was the only girl in your life.” I give him a hard shove. “And what an asshole you are to make me think I was.”
He looks around at our audience, causing me to do the same. Some of the crew are watching, as are all the guys from Reckless Alibi. “This is hardly the place for this conversation, Bria.”
“This is exactly the place for it. That way everyone will know what a jerk you are.” I glance at Aimee, whose grin is not the least bit apologetic.
He finishes buckling his belt. “You’ll find you’re the only one who cares, luv.”
I stomp my foot. “Stop calling me that.”
He tugs on my elbow. “Calm down. Let’s go up to my suite.”
I jerk away from him. “I’m not going anywhere with you ever again. I’m done with you.”
He grabs my arm again, harder this time, and looks down his nose at me. “You’re done when I say you are and not a moment sooner.”
Crew takes a step forward, but his bandmates hold him back.
I painfully pull my arm free. “Screw you, Adam. I don’t care who the hell you are. Nobody treats me this way. I don’t care what Aimee and your other sluts do, but I’m finished being your doormat.” I turn to the roadies. “Kudos for keeping his man-whoring under wraps for so long. Does he pay you extra for that?”
Most of them look away but Reckless Alibi is ready to come to my rescue if Adam doesn’t back down.
“Do you even know what you’re doing?” Adam asks with an air of superiority. “Nobody tosses me to the curb. I’m Adam bloody Stuart.”
“No, you’re an asshole.”
I walk away, and he laughs. Laughs.
I struggle not to cry, managing to make it around the corner before the tears fall.
I hear footsteps behind me, and whirl around. “Get the hell away from me!” It’s Reckless Alibi. “Sorry. I thought it was him.” I sit on the curb and wipe my eyes. “How could I have been so stupid? I was a fool to think he was faithful to me.”
Liam sits next to me. “You’re nice and beautiful and have the voice of an angel. Fuck him, Bria. And fuck White Poison. Come sing with us.”
“No offense, but I’m the backup singer for one of the hottest bands in the world. I’m not sure I could be a backup singer for anyone else, plus there’s the Europe tour.”
He touches my shoulder. “Do you really think you’ll be included after what just happened?”
Like a punch to the gut, I realize what I’ve done. I wasn’t thinking of the consequences. I let my emotions get the best of me. Why couldn’t I have kept my mouth shut and quietly dumped him? Of course I’m not going to be invited on the Europe tour. I publicly shamed Adam Stuart.
Oh, God, I feel sick. My head falls into my hands. “What have I done? I’ve ruined everything.”
Liam says, “Hold on, Bria. You did the right thing. That prick had it coming. Your career isn’t over. It’s only getting started.”
“You misunderstood,” Garrett says. “We’re not asking you to be our backup singer. We’re asking you to be one of our lead singers.”
Surprised, I look at Crew. He’s pacing. “I don’t know you,” I say. “What’s even more relevant is that you don’t know me. I’ve never sung with you. How can you make such an offer?”
“Come to a few rehearsals,” Liam says. “See if we’re a good fit.”
I glance at Crew again. He doesn’t look happy.
“Don’t mind him,” Liam says. “He knows we need a female lead. He’s fighting it.”
I shake my head. “I couldn’t. Not if you don’t all agree.”
Crew kicks a rock into the street. “She’s a smart girl,” he says before walking away.
Garrett holds his hand out to help me up. “He’ll come around. We’re serious about this.”
“As a heart attack,” Brad adds.
Crew turns the corner, looking pissed.
“I don’t know.”
“Think about it,” Liam says, pulling a card out of his wallet and handing it to me. “You’ve got another week here. Give yourself some time to rest, then come jam with us. It doesn’t have to mean anything. It’ll be fun, and it will give us a few weeks to work on grumpy.”
“Why do you think he’s so against it?” I ask. “Other than the spotlight not being solely on him?”
Liam sighs. “He’s got his reasons.”
Garrett huffs. “Reasons he needs to get over.”
“Piss off, Garrett. You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
Garrett shakes his head.