Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“That’s not how this was supposed to go down!” my dad hisses. “You were supposed to let him go, not follow him all over the damn country.”
The fuck?
“I didn’t plan this. But things happened, and the band... They’re my last chance if I want to save my career before it’s even started.” Kaylee huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. “I didn’t even want to be on that damn tour. I only took the job to get my foot in the door, and instead, I was shot in the foot. Now I’m just trying to save my ass. Camden offered me a lifeline, and I took it.”
“You’re so damn selfish. Just like every other woman,” my dad says.
“That’s not fair! I haven’t even spoken to Braxton since that night.” She turns slightly, and I catch a glint of liquid in her eyes. She’s tearing up... but why? None of this makes any sense. I hear what they’re saying, but I can’t help thinking that I’m missing a vital piece.
“What will it take?” my dad asks, standing up straight. “Name your price. What will it take for you to walk away and never look back? Whatever they’re paying you, I’ll double it.”
What the hell? My dad makes a good living, but why would he offer that? All because my ex-girlfriend is our publicist? I know he hates her, but this doesn’t make any sense.
“You know what? Fuck you!” Kaylee cries. “I’m not the damn problem here. I did as you said, and he left like you wanted, but he’s not happy. Can’t you see that? He drinks and smokes and sleeps around. Sure, he has money, but he’s not happy,” Kaylee chokes out. “Don’t you want that for him?”
“Don’t you fucking go there.” My dad steps toward Kaylee, and she takes a step back. My hackles rise, not liking the way he’s cornering her. “My son is happy. Don’t you dare ruin his future because you’re jealous. You did the right thing, now do it again, and walk the hell away.”
“And what if I can’t?” she asks, jutting out her chin. “What if I want to tell him the truth?”
“Then you’re more stupid than I thought,” my dad says, “because he’s never going to forgive you.”
“Maybe... maybe not. But at least he’ll know the truth.”
“He doesn’t need the truth! What he needs is for you to leave him the fuck alone.”
“Actually, I would like to know the truth,” I say, stepping out from where I’ve been hiding.
“Brax,” Kaylee breathes, her eyes going wide in shock.
“Son... I thought you were going out for your birthday.”
“Changed my mind.” I shrug. “Now, tell me.” I lock eyes with Kaylee. “What the hell is going on?”
“I can explain,” Kaylee says.
“Please do.”
“Can we go somewhere and talk?” Her eyes flit between my dad and me.
“Nah.” I shake my head. “You can just say it right here.”
“Okay...” She nods slowly as if she’s psyching herself up.
“Braxton, listen—” My dad starts to cut in, but my glare shuts him up.
“Kaylee, talk. Now.”
“I never cheated on you,” she blurts out, her words making me take a step back. Because what in the actual fuck?
“What in the hell are you talking about?” I bark.
“You weren’t going to go to LA, and I didn’t want to be the reason you gave up your music career, so I lied.” Tears fill her lids and spill over as she looks at me, silently begging me to understand. “I knew you wouldn’t leave unless I pushed you away... did something unforgivable.”
“So you cheated on me.”
“But I didn’t. I had Jack take the pictures and post them, so you would think I did. I couldn’t do it, and he didn’t care because everyone thought we did it anyway. So he took it as a win.”
“Why the fuck would you do that?” I mean, I know why. I heard what she said, but I don’t understand. That’s not the kind of person she was back then... to purposely hurt me. If I hadn’t seen the pictures with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed she cheated.
And then it clicks. “You did this.” I look at my dad, who’s been quiet this entire time since she started confessing. “You told her to do this.”
“I didn’t tell her to cheat on you... or pretend or whatever.” He waves his hand in the air like there’s an annoying fly he can’t get rid of. “But I did tell her to let you go.” He steps over to me and puts his hand on my shoulder. “I did it for you, son. Because I love you. I didn’t want you to make the same mistakes I made. You would’ve regretted not going to LA to be a part of the band. Look at the success you’ve achieved. You would’ve given it all up for her.”