“Which is?” Skylar cuts in.
Quinn dramatically places the back of her hand over her forehead. “I’m going to be an Academy Award-winning actress one day.”
I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting that.
Chandler claps his hands sardonically. “Bravo. You can add fake pregnant teen and impostor sister to your résumé.”
Her hands find her hips and she swivels her head. “At least I’ll be making money off my own talents instead of being a minion who has to earn a living profiting off others.”
Skylar and I share a look as she shuts Chandler up for the second time in five minutes.
If I had any doubts the girl was related to Phoenix, I don’t anymore. She cuts like a knife.
Phoenix hands her a ten-dollar bill this time. “Ouch. Be easy, though. Chandler does a lot for us.”
Regret washes over Quinn’s face and she mumbles a quick, “Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Chandler says as we head into the greenroom. “You’re like a puppy. Annoying, needy, and smelly…but otherwise harmless.”
With those parting words, he turns on his heel and walks out.
Her mouth drops. “I don’t smell.” Raising her arm, she sniffs her pits. “Do I?”
I’m about to assure her she’s fine, but Phoenix takes hold of my elbow. “I need to talk to you.”
“Is everything okay?”
He swiftly leads me out of the room and into a storage closet backstage.
When I woke up this morning he was already gone and then twenty minutes before sound check he texted me and asked if I could bring Quinn with me to the venue, so I have no idea what he’s been up to all day.
“What’s going—”
I don’t get to finish that sentence because he fuses our mouths together in a scorching kiss I feel all the way down to my toes.
I’m about to scold him because Chandler is lurking around—and tons of other people—but his expression turns serious.
“This morning I rounded up the guys. And then I took your advice and called Vic.”
A spike of anxiety arrows through my chest. Oh no.
Maybe my suggestion backfired and Vic canned him…just like he said might happen.
“I…uh...”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to apologize, but then it occurs to me that this was what I came here to do.
Victory doesn’t taste as sweet as I thought it would, though.
His hand slides to my nape, and he rests his forehead against mine. “We came to an agreement. We nixed ‘Breathe Dust’ and now ‘Don’t Take Your Vitamins’ is the lead single.”
I try not to smile but fail. I’m so happy he’s standing up to Vic and fighting for what he wants.
“That’s awesome.”
“He’s still not sold on ‘Existentialism’ being on the album, but I came up with a way to convince him.”
“How?”
His grin is so mesmerizing it steals my breath. “I’m gonna sing it at the end of the concert tonight…and every other concert after that. Once he realizes I’m right and sees how much our fans love it, he’ll have no choice but to give me what I want and put it on the album.”
It’s smart. Not to mention doing that also means he’ll get everything he wants because technically “Existentialism” will be the first song people hear on the new album.
“That’s a great idea.” His exhilaration is so contagious I feel it pumping through me. “I’m so happy for you.”
He cradles my face in his hands. “I have you to thank for it. You piss me off so fucking much sometimes, but you also push me to be better.”
My heart somersaults when I look into those blue irises…because that fire is back.
He’s finally giving himself permission to enjoy things again.
“I’m so proud of you.”
That makes him grin wider—which makes me grin wider—and now we’re standing in some random storage closet grinning at each other like two fools, but I don’t care because I’m over the moon.
No. I’m touching the sun.
“Has anybody seen Phoenix?” Chandler barks in the distance, breaking our spell.
Shit.
I motion to the door. “You go out first. Tell him you were with a groupie.”
Amusement dances on his gorgeous face. “In other words, don’t lie?”
“Ass.”
I go to shove him, but his arms lock around my waist and he tugs me against him.
“You gonna watch me sing the song tonight?”
My heart beats double time. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I shove his chest. “Now go before you get me fired.”
After giving me one last kiss, he slips out.
Leaning against the door, I smile so hard it hurts…until I remember.
The sun is exceptional, alluring, and mystifying…
But it burns when you get too close.
I watch in astonishment—and a little bit of envy—as Quinn wolfs down her fourth slice of pizza.
I’ve never seen someone so skinny eat so damn much. The girl is a bottomless pit.
“So, you and my brother, huh?” she questions around a mouthful of pizza.
Skylar stops typing on her laptop, appearing very interested in our conversation now.
My eyes dart around the greenroom and to the partially open door, making sure Chandler isn’t loitering nearby.
“How long have you two been together?” Quinn probes before letting out a loud belch.
I reach for my drink on the coffee table, carefully considering my words. “It’s…complicated.”
“Very complicated,” Skylar adds. “So complicated it’s one big secret. Right, Lennon?”
I can’t tell if she’s helping or hurting.
However, Quinn nods in understanding. “Because it’s wrong to fuck your boss. Even though it’s kinda hot.”
Skylar starts laughing and I choke on my water.
“Actually, Chandler is my boss,” I tell her after I’m able to breathe again.
Quinn makes a face. “Gross. Please don’t fuck him, too. Objectively speaking, my brother is a way better catch.”
“I’m not fucking…” Inwardly cringing, I rub my temples. “Look, your brother and I go way back.”
Quinn puts her feet up on the table. “Hence the complicated.”
She’s more insightful than I give her credit for. “Yes. But we’re not in a relationship. We’re just friends.”
Skylar’s lips twitch. “Very good friends.”
So help me God, I will skin her favorite pair of heels if she keeps this up.
“Yeah.” I crinkle my nose. “You know, kind of like how you and Memphis are very good friends.”
Skylar shoots me a dirty look and turns her attention back to her laptop.
Quinn’s face scrunches in contemplation. “So you’re fuck buddies. Gotcha.”
I seriously wish she’d stop using the word fuck so much, but I can’t focus on that right now because there are bigger fish to fry.
“I’d really appreciate it if you’d keep this just between us girls, okay? If Chandler finds out, I’ll get fired.”