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Chapter 19 - Maddox
“Your ex did what?” I said into the phone in disbelief. I glanced at Carter, who frowned. Veronica and Lacie had jumped in the limo with us, but they wouldn’t get out on the red carpet. They’d meet us in the dressing room before we went on stage for our performance.
“She hacked into my account online and took some photos of me, and some photos of Morgan in, uh, compromising positions,” Garrett said over the phone.
“What?” I repeated as my jaw dropped.
“Morgan and I have been, uh, ahem. Seeing each other.”
I grinned and shook my head. “Of course you have been. What do you need from us?”
“Look, my ex said that if we go on stage today, she’ll release the photos. Morgan’s career will be ruined. I know a lot is riding on this show, and that our album launch has been building up to it, but…” he took a deep breath. “I can’t go on.”
“Garrett,” I started, but he interrupted me.
“I know it’s a dick move. Look, I really care about this woman. I don’t want to ruin her life. Our fans will understand. Our launch will recover. We had a great week, and one show at some dumb award ceremony won’t change that.”
“Garrett, stop,” I said, glancing at Carter. “I’m in the limo with Carter, and I’ll ask him, but I’m pretty sure he’ll be okay with it. We’re on your side. We won’t play.”
Garrett breathed a sigh. “Thanks, brother.”
“See you soon.”
As soon as I hung up the phone, Carter spoke up.
“What the fuck is going on? What did you mean we won’t play?”
“Apparently Morgan and Garrett were sending nudes to each other while we were in New York.”
“What?!” Lacie and Veronica said in unison.
“Garrett’s ex has come out of the woodwork and threatened to release them if we go through with tonight’s show. Garrett says it’ll end Morgan’s career, and he doesn’t want to go on.”
“So he and Morgan…” Carter trailed off.
I nodded.
Carter sat back and shrugged. “I guess we’re not playing.”
“You guys would do that for Morgan?” Lacie breathed, her eyes wide. I put out my arm and she scooted closer to me. I pulled her in, kissing her temple. Carter put his hand over Veronica’s and interlaced his fingers with hers.
“When we find someone, we’re loyal,” I said. Lacie’s eyes shone and she opened her mouth as if to speak, but nothing came out.
“It’s true,” Carter said. I wasn’t looking at him, but I guessed he was staring at Veronica. “Fuck the album launch. It’s just one show, we’ll play a thousand more.”
“This is the biggest show of the year,” Lacie breathed. “You’d give that up…?”
“Yes,” I said, and crushed my lips against hers. Even if it wasn’t Lacie that was in trouble, it felt the same. Garrett needed us, and I could tell that he cared about Morgan. If the way that I felt was anything to go on, he’d found the woman that he was meant to be with, too.
I’d want him to do the same for me, so there was no question about it. We wouldn’t play.
We did the whole red carpet thing without Garrett. I had no idea where he was, and I’m sure the tabloids would be wondering, but it didn’t matter. Carter and I went in and moved backstage as quickly as we could. We were met with Veronica and Lacie as we rounded the last corner to our dressing room.
“How do you know they won’t release the photos, even if you don’t play? What about the rest of the band?” Morgan’s voice came through the door.
I exchanged a glance with Carter, who nodded.
“Garrett called us on the way over,” Carter said as he stepped through the door, followed by me, Lacie and Veronica. “You’re one of us, now, Morgan. We won’t let you go through that.”
