Queen of Kings

by RH Tucker

  Maddox scoffs. “You put Charlize Theron on your celebrity freebie list. Seriously?”

  “Dude! She’s hot!”

  Another round of laughs floats between us. Digging into our lunch, EJ and Maddox continue to bicker back and forth on hotter actresses, while I scribble down new pieces of lyrics that pop in my head.

  My brain’s been Austin-free recently, except for the occasional memory that pops in. What makes it difficult is that they aren’t bad memories. I wish they were because it’d make it easier to hate him and want nothing to do with him again. But they’re good memories. Like the time I met his mom, or when we went undercover on the beach. Little things that had nothing to do with the music industry at all. They were simply moments I started to feel something I hadn’t felt in a long time. With him. And I wish I could forget them because when I do remember what he did to me, it makes it all the more painful.

  Finishing our lunch, we decide to work on a few more songs for our record, and Maddox ventures into the studio to lay down some more drum tracks. Derrik and I argue about the placements of lyrics, and EJ chimes in that there aren’t enough guitar hooks. Maddox wants a harder sound in one of the songs, and I tell them I think there should be a softer edge to another one we’ve been toying around with. All in all, it’s like any other day creating music with my family—arguing, exchanging ideas, and humorous bickering about what sounds better.

  After a few more hours, we leave the studio, walking out toward the parking garage. The arguing about who’s hotter has started up again, only this time it’s between Halle Berry and Selma Hayek. EJ chooses Hayek while Derrik picks Berry. Maddox refuses to choose. “They’re both too hot. You can’t choose between them, it’s unconscionable,” he tells them, making us all laugh.

  My laughter comes to an abrupt stop. Austin leans against his shiny Range Rover; he’s dressed in his usual jeans, Vans shoes, and a white T-shirt that’s covered with a gray hooded sweater. Chewing on his lips nervously, his eyes meet mine, and he offers a small wave.

  “No way. Hell no.” Maddox steamrolls his way over to him.

  “Hold on.” Austin lifts his hand in defense, while Derrik and EJ get between the two. “I didn’t come here to fight.”

  “She told you to drop it, douchebag,” Maddox yells at him. “What about that don’t you understand?”

  “Maddox,” I call over to my brother. It’s not a harsh command because I do wish Austin would just leave.

  Maddox glances over his shoulder, eyeing me carefully. I nod that it’s okay, then meet Austin’s gaze. “What do you want?”

  “To explain things. Please, I didn’t mean—”

  “I don’t care what you meant or didn’t mean to do. You stabbed me in the back. And not only that, but you did it by playing on my emotions. You’re lower than garbage.”

  I’m happy I’m finally able to say the words, but they hurt. Not only because they remind me about what he did, but because he looks gutted after he hears them. I force myself to not feel any pity for his feelings, though. He did this.

  Reaching in his pocket, he walks closer, and Maddox straightens his shoulders. Derrik stays in front of him, keeping his hand on my brother’s chest just in case. Austin pulls out a small device that looks like a black rectangle. “This is yours.”

  He holds it out, but I don’t move. EJ takes it, eyeing it for a moment, before glancing back at me.

  “I don’t want anything that has to do with you, Austin. Not anymore,” I tell him.

  He stares at the cement in the dimly lit parking garage, before taking a long breath. Nodding to himself, his brown eyes finally look up and meet mine. “I know. But that’s not mine. That’s yours. Your music.”

  My eyes widen. “What?”

  “I downloaded everything off of my dad’s files. Everything you ever recorded is on that hard drive. It’s all there, and Rich Records doesn’t have a copy of any of it. I told my dad I deleted it.”

  I don’t know what to say. EJ takes a step back, handing me the device. My eyes examine it, unsure what to do or say.

  “Jade, I never meant to deceive you.” His words force me to look back up at him. He eyes my brother, then Derrik and EJ. “Fine, if I have to do it here, then I will. You came in that day at Rich Records and tore my dad a new one when you thought he purposely left your name on the list. For all I know, he did. But your words for him that day embarrassed me. Not that I haven’t been embarrassed by him before, but there you were, calling my dad this and that … how could I tell you who I was? I didn’t want you thinking the same thing about me. That’s why I used my mom’s name.

  “And then, as time went on, I learned exactly who you were. You. Kristen the musician, not Jade the rock star. I wanted to tell you more than ever. But at the same time, I kept hiding it because I knew I was getting in too deep. How could I tell you? After getting closer to you, it’d look like I was deliberately lying. I never wanted it to be that way. But I was afraid if I told you, you’d hate me. In the end, I guess I was right.”

  I want to believe him. I do. But I can’t.

  He nods in silent understanding, knowing I won’t forgive him. “Yeah …” He peers at the ground. “I never meant to hurt you,” he says low. Finally meeting my gaze one last time, remorse covers his face. “I’m sorry.”

  Turning around, he walks around his SUV and gets in, starting it. He stares over at me through the passenger side window, meeting my eyes before backing up and driving out of the parking garage.

  We all stand around silently. My eyes jump from the boys to the hard drive and then to the ground. I twirl the device in my fingers, shaking my head. It’s touching, but how do I know this is the truth? Maybe he’s just trying to play me again. How do I know he actually deleted it? How do I know my music is even on this thing?

  I scoff, doing my best to sound indifferent. “Right. As if. You believe that guy?”

  When none of them answer, my gaze floats over them. Derrik bites his lip nervously. EJ winces in a manner I can’t tell if he’s confused or feels pity over me.

  Maddox gazes back at me, his emerald eyes shining back at mine, before cringing. “I do.”

  After getting home, I immediately plug in the hard drive to find everything there. All of my rough cuts, all of the guitar sounds, everything. I should be happy, and I am that I have my music, but I have no idea how to feel about everything else.

  There’s no doubt that Austin doing that would have serious repercussions. I don’t know if Jimmy Richards would’ve ever released my stuff, though if I had to guess, I’d say he would. But now that he doesn’t have it, I’m sure he’s beyond upset that Austin did what he did. Would Austin risk that kind of wrath over me if I never meant anything to him? Bret didn’t even leave a lunch for me, but here’s Austin risking the onslaught of his father, simply to get me my music back.

  Not only is there mixed happiness over my music, but I’m plagued with all of the boys believing him. How could they? He sounded honest and apologetic, but still. After we left the parking garage, none of them said a word. I could see Derrik and EJ falling for his lines, wanting to think the best of him, but not Maddox. The same guy who’s been an overprotecting brother for my entire life. But even Maddox believes him.

  My brother never, not once, thought Bret was a good guy. He always warned me about him and that he seemed like he wanted to mooch off of our success. In the beginning, I thought it was just a brother thing, but looking back on it, I can see he was right. If he saw through Bret’s character, could he also be right about Austin? I don’t want him to be right because I still want to be mad. But at the same time … I don’t.

  The next day, I decide I have to talk to Austin. I’m hoping to find some common ground with him. He did go out on a limb for me, so maybe there were real feelings between us. If he was being honest with me when he said he didn’t know how to tell me the truth, perhaps we can start over. I’d have to take it slow, but I want to believe him. And unlike believing my bro
ther was right about Bret, this time I do want him to be right.

  Heading into Rich Records, I find Shawn at the front desk, lounging with his feet on the desk. I fight off the feelings of distrust once again, secretly hoping Shawn wasn’t part of whatever maniacal plan I’ve imagined since finding out the truth.

  When he sees me, he immediately sits up. “Oh, hey, Jade.”

  “Hey, Shawn.” I bite my lip, feeling nervous about what I’m going to ask. “Um … Is Austin here or coming in today?”

  He twists his head, giving me a perplexed stare. “I thought he talked to you.”

  “He did, but I was …” An embarrassed laugh floats out of me. “I was pretty abrupt with him.”

  He nods. “I see. Well, maybe he didn’t get through the whole story.” He glances around the lobby, then leans closer as if he’s about to tell me a secret. “He, uh, doesn’t work here anymore.”

  My head jerks back, completely caught off guard. “What?”

  “Yeah. When he told his dad he deleted your music files, well, it wasn’t pretty. They got into an argument. Then, Austin told him what he’s really going to school for and that he can’t stand how his dad does business. Afterward …” Trailing off, he gazes at the desk. He shakes his head; I can’t tell if it’s disappointment or sorrow. “His dad cut him off. From everything. No more job, no cash to live off of. He even cut off his money for school. It’s … bad.”

  I don’t know what to say. I had no idea that his father could be that callous. Sure, he’s black and white when it came to business decisions. I know the reputation of Jimmy Richards in the music industry. If something doesn’t make financial sense, he won’t blink twice before cutting loose ends to make sure the money doesn’t stop flowing. But to think he’d do that with his own son. Even more than that, that Austin put that relationship with his father, no matter how shaky it may have been, on the line for me?

  But what now? Do I search for him after he upended his whole life for me? Would he even want to see me? Before he told me the truth, I didn’t want to see him. It reminded me of what I lost. Would he feel the same with me? Everything he gave up for me, and then for me to only throw it back in his face when he finally told me the truth.

  “Okay,” I reply to Shawn. “Thanks anyway.”

  32

  Austin

  How do you search for jobs? I wish that was a joke or even a facetious thought. It’s not.

  My father never missed his alimony payments to my mom, so I didn’t have to worry about money growing up. And for the last year or so, I’ve worked for him. Even though I never received an official paycheck, the money he gave me covered everything to live off of. And then some.

  Since I’ve been out from under his umbrella, it’s not like everything came crashing down at one time. However, I’ve received multiple notices that automatic payments cannot be processed since the credit cards were canceled. So, I’ve been looking for jobs on websites and keeping my eyes open for any help wanted signs.

  My phone rings. Thankfully, my mom had my number changed over to her account, so at least I don’t have to worry about that for now. Yeah, she wasn’t surprised when I told her what happened.

  “Hello?” I answer the phone.

  “Hi, yes, I was hoping to speak to an Austin Richards.”

  “Speaking.”

  “Hello, this is Dale at the Just Java over on Jefferson Avenue. I was hoping you were available for an interview.”

  His words immediately draw me to attention. “Oh. Yeah, that’d be great. Thank you.”

  “All right, sounds good. Can you make it on Thursday morning at nine o’clock?”

  “Yes. I’ll be there.”

  “See you then.”

  Hanging up the phone, a smile hits me. It’s the first real feeling of success I’ve had in weeks. Slapping my hands together, I let out a cheerful yell. “Yes!”

  “Oh, listen to you,” Shawn says, coming into the apartment. “Mr. Poopy Pants finally feeling better about something?”

  He laughs while I roll my eyes. “Shut up. But yes, I am. I just got a job interview.”

  “Oh, yeah? Where at?”

  “Just Java, over on Jefferson. It starts at minimum wage, but at least it’s something.”

  “Hell yeah it is. Cool, man.”

  He takes a seat on the couch next to me. Reaching over, I pick up the physics book that I’m studying for a test coming up. “One of the many things off the list. I’m still looking at student loans. Thankfully it won’t be as much as it would trying to get money for OCU.”

  “You’re still gonna transfer to community?”

  I lift my shoulders. “I don’t have much choice. There’s no way I’ll be able to afford going back next semester without my dad’s money.” He nods with a frown. “It’s all good. I can still become a teacher without a fancy college,” I say, chuckling.

  Turning on the TV, he starts scrolling through the channel guide, then taps my shoulder. “You call her yet?”

  Rolling my eyes, my head falls back over the top of the sofa. “Would you drop that already.”

  “I’m just saying.”

  “Yes, yes. I know what you’re saying. You’ve been saying it for days. She doesn’t want to see me. She doesn’t even want to know me.”

  “Then why would she go down to the building? She went there to see you.”

  “Yeah, probably to give me one last piece of her mind. She hates my guts, and I can’t blame her.”

  He doesn’t respond. He’s been telling me to call Jade for days, ever since she stopped by Rich Records asking for me. In all honesty, I don’t know why she went back. Maybe she did want to tell me off, or perhaps she just wanted to double-check and see if I was telling the truth. To find some way to see if her master recordings were anywhere in Rich Records’ system still. Whatever the reason, she already told me how she really feels, and I can’t change that.

  He slaps my arm. “Hey, let’s do something tonight?”

  I wave to the books and papers sitting in front of me on the coffee table. “Seriously? I still have to study, go over these other forms for loans, and I want to finish the other applications I picked up today.”

  “Other applications? Dude, you just got a call for an interview.”

  “Yeah, but I want to be safe. It’s not like I just drop my dad’s name and get what I want now.”

  He lifts his shoulders. “Yeah, I guess so.” He gets up from the couch, heading into the kitchen. “We got any frozen pizza left?”

  “I think so.”

  As he walks into the kitchen, my phone starts ringing. The number is one I don’t recognize, and a new hope hits me that it’s another possible employer. I turned in twenty applications in the last two days.

  “Hello?” Silence on the other end. Pulling the phone back, I see the call is still going. “Hello?”

  “What’s up, Austin?”

  “Uh … who is this?” The voice sounds familiar, but I can’t place it.

  “A King.”

  The word and voice finally hit me. “Maddox?”

  “Got a minute to talk?”

  33

  Jade

  I wish I could say I’ve stopped thinking about Austin, but I haven’t. I also wish I could say I want to try and get ahold of him again, but I don’t.

  No, I do.

  I don’t know.

  After finding out that he isn’t at Rich Records anymore, I initially thought I’d be happy about that. And there is a small piece of me that is. Then I remember everything else he lied about … or inadvertently lied or withheld information. However you want to describe it, it still stings. Which is why I decided to not reach out to him anymore. Maybe it’s better to let it all fade away and get on with my life. Which is easier to do when your best friend and brother aren’t always asking about it.

  I expected it from Lily, but what has caught me off guard is that Maddox has brought Austin up a couple of times. Like the other day, when we were all
in the studio, we took a quick break for lunch. We all went and grabbed some tacos, and on the way back Maddox asked if I was going to try and talk to Austin again. When I said I wasn’t going to, he asked why not.

  “Because what’s done is done,” I told him, and he seemed to drop it.

  It still caught me off guard that he brought him up. I’ve gotten so used to him hating Bret and telling me I was better off without him, that him taking an interest in Austin is perplexing. Regardless, I’m doing my best to ignore it.

  Tonight is the grand opening of Luxe, the brand new nightclub atop of the newest Mavin International Resort and Hotel in Malibu. It’s Maddox’s first night as the resident DJ for the next three months. The only time I think I’ve ever seen him this excited was the night before we started our world tour. Not only is everyone in the band here tonight to support and have fun, but Zoey came along with Skye and her band. And, of course, Adam Coleman. It’s almost a celebration for my brother.

  “What’s up, Malibu!” Adam shouts out from the stage, and the audience cheers. The rest of us are sitting on the second story, watching from the area Maddox has reserved for us. “You guys know I had to be here for not only the grand opening of this place but the King of Bad’s first official night as Luxe’s resident DJ. Who’s ready to party tonight?” Another cheer. “Then let’s hear it for drummer extraordinaire of the Kings of Karmichael, the King of Bad, and my boy, Maddox Barkley!”

  “What is this? A coronation?” Derrik asks, laughing.

  “It might as well be,” EJ replies.

  We all chuckle along as Maddox hops up on the stage and plays it up for the crowd, before starting his set with a heavy bass rhythm playing through the speakers.

  It’s an amazing place, and since a lot of people found out Maddox is the resident DJ for the new club, we aren’t the only celebrities in attendance. Red and gold lights flash around the ceiling, with small strobe lights pulsing around the stage. A full dance floor stands in front of where Maddox is playing, with a long bar serving customers at the entrance of the club. On the second floor, where we are, there’s a private bar as well, and waitresses to wait on the VIP clients up here. Truth be told, the entire club is a VIP experience.