A FILTHY Enemy - Jaxson Kidman Page 0,34

mind. It doesn’t matter. Believe me, Reed, it doesn’t fucking matter.”

“So tell me why you came to my house. The truth. Not some bullshit reason like you wanted to punch me.”

“That was the reason.”

“You were wasted, honey.”

“Exactly. I was drunk and emotional. You were the first person on my mind.”

I snapped my fingers. “There it is. You just said it. I was the first person on your mind.”

“Not like that. Trust me. Just seeing you again, Reed. You were all messed up. And you were with your whores.”

“Line Whores,” I said. “There’s a difference.”

“Right,” she said. “Whatever you say.”

“So you got drunk and wanted to hit me? What happened to the rest of your barbershop quartet?”

“Fuck you,” Abby snapped at me. “They’re my friends too.”

“How the hell am I supposed to know that?” I asked.

“You’re not. There’s no reason for us to be talking. Why did you come here?”

“To get answers,” I said. “I just told you that. What’s got you drinking alone in a bar?”

“None of your business,” she said.

Abby stood up and grabbed her glass.

She finished the rest of her beer.

She shook her head.

“What?” I asked.

“You know, I was going to talk to Toby about some stuff. But I’ll ask you. What the fuck happens with this song? Do I get paid to sing it live? Do I get paid each time it’s streamed? Huh? It’s my voice. I have the best fucking voice of the three. Without me, you have no fucking song, Reed.”

She was getting angry.

For no reason.

I slowly smiled.

I remembered when she used to get all flustered and angry over something. And she’d ramble forever over it until I would kiss her to shut her up.

No way I was going to do that now.

“Because if you’re going to just fucking use me… fuck you. Fuck you and the entire band. I’m tired of getting used and tossed aside, okay? I know my talent. Do I want to sing in a barbershop quartet thing for the rest of my life? No. But I like what I do. For the most part. I mean, today sucked. But whatever.” Abby waved her hands. “Fuck. I’m making a point here. I want to be paid for my voice. The right way. Not to be used and left and…”

She was beyond flustered.

I slowly stood up.

She looked up at me. “And I’m being serious. You’re good for the money. Don’t think I don’t know you’re rich. And you picked me. So you pay up now. Got it? You… shit… isn’t this the part where you kiss me to shut me up?”

Abby gasped.

She put her hand to my chest.

“I didn’t mean that, Reed. Not like…”

I grabbed her hand from my chest. “Take a breath, honey.”

Abby took a deep breath.

“I have no fucking idea how the legal things work with the song,” I said. “But you want to get paid? Fine. You’re going to get paid. If I have to give up part of my rights to the song, I will. Sound good?”

“I didn’t ask for that, Reed,” she growled.

“Now, what the hell happened today?”

“What?”

“Something happened today. Was it the studio? I had to get in and get out of there. What the fuck did you want me to do, Abby? You showed up drunk and threw up. I kept you alive and fed you. That’s all I needed to do.”

“It wasn’t the studio,” she said.

She backed away.

“Then tell me,” I said.

“No.”

She turned and walked away.

I reached for some cash to pay the bartender.

I didn’t need to drink for free.

I spotted the napkin and pen on the bar.

I quickly scribbled my name and a thanks for the beer.

Then I went to chase after Abby like a damn idiot.

She was right out back.

Standing against the building with her arms crossed.

Damn near pouting.

I looked at her and it was a crazy mix of emotions.

Memories tried to fuck with me.

Reality was tough to breathe in.

My eyes told my heart to tell my brain that she was beautiful.

My mind responded with no fucking shit… everyone who looks at her can see that.

This wasn’t about looks.

Or the past.

Or her body…

“So something shitty happened to you today and you’re going to hold it in?” I asked.

“Why the hell would I talk to you, Reed?”

“Why not? I’ve been around for a few of your bad days.”

“And you’ve missed quite a few too,” she said, looking at me.

“You didn’t tell your friends.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said.

She pushed from the building and I touched her arm. “Look, honey, I’m not exactly sure