Phoenix Rising Issue #3 - S. R. Watson
Prologue
Harlow
The silence on the bus is deafening. Sobs wrack my body even as I struggle to control them because all eyes are on me. Phoenix just dropped a bomb, leaving self-destruction in his wake. Sevyn walks out of the bedroom, and I wonder what set this chaos in motion. My eyes meet his briefly, then I’m delivered yet another verbal blow. This time from Asher, but it was just as unexpected.
“How long has this been fucking going on, Harlow?” he booms. He is usually even-keeled and hard to rile up, so seeing this side of him is new. I did this, and I don’t know what to say.
“Asher, I’m sorry. We wanted to tell you. Just—”
“Save me the fucking excuses. How long, goddammit?” I cringe at his sharpness. Renewed tears follow the dried path of the old ones. “Save the damn waterworks too. I want answers … now!” To say he is livid is an understatement.
“Well, it started at the lake house—”
“Just as I thought. You’ve had plenty of time to come clean. Here I am, thinking you wanted an opportunity of a lifetime when, in actuality, you’re just another groupie. Another easy mark ready to spread her legs for a chance to ride his notorious dick. That’s right. I said notorious because he is known to fuck around. Hell, just the number of women he’s been with on this tour alone. Did that not matter to you?” He shakes his head in disgust.
That reprieve is short-lived, though, because his rant continues. “How could you do this to us, Harlow? To me? Do you realize that you have single-handedly dismantled our fucking group because you couldn’t keep your skank ass legs closed? I trusted you. Yes, Phoenix played a part in this, but you’re family. At least you were until you shit on my dreams. God, I can’t even stand to look at you.”
“Asher, stop!” I hear Lily and Ren shout simultaneously, but it’s too late. His words inflict their intended effect. I can recall only one other time that I’ve felt like I do at this very moment. His vile words pierce the armor I’ve worked so hard to construct. The words that Thomas would spew were often worse than the rape itself. He made sure to tell me what a slut I was and that he could tell I wanted it.
“No, it’s okay. He’s right. I’m a slut, and I deserve his wrath. I’ll get my shit and leave.” I watch as Asher shudders, but he doesn’t try to stop me. His hate for me is evident, and he wants me gone. Killian pulls him aside, but I can’t hear what he says.
“She didn’t act alone. How can you put all of this on her?” Lily yells as she pokes him in the shoulder.
“The band was a solid unit before she came aboard, that’s why. I foolishly wanted her to have an opportunity of a lifetime. I wanted her to be a part of our rise to fame, and instead, she will be the fucking source of our downfall. She betrayed me,” he accuses harshly. His voice is an octave or two lower, but the bite is still very much present.
“That’s bullshit, and you know it,” Lily huffs. I walk over and grab her hand to pull her away. I don’t need another fight on my conscience.
“I’m so sorry, Harlow. That was unfair. I’ve never seen him like this,” Lily says once we’re out of Asher’s earshot. “This will blow over, and he’ll regret saying all those mean things to you.” We both watch as Asher storms off the bus.
“No, Lil. He’s right. Me spreading my skank ass legs is what caused all this. I mean, who can blame Phoenix for any of this? He is, after all, a guy, and it’s normal behavior for a guy to fuck around. I should have thought about the repercussions of my actions on the band and acted accordingly for both of us. We both knew the consequences, which is why we kept it a secret. Still, I should have been the one to say no, right?”
My question is rhetorical. Regardless of Asher’s harsh delivery, I’m to blame. Take me out of the equation, and none of this would be happening.
“This is not all on you, Harlow,” Sevyn says, finally speaking up. I forgot he was even still here. “None of the things your brother said is true either, and he knows it. He just feels betrayed right now. Give him time