Chapter 40
Cassie
Q uinn doesn’t go back to rehearsal. Neither does Nick, for that matter.
The music plays on in the warehouse behind us, until it doesn’t. Eventually the music dies, instruments wane, and distant voices, mostly male and gruff, fade into oblivion as the guys pack up their stuff and head home for the evening.
Out they go, roadies, technicians, the lighting crew, and eventually the heavy warehouse door locks soundly behind them.
“So this has been going on for months ?”
That’s Nick.
He’s still trying to adjust. His words, not mine. Adjust.
He’s sitting behind his desk, his fingers pressed together to make a steeple against his pursed lips. He inhales a slow, steady breath. At least he’s no longer yelling. And his nose has stopped bleeding, so that’s a big plus.
Quinn simply nods.
“And you’re having a baby together?”
It’s my turn to nod now. “We are.”
I don’t know what else to say. Quinn and I are seated beside one another on the opposite side of Nick’s desk, and a part of me feels like we’ve been summoned to the principal’s office, and now we’re just waiting to find out how we’ll be disciplined for our indiscretions.
“Who else knows about this?” asks Nick, eyeing Quinn suspiciously.
In all the years I’ve known Nick, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this mind-fucked.
“Does Reed know what’s happening?”
Quinn leans back in his chair, causing the front legs to lift off the floor. I’m positive the slow nod of his head doesn’t please Nick one iota. “He’s my best friend, Nick. There was a lot going on, and I needed to talk to someone.”
“What about the rest of the band?”
“No, they don’t know.”
Nick levels Quinn with a cold glare that could freeze entire oceans. “Well, I guess they’re going to find out about it sooner or later.” His gaze lowers briefly to my stomach. Then his eyes meet mine, and I can see him trying to backpedal. “You know what I mean. Look, it’s pretty clear I’m not on board with any of this, and I don’t know how we’re going to move forward. But I don’t want word of your relationship, or the pregnancy, getting out until we’re ready to share it with the press in an official capacity. We’ll do a press release when the time’s right, give them a few happy snaps, prepare a statement ahead of time for social media.”
Quinn’s jaw sets firmly. “Christ, I hate this industry sometimes.”
Unease fills my stomach. “Why do we need to share it at all?” A protective hand moves to my middle. My tone remains polite, but inside I’m seething. I glance at Quinn, and then my eyes fall back on Nick again. “My pregnancy has nothing to do with the rest of the world.”
Nick barks out a sarcastic laugh, shaking his head. “Don’t be so na?ve, Cassie. The media are monsters, they’ll find out about it eventually. That’s the thing, you’re part of the game now, whether you like it or not.” He glares across at Quinn, who has a look on his face like he wants to break something clean over Nick’s head. A chair, maybe? “You dragged her into this, you don’t get to be the one who’s pissed off right now. You did this, not me.”
“And yet, I don’t get a say in it?”
Nick ignores Quinn’s off-handed comment, and keeps talking. “The diehard fans are going to go crazy. They’re going to lose their shit over this news. Hope you’re prepared for the media storm that’s going to follow you around until the baby’s born.”
“Nick, please, just—”
“Do you have an ultrasound picture we can share on socials?”
“No!” Quinn and I both say in unison. Then Quinn cracks his neck, talking for the both of us. “That ain’t ever gonna happen. Come up with a new plan, or we’re out of here.”
There’s a long moment of silence. So long in fact that I wonder if Nick’s still breathing he’s gone so still. He seems lost in his own thoughts, consumed by something bigger than all of us.
Finally, he takes a long, slow breath and says to Quinn, “You’re going to be a father, have you thought about that?”
“Of course I have.”
“Cassie’s pregnant, and we hit the road in four weeks. We’ll be on the other side of the world for three whole months, so what’s she supposed to do in the meantime, just go through all this alone?”
“I never said that.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
Quinn lets out a slow, steady breath. “Whatever it fucking takes.”