” She gives me a gentle shove. “Ready?”
“Yep.” I pick up my black clutch and check inside.
All my goodies for a great night are in their secure place. We leave our suite and find the event space for the party.
We’re wearing wristbands that give us access to the venue. It’s a private event center and we need them to get in
Upbeat music filters through the air as we enter. Black and silver curtains line the walls.
Streams of long, glittery, and curly decorations hang from the ceiling. Around the room, big-screen TVs play the New Year’s Eve specials on various channels.
I take a sweep over the guests. “Jesus, Gia. The men here are handsome as hell. And they’re all dressed in designer suits. Did you plan this party just for me?”
“I wish I could take credit.” She waves at a movie executive as he strolls by. “It seems only the best were invited. Let’s find a table to put our stuff down and scope out the place.”
I follow her as she searches for a spot. “Why isn’t Sebastian here?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.” She points to an empty table. “There. That’s a great spot. We have a view of the dance floor, we’re close to the bar, and the bathroom is just a few feet away.”
“You got all that from analyzing the space for a total of thirty seconds.”