Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
LIVIANNA/LILY
Then
Smoke, Lights, & The Girl He Doesn’t Own
Everyone sees the show. No one sees the girl slipping through his fingers.
“Shit, shit, shit!” I throw the bedding over the mattress as Callum disappears into Bren’s room. I run into my en suite, turn on the shower, and step under the freezing water. “Fuck, that’s cold!”
“Livianna Grace, where are you?” My dad’s furious voice filters into my bedroom.
“In the shower, Daddy. I’ll be right out,” I holler.
“Where’s Cash?”
“I don’t know. I thought they were practicing downstairs.”
“They’re not, and if he’s in there with you—”
“Daddy, he’s not! I swear.”
There’s a moment of silence, then my dad cuts in again.
“Meet me downstairs in ten minutes.” His voice is much calmer. “And not a second more.”
“Sure thing. I’ll be done soon.” I sit on the shower bench and catch my breath.
That was too fucking close. I tremble thinking about what would’ve happened if my dad had walked in on us. He’d kill Callum and I’d never be able to see him again.
Once the water is warm, I wash up and get ready to get an earful from my dad. The good news is I don’t think he knows Callum was in my room.
I hop down the back staircase from upstairs. They lead directly to the far end of the kitchen. I think that’s where I’ll find my dad, but he’s not here. Male voices float through the area from the other room.
I work my way out of the open concept kitchen through our casual dining area and into our modern-style living room. The decor is classy, with dark wood and neutral colors accented by a splash of deep blue.
A TV hangs on one wall and a fireplace on another. The fireplace has two large floor-to-ceiling glass doors on either side, which can fold open to a large concrete deck that overlooks our pool and patio area below.
There’s a huge latte-colored U-shaped couch and coffee table that fits the room perfectly. That’s where I find my dad, Callum, and Bren sitting.
“Hi, Daddy.” I lower onto the edge of the couch near Callum and try to act as innocent as possible. “Why are you home so early?”
“I received a call from your mother. From the sound of it, there’s going to be quite a story hitting the tabloids soon.” He stares at us stone-faced from the other side of the couch. “Which one of you would like to explain?”
“Explain what?” I glance at Bren, who shrugs, then at Callum.
He scratches at his throat. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hemings, but I’m not sure we know what you’re talking about.”
“Let’s start with why Livianna called in sick twice this week. One of those days being today.” He glares at me.
“I wasn’t feeling well—”
He raises his eyebrows. “Livianna, you were photographed at the amusement park with Cash today and you looked like you were doing great.”
My cheeks burn and I coil into myself.
Bren laughs under his breath. “Busted.”
“Shut up, Bren.” I throw a decorative pillow at him. He catches it before it hits him in the face.
My dad turns to him. “You’re far from out of the woods, so before you gloat, you might want to hear me out.”
“What did I do?” Bren shoves the pillow away from him.
“You covered for these two.” My dad motions between Callum and me.
Callum inches forward, but in a respectful manner. “Mr. Hemings, Guns knew nothing about Livianna and my plans for the day. He shouldn’t be getting into trouble.”
My dad stares hard into Callum’s eyes. “But he knew you were in Livianna’s room and bolted upstairs to warn you the second I walked in the door.”
Callum swallows hard and turns red. My entire body sets on fire.
My dad addresses us. “I heard you all running around up there and doors opening and closing. And don’t try to tell me it was just a coincidence that Livianna and Cash were both in the shower when I came in to check on you.”
“Sorry, Dad, but you know how it is.” Bren hangs his head. “I’ve gotta have their backs.”
My eyes bulge and I gawk at Bren for selling us out.
My dad half rolls his eyes and releases an irritated sigh. “I understand, Brendan. You’re excused since you didn’t lie, but stay out of it next time.”
“I’ll try.” Bren stands and gives Callum and me an apologetic wince. “Good luck.”
My dad waves Bren off. “Go. I have some things to discuss with these two.”
Bren leaves the room while Callum and I shift around uncomfortably on the other side of the couch under my dad’s contemplative gaze.
“We’ll talk about what was going on upstairs in a minute.” He turns to Callum. “First, you need to realize there’s no excuse for Livianna missing—”
“Daddy, it’s not his fault. I made Callum take me out today. He wasn’t going to, but I demanded it.”
He takes my hand in his. “Lily, I could’ve said no.”
“But I insisted. I refused to go to work and I told you that.” I try to burn the message into Callum’s eyes to go along with my story. “You were going to take me out tonight. Since your uncle scheduled a concert, you had to cancel and break my heart.”
Callum’s brows crease together. “But that wasn’t what hap—”
“I know it wasn’t your fault. I’m not hurt anymore. After I demanded it, you took me out and showed me the time of my life. You made me happier than ever.” I squeeze his hand tightly and face my dad. “He didn’t want to, but I was a river of tears, Daddy.”
His shoulders relax and he peers over at Callum. “You can’t let her skip any more work. I appreciate you trying to make her feel better, but you two have obligations and responsibilities. You aren’t like normal teenagers. People are counting on you.”
“Agreed. You have my word, sir. I won’t do it again.” Callum glances at me. “She was upset because of me and I didn’t like it. I was just trying to make it up to her.”
“And you did.” I lean over and kiss him on the cheek.
My dad clears his throat. “Livianna, your agent called your mom.”
Callum and I turn to my dad. He continues, “The tabloids have pictures of you and Cash out today. They’re running a story this week.”
Callum tenses. “What does that mean?”
“The studio is going to find out why Livianna wasn’t at work, so she needs to take responsibility for lying and make it up to them.” My dad gestures to me with the dip of his chin.
I roll back my shoulders with a fire in my belly. “I’m a teenage girl who works all the time. When I’m not, I have tutoring. When am I supposed to have a life?”
My dad leans over, rests his elbows on his knees with his hands clasped together, and glances between Callum and me. “Livianna, you have a two-month break coming up. You could’ve waited until then.”
“I don’t want to wait. I’m his girlfriend and want everyone to know it. Why is that so wrong?” I cross my arms.
Callum runs his palm over my knee. “There’s nothing wrong with it, but we should’ve waited.”
“Why? Because you don’t want anyone to know.” With my heart pounding, I turn to him. “Is that why you made me wear a wig?”
He grits his teeth. “No. I did that so you wouldn’t get in trouble.”
“Yet here I am and I don’t care. I’m not ashamed of being with you today.” I swallow the tears getting ready to fall. “Why won’t you fight for me and prove you don’t regret it?”
“Livianna, that’s enough,” my dad interjects. “He’s trying to get you to see that you two need to be more careful. You’re both in the public eye and that changes things.”
I blow out an irritated puff of air and shake my head. “So I’m supposed to pretend we’re not dating?”
“Calm down. You’re missing the point.” He peers over at Callum. “She wants you to take her out. That part is fine.”
Callum nods. “I want to take her on a proper date. It doesn’t matter to me who knows.”
“There’s a time and place for that.” My dad stands and strides over to the fireplace.
I follow him, trying to get him to make eye contact. “Are you saying that I have to wait for two weeks? That’s not fair, Daddy.”
“Darling, just let the tabloid print its story. Once we know how much damage control we have to manage, we’ll have a better idea of how long you should wait to go public. In time, you can do what you want.” He tries to hug me.
I spin from him, storm away, and slam myself on the couch next to Callum. “No. I’m going to his concert tonight as his girlfriend. You promised me I could go.”
My dad gives me a pointed stare. “That was before you broke the rules. And I’m not just talking about going out today. What happened in your bedroom after is just as important. If not more. You shouldn’t be having sex.”
I almost stop breathing. I forgot that’s what started this whole confrontation.
“Mr. Hemings, I’ve kept my word about trying to go slow.” Callum takes my hand in his. “We haven’t had sex. I admit I love her. It’s hard to keep my hands to myself, but I promise we haven’t done that.”
Wait. What? Did he just tell my dad he loves me?
After Callum’s confession, my dad caved and let me go out tonight. Now I’m on cloud nine as I stroll hand in hand with Callum to the backstage area in the small music venue where Ur Boyz are playing. “Are you excited?”
“No.” He struts next to me in full leather rocker gear. “I hate this shit music.”
“But you get to sing to me. That should make it worth it.”
“It makes it better.” He slides his arm around my neck and pulls me into him. “You look fucking hot as sin, so make sure you stay in my sight.”
“You’re the one who’s going to have the girls throwing their panties on the stage.”
He kisses the top of my head. “Yours are the only ones I want.”
“I am wearing a skirt, so it could be arranged.”
“Keep ’em on. Your skirt is short and I’d rather know your ass is covered.”
“Kind of.” I peek up and flash him a flirty smile.
His eyes narrow as he peers down at me. “What’s that mean?”
“I’m wearing a thong, so my ass isn’t really covered.”
“Fucking hell, vixen. It was bad enough seeing you in this red corset with your perfect tits showing off. Now I have that to add to my fantasy.”
I laugh right as we get into a room where all the crew and other significant others are hanging out.
The walls are painted black and there are a few dark couches and chairs to sit on in various areas. There are pictures of bands and singers on the wall. Definitely backstage vibes.
Bren trails in behind us with Callum’s uncle. I hang out while the band goes over the set list. I keep grinning at being a part of it even though I’m sitting away from everyone as they practice and drink a few beers.
Callum might hate the songs, but his voice is what makes them so special. He sings from his soul. There’s a raw, smoky tone that pours from his lungs. He was born to be a rockstar.
Once the management tells the band they’re ready for them to go on, we all leave and head for the stage. The three guys Callum can’t stand walk out first, then Bren. Callum leads me by the hand, with his uncle following me.
As we get closer, the energy in the air mounts. The crowd cheers in a rhythmic beat, anticipating the show.
With each step we take, Callum grows in stature, as does his persona of a rock god that owns the night. It’s intoxicating.
We arrive at the edge of the stage behind a curtain. Callum, in rocker mode, gets into the moment, shaking out his hands and running his fingers through his hair while staring into the space before him.
It’s as if he’s picturing himself in a different time and space, yet right here in the moment. It’s fascinating to witness.
A guy taps my shoulder. I peek up and my co-star, Sebastian Holloway, is smiling down at me.
“Hi, Livianna. I wondered if I was going to see you here tonight.”
“Oh, hi. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Yeah, I bought VIP passes the day they went on sale.” Sebastian moves in for a side hug, catching Callum’s eye.
He turns our way, tense and in slow motion, checking out Sebastian from head to toe. I twist away and step closer to Callum.
“Callum, this is Sebastian Holloway.” I face Sebastian. “Sebastian, this is—”
“Cash Mayze! Great to meet you, man!” Sebastian holds out his hand and slaps Callum’s bicep.
Callum gives a terse nod, runs a suspicious eye over Sebastian again, and shakes his hand.
Callum glances at me more rigidly than a second ago. “How do you two know each other?”
“Um… He’s my co-star.” I gaze over at Sebastian.
He laughs. “Yeah, she’s my girlfriend—”
“What did you say?” Callum’s expression tightens as his chest and shoulders expand.
Sebastian, not reading Callum’s reaction, joins me by my side and beams down at me with lust filling his expression. “Livianna and I have a budding romance. Don’t we, babe?”
My heart skips a beat and not in a good way. “No! We don’t.”
“Did he just call you babe?” Callum growls and takes a predatory step toward Sebastian.
Callum’s uncle gets between them and spins Callum toward the stage. “It’s go time.”
I rush to his side and hurry through my words. “Sebastian only meant on screen. He’s my love interest on my show.”
Something like rage flicks in Callum’s glare. “This is the guy you—”
“Cash, that’s your cue.” John pushes Callum out on stage.
The pre-recorded background track starts as a crew member hands him a microphone. He trudges out under the spotlights while glaring at me over his shoulder.
There’s a moment of confusion that zooms between us. I shrug and shake my head.
He turns away and does a complete transformation, going from Callum, the guy who just told my dad he loves me, to the lead singer of Ur Boyz who’s in love with every audience member.
My heart soars with the beginning sentiment but crashes in longing with the latter.
Will I always come in second place? Will he ever just love me and only me? I scratch at my nerves, which are itching under my skin.
It’s in this very moment I realize I will always have to share his heart with others and Callum Mayze will never truly be mine alone. The only question is will that be enough?