by Eden Summers
“It’s called free advertising,” Leah drawled. “This track is going to sell millions, and I’m banking all my confidence on this video.”
Melody slunk into the shadows, taking a seat along the wall to stare at the balled fists in her lap. “Yeah,” she whispered to herself. “It will sell millions.” Because Sean was going to earn the affection of every woman in the world. The video highlighted his confident control, showcased his gentleness, and if he nailed the emotion, there wouldn’t be a female whose heart wouldn’t flutter at the sight of it.
The ballroom door opened, held ajar by the bodyguard as the remaining two Reckless Beat members entered the room, Gabi and Alana by their side, and another member of security trailing behind.
A group formed at the edge of the dance floor. The women greeted each other with hugs, the men with fist bumps and masculine juts of their chin. With increasing potency, the large room filled with good natured noise. It should’ve been soothing, yet it left her hollow.
She didn’t fit into Sean’s crowd. She wasn’t sure she fit anywhere anymore. Her performing career was over. She could barely call herself a choreographer, and she’d set herself up to fail with Sean’s friends because of the way she reacted to the sex tape.
“You look how I usually feel?”
A shadow darkened Melody’s vision, and she glanced up to see Leah taking the seat beside her. “You mean tired?”
“No.” Leah shook her head. “Stressed. Anxious. Nauseated over the fear the guys will fuck something up.”
Melody gave a halfhearted chuckle. “No. Sean has this under control. Just wait and see. They look perfect together.”
“Not entirely.” His gruff voice washed over her nerves, making her heart clench. “You’ve already told me I haven’t perfected my facial expressions.”
“And I’ve told you, it’s only a matter of time.” She met Sean’s defiant frown, refusing to wither under his stare. “You’ll get it right by tomorrow.”
“I already had it right. With you.”
“And once you do the same with Sasha, you’ll realize the clip is far better.” She wasn’t sure if she was lying to Sean as well as herself. In her mind, rehearsing with him was a fairytale. Like Cinderella dancing with the prince. Perfect. Enchanting.
She couldn’t convince herself to see the same magic when he danced with Sasha. It just wasn’t there. Not to her eyes, anyway. Maybe she was kidding herself. Maybe she wasn’t. It didn’t matter because the roles wouldn’t change. “You’ll have every groupie eating out of the palm of your hand.”
“I’m not interested in groupies,” he growled.
“OK. OK.” Leah held up her hands. “The two of you are beginning to sound like Mitch and Blake. Nothing but bickering. Get back to work, Sean. I want to see this dance.”
He grunted, holding Melody’s attention for one more penetrating moment before striding heavy footed to the side of the dance floor to turn on the iPod. As the music started, Sasha let out a squeal and ran from her conversation with Mason and Sidney to be at Sean’s side.
They drifted into movement, stealing everyone’s attention, silencing conversations through awe. Sasha played the role well. There was no doubt in Melody’s mind the rest of the band, Leah, the recording label, and the legions of Reckless fans would love the Fighting Against Attraction clip.
“You did a flawless job,” Leah murmured. “Absolutely flawless.”
Melody lowered her gaze, focusing on her breathing so the rapid heartbreaking beats in her chest didn’t take over. “Thank you.”
“You’re not handling it well, though.”
Melody’s focus shifted to Leah, absorbing the pity in the band manager’s sea green eyes. “What am I not handling?”
“Sitting here. Letting someone else take the credit for what you’ve created.” Leah gave a weak smile. “Keeping your cool while another beautiful woman touches your man.”
Melody’s lips parted yet nothing came out.
“I ruined your rehearsal last night,” Leah continued. “I’m sorry for that.”
“Don’t be.” Melody stared back at her hands, wringing her fingers together to fight the need to scream at how weak she’d become. “I said the same thing to Sean last night. This project is about publicity. I was just caught off guard. That’s all.”
Leah’s hand rested on Melody’s knee, softly squeezing. “I did a lot of research after Mason’s sister recommended you for this project. I called your previous employers. I was given detailed information on why you stopped dancing.”
Searing heat shot up Melody’s throat, cutting off her air. “I expected as much.” Expected it, yet had grown complacent because nobody had mentioned it.
“I thought you might. What you wouldn’t expect was that last night was me trying to pressure you into making a decision about where you go from here. A test, if you will. The scene in the park is what Sean’s life is all about—screaming fans and promotional obligations. If the two of you are together, this will happen all the time. I need you to realize that. To make a decision about where you go from here because I can’t risk him falling for you and never recovering if you choose to walk away.”
Melody’s lips moved, her heart palpitated, yet no words formed. She’d been tested and failed miserably.
“I’m sorry, Mel.” Leah slid her hand away. “Although this is business, it also comes down to me loving these guys like family. I’ll do anything for them, especially if it means causing a rift now to save an upcoming massacre.”
“So are you asking if I’m going to walk away from him, or are you telling me to?” It sure as hell seemed like the latter.
“Honey, I’m not telling you to do anything.” Leah grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I just want you to take the time to realize how much of a great guy he is. He deserves your trust and your honesty. And if you have no intention of facing your fears and letting him in, you need to tell him sooner rather than later.”
Melody’s vision began to blur as the familiar closing notes of the song drifted from the iPod. Sasha and Sean embraced, before the final moment when Sasha turned, walking away, not succumbing to the unwanted attraction outlined in the lyrics.
A wolf whistle pierced the air. Applause erupted. The Reckless family strode for Sean, surrounding him with a mass of compliments from the women and good-natured ribbing from the men.
“If you’re going to break his heart, you need to do it soon.” Leah pushed to her feet.
“I hadn’t planned on it.” She hadn’t, but now the thought was in her mind, the heartbreak of the day growing into a mass of bile in her stomach, she wondered if that was the easiest option. Tomorrow was going to be torture. Witnessing the fans fawn over him once the clip was released would bring even more pain.
And the most important point to consider was how he would react when he finally figured out her faults. As great as Sean made her feel when they were alone, right now she hated herself. Her jealousy was too much to bear. It was cloying, nauseating, and entirely disgusting when she’d hated the scorn she’d received from others throughout her career.
She couldn’t stay here, surrounded by smiles and compliments directed to others while she sat alone with her misery.
“Sasha.” Melody stood and waited for the woman to break away from the enthusiastic group surrounding her. “Are you going to be OK if I leave you to take over on your own?”
Leah stiffened at her side while Sasha nodded. “Of course, darling. Are you calling it a day?”
“Yeah.” She turned, ignoring the stares of everyone in the room as she grabbed her handbag off the seat and yanked it onto her shoulder. “I’m not feeling too good. I’m going to go home and rest.”
“You surprised me,” Leah murmured. “I didn’t expect you to run.”
Melody hung her head, wishing she had something to retaliate with. There was nothing. What could she defend herself with if she had no weapons? Her confidence was gone. The things she excelled at had disappea
red. And the one thing Sean desired above everything else—fame—was the one thing she could no longer stomach.
She strode for the door, ignoring the disappointment in Leah’s features.
“Red, wait.”
Sean’s concerned tone caught her around the throat, pulling her up short. She kept her back to him, unable to move. Worse still, unable to look him in those stunning blue eyes as he maneuvered around her, bringing them toe to toe.
“Are you really sick?”
“Yeah.” She nodded and kept her chin lowered. Sick of hiding from the biggest secret of her life. Sick of suppressing a scream every time he told her she was beautiful. Sick of loving the calm that darkness brought.
“Really?”
“I’m getting a migraine.”
“Well, I’ll come see you once I’m finished.” He ran a finger under her chin, lifting until she looked him in the eye. He frowned at her, his gaze raking her face, scrutinizing her features. “I’ll bring dinner.”
She shook her head. “Not tonight. Your friends are in town. Go celebrate with them.” She needed space. Time. The mental capacity to cement the decision in her mind before she tore her heart out and crushed it with her own hands. Leah was right, Sean didn’t deserve to be strung along if this relationship wasn’t something she could see evolving into more. She needed to decide what was stronger, her fears or her love. At the moment, both were tearing her apart. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“How are you going to get home?”
“I’ll catch a cab. No big deal.”
He squeezed her chin, stripping her defenses with the concern in his eyes. “I’m worried about you.”
“Don’t be.” She brushed her lips over his. Was this the last time she’d enjoy the sensation? “Goodbye, Sean.”
“What’s going on?” Ryan strode toward him, eying the door Red had just walked through.
“Hopefully nothing she can’t handle.” He was a mess. Sasha was doing his head in. Yeah, it was a bonus she’d stopped dry humping his crotch, yet she still continued to fuck him with her gaze every second they danced together. Add to that his frustration with Red keeping him at arm’s length, and Mitch and Mason’s smartass critiques, and he was set to go postal.
Motherfuckers.
The thing that worried him the most was the guilt in Leah’s eyes. She’d said something to Red. He was sure of it.
He started for her, needing to know what trouble she’d stirred, and then paused when he sighted the unfamiliar expression on Ryan’s face. His friend was far from happy, his blue eyes still lacking emotion, yet there was no scowl or hatred to his features. “You’re not sportin’ your usual glower.”
“So?”
“I wanna know why. Did I miss something?”
“I got a text from Julie this morning.” Ryan glanced over his shoulder, as if making sure nobody was within earshot.
“And? I gather you’re happy it took her three weeks to get in contact with you.”
“No.” Ryan’s usual scowl slid back into place. “I think she might have figured out what she wants. She was asking where I was going to be today. So I told her I’d be here.” His focus switched to the door. “I think she might show up. I was actually hoping she’d be here waiting when I arrived.”
Sean kept his mouth shut. He’d have to do the same when Julie showed. He respected Ryan’s choices. It just didn’t lessen the fact his wife was a bitch. One Sean would gladly never see again. “I’m sure she’ll show up soon,” he muttered. “Focus on teasing the shit out of me while you wait. Everyone else is.”
Ryan scoffed. “You can’t recognize jealousy now that you’re on the other side of the fence?”
“What do you mean?” Sean frowned.
“The guys are only messin’ with you because you’re crushing it out there.”
“Right… I’ll have to take your word for it.” The routine still felt sterile. The connection wasn’t there. Or the emotion. “I better get back to it.”
Ryan jerked his head in acknowledgement and strode toward the group.
“Sean,” Leah’s voice drifted softly from the left of the room. She quickened her pace toward him and gave a sad smile in greeting. “Can we chat for a second?”
“I was thinking the same thing.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “What did you say to her?”
Leah pressed her lips together and swallowed. Not a good sign. “I didn’t tell her anything she didn’t already know. It was just a reminder about your career and what you’re striving for.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Hell. He rubbed his hands over his face, stopping himself from wringing her neck. “She doesn’t need a reminder.”
“I’m trying to help you achieve what you wanted. You’re after more publicity. A bigger pedestal. I’m giving you that. All I told her was that she needs to be aware that your popularity is only going to grow.”
“Yeah, well, that shit doesn’t matter anymore.” His limbs were heavy with tension, his jaw tight. “I changed my mind about the recognition.” He shook his head to reiterate. “None of it matters. I just want her.”
He turned, heading for the door, going after her.
“Sean. Wait.” The click of Leah’s heals echoed behind him. “Give her time to make up her own mind. She left for a reason. She needs to work this out on her own.”
He rounded on her, straightening his shoulders in a defiant move that pissed Leah off if the narrowed glare in her eyes was any indication. “And if she makes the wrong one? What then? How are you going to fix the mess you made?”
“You can’t be her crutch forever,” Leah murmured. “Both of us know she’s tough. But unless she figures that out herself, she’ll continue hiding. Please trust me on this.”
He stared at the door, ignoring the two bodyguards standing on either side. Did he go after her, or stay? Did he coddle her, or let her realize her strength as Leah suggested?
“Come on.” Leah placed a hand at the crook of his elbow. “Focus on the routine. Call her later.”
She was right. At least, he hoped she was. Red was tough. He needed to give her the chance to realize it on her own.
“Whatever,” he muttered, striding for the dance floor.
“Wait.” Her voice rose. “There’s one more thing.”
His chest pounded, punching his heart rate out of rhythm. “What?” He turned to her, finding her features softened, her eyes wary.
“How’s he doing?” She tilted her head to the right, almost imperceptibly. She didn’t need to say Ryan’s name for him to know who she was referring to.
“Temperamental.”
She winced. “And what about Julie? Any news from her?”
“Apart from a text message this morning, I’m not sure. I try not to pry. And to be honest, whenever I bring up the topic his frustration grows to the point where I have concerns for my safety.” He shot her a half-hearted smile, then wiped it from his face when she frowned.
“Don’t do that. Don’t make fun of him. He’s not handling the separation well.”
“Right…” Like he didn’t already know.
“Just keep a good eye on him for me. Please.”
Sean couldn’t pinpoint why her request pissed him off, but it did. Bad. He’d had his own shit to deal with. And it wasn’t like he’d been snubbing Ryan. The guy had taken over his home for the last three weeks.
“I’m not a babysitter, Leah. Do your own damn snooping if you’re so worried.”
Her eyes widened and before she could give him a serve of her attitude, he strode toward Sasha, trying to withhold a shudder with each approaching step.
“Ready for another round?”
She grinned, all charm. “Always.”
She sashayed to the iPod sitting on the far edge of the dance floor and pressed play on the track. As the music began to fill the room, a knock sounded at the door.
One of the guards reached for the handle, pulling the bulky frame open and allowing a suit-cl
ad man who appeared to be in his late thirties to stride in, a briefcase at his side.
“Can I help you?” Leah approached, her professional smile slipping into place.
The room fell quiet as Sasha hastened to pause the music. The bodyguard widened his stance, stopping the man from entering the room.
“I’m looking for Ryan Bennett.” The man’s features matched Leah’s—friendly, professional, with an underlying bite that couldn’t truly be described in words.
“Who’s asking?” Ryan raised his voice as he broke away from the group, Mason, Mitch, and Blake following close behind.
Sean joined in, all five of them striding toward the door and the unmistakable air of apprehension. Dread grew in his gut, and if the look on Ryan’s face was any indication, his friend was shitting bricks, too.
The suit straightened. “I’m—”
“My wife sent you, didn’t she?” Ryan spoke over the top of him, the usual charm of the rhythm guitarist shot to hell. “What do you want?” His fists balled at his sides, his posture stiffened.
Oh, shit. “How ‘bout you back off a little, bro.” Sean quickened his pace and gripped Ryan’s upper arm in warning, only to have it brushed off.
“Who are you?”
The man cocked a brow, pausing as if waiting to be interrupted again. When silence reigned, the entire room now focused on the stranger, he raised his briefcase and pulled out a large yellow envelope. “I’m a process server working on behalf of your wife. I’m here to serve you with divorce papers.”
Fuck!
Gabi—or maybe it was Alana—gasped. Mason swore. And Ryan just stood there, his jaw ticking as his fists balled tighter, making his knuckles white.
Sean rested a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll get through this togeth—”
“Son of a bitch.” Ryan lunged, cocking his fist.
“Oh, fuck.” Blake dropped his shoulder, barging Ryan around the waist to drag him backward.
Mitch and Mason were over him next, shoving him away from his target, yanking his arms behind his back.
“Get the fuck off me.” Ryan went rabid, fighting against their hold.