twenty-one

Chelsea

Cooper

I rush out of the constructing when my final scholar of the day leaves so I don’t run into Sloane. It’s cowardly and a chicken-shit technique to go about issues, however I have to get my head straight earlier than doing anything. I’m having loopy ideas about dedication and long-term exclusivity with a girl I haven’t even fucking kissed but.

That isn’t me.

And till I work out why I’m all of the sudden doing this stuff and what all of it means, I can’t pull anybody else into my vortex of chaos. Not but.

The look on Sloane’s face after I turned down her dinner invitation was virtually sufficient to interrupt me. Nearly. I needed to chunk the within of my cheek onerous to remind myself I don’t do dates. That’s not who Cooper Davies is. And Sloane Citadel must be taught that actual fast. It’s a painful lesson for all concerned, however it’s my actuality.

I make it to Blackmore Data on time for the assembly and discover the remainder of the band and Mac already within the convention room with Cassidy, Blackmore’s lawyer and Jake’s fiancée. A tall lady with blonde hair and blue suggestions named Eliza can be in attendance. Apparently, she’s one of many executives on the label.

So, the entire fam damily is right here. Great.

As soon as everybody will get settled, Cassidy begins the assembly.

“So, as everybody is aware of, there have been tales in regards to the band, significantly about Jake and Cooper, within the tabloids over the previous few months. And particularly in Blindsided.” All of us nod. This isn’t information to any of us. “And I do know you in all probability have questions on what we will do legally in regards to the tales.”

“Please inform me we will sue Nyx seven methods to Sunday,” Mac growls. “That bitch has made our lives hell.”

Jake and I share a glance, understanding we’ve been on the receiving finish of that hell greater than most. We by no means actually talked about it although. All of it occurred so near Andy’s loss of life, and every part about us was fucked up then. We by no means mentioned the way it was affecting us individually. With our brand-spanking new report deal, the band was our foremost precedence. We, as folks, have been secondary.

Cassidy winces somewhat at Mac’s bloodthirst. “Properly, right here’s the factor…”

“Welp, a lot for that,” Remy snaps, throwing his palms up, already giving in to defeat.

“No, wait,” Eliza says, making an attempt to calm us all down. “Hear what Cassidy has to say on this, okay?”

“The factor is, defamation circumstances are difficult to pursue with any success.” She swallows onerous, and I can inform she hates to be the bearer of unhealthy information. “And we might have to show hurt, which suggests consultants would want to do assessments…”

“Psychological?” I ask, already understanding the reply.

“Sure.”

“Fuck no,” Jake and I say in unison.

Everybody shifts their gazes between us curiously however doesn’t say something.

“There’s no method I’m letting any evaluation of my private shit change into public report wherever,” I say on to Cassidy, avoiding everybody else. “That’s an actual fast no.”

“However Cooper, we will’t let Nyx get away with this–” Mac’s hackles are raised. Her protecting streak is a mile extensive relating to us. I admire that, however I’m defending myself right here.

“Can’t we?” Jake asks, taking a look at us in query. “She’s gone this lengthy with out repercussion. And she or he’s to this point faraway from us now, there’s no method she has something new to promote. Or a minimum of something anybody would need to purchase.”

“That hasn’t stopped her to this point,” I say. I see what he’s saying, however she’s been operating on fumes for months and continues to be cashing in. This entire factor is tousled.

“What do you counsel?” Skyler asks. Stage-headed, as at all times. “Do you might have one thing in thoughts?”

“I do,” Cassidy says cautiously, and I get the sense we gained’t like what she says subsequent. “I need to make a take care of Nyx.”

The room erupts into chaos, with everybody within the band standing and shouting that there isn’t a method in hell we’re going to make a take care of the satan. Eliza and Cassidy try their greatest to calm all people down. And Mackenzie sits and stares silently at nothing, too shocked by the concept.

After the preliminary explosion of feelings, Mac places two fingers to her mouth and whistles loudly, successfully shutting us all up.

“Guys. Chill the fuck out.” She waits for us all to take our seats earlier than persevering with. “Let’s hear Cassidy’s reasoning earlier than all of us go nuts, okay? Go forward. Persuade us.”

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