wrong.
A short while later, Miranda showed up.
Ember, Lucy, and Henry left.
I told them to leave.
They didn’t need to deal with Miranda today, or ever again.
I walked to the front of the bakery as she stood in the middle of the floor.
It was the first time seeing her since my apartment.
I didn’t exactly find out what Jeff told her about Liam and I. Most of me didn’t even care. I knew the truth. Liam knew the truth. And somewhere deep down inside of Miranda, she knew the truth too.
“Closed for the day?” Miranda asked.
“Read the sign on the door?” I asked.
“No.”
“Maybe you should start looking at what’s right in front of you.”
Miranda laughed. “You’re giving life advice now?”
“Just saying what’s on my mind.”
“A whole new side to you.”
“No choice, Miranda. Look at the way things ended up.”
“And how’s that?”
I smiled. “I don’t need to dance in the past anymore. You know what you did. I know what I allowed to have happen. It’s really that simple. But if I have to say it, you were a shit friend. From day one. You set your sights on me and used me when it was convenient. You knew I was loyal and you knew you could tell me anything. Then you turned that into using me. I let it all happen though. Until one day…”
“You fucked Liam,” she said.
“No. I knew this before I fucked Liam.”
Miranda gasped. Her lip slowly began to curl.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“I want you to know something,” Miranda said. “I came here to kick you out. I want you gone from this place. Right now. The lease is ripped up. I don’t care anymore. I’d rather lose money than see you here.”
I laughed. “That’s cute, Miranda. I already shut the place down. I have a real estate person and a lawyer at my disposal. The lease you made me sign was bullshit. You probably printed it online and just assumed I would sign it and pay you what I said. Which I did. Until now. I’m leaving, Miranda. You’re not kicking me out. And if you say otherwise, then I will call that lawyer of mine and he will call in favors and I will sue you and ruin your career and your life. Understand?”
Miranda’s eyes widened. “Wow.”
“I’ll ask again,” I said. “Do you understand?”
“Yeah,” Miranda said.
“Good. Then we’re done here.”
I walked toward Miranda and then around her.
“You’re a fucking bitch, Emily,” she said.
“I know,” I said.
At the front door, I looked back.
Miranda was looking back.
We nodded to each other.
I walked out of the building, knowing I’d never be back in there again.
And I’d never see Miranda again.
What did I actually care though…
I had Liam.
I had my music.
I had myself.
Chapter Forty-Five
Liam
I looked at the bed and then at the bathroom.
The door was opened a few inches.
I heard the water running.
As I approached, the sound of the rushing water was replaced by the sound of Emily singing.
Tonight was her big show.
Just her up on stage.
I was excited and nervous for her at the same time.
I told her if she wanted, I would gladly get up on stage and sing first to warm up the crowd.
She told me if I did that she would have Carla do something to me.
Chop, chop…
I wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but I could have taken a pretty accurate guess.
Ouch.
I pushed open the bathroom door and listened for a few more seconds.
The problem was that as good as Emily was at singing, seeing the silhouette of her body through the frosted shower door made me want to hear her make other noises.
So I took off my shirt and pants then opened the door and stepped inside.
Emily smiled when she saw me.
She put her head back and finished rinsing her hair.
My eyes scanned down her body, watching the last few suds caress her breasts down to her stomach then to her left leg and…
My eyes moved back up to her breasts again.
I wasn’t in the shower to watch soap go down the drain.
I inched closer to her and she put her hand out.
“I’m your groupie,” I said. “Remember?”
“You’re too commanding,” she said. “I’m supposed to boss you around. And I have a show tonight. I can’t be caught up in wild sex beforehand.”
“I beg to differ, babe,” I said. “You don’t want to walk across the stage all pent up and worried. Let me relax you…”
I reached forward with my right hand and grazed my fingertips between her legs.
She sighed and thrust her hips toward me.
“Fuck,”