Chapter 22 #2
Bren shrugs. “They took our phones before we went on. After we left the stage, we couldn’t find him.”
“Nobody knows where he is?”
“No. I thought he was back here. That’s why we showed up.”
“Do you have your phone now?” I take another sip, already knowing the answer.
Bren glances at his pants pocket. “Yeah.”
“Text him and tell him he’s needed here.”
“Whatever you want.” Bren digs into his pocket and does something on his phone. Once he’s done, he gazes up at me. “Are you… Did he do something to you?”
I suck in a breath and swallow hard. “If he did, would Callum think it was my fault?”
“No.” Bren’s expression hardens. “Why would he?”
“Neither one of you thought it was a good idea for me to wear this outfit.” I point to my ripped shirt. “Now look at it. Is that my fault?”
Bren assesses me. It’s like it’s the first time he’s noticed my disheveled appearance. My hair is a mess. My makeup is smeared from forced kisses and tears, my clothes are in shreds, but he can’t say a word.
His devastated blue eyes connect with mine. “Livianna, we were performing. There was no way…”
“I know. Your dreams are coming true and I couldn’t be happier that Mayhem will be a huge success.”
“That doesn’t mean we don’t care what goes on with you.”
“Again, I know. We’re not talking about this night ever again. Worse things occur to other people every day. I can deal with it on my own.” I stand and hold my head high.
He gets to his feet. “I’m sorry about what took place.”
“Don’t be.” With my heart breaking in two, I flash him a sad smile. “Tonight was about Mayhem making its mark, and true to its name, it did. In every way possible, it did. Congratulations.”
I shuffle to my room, numb and in a daze.
“Livianna.” Bren’s troubled voice brings me back into the moment.
I face him. “What?”
He gestures to the floor with a jerk of his chin. I drop my gaze to the carpet. Blood stains trail from where I was sitting to where I’m standing. My wrists bleed in a constant drip.
I lift my head and stare empty into his eyes. “So what, Bren? Call housekeeping. I’m sure they’ll be a better help than anyone else was earlier tonight.”
With that, I turn and disappear into my room, locking the door behind me. After I shower and clean my cuts, I send text after text to Callum, asking him where he is, when I should expect to see him, and the final one, does he even want to see me? None of them are returned.
Once I take a double dose of my panic attack medication, I fall asleep sometime around two in the morning.
My phone is ringing somewhere on my bed. I paw around until I find it and answer without looking to see who it is.
“Hello.”
“Livianna, it’s Mom. Are you okay?” Her concern is unmistakable.
“Yes. I’m sleeping. Why?”
“Your publicist just called. It sounds like last night was a disaster.”
It all comes rushing back.
My heart rate spikes and I sit up. “Why would you say that?”
“She said the tabloids are getting ready to run a few stories.” She takes in a ragged breath. “None of them put you or Cash in a good light.”
A pit in my stomach opens up and swallows me whole. “What are they saying?”
“That it looks like there’s trouble in paradise for the two young love birds once again. First it was a love triangle with a guy on your show. Now it’s a love triangle with a girl you got fired.”
I close my eyes and let my head fall back. “Let me guess. Zara Blackthorn.”
“Yes. They have pictures of her and Cash together. I haven’t seen them, but—”
“From last night?”
“I assume so.”
“They’ve been together before. Maybe they’re old photos.”
“Livianna, they have images of you being denied access to the concert. More with Zara inside standing in the front row.”
“So what? That means nothing.”
“I guess Cash is kneeling down, singing to her. Their hands are locked together. Then you’re photographed riding around in a golf cart with some guy. You two are laughing.”
“Yeah, I always try to be nice to people who are trying to help.” I want to spit just saying those words.
“But there’s more.”
“There always is.” I clench down on my teeth. “What else?”
“Supposedly, you’re holding the guy’s hand as he walks you into your hotel. There’s a picture of you kissing him on the cheek as you’re opening the door to your suite.” She sniffles. “Livianna, what did you do?”
Did that even happen? I don’t remember doing it, if it did.
“Not what the tabloids are suggesting.” My pulse kicks up, and like a wildfire, my chest sets ablaze. “Have you talked to anyone else about the stories?”
“No. Why?”
“The pictures of Callum and Zara. Who supplied them? Who sent in the ones of me?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes. I want to know who I can trust and who’s after me. Someone wants to see me go down.”
She releases a heavy sigh. “I don’t know, but I’ll try to find out.”
“Thanks, Mom.” My eyes burn with tears, but I’m not about to break because of some stupid gossip and Zara Blackthorn.
“Livianna?”
“What?”
“Is Cash with you?”
My heart goes numb. “No. I haven’t seen or spoken to him since they left for their concert.”
“Then you need to be prepared.”
“For what?”
“The last group of pictures shows Cash sleeping next to someone. He’s dressed, but he’s holding her. He’s seen leaving a hotel in the same clothes. They’re the same ones he was wearing on stage last night.”
“How can you be sure?”
“I watched the New Year’s Eve special. I saw him with my own eyes.”
“But you told me you haven’t seen the pictures yet.”
“They were just sent over to me as we’ve been talking. I just opened the file.” She gasps but tries to disguise it with a cough. “They want to know if you would like to comment or respond.”
“Nope. They can all fuck off.”
Yelling from the other room steals my attention and adrenaline rushes through me.
“Mom, I need to go, but thanks for the heads-up.”
“Livianna, you’re only fifteen. Maybe you need to rethink this relationship with Cash.”
I glare at the phone even though she can’t see me. Something crashes in the other room.
“Mom, I need to go. I think Bren’s breaking shit.”
“Oh, dear. Okay.” Her voice trembles. “You two be careful and come home as soon as you can.”
I hang up and rush out to the living room area. Callum and Bren are rolling around on the floor.
Bren gets on top of Callum and slams his fist into his jaw. “I told you if you ever hurt her, this would happen.”
“Stop, Bren!” I run over and yank Bren’s arm to pull him off. “This isn’t helping me.”
He freezes and stares at me. His face is red and his chest rises and falls as he struggles to breathe.
Callum’s head is turned away as he lies on the floor, seemingly not trying to fight Bren. Bren climbs off and Callum sits up.
Callum’s sad eyes connect with mine. “I’m sorry, Lily. I’m so fucking sorry.”