“Dude, you didn’t even sleep along with her. Why are you smiling like that?” he asks, pouring one other cup of espresso.

“You suppose I have to sleep with somebody to be pleased?”

His brows draw down in confusion. “Properly, yeah. You’re Cooper Fucking Davies. That’s how the world works.”

Wow. Is my repute that unhealthy?

I’m shocked what he stated stings. I’m not used to all of those feelings. I’ve spent my complete grownup life actively doing the whole lot to keep away from feeling this manner. And now, immediately, I’m okay with it? Even realizing the way it will finish?

When did I cease caring about getting damage, and, extra importantly, hurting another person? I’d have to do extra soul-searching like I did in Ojai not too way back. Possibly I went too far the opposite method.

“Fuck off, man.” I seize my telephone and begin scrolling by means of social media, attempting to distract myself from the invasive ideas about who will finally damage whom. As I open TikTok, I see myself tagged in a ton of movies from final evening. “Shit.”

“What’s it?” Remy asks, wanting over my shoulder.

We watch as final evening’s occasions unfold from completely different angles and views from the folks recording within the crowd who uploaded movies. Nothing is missed. Not the asshole groping the lady who was crowd-surfing. Not me throwing my guitar and leaping into the group. Not the belligerent asshole attempting to defend himself. And never me beginning an all-out brawl. The whole lot is out and open for everybody to see. Even the asshole getting arrested. Good. A minimum of the press can’t twist this into one thing it’s not. There have been too many witnesses.

So many witnesses, however I used to be the one one who acted on what the asshole did? That’s fucked up in itself.

Mackenzie calls after about an hour of taking within the media storm that occurred whereas we had been sleeping.

“I take it you’ve seen the whole lot on-line?” she asks, her tone all enterprise because it normally is. She must loosen up.

“I don’t know if I’ve seen the whole lot, however I’ve seen sufficient, yeah.” I begin to inwardly cringe, awaiting the axe that’s about to fall on my neck for stopping the present final evening. The label is most probably pissed that movies of me beating a man up and beginning a melee are all around the web. I can’t wait to listen to what a fuck up and disappointment I’m to everybody at Blackmore Information. I ponder if that’s a part of why there’s a gathering with Cassidy within the close to future.

“Good job, Coop,” she says, and I’m undecided I heard her.

“Excuse me?” She didn’t simply praise me for getting right into a combat.

She clears her throat and says, “What you probably did final evening for that lady. Good job.”

I’m surprised, speechless. Mackenzie isn’t identified for being probably the most exuberant along with her reward of individuals, particularly me, so this throws me for a loop. She’s our group cheerleader, sure, however private motivation coach is just not on her resumé, particularly not with me.

“Don’t let it go to your head that I gave you a praise,” she snaps, however I can hear the laughter in her voice. She tries to come back off like a hardass, however deep down, she’s a giant softie.

“Oh, I wouldn’t dare. Don’t fear.”

My relationship with Mackenzie has by no means been what I’d name straightforward. As a rule, we’re at one another’s throats with differing opinions about what’s or isn’t acceptable conduct, and the way poorly I’m making everybody within the band look by my actions. She’s normally proper, however I’d by no means inform her that to her face.

The distinction is that till now, I didn’t give a shit.

Now, swiftly, I need to look good within the press. And why is that? As a result of I need to impress Sloane Citadel.

Fuck.

“Cooper? Are you continue to there?” Mackenzie is asking.

“Yeah, I’m right here. Sorry.” Ideas of Sloane are taking on and throwing me method off my recreation.

“Did Remy let you know concerning the assembly with Cassidy?”

“He stated there can be one, however not when or what it’s about.” I can’t assist however maintain my breath whereas ready for her reply. I’ve a nasty feeling about this assembly for some motive.

“Properly, it’s Tuesday after your recording session at Jude’s, and it’s about Nyx.”

A chill rolls over me on the title, and my jaw clenches. I’m shocked I don’t reflexively crush my telephone.

“Oh?” is all I can get out. Remy provides me an odd look, however I ignore him. I’ve a sense he’s identified what the assembly is about however didn’t need to be the one to inform me as a result of he knew I’d be pissed. He was proper about that a lot.

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