The Consequence (Star-Crossed Lovers #2)

Memphis

Age Twenty-Two

“Get that shit away from me.”

Visibly confused, the woman inspects the feminine contraption in her hand.

“It’s a powder brush. You don’t want to be shiny on camera, do you?”

I don’t give a fuck. I’d rather not do this bullshit interview, period.

My glare has her shrinking back. “Get it away.”

Crooking a finger, Josh summons her. “You can come over by me, cutie.”

Skylar—who’s prying the beer out of his hand—frowns.

“Seriously?” she hisses under her breath.

“Actually, I need some of that,” Storm, our drummer, interjects.

Skylar shoots him a grateful smile.

Don’t try to be her hero, man. It won’t end well.

“Why the fuck are you putting gel in my hair?” Phoenix grumbles beside me. “I’m the lead singer of a rock band, not a boy band.”

Palms up, the hairstylist backs away slowly. “Sorry.”

Chandler—who looks like he’s about to lose his shit any second—makes a chopping motion with his hands. “For fuck’s sake, can we get through one interview without you divas complaining?” He points to Josh. “And without you being high off your ass?”

Josh snatches the beer bottle from Sky. “I’m drunk, not high.”

Much like his presence, the clarification wasn’t needed.

Snapping his fingers, Chandler addresses Alexis. “Fix this. Fix this now.”

With a hefty sigh, our publicist eyes me and the three other members of Sharp Objects. “Come on, guys. Today’s supposed to be a good day.”

She’s right.

Earlier, we found out we were nominated for our second Grammy.

Best birthday present ever.

Especially since we walked away empty-handed the first time.

When I met Vic and Chandler at that hotel three and a half years ago, Vic wanted to sign me to Phantom Rock Records right away. Problem was…I wasn’t in a band and according to him, he needed to find a lead singer and drummer to match my exceptional talent.

Fortunately, one week later, the stars aligned, and he saw Phoenix Walker and Reese Storm at a venue in their hometown.

Like Josh and me, they had a rough upbringing, but music was the thing that saved them.

We met for a jam session, and it was like pieces of a puzzle clicking into place.

Vic pulled me aside shortly after and asked what I thought. I told him they were the ones.

Best decision I ever made, because now I get to live my dream.

Alexis claps her hands, silencing Storm and Phoenix who were making plans to celebrate our upcoming win.

“The interview starts in eight minutes. Let’s do a quick rundown.”

She points a pink talon at Phoenix. “What’s your role?”

“Lead singer.”

Hands on her hips, she taps her foot. “Yes, but what does that entail?”

Leaning back in his seat, Phoenix opens his arms wide. “Well, you see, Alexis. I do this thing called singing.”

“Phoenix.”

“I am…” Rolling his eyes, he makes air quotes with his fingers. “The flirty bad boy.”

Alexis clears her throat.

“The single, flirty bad boy,” he amends.

“Precisely.” She surveys Storm next. “And you?”

“The motherfucking teddy bear,” he grits through his teeth before he reaches over, pries the bottle out of Josh’s hand, and pours the contents all over the floor.

“The buzzkill teddy bear,” Josh whines while Chandler instructs someone to clean up the mess.

Alexis turns to him. “And you?”

Josh glares at Storm. “The life of the party.”

I snort. “Is that what we’re calling addicts these days?”

Josh opens his mouth to respond, but Alexis cuts him off, “And Memphis, what is your role?”

“Lead guitar.”

Because that’s the only role I signed up for.

Muttering something under her breath, she pinches the bridge of her nose. “You know what I mean.”

My gaze wanders where it shouldn’t and I flash a shit-eating grin. “Incredibly sexy and mysterious asshole.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Skylar freeze before adjusting Josh’s collar.

Alexis checks her watch. “All right. Three minutes. Places, everyone.”

A moment later we file out of the room like the good little soldiers we are.

“Are you sure you know your place, Memphis?” Josh hisses as we head over to the row of chairs.

“Do you?”

Because the motherfucker wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.

But like they say…

Keep your brother close and your enemies closer.