Chapter 18 #2
I give every cell I have over to the crowd. There’s nothing but total elation when I spot the whole group of them singing along with me. It’s as if I’ve transcended to another level.
They’re hearing my message. Every lyric I write is a story of how love gets you through anything in some way or another. Sometimes it’s a ballad, other times it’s almost as if I’m screaming my heart out, but the theme is the same.
The band knows all the songs are about Livianna and give me shit, but I don’t give two fucks. The words flow from my soul and out of me. It’s just who I am.
I let the music out for the audience to hear. If it gives one person hope, then I’ve done my job.
We end the show with our most popular upbeat tune. My theory is always to leave them wanting more. It seems to be working out well.
I let the last note fade from my lungs, thank the crowd, and run off the stage.
Livianna, appearing like a rock sex kitten, holds out a towel for me. “Callum, you get better every time I see you. I’m so proud of you. You’re like a seasoned professional now.”
“Thanks.” I take the rag, wipe my face, and give her a quick kiss. “Wanna hang out with the band or go to the hotel?”
“Let’s go backstage for a while. You seem amped up and I’m wide awake.”
“Then let’s go share a drink with everyone and kick back for a while.” I intertwine our fingers together and lead her down the hallway.
It takes the guys a little longer than me because they have to escape their instruments before they can leave the area. They follow close behind, high-fiving each other as they celebrate another successful concert.
I open the door to the backstage room and immediately wanna close it. Zara is hanging around and it’s likely only because Livianna is here. I stop mid-stride, causing her to bump into me.
Zara laughs. “What’s wrong, Cash? Are you afraid that Livianna and I may have a chat about you?”
“No. I can’t stand you and hate being around you. You know that.” I turn to leave with my stomach roiling.
I need to get Livianna out of here. There’s no saying what Zara has planned.
Livianna digs her heels in. “If you think I’m letting her run us out of here, you better think again. I want to celebrate with the rest of the guys and she’s not going to stop me.”
“Lily, we have limited time together. Let’s just go back to the hotel and chill out there.” I tug on her hand.
She steps around me. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I growl and roll my eyes right as the rest of the band strolls up. They slip inside the room.
One by one, as they enter and see Zara, they groan or curse under their breath about this being some fucked-up shit. I couldn’t agree more.
Zara, in her thigh-high suede boots and short leather skirt, sways up to Livianna. “I hear your selfishness is putting a lot of people out of work. Do you ever consider anyone but yourself?”
I get between the two and glare at Zara. “What are you talking about?”
“One more thing she needs, other people fighting her battles.” Zara’s evil gaze lands on Livianna. “Can’t you do anything for yourself?”
“Fuck off, Zara!” Livianna explodes. “You know nothing about me.”
That’s all it takes. This is too much and we’ve been in the same vicinity for a total of two minutes.
I turn my back to Livianna, blocking Zara from her. “Get the fuck out of here. You’re not welcome and you know that. Or do I need to remind you of the stipulations I put in place when we started this tour?”
“Cash, baby.” Zara inches closer to me. “You’re so much nicer when we’re fucking. You relax and put all this—”
“Shut your fucking goddamn mouth, you dirty slut.” My chest heaves. “Get the hell out of here before something bad happens.”
She shrugs it off and side-steps around me.
“Ask him how he knows I’m a dirty slut.” She smirks at Livianna as she passes. “Maybe he’s been on an antibiotic in the past because he thought I gave him something when in fact it came from someone else. He cheats on you all the time, Livianna. You’ll never know unless you ask.”
I see red. My entire body tenses and blood rushes through my ears. I curl my hands into fists. It’s taking everything in me to hold in my hatred. Zara is as horrible of a person as Leon.
Bren braces me by putting his arms around me and holding me in place. “Zara, you know the rules. Leave before we all demand you get kicked off the rest of the tour.”
“You’re all snowed by your supposed good girl. But, Cash…” Zara peeks over her shoulder at me. “Livianna isn’t so innocent either. You and I have our secrets and she has hers.”
Hawke clears Zara from the room and slams the door behind her. “That was a shitshow. What a bitch.”
Livianna’s devastation drips down her face in waves. “You slept with her again. Didn’t you?”
“No! I wouldn’t cheat on you.” Not willingly, anyway. My insides tumble out of me and I die a little more. “Don’t let her get to you and make you doubt us. She wins if you do.”
Livianna’s tear-filled eyes scroll over my face. “You swear on your dad’s grave you haven’t been with her and anyone else since we’ve been together?”
The blood leaves my body. I have lied to Livianna, but I’ve never sworn on my pops’ grave. I can’t. With that, I know my relationship is over.