He looks me in the eyes. "How bad is it?"
My heart drops. This is it. He's either going to believe me, or he's going to be furious and kick me out of his house. Then I'll be all alone again. Just like before him. No, worse. Now that I know Rogan, being out of his life would be torture.
"Kenna?"
I rest my head against his shoulder. "I'm shirtless with some guy. I've never seen him before, I swear! I don't remember any of it, Rogan. I don't!"
He rubs my back but doesn't say anything.
What is he thinking? Does he believe me? Or is he trying to decide how to get me out of his house without causing a scene?
"Do you believe me?" My voice comes out so much quieter than I intended.
He doesn't answer.
Kenna
Rogan?" I take a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "Do you believe me?"
"What? Yeah, of course. I need to have it out with Lathe. Now."
"Didn't you already?" I rub his swollen purple knuckles.
"Clearly, I didn't get through to him if he's done this. It's time for a more serious talk."
"What do you mean?" I check my phone for missed calls or texts. Poppy hasn't gotten back to me. Is she talking to Tiana?
"Lathe needs to understand the severity of this situation. If he thinks I'm going to let him stay in Flaming Combustion while his girlfriend treats you like this, he's lost his mind—and his place in the band. I started it. We sing mostly songs I wrote. It's my voice the fans want. How he thinks he can get away with this is beyond me."
I meet Rogan's gaze. "Do you think he's trying to push you out? Tiana wants to date the lead singer. What if she convinced him that should be his place?"
He frowns. "But they've been together for over a year. Why would she pull all this crap now? Just before we hit it big?"
"I can think of two reasons. One, now that I'm in the picture, she doesn't have a chance with you anymore. She's probably been holding onto that all along."
"That does make sense. What's your second reason?"
"Tiana wants to be the lead singer's girlfriend when Flaming Combustion hits it big. You guys are so close to it now, and she feels like she has to do something. Drugging me and posting those pictures makes me look bad—bad enough for you to break up with me. Then she can try to swoop in, but if that doesn't work, she's already convinced Lathe he should be the singer."
Rogan swears. "You're right. That's exactly what's been going on right under my nose. I just never saw it until everything hit the fan. How did I miss it?"
"I think everyone did. She knows how to play people and get what she wants."
He gets up and cracks his knuckles. "What I want to know is if Lathe is her pawn or if he's as guilty as she is in trying to get me out of my own band."
"What are you going to do?"
"Beat him to a pulp!" Rogan slams one of his fists into his palm. He's going to have to eat through a tube when I'm done with him."
"Don't stoop to his level." I jump up and rest my hand on his arm. "Let's think about this, okay? There's a lot at stake right now. Don't be rash."
He paces, then spins around and looks at me with a fire in his eyes. "I need to see that photo. I know you don't want me to, but I have to know exactly what Tiana has done to us."
My face flames at the thought of him seeing me like that. "I hate her."
"Not half as much as I do. Where's it posted?"
"Everywhere." I clench my fists, fighting the stupid tears. "If you get to beat up Lathe, I want her."
"Be my guest." He pulls out his phone and slides his finger around his screen. It only takes a couple of beats for his brows to knit together and his nostrils to flare. "It's so obvious you're unconscious! Look at these comments! These people are sheep. Worse than that—they're cruel, mindless bastards!"
I'd tried not to read the comments before—though I'd seen some. Now that Rogan has read them, I need to know what they say.
Each one is a punch to the gut. A humiliating, horrifying hit. Some of the names were so horrible and demeaning, images of Theo forced their way to my mind. Only he had ever called me such vulgarities. Now hundreds of strangers have joined him.
I slink to the ground, reliving abuse on top of abuse heaped upon me by Theo. Each careless comment sends me deeper until I can barely breathe.
I'm trapped, suffocating in a world of memories. No matter how far away I try to get away from my past, it continues to haunt me.
It's going to haunt me forever. I'm never going to be able to get away. The Tianas of the world will make sure of that.
Rogan is on the floor with me, his arm around me. I don't even know when he sat down.
I think he's talking, but I can barely breathe or think, much less hear him. My mind spins out of control. The picture swirls through my mind. My body recoils at the memories. I try desperately to remember the party, but it's all gone—everything before I woke in the bushes.
Rogan pats my shoulder and leaves the room. He thinks I heard what he said.
I want to reach out for him, to keep him close, but I can't move. I'm a prisoner of the past and now the present.
Some time passes. It could've been five minutes or an hour. I have no idea. Rogan comes back with Sutton.
She wraps me in a hug. "Oh, Kenna. I'm so sorry!"
Rogan kisses my forehead. "I'm going to Tiana's. Most of the band is still there, passed out all over the house. We're going to settle this right now."
I just stare at him. If I could speak, I'd beg him to stay. Not to go over there so angry. But the words won't come.
"Sutton's going to stay here with you. You aren't going to be alone. You're not alone."
"Stay with me."
"I'll be back as soon as this mess is sorted."
"Don't get hurt."
"It's not me you should worry about." He spins around and storms out of the room.
I turn to Sutton. "Everything's such a mess."
"Doesn't surprise me about the band, though. There's always been competition between Rogan and Lathe. I figured it would all blow up eventually."
"Why's Lathe in Flaming Combustion, then?"
"Lathe's driven to outperform Rogan, so Rogan has always worked to make him better. He makes Rogan crazy, but at the same time, it helps Lathe improve. And that's better for the band as a whole, so Rogan puts up with Lathe's crap. Well, until he went too far."
We sit in silence for a while before I finally speak. "What do you think's going to happen?"
Sutton leans her head against the wall. "Maybe Lathe will leave. Maybe they'll work out their differences, but I have a hard time seeing that. He wants to be the star as much as Tiana wants him to be. Whatever happens, Flaming Combustion won't be the same."
"What'll happen with Frost Amberley?"
Sutton shrugs.
"You think she'll still represent them?"
"Maybe. It depends. I suppose if Rogan manages to replace Lathe, Frost might not even notice. But if everyone in Flaming Combustion is split between Rogan and Lathe, then it's anyone's guess what she decides to do."
Rogan
I shake out my aching fist and glare at Ashton, who stands between Lathe and me, one palm pressed against my chest and the other against Lathe's.
Lathe glares at me, seemingly unfazed by his new shiner and bloody nose.
"Let's talk this out." Ashton holds my gaze.
I rub my sore jaw and glare at Lathe. "Tell that to him."
Lathe steps back and juts his jaw. "I'm done with you. Who's with me?"
"You're not taking anyone from the band! Go ahead and leave, but you're on your own."
He sneers at me. "That's what you think."
"What do you mean?" I push past Ashton and step closer.
Lathe glances over at Ellis, then Ashton. "Frost Amberley will follow me."
"You?" I scoff. "A guitarist? Right. Sorry, but you're about as replaceable as they come. Especially since Ellis and I both play."
> Lathe licks his lips. "I made sure Frost will choose me."
"What are you talking about?" Ellis jumps up from the recliner and glares at Lathe, only leaving about an inch between them.
"I mean that she'll follow me. If you're with me, you'll get that contract."
I barrel toward him. "What did you do?"
Lathe jabs his finger in my face. "More than you. You've been spending so much time going over the contract and thinking, but I've taken action."
"Good for you!" Tiana doesn't even look up from her phone's screen. "I told you to do what it takes to be number one, and you listened! What'd you do, babe?"
Lathe smirks at me. "I slept with Frost."
"You what?" Tiana jumps up, dropping her phone on the couch.
"She promised me her offer follows me now."
"How dare you?" Tiana slaps him across the face.
"You said to do anything. I'm getting the contract!"
My insides shake. Before I know it, my fist hits Lathe's nose, and blood spills on my hand.
He backs up, kicking me and reaching for Tiana. "This is for us, babe. We're going to be stars. You can be in Flaming Combustion now."
"What?"
"Sing. Play the drums. You can play the tambourine if you want. With me in charge, anything is yours."
I stare at him in disbelief. "You can't be serious."
"About what? Frost? Bringing everyone else with me? You can come if you want—but you're delusional if you think you're going to be the lead singer."
Gritting my teeth, I move to strike him again but he blocks me this time.
"Easy there." He laughs.
I pull away then move to punch him, but stop just short of hitting him. "If you walk away, you're not taking our name or using any of my songs. You get none of that!"
"You think I want them? Your new ones are crap lately. All mushy and weak. And the name? Sounds like a toddler came up with it!"
We stare each other down.
I narrow my eyes. "Didn't your mom come up with it?"
"Burn!" Ashton laughs and holds up a palm.
I high-five him, then turn to Ellis. "You with me, or this loser?"
Ellis glances back and forth between me and Lathe. "Do I have to pick?"
Lathe puts his arm around Tiana. "We've got Frost."
Tiana elbows him. "Don't say her name around me."
"She's going to make us famous. You'd better get used to her being around."
"As long as you stop banging her!"
"I might have to keep it up—for the band's sake."
"You're a pig."
Lathe shakes his head and stands taller. "I'm a businessman."
I turn to Ashton. "You with me? I'm going to call Frost, and if Lathe's story is true, I'll call one of the others. Juan Juarez is just as good as Frost."
"Stop saying her name, everyone!" Tiana stomps her foot.
I waggle my brows at her. "What, Frost? Frost Amberley?"
Tiana contorts her face. "Stop it."
"You've destroyed Kenna's life! I'll say whatever I want to you. Enjoy your life with your unfaithful boyfriend!" I turn to Ashton and Ellis. "Who's with me?"
Ashton steps toward me. "You know I am. Bros before traitors."
Lathe gives him the finger. "Don't come crying to me when your boy band crumbles."
"And don't come sobbing to us when Frost Amberley finds someone else to sleep with."
"Stop!" Tiana folds her arms and slaps his arm.
Ashton moves her hand. "Don't worry about Frost. She'll grow tired of Lathe's little buddy soon enough. Then he'll be all yours."
Lathe throws himself against Ashton, swinging his fists and kicking. They both crash onto the ground.
I fling myself to the floor and pull Ashton away from the mess, but not without receiving a blow to my right eye. As I dust myself off, I meet Ellis's gaze. "You with us or them?"
Lathe pulls Tiana to him. "We have Frost Amberley."
Tiana punches him in the gut.
He doubles over, groaning.
She glares at him. "Next time, it'll be six inches lower."
Ellis steps closer to Ashton. "Sorry, but they do have Fr—" He eyes Tiana. "Uh, the top agent. Besides, I'm sure Lathe will let us use my songs that you rejected."
"You know it." Lathe grins at me, showing off all his teeth.
I spin around and storm out. Once outside, Ashton joins me on the porch.
He slams the door. "Can you believe them?"
I crack my neck from side to side. "Neither one of them are allowed back. I don't care how much they beg and plead."
"Fine by me. We don't need them. Who're we going to get to replace them, though?"
"I've got several people in mind, but first I need to call Frost."
He nods. "What do you want me to do?"
"I can hardly think straight. Let's just meet at my place, then we'll figure out what to do. You can probably call potential replacements."
"Sure."
We split up and head to our separate cars. I'm so furious, I can't wait to call Frost, though I half-expect the other guys are already on the phone with her. After starting the car, I put my phone on speaker and set it in the holder. "Call Frost Amberley."
I pull out and wait to see if she answers. My pulse races through my body, making my bruises throb. One more reason to hate Lathe.
"Hello, Rogan." Frost's voice is as smooth as honey.
"Have you been sleeping with Lathe?" May as well just cut to the chase.
"What?"
"That's what he says. Is it true?"
"Why would he say that?"
"He says because you'll give him anything he wants."
Silence.
"Frost?"
"Does he want something?"
I want to pull over and break something. It's all true.
"Rogan?"
"Flaming Combustion is splitting. We're going to be two bands. Lathe's starting a new one. Are you with him or me?"
Silence again.
"Are you still there?"
"I'll need to get back to you, Rogan."
"Excuse me?"
"Maybe I can work something out with the both of you. It's going to spread my schedule pretty thin at this point, but—"
I end the call. If I say what I really want to, she'll find some way to ruin my career. I already know what I need. Lathe's telling the truth.
He's had this whole thing planned all along. Or at least since I started bringing Kenna around and his girlfriend got jealous.
Lathe should've dumped her, not slept with the agent! He's ruined everything.
I squeeze the steering wheel and try to calm down.
This isn't the end of the world. There are other agents who want Flaming Combustion. They like the sound. My voice. The unique songs I write.
All I need to do is fill the two empty spots. Maybe get a couple extra guys who can play in a pinch. That way if someone is sick or turns on me, I'm not scrambling for replacements again.
It's all totally doable. Not ideal, but it'll work. With the direction we're headed, I can think of at least a half a dozen people who would jump at the chance to join us.
If Lathe and Ellis don't get to them first.
I hit the horn. The guy in the car in front of me flips me off.
Once I pull into my driveway, I scramble out of the car and wait for Ashton to get out of his. "We've got to start making calls right away." I list off seven people. "Got any other ideas?"
"Yeah." He names a few more.
"At least that's something. We need to get them to agree ASAP. There's no time, or Lathe will get to them."
"If he hasn't already."
I pull on my hair. "Come on. Let's get inside."
Kenna
It'll all work out." Sutton hands me an iced tea and gazes at the pool. "People would be crazy not to join the band, and they've put together a list of fourteen people."
I set the drink on the table between us
. "But this is all my fault."
Poppy puts her hand on my arm. "It's Tiana's fault. She's jealous and vindictive, and she would've done this eventually with or without you. You wanna swim and get this whole thing off your mind for a few minutes?"
"No. But like I keep saying, you two can go in. I'm not trying to stop you."
Sutton turns back to me. "We're here for you, not the pool. I can go for a dip any time."
I pick up my phone to see how bad things have gotten with the photo. Last I checked, it had been Photoshopped in all kinds of disgusting ways. Both my head and the other guy's had been replaced with numerous celebrities and animals. My face had also been plastered on several highly inappropriate images.
Poppy takes the phone from me. "Don't keep torturing yourself."
"What else am I supposed to do?"
She grins. "We can always make some pictures of our own."
Sutton leans closer. "What do you mean?"
"We can put Tiana's face on some fun backgrounds. I'm thinking cows, sumo wrestlers, that type of thing. It'll be fun, don't you think?"
I frown. "Then I'm just stooping to her level. And who's going to care? The only reason the pictures of me are going viral are because of that first one floating around."
"We could put her on a baboon!" Poppy's eyes light up. "Or an elephant. The possibilities are endless."
Sutton laughs. "Or put a crying baby's face on her body."
Poppy high-fives her. "That's what I'm talking about!"
"No," I insist. "That'll only make it worse for me."
"How?" Sutton arches an eyebrow.
"It makes me look as petty as her."
"She's not the one doing the other pictures." Poppy pulls out her phone. "It's all those other losers with nothing better to do."
I stand up. "Please don't. I really don't want to respond in any way. It'll fade away soon enough when people find someone else more interesting."
Sutton jumps up. "Oh, I know! We can post about Lathe and Frost. The guys say Tiana's horrified about that."
I shake my head. "We can't do that, either. Then we're standing up against a big-time agent. It could turn around to hurt Rogan and Ashton."
Poppy sighs. "That's true. We'd better not bring that up. But we can still turn Tiana into a sumo wrestler."
When Tomorrow Starts Without me Page 20