did. If there was any property damage, please let me know so I can pay for it. That was highly unprofessional of me and I will make sure it never happens again. I hope you understand. Thanks.
I had never sent such a serious text message in my life.
With that done, I left my bedroom.
As I walked through the apartment, I heard the sound of someone gasping for a breath.
The first time I heard it, it scared the hell out of me.
But it was just Valerie working on some kind of new breathing technique. She told me it would take ten years off her skin and add ten years to her life.
My thoughts?
Just keep breathing.
“I’m headed out,” I announced to her. “Not sure when I’ll be back. Don’t wait up for me.”
“I’m in the middle of my breathing,” Valerie said in a breathless voice. “No bothering me.”
I rolled my eyes and exited the apartment.
Two steps later my phone buzzed.
It was Reed.
Wow. That was well thought out. Property damage? My driveway was poured with a rare form of blacktop. To clean it properly, it’ll be about fifty grand. I’ll take cash, please.
I hurried to get outside and waited for my ride to pick me up.
Haha Reed.
I sent the text.
A set of headlights came around the side of the building.
I made sure it was my ride, the correct driver, then I climbed into the backseat.
I was going to Ungro.
Just to have a drink or two.
Reed texted me again.
You asked. Pay up.
I ignored him.
The rage I felt inside my stomach and chest…
He texted me again.
You could just not be stubborn and say thanks.
Once again, I ignored him.
Then came another text.
Sweet honey… you must be tucked into bed.
I shook my head and curled my lip.
My fingers moved faster than my brain.
Going out for a drink. Or two. Don’t worry, I won’t need your spare bedroom tonight. I have other plans for a bed.
I sent the text and cringed.
It sounded petty. Almost jealous.
“Shit,” I whispered.
I held my phone tight in my hand for the next few minutes. My eyes staring at the screen. When the screen went black, I turned it back on.
Reed never responded to the last text I sent.
Maybe it was going to be a good night after all.
11
REED
We were all at Jay’s place.
His goddamn castle.
It was so over the top and cliché rock star, you had to love it. And Jay had no problem being over the top about it either.
There were hallways lined with guitars and awards from the band.
The hallway to his bedroom was painted a different color.
The doors to his room were black.
Like you were being summoned to a dungeon in hell.
It was just part of his attitude and style.
Outside, the pool lights gently changed color, illuminating a dozen beautiful, naked women as they lounged in the perfect temperature of the water.
The bar next to the pool was where we were hanging out.
Nash and Dex were itching to leave.
Jay invited Liv and Candice to be here.
And they would have come.
Part of the rock star lifestyle - if you dared to go near those treacherous waters - was to get used to the sex, booze, and drugs. That meant if you wanted to be around us you had to get used to seeing naked women. It took a lot of trust and self-control to be near some of these women and not enjoy their company.
Then again, I was pretty sure Liv and Candice would take a knife to anyone’s throat who tried to get too close to Nash and Dex.
I twisted a shot glass full of whiskey, my mind racing.
“You’re staring at that shot glass like it’s a virgin begging for her cherry to be popped.”
I turned my head and Jay leaned against the bar and grinned.
“Wow. How long have you been waiting to say that?”
“Three years,” he said. He spun around and put his elbows to the bar. “You want to talk about it?”
“Nothing to talk about.”
“Come on, Reed. It’s me. You were a mess in the studio. You played the part perfectly and all that bullshit. But come on… what it is? Do you hate this new song?”
“Not necessarily,” I said.
“I heard a rumor that our best friends are bashing the shit out of us over the song,” Jay said.
“Fuck them,” I said. I knew Jay was referring to RAUNCHY RECKS. “Neo and Ven… the others… what the fuck are they going to do? They couldn’t write a song like this one if they had help.”
Jay laughed. “They’ll just