by Kacey Shea
Trent glances at Sean and Lexi. “Why would he care about that?”
“If he thought you were looking to make a move.” I clear my throat. “Leave Off Track? It might mess with whatever deal he’s cooking up with WMI.”
“That all?” Sean glances over his shoulder.
“Yes.” I know I’m out of time. “Wait. No. I have no right to even ask, but how is she?”
Lexi’s hands go to her hips. “How the fuck do you think she is?”
“I love her.” I blurt.
Trent wraps his arm around Lexi. “Well, you should have thought of that before.”
“I think it’s time for you to leave,” Sean says.
“Yeah.” I nod and hang my head. Walking away this time feels just as bad, but at least I got to tell the truth. Whether they believe me, or do anything, it’s out of my hands.
If I had a dollar for the number of inquiries I’ve received to give a tell-all exposé since leaving the band, I wouldn’t have to wait tables. At first, I was against it. After all, these same people go out of their way to exploit the lives of my friends. Their integrity when it comes to investigative journalism leaves much to be desired.
But after seeing the guys a few nights ago, the need to speak with Opal becomes all consuming. Only, she still won’t return my calls. And I don’t blame her. I don’t.
I tried to leave her alone. To move on without her. But the possibility doesn’t exist. I will love that woman for the rest of my life. Even if she never speaks to me again, or moves on with someone else, I will never stop loving her. So, I have to take this chance and pray to God she’ll at least listen.
Oh, and I’m pretty sure this interview will give my uncle ulcers. It’s one hell of an added bonus.
“Hey, you must be Leighton Wellington?” The reporter for TMZ greets me with a handshake and smile. “Steven Howard. So great to meet you.”
“Thanks for doing this.”
“Are you shitting me? Thank you!” His eyes widen, and he smiles as though he’s won the lotto. “We’re thrilled for the exclusive. Come on over, let’s sit down and chat. Marsha, get him mic’ed so we can get this started. You need anything? Water? Coffee?”
I wave him off. “I’m good.” I just want to get this over with.
The crew works efficiently and within a few minutes we’re ready to roll. In this simulated living room surrounded by bright lights and cameras I confess my greatest sins.
“So, Leighton, let’s dive right into the nitty gritty. You left Three Ugly Guys suddenly after playing under the guise of a stage name. This happened on the same exact day it was leaked that Richie Sands had another daughter, Opal Evans, in addition to Lexi Marx. All this just weeks after you were photographed with Miss Evans while on tour. Anything you want to set straight?”
“First, I didn’t leave the band. I was fired.” I force a laugh but it still hurts. “I never received monetary payment in exchange for personal information about the band. I didn’t tell anyone about Opal and Lexi. I respected their need for privacy. Still do.”
“But days after the story broke, your own uncle claims you did just that.”
“Yeah, why don’t you ask him about that?” Thinking about my uncle sours my mood. The desire to completely expose him for his lies and selfishness is real, but he’s not why I’m here. Getting back at him won’t heal the pain in my heart.
Steven leans forward in his chair. “What do you think he’d say?”
“I’ve given up deciphering the truth when it comes to the almighty Bedo Slade. What I do know is I never sold information about the band, or Opal. I swear on my life. And my bank account.”
“You were pretty close with Opal, then?” He digs in another direction, and for that I bite.
“Opal is one of those people who radiates goodness wherever she goes. She’s sweet and kind and beautiful.” I don’t even have to try, my face splits wide with a smile whenever I think about her. “I love her.”
“Wow. But you aren’t together?”
“I screwed up. I lied about who I was when I shouldn’t have. I made a mistake. One that cost me the love of my life. I will regret that choice for the rest of my life. She deserves better. She deserves everything.”
He settles back in his chair and shakes his head. “Come on, man, that’s kind of harsh. We all screw up, and you’re what, only eighteen?”
“Age isn’t an excuse for what I did.” I release a breath as the pain hits me square in the chest.
“If she’s so nice, why don’t you ask for her forgiveness.”
“She is the nicest person I’ve ever known, but she doesn’t owe me anything, least of all forgiveness.” I lift my gaze to the rolling camera. “But what the hell, Opal Evans, if you’re watching this now, I want you to know I haven’t stopped loving you. Not one single second. If there’s any way for me to earn your trust again, I’ll drop everything. I mean that. Just to be with you again.” I want to fall on my knees, beg for her to return my messages, and beg to see her once more if only for her to tell me to fuck off. But I don’t. No one loves a showoff. It doesn’t matter how much I love her. It’s up to her now.
Steven’s eyebrows rise and he lets loose a long whistle. “Damn, you really love her.”
“I really do.”
The ball is in her court. I don’t expect anything. I don’t. But fuck if I don’t hope for the world. And Opal, she’s my everything.
37
Opal
“Damn . . .” Austin shakes his head at the video gone viral. “Kid has game.”
Trent, Austin, Sean, Jess, and Lexi gather around the center island of the kitchen and stare at the frozen screen. We flew in a few days ago for a short break in the tour, and are back at the mansion before we hit the road again.
Leighton’s admission that he loves me and wants me back is almost too much to hear, especially with everything I’ve been feeling. I don’t know whether I should feel relieved or happy or broken all over again. Instead it’s as if I’m numb to everything, stunned that he would even give an interview after all these weeks.
Trent glances up and meets my stare. “You think he’s blowing smoke?”
Maybe it’s that for the first time in months, I can take a full breath without feeling there isn’t enough air, but I want to believe what he’s saying is true. “Why would he lie? What would he have to gain?”
“You,” Lexi whispers softly and places her hand on my back.
I shake my head, my pulse racing as the reality sets in. “But this isn’t for me. He did this for you guys. Right?”
Trent glances at Sean, and then my sister. “He came to see us before the show in San Diego.”
“What?” The word escapes my lips and my heart hammers in my chest. Even my stomach rolls because I don’t quite understand how they wouldn’t mention that news until now.
“He claims he never took money. Just wanted the job. That Bedo used him as a smokescreen.” Trent’s gaze doesn’t leave mine. “That Bedo was the one playing us all along.”
That would mean he didn’t sell the story. My heart leaps with hope.
“I want to talk to Bedo. Now.” Austin grinds the words through his clenched jaw and slams his hand down on the counter.
“He should be here. He left the studio an hour ago.” Sean takes a seat on one of the barstools and pulls Jess onto his lap.
A nervous energy bordering on joy bounces in my body and I can’t sit still. Not when we’re here in Los Angeles. Not when Leighton might be closer to the man I believed he was. I push away from the counter and fling open the cupboards. With an almost panic speed I toss ingredients into a bowl. “I’m going to bake some cookies.”
“Best news I’ve heard all day,” Austin grumbles. “I can’t believe you guys didn’t tell me.”
“Didn’t tell him what?” Bedo struts into the kitchen, his gaze trained on his phone.
“Bedo, we need to talk,” Trent says and then nods to an open seat.
Be
do’s lips press into a thin line as he meets Trent’s stare. He glances at everyone in the room, even me, and then sets his phone on the counter. “What’s up?”
“Who is this woman?” Sean produces his cell, and on the screen is a headshot of that woman from the party in New York. The one I thought Leighton was checking out.
Bedo narrows his stare at the cell and then lifts his eyes to Sean. “She’s the CEO of WMI, why?”
“Because we hear you two are close.” Trent leans forward on the counter.
A tic, so small I wouldn’t have noticed had I not been staring, shutters with his smile. “Who told you that?”
“A little birdie.” Lexi grins, but it’s forced.
“My little shit of a nephew? He’s not the most reliable source. But I don’t have to tell you that, do I?” Bedo glares and turns his gaze to me.
I look away and concentrate on scooping dough onto a pan.
Trent’s voice is steady and calm as he addresses his manager. “We know he didn’t sell info to the gossip rags. We know it was you.”
“Oh, do you?” He laughs, but there’s no humor.
“Yeah,” Sean practically growls.
“And what if I did?”
My gaze flies up with his admission, along with that of everyone else. It’s quiet for a long moment, the tension thicker than smoke.
“You’re fired,” Trent says.
Bedo grins. “You can’t do that.”
“Can’t? Fuck that shit.” Austin shakes his head.
“Can’t.” Bedo’s grin widens and a shiver works up my spine at the sight. “You’re too late. I no longer represent you.”
“What?” Sean’s brows pull with his frown. “You’re quitting? Letting us go?”
“Hell, no. There’s no way I’d let you out of your contract.” Bedo chuckles and it’s so arrogant. “You make me too much money.”
“This is fucking bullshit, Bedo.” Trent looks ten seconds away from ripping Bedo a new one. Actually, everyone in the room does.
“It’s not. Read your contract. It states you’ll remain with Off Track Records or under any parent company for the next three years.” He holds up three fingers and smiles a shit-eating grin. “And I sold Off Track Records to WMI last week. The deal goes public tomorrow.”
The guys stare at Bedo, then each other. Even Lexi’s stunned by the news. I don’t understand the impact, but by their somber expressions, it can’t be good.
“Why?” Sean speaks first.
He shrugs as if Sean asked him why the sky’s blue. “I’m too old for this shit. I’m ready to spend the rest of my days soaking up the sun on a beach in Cancun.”
“No.” Trent glares. “Why lie about Leighton?”
Bedo’s smile grows. “Because WMI only wanted Off Track if you came with it. I thought Opal was a rep from some other label. That she was here to woo you away. I wasn’t about to throw all my hard work away, so I needed an inside source.” He glances at me and I turn away, taking the opportunity to slide the cookies in the oven.
“But Opal wasn’t a spy,” Lexi smarts.
Bedo glares at her. “Yeah, well, I found that out eventually, no thanks to my nephew. Once he fell in love I kicked him to the curb. His loyalty was with her, and love makes people do crazy things. I couldn’t chance it.”
Sean shakes his head, hatefulness directed with his glare. “So, you broke them up and we lost our best drummer.”
“It’s business, baby. Nothing personal,” Bedo says. “In fact, you should thank me.”
“Thank you?” Trent scoffs incredulously.
“Yeah. With the WMI promotional connections, you all stand to make a lot of fucking money.”
“You piece of shit—” Austin lunges at Bedo, but the man is surprisingly agile for his age and dodges out of the way.
Sean and Trent move to their friend, and between them prevent Austin from attacking again.
“He’s not worth it, man. He’s not fucking worth it,” Sean says.
“That’s right. And my lawyers would sue your ass so fast you could kiss your fortune good-bye.” Bedo’s cockiness doesn’t abate for one second and I’m completely sickened by his lack of character.
Trent points to the door. “I think you need to leave now.”
Bedo stares back. His jaw ticks with irritation, and after a long moment he finally tips his chin. “Very well. Good luck with your new manager.”
I can tell the guys would love to say something, but they don’t. They glare until Bedo’s outside the kitchen and the front door slams. Sean even follows to make sure he leaves.
The timer on the oven pings, a harsh sound in this still room. Grabbing a few dishtowels, I open the oven and retrieve the cookies. My chest feels tight, but I don’t allow myself to fall apart. Not with the truth reeling in my mind.
He didn’t use me.
He never betrayed the band.
He was as much a pawn in his uncle’s scheme as I was.
“I made—” Holding my breath, I drop the hot pan of oatmeal raisin cookies on the kitchen table with a bang. “Sorry,” I close my eyes and try to breathe through the uncomfortable rush that assaults my senses. When I open them everyone is staring. “Cookies,” I croak. “I made them for you.”
Austin stares back with a No shit, Sherlock raise of his brows.
“Are you okay?” Lexi walks over and touches my hand. Her brow etches with the same perpetual concern she’s worn since the day Leighton left, only this time it holds a different meaning.
I open my mouth, an excuse on the tip of my tongue, but the words die in my throat and a surge of emotion settles around me. I should tell her. I’ve been meaning to. I can’t hide it forever.
“I’m pregnant.” The admission blurts from my mouth and with it an even more forceful wave of nausea follows. It’s not as if I planned to tell my sister this way; the truth just comes out.
I don’t stay to see if there’s disappointment on her face, or shock from the guys, because I’m already mid-run to the trashcan where I toss my cookies. Literally. After my stomach is empty, I drop to the floor on a groan and hang my head in my hands.
How could I be so stupid? I’m just like my mother. The very real fear something will happen to me like it did to her hits me square in the chest, and if I weren’t already sitting it’d knock me on my ass. What if this child never knows the love of a mother’s arms? Or never has a relationship with Leighton? The thought is crippling.
“So, uh, we should . . .” Trent stammers. “Impromptu band meeting in the basement. Jess comes, too.” The shuffle of feet and whispers fade as everyone heads down the hall.
Lexi sits on the floor next to me and rubs my back. “Hey, it’s okay. Everything’s gonna be okay.”
I lift my gaze and I don’t try to hide the worry from my face. “How can you say that? Nothing is okay right now. The man I loved and trusted is gone. How do I tell him? Will he even want to be involved? I’m alone and pregnant and completely clueless how to navigate any of this.” Tears spring to my eyes and it takes everything to not curl into a ball.
“First off, you are not alone. You got that?” She stares. “I’m assuming it’s Leighton’s?”
I nod.
There’s no judgment in her eyes. “How far along?”
I take another breath. “About two months.”
“If you don’t want to keep it . . .”
My head shakes with a vigorous no. There’s no doubt in my mind I want this child. It was never a question.
“Because whatever you decide, I’m here for you. We’re sisters. We stick together.”
“I want this baby. It’s the one thing I’m sure of.”
She nods. “Then we need to find you a doctor and get you started on whatever it is pregnant mamas need. And rest. Lots of rest. You shouldn’t be baking and taking care of everything like you are.”
“No, it’s good. I need to work. Staying busy helps.”
She tilts her head. “But you’
ll rest more. Promise. At least until we visit a doctor and you get the all clear.”
I nod and stare at the floor. My vision blurs but I blink back the tears. “I’m scared,” I whisper.
“I know.” Lexi lays her head on my shoulder and wraps her arm protectively around my body. “You really want this?” And we both understand what she’s asking. Am I ready for the responsibility? Am I okay with giving up my newfound freedom—my youth—to be a mom?
“I really do.” My hand settles on my abdomen. From the outside my body looks the same, but I know from those pink-lined sticks I bought a few days ago, there’s a miracle underneath the surface.
“Are you gonna tell him?” she says. “At least talk to him?”
“I want to.” I need to. If there’s one mistake from my mother’s past I refuse to repeat, it’s keeping a child from knowing her father. A flicker of hope blooms in my chest at the image of Leighton as a daddy. He’ll make an excellent one, I’m certain. I shake off the thought, because we aren’t a perfect little family. He may want nothing to do with this child, and I need to guard my heart for that. “Will you help me find him?”
“Of course. I’d do anything for you. And this little nugget, too.” Her free hand rests gently atop mine and for the first time since discovering this news I allow myself to soak up the joy of it all.
“I’m gonna be a mama.”
“Yes.” My sister’s voice is taut with emotion. “And you made me an aunt.” She laughs, the closest thing to a giggle I’ve ever heard from her lips.
I join along, my face splitting with a smile. “Thank you, Lexi.”
“I love you, Opal. And this child? This baby’s going to be so loved. I promise.”
I believe her.
38
Leighton
