“He broke your heart,” I replied stubbornly.
“You’re just mad at him because you want to be like him, too.”
I scowled at that idea. “Excuse me?”
Amber laughed and then I watched as her cat jumped out of bed as she switched position and laid on her stomach too, just like I had. “You wish you had the same tenacity as he did to pursue your heart’s desire. I’ve always told you, Aud, when I was dating him, he reminded me a lot of you.”
“We’re straying off-topic here, Amber,” I veered us back to the real issue because I didn’t want to discuss things I’d left in the past. But before Amber had me officially meet Julian, she always told me how much we were alike in so many ways that it was almost as if she was dating me, although a male version. She even claimed we had the same quirks but I refused to accept the fact that Julian Hudson and I were on the same wavelength because I couldn’t fathom the idea that someone as ruthless as he was had the similar tastes as I did.
Amber laughed and shook her head at me. “Aud, there isn’t really that much harm if you agree with what he wants to happen. With the animosity between the two of you, I doubt he’d ask you to do something inappropriate. Besides, Julian isn’t the kinky type, last time I checked.”
“Oh my god,” I grabbed a pillow behind me and buried my face in it, unable to comprehend my best friend who was most likely teasing me to get a reaction out of me. She was snorting with laughter on her side and I desperately wanted to chuck a pillow at her. I sighed as I let Amber sober up and she was looking at me again through the camera, her eyes shining with happy tears and I felt something tug at my heart. “I miss you.”
Amber smiled. “And I miss you too, Aud, and what I would do to cross oceans just to hit you in the head and drag you to Julian’s front yard and make you agree with what he wants.”
I groaned. “You’re ruining the moment here, Amber!”
“But you know I’m right,” she pointed out and I could hear someone speaking French in the background and Amber lit up. Her boyfriend appeared on screen, waving at me excitedly as Amber kissed his cheek and shooed him away. “I know it’s hard, Audrey, and you would rather do a million other things than this but we’re 24 and it happened five years ago. It’s your company or your pride, Audrey, and I know you know what matters more.”
“Amber…”
“I have to go but I know you’ll do the right thing. I love you, babe,” she waved at me and then hang up and I threw my phone somewhere on my bed and sighed, rolling onto my back and staring at the white ceiling of my room. I could hear the waves crashing outside but more than that, Amber’s voice echoed in my mind.
It’s your company or your pride.
You know what matters more.
God damn it.
. Apparently, the rumors that were circulating were right, W&R did drop them but I had a feeling that there was more to it than just that. His bandmates wanted to sign with us which leaned into my favour yet they still looked at him for the go-signal, no matter how much he upset them, he still led their group.
.
No matter how much I didn’t want to do this, Theo and Amber were right. There was no other way. At least, there wasn’t one I could think of at the moment and I didn’t really have a lot of time to think since Dick only allotted me one month.
With a heavy heart, I stood up and changed into a much more comfortable outfit than the one I was wearing, tied my hair in a bun and then grabbed my wallet, keys and phone and then went back to my car and drove to Malibu, to Julian’s home. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say to him and how I was going to convince him, given that I had slapped him earlier when I left which I knew must’ve pissed him off even more.
There was another car in their driveway when I parked and I recognized it as Bonnie’s since we came together earlier. I didn’t have her number but I could only pray that she would be the one to open the door when I rang the doorbell. I let out a shaky breath, gave myself a mental pep talk and then got out of my car and made my way to their front door to ring the doorbell.
Please let it be Bonnie.
“Audrey?”
Her voice made my shoulders sag in relief and I looked up to meet her eyes. “Oh thank god, you’re the one who opened it.”
Bonnie closed the door behind her and took a step outside. “What are you doing here? Julian won’t be happy to see you.”
I chewed on my bottom lip and tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “I came here to see him and talk about what happened.”
Bonnie crossed her arms over her chest. “I may not be close to Julian but he’s really mad at you.”
I looked at Bonnie with pleading eyes. “I really need to talk to him. I didn’t think straight earlier. I need his help, Bonnie. Please.”
Her eyes softened and she turned around to open the door to let me in. “When he erupts, just say that the door was open and you let yourself in. They’re trying out a new song. They’re in the recording studio upstairs, third door on the left. I’ll be in Carlos’ room if you need me.”
I flashed her a grateful smile as I heeded her instructions and went upstairs. The door of the recording studio was open and I wanted to sneak inside and maybe hear what they were playing but the moment I came in, I ran smack-dab into someone.
“What the hell?” Julian’s voice was loud and angry. “What are you doing here?”
My eyes widened at the sight of him. He was in joggers and a muscle tee and his hair were in complete disarray but his blue and gray eyes were blazing with anger. “Hi.”
I sounded so timid that I hated myself for that. Whatever confidence I had earlier when I sauntered in his house was gone because I could feel the desperation slowly clawing at my heart and I knew that this wasn’t something I could fight against, despite how much I wanted to if only I had a better say in things. But Theo and Amber were right. It was time to set aside my pride and get through with it.
“What are you doing here?” Julian’s voice sounded deadly and I watched as the rest of the band members piled out of the room, leaving the both of us in.
I shrugged and lamely replied, “The front door was open and I let myself in.”
Julian pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t give me that crap, Audrey.”
I huffed and hugged myself, refusing to look at him. “I came to talk about your terms.”
He let out a bark of laughter as he moved around the small studio and grabbed a hoodie to slip on himself. “You think I’m willing to discuss terms with you after you slapped me and walked out when you were the one who needed a favour from us
My heart sank at that and I could feel the desperation surging in my veins even more. I needed to have them sign with us. No matter what cost. “I let my emotions get the best of me but I have had time to think things over and I want to discuss it with you.”
Julian looked at me with amusement shining in his eyes. “You’re not even going to apologize for slapping me? Forget it. You can see yourself out the way you came in.”
“Oh my god, you’re impossible. It’s not like you didn’t deserve-,” Julian looked at me with eyebrows raised, tempting me to continue on with what I was going to say but I caught myself before I could worsen the situation and tip the favour against me even more. “Let’s just forget about what happened this morning and discuss business like professional, proper adults.”