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)
Declan, Camden, and Gage are accommodating and spend a little extra time with her to make up for their fourth bandmate being a dick. Once we get through them taking pictures with everyone, we head back to the hotel since they have another show tomorrow night.
“Is he going to miss the meet and greets for the rest of the tour?” I ask. He’s missed every one since the night he found out I didn’t cheat on him. Aside from him showing up to perform, he hasn’t been around at all. He doesn’t even go out.
“He just needs time,” Camden says. “He spent years thinking you cheated, and that gave him a reason to hate you. Now... it’s all just fucked up.” He blows out a harsh breath.
“Maybe I should leave the tour,” I suggest, hating that Braxton is hiding out on his own tour because of me. The morning after everything went down, I heard him tell the guys he wanted me off the tour, but Camden told him it wasn’t happening.
The guys don’t argue, and I know it’s because they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. They’ve told me countless times I’m doing a good job at keeping everything organized and promoting the hell out of this tour. But I’m also the woman who hurt their best friend.
We arrive at the hotel and go our separate ways. Since they don’t need to do anything in the morning, we’re all off until tomorrow afternoon for the sound check. Needing to clear my head, I change into my bathing suit and cover-up and head up to the private indoor pool that’s only available to the band. After undressing and dropping my towel onto a nearby chair, I dive in and swim laps while I think about what I need to do.
As much as I need this job, it’s not fair to Braxton that I stay. I was already selfish enough, between lying to him and taking this job. He’s been hurt so much. I was stupid to think I’d tell him the truth, and he’d magically forgive me.
A movement out of the corner of my eye stops me in the water, and I see Braxton. Dressed in a pair of board shorts and T-shirt, he’s standing against the pillar watching me.
“Sorry,” I say, swimming to the steps to get out. “I didn’t know you’d be using the pool tonight.”
“You don’t have to leave on my account.”
“It’s fine.” I climb out and grab my towel, drying my hair and body off. When I look up, Braxton’s standing right in front of me, so close I can smell the fresh scent of the cologne I originally bought him.
“Camden said you suggested you leave the tour.”
“I did.” I flip my hair up and wrap it in the towel so it’s not dripping everywhere.
“I think that would be for the best.”
My heart drops, and I nod, refusing to make eye contact with him. I know I set all of this in motion, but it doesn’t mean I’m not hurt by it. Pushing Braxton away was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I threw up for hours afterward and spent days crying, my heart feeling as though I reached into my chest and ripped it out myself. There were times I wanted to run to him and tell him the truth, and moments I didn’t think I could move forward without him. But I watched as the band took off, and even though it hurt like hell, I thought deep down I did the right thing. And that’s what got me through every day.
“I understand,” I tell him as I reach for my cover-up to put it back on since I’m only in a tiny bikini. As I’m finding the sleeves, a hand pulls it away, and I’m forced to look at him, confused.
“What the fuck is this?” he breathes, his fingers wrapping around... Oh, shit. I forgot to take it off. “You still have this?”
He fingers the promise ring he gave me all those years ago, and I nod robotically, praying he doesn’t rip it from my neck. I took it off the day he left since I didn’t deserve to wear it, but I put it on a chain and have been wearing it around my neck ever since.
“Why do you still have this?” he asks, his eyes meeting mine.
“Because you gave it to me.”
“And then you cheated.” He shakes his head, growling under his breath in frustration. “Dammit, Kaylee. Why did you do it?” He tugs on the ends of his hair, his gaze pleading with me to give him the right answer. But I don’t know what he wants or needs to hear. What will make this better.
“I didn’t cheat—”
“Lie! Why the fuck did you lie?” he asks, his voice raspy and filled with so much emotion that all I want to do is wrap my arms around him and hold him tight.